Perhaps the best word to describe Taylor’s Genuine is unpretentious. This wine bar located just South of Lansdowne Park (a 15 min. bike ride from the market) is worth the extra effort. The food is delicious and one of the few places in town where you feel you’re getting value for money.
The service is fantastic. Our bartender let us try a few wines until we settled on some we found truly outstanding. (My choice: 2006 Costers del Gravet Tempranillo/Cabernet from Montsant, Spain, $9.5 for a glass). The wine selection, especially by the glass, is not very large but the prices are reasonable.
The menu was also not terribly large and did not include a vegetarian option, though the chef came up with a creation of smoked mash potatoes, grilled tofu, marinated mushrooms and local greens from the Lansdowne market (sweet peas and green beans) that suited my palate perfectly fine. We also tried the “Kerr Farm” black Angus Steak and the strawberry tart. The mains were reasonably priced (~$22).
Just like John Taylor’s Domus Cafe on Murray Street in the Market, the focus at Genuine is on local foods. The open kitchen means you can watch the chefs prepare your meal and the dinning room smells fantastic. The atmosphere is casual and elegant. It would be a great date spot or simple light meal and drinks on their patio (though the view of the Sunnyside Ave. chip wagon isn’t the best).
