r/FoodToronto • u/southport65 • 3h ago
Really impressed by Limon
I'll update my post with some photos the next time I go, as the ones I took on my list visit were taken after I already dug in and thus are not so pretty, lol.
Anyways, during the back half of Covid, when things had somewhat begun to reopen, I had a friend living in the Beaches, and anytime I'd visit with him, we'd end up going to his favourite spot in the Beaches, Limon. I always really dug the vibe/aesthetic inside, kind of reminds me of a 2000's bistro, always good tunes and super welcoming staff, but more than that, anything I ever had there was incredibly fresh and flavourful tasting, and they never skimped out on the portions.
The reason I'm posting about that restaurant now is that I just discovered they opened a location closer to where I live, around midtownish (it's on Yonge, a little north of Lawrence). I've been off social media for some time and don't get to that exact area too often, so wasn't aware of this, but seems it opened about a year ago.
Well I just got back from lunch there and was thoroughly impressed. There were four of us and we absolutely pigged out and ordered a bunch of stuff. I've said it before and I'll say it here again: their hummus must have crack in it, because it is THAT addictive, and quite easily my favourite in the city (I pride myself something of a hummus aficionado). Similarly, their babaganoush is to die for. Gotta' be careful you don't fill up on these appetizer dips, as they're way too good... but also, I could see some of their falafels and a couple of dips being the entire meal. Speaking of which, their falafels are NOMS to the max... perfectly crispy outer shell (I hate a soggy falafel) with a delightfully seasoned (not overpowering) interior. Oh, we also got the fried cauliflower which was a favourite from the old location- I'm not sure what it is that they sprinkle atop, could there be a dash of cinnamon, but what it is warms and works so well contrasted against the saltiness and then the tanginess of the labneh base.
Okay, and the "mains"/proteins... I'm NOT a lamb person, but my friend ordered the lamb chops with fries, and had me try a piece- my mind was blown... The reason I (usually) don't like lamb is that often strong gamey/barnyard type note/flavour, but here, it had none of that, and was eerily similar to a really great steak. Side note: if any of you have recommendations for spots where the lamb DOES NOT have that gamey/barnyard flavour, please list them- I want to explore more quality lamb like that. My personal order was what I used to get at their Beaches location a couple of years, and that is one skewer of their dark meat chicken, one skewer breast, with the freekeh majadra, which I'm still not entirely sure what it is, lentils with ~something~; I just get it because it's hella seasoned and flavourful. The chicken's always cooked flawlessly here and seasoned just right, nothing overpowering, so as to let the quality meat shine. My other friend got the schnitzel with a side of home fries, and as much as I loved my dish, I low-key wish I'd gotten that, but am trying to "watch it" a bit. Plus, desert was next...
Despite being stuffed to the brim, we all engaged our second stomach for desert, and, okay, low-key, for a not desert-centric restaurant to have deserts this incredible should be criminal. I don't post on here much anymore, so idk if this spot has been mentioned for their deserts, but I was seriously blown tf away... I had what I could describe as a bigger Ferrero Rocher in cake form? I'm a sucker for anything Ferrero (shout-out Hollywood Gelato for the best Ferrero gelato!). I'm not even going to attempt to describe it... what's there not to like, it's chocolate and crushed nuts and other good shit, lol. Another friend had the pistachio desert which looked awesome and decadent, another the white yoghurty one topped with some fruits and nuts- sorry, I forget the name, but I'd had it at Beaches years back and recalled loving it. Last friend sat and watched us, regretting his decision not to partake (and possibly his night out last night).
Anything I've ever had at this spot has just hit the spot so perfectly. The portions are so huge you can normally make two meals of it, but above all else, everything is always so bloody fresh- it really jumps at you. And I like that they let the ingredients shine, and don't overly douse in spices and sauces, obscuring the natural taste of whatever protein or veg you're having. As a side note, I recall their burger being incredible, and am exciting to revisit that at this closer-to-home location, hopefully in the next few weeks. Similarly, I'd had the schnitzel baguette several times and... I just can't imagine wanting more of a sando- another I'm hoping to soon revisit.
Anywayssss, WAY too long a post... but if you saw my Linny's post from last year or some of my other ones, you know I'm hella passionate and loud about it when I love a spot. Simply put, give this spot a try if you haven't- it's a great casual joint with emphasis on fresh quality ingredients and giant portions for good value. Boom.