Drifter's Solace

We just loved this Chef’s Table experience. The wine pairings were so unexpected and unique but perfectly matched to each plate. The knowledge and manner of both the chef and the sommelier made the night interesting, comfortable and a lot of fun. Our favourite dishes were the rabbit and the red snapper but the citrus dessert was gorgeous as well. The venue is warm and inviting, intimate but not intimidating. Can’t wait to visit again!

What a spectacular concept/menu and now pop-up... David brilliantly combines flavours to delight- and the perfectly curated menu is so well balanced and proportioned. Just had a spectacular private dining event, and teamed up with the resident Sommelier, the meal was beyond special!! Thank you Drifter's Solace! Will be back!!

The Pros - loved having the chef serve our food it made for a nice personal touch. the foie gras and the Picanha were indeed delicious.The Cons - the rest of the five dishes were not great, the atmosphere was not in line with the price paid - after adding in alcohol we paid $500+ for the dinner. I can think of many tasting menus in and out of the city for less than this that are far far better with an atmosphere to match. Equally the plating of the food was subpar.

I've had the pleasure of eating Chef Salt's food a number of times throughout COVID, usually via take home, but also twice at the Chef's Table at Drifter's Solace. It is truly the pinnacle of high end food in Toronto right now.

Great food, great wine, great ambiance. And I especially loved the stories and explanations that accompany the many courses. Chef David Salt is a fantastic host.

I went to a Drifter's Solace pop up a while back, and am still thinking about it, and oh the details! ... one single pink peppercorn in particular that accompanied a Foie Gras dish blew my mind. I had a similar experience this year with a dessert of his when he used a goat cheese custard with a surprise hint of, you guessed it, pink peppercorn. And I think that's the beauty of Chef David's dishes, they are subtle and layered, allowing you to savour even the smallest of its elements. He makes space for it all, each ingredient has its due, and it comes together beautifully. You can't not savour every bite, if not just to pick up on some of the more surprising mixes of flavours (oh hey pickled mushroom at the bottom of a soup). Plus, getting to chat with him during and/or after is a joy... and a window into each of the dishes with bonus fun facts about the ingredients.

Wow! I surprised my wife on her 40th with a private dinner for her 6 closest friends and Drifter’s Solace went above and beyond. Dave put together the perfect meal, and I was able to combine his Sommelier’s wine pairings with some of my own bottles (very appropriate corkage fee). We had the whole space to ourselves for the night, Dave’s overview and breakdown of each dish (he even gave away some secrets) and we were served and waited over in luxury by a sommelier who will explain every wine and pairing to you.It was the perfect setting for such this special milestone. Will have to find another reason to visit!

We had a charming, intimate dinner at Drifter's Solace last night. The venue, among the wine stacks of Grand Cru Deli, hardly feels like a restaurant, with fewer than a dozen diners at a time. It's as if you happened to know an incredibly accomplished chef who offered to serve you a seven course dinner in a wine shop after hours. The service is friendly, casual but precise and attentive. And over the next three hours, the seven courses of the testing menu arrive, delivered by Chef David Salt, who visits each table to offer his work. Fabulous small dishes with the freshest ingredients, beautifully presented. The fried chicken and matsutake mushroom dish was a discovery. The truffle cavatelli, my favourite. The foie gras, a show stopper; the cold turbot confit, a rare and precious dish. I won't spoil the rest. Overall, the menu was well balanced and ultimately very abundant without being too heavy. The wine pairings we had were on the lighter side, with many white wines -- to my taste, well chosen to complement the extraordinary dinner. Drifter's Solace is not for every day (and priced accordingly) and not the venue to see and be seen. But I would be delighted to go again for another celebratory dinner because it is memorably excellent and welcoming.

This is hands down my favorite dining experience in Toronto. Amazing food, high quality ingredients, and every step of the way a thoughtful and personal touch. Be sure to get the wine pairing, too!Updated: Drifter’s Solace has moved to Sips at 20 Maud. Can confirm it is still excellent!!

Absolutely fantastic Chef's Kitchen Table experience. Situated on the second floor, you have a private nook to yourself where Chef David Salt takes great care of you. He opens the night by telling us the space is ours and takes the time to explain every course himself. The foie gras starter is the kind of decadence you miss post pandemic. We added the picana beef supplement which Chef David dry aged for several weeks. It was a highlight along with the grilled spring onions that reminded me of a dish from Spain that Chef said are called calcot. You can also bring your own wine or buy wine from Grand Cru Deli downstairs (for a corkage fee) if you opt out of the wine pairings. It was such a fun night! Really a destination and worth getting a group together for. Will definitely be back.