Cactus Club Cafe, located in Toronto’s financial district at 77 Adelaide Street West, celebrated the annual opening of their rooftop patio on May 14, 2016. The Cactus Club Cafe deck party featured a live performance and DJ set from Toronto’s latest R&B duo, Majid Jordan. It also showcased some of Executive Chef Rob Feenie’s award-winning flavours.
Cactus Club Cafe comes to us from the West Coast, after several successful years serving up world class dishes, scenery, and nightlife in Vancouver. The brand has expanded vastly and now hosts multiple restaurants across Canada, all with a strong following. Feenie joined the team around 2008, successfully complementing the clean, crisp, and sophisticated style of the chain’s locales with his signature vibrant and fresh dishes.
There are multiple levels to Cactus Club Cafe, and the dining area is extensive, but I urge every patio loving Torontonian to give this rooftop a visit this summer. The space is quite large, but has a very inviting atmosphere. The centrally-located bar has booths on either side, with an open dance area directly in front that can host a DJ booth for amazing intimate sets.
I started my visit out with a refreshing Ciroc Lemon Ginger cocktail, comprised of Ciroc Ultra Premium, lemon, ginger beer, and fresh mint. I would recommend this drink to anyone who enjoys the dance floor as it is quite light, delicate and not overpowering or heavy. Same can be said of the Ciroc French 76, with lemon, pinch of sugar, and champagne. If you’re more in favour of an evening quietly swaying to the music near a private booth, please take a look at their wine list or beer selection. Better yet, consider the dining area, as it is ideal for engaging in great conversation after work or to simply grab a bite and recharge before heading back upstairs for more dancing!
One cannot visit Cactus Club Cafe and ignore the food. Chef Feenie was the first Canadian to win an Iron Chef Challenge, and has continued to impress the culinary world via his rich, intricate, yet accessible dishes. What does this mean exactly? That even if your favourite meal is the simplest burger, you will thoroughly enjoy an item like the Beef Sliders: cheddar, bacon, sautéed red peppers, with a slight sweetness that is accentuated by the brioche bun.
I personally like something with a bit more kick, so I tried Rob’s Crispy Chicken sandwich: fresh pickles, panko-crusted chicken, swiss cheese, sambal mayo, accompanied by the traditional lettuce, tomato, and onions. It’s the fragrance of the spice that hits you first, then the fresh crunch of the pickles, followed through by the moist chicken. The crispy batter had such a wonderful crunch that counters the saucy nature of the sandwich. I would highly recommend this dish!
Another delicious hand-held item on the menu is the Baja Fish Taco: beer battered lingcod, coleslaw, chipotle aioli, jalapeño peppers, delicious smoky salsa, topped with a slice of avocado. There was a great texture from the fried fish, a slight heat from the sauce that was countered by the creaminess of the slaw, and all lightly salted in the best way.
The menu at Cactus Club Cafe is thankfully quite extensive so there is something for everyone, but I would keep an eye out for the butternut squash ravioli with prawns, the Pork Short Rib with parsnip purée, and the Flatbread: grape tomatoes, feta, goat cheese, basil pesto, with caramelized onions, and a balsamic glaze. This flatbread is savoury, sweet, salty, and incredibly delicious! Not only is this dish flavourful, but also colourful and quite pleasing on the eyes.
If you’re still reluctant about Cactus Club Cafe, I would say the only way to make up your mind is to visit. This atmospheric location promises to host enjoyable dance nights for those who just need to move in Toronto’s hot summer nights, as well as elegant dinners for the more reserved personality. If you’re in the core and looking for a quality night out to be seen in your favourite black dress, or trim new suit, Cactus Club Cafe is worth putting at the top of your list. Enjoy!
Cactus Club Cafe, 77 Adelaide Street West (at First Canadian Place), 647-748-2025
looks like a great party
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