Part of the W 4th Ave new-boy triangle (Fuel, Gastropod, Bistrot Bistro), Fuel was the first of the three to open late last year. I’ve been 3 times in the last few months and I can honestly say, it’s my favourite table in the entire city. The food is excellent, pricing reasonable, and service is absolutely astounding.

I’ve had lunch twice there and the lamb shoulder sandwich is astounding. It’s flavourful, very tender, and for the size, is a steal at $14. They also have a soup/sandwich/dessert special at $25, and app/entree/dessert at $35.

Now for the main reason why I keep coming back, I gotta tell you about dinner.

There were four of us, and 2 of us ordered a 4 course tasting menu. Only 1 friend didn’t order an appetizer. When our starters arrived, the manager brought him an amuse bouche so he “wouldn’t feel left out.” Nice touch.

When our 2nd course arrived, we received a ramp leaf risotto – resulting in a very VERY green risotto, but when you bite into it, you get a smooth flavouring of cheese. It was unusual to say the least, but not at all bad. When our server came to check on us (which she did constantly, and would always offer welcome friendly banter) – she asked us how it was.

My friend could only respond with “weird” because it honestly didn’t taste the way it looked She took this as us being disagreeable with it, even though I was clearly tucking into my plateful.

Without asking, she brought us out an extra course of arugula greens salad, PLUS wine as a replacement (even though we finished off the risotto)

That’s just outstanding in my books.

The rest of the food was very good as well, but it’s truly the attention to detail and service that gets me to keep spending money at this little room on W 4th. Sorry Cru — your food was good, but your snootiness finally got to me.