Visited recently to taste some of Shaun Layton’s new cocktails and Chef Sarah Stewart’s dishes on their Summer menu.

1^st cocktail:

Villanova cocktail with gin mare, Fever Tree tonic water, orange marmalade, orange bitters, fino, so refreshing and light.

1^st dish:

Sunchokes, sunflower seeds, wild greens with tahini, tamari & candied ginger, one of my favourite new salads, colourful with wonderful flavours.

2nd dish:

Hazelmere Farm Perogies with roasted hazelmere roots, cottage cheese and raw cheddar, salad of mizuna, arugula and sumac yogurt; the house-made perogies were right on point.

2^nd cocktail:

Bright ‘N Sunny cocktail with tequila, hibiscus, lime, orange, sumac, liqueur, and perfect for summer.

3^rd dish:

Hastings Honey Hen, honey glaze, local grains, roasted carrots, garlic scapes; an outstanding dish, flavourful, juicy and colourful in presentation.

4^th dish:

Turnip Top & Toil Gnocchi with housemade ricotta gnocchi, turnips, Parmesan, lemon and hazelnuts; outstanding in both flavour and texture, I would order this repeatedly.

3^rd cocktail:

Pina Faux-Lada with coconut rum, amaretto, cream, pineapple, lime; loved this, refreshing and tropical.

5^th dish:

Halibut with Hannahbrooke farms zucchini, candied fennel, onions, smokey red pepper purée, stewed white beans; celebrating the Halibut sseason and are local vegetables.

6^th dish:

Hazelnut Tart with locally grown Tay Berries, a delicious dessert.

Juniper is located at 185 Keefer Street in Chinatown. You can call them at 604-681-1695 and follow them on Twitter @eatatjuniper

By: Richard Wolak