A preview of the tastes at the new Origin North restaurant at Bayview Village

Corn tortillas topped with guacamole, salsa, pickled jalapenos, and pumpkin seeds

We got to preview the exciting dining experience at the brand new, highly-anticipated Origin North restaurant fitting in nicely at the premium boutique shopping mall, Bayview Village. This is the 3rd Origin location by internationally acclaimed chef and owner, Claudio Aprile: the first being at King and St James and the second being at Liberty Village. So those of you who are Origin fans in the midtown area can rejoice! While this new location at Bayview Village did not have their liquor license quite just at the time-of-dining, we enjoyed sipping our non-alcoholic Origin Crush cocktails while waiting to see what was in store for us.

The restaurant is 12,000 square feet and has over 300 seats. Origin North is nicely decorated, sophisticated and warm: its kitchen is open concept, allowing guests to observe as the food is being prepared; the golden glow of the Edison light bulbs creating a nice evening mood.

Truffled popcorn

The details and presentation that went into the dishes was phenomenal. The truffle popcorn was delicious; drizzled in butter and parmesan cheese.

The Ocean Tour provided a variety of seafood to taste: lobster, mussels, shrimp, tuna, scallop ceviche.

As for the bufala pear, a delicious combo of bufala, pear, pine nut, and honey. Everything worked well together: the mozzarella was soft and fresh, while the pear and honey work together to add an interesting sweetness to the dish.

The chinois duck wrap.

The beet salad. A colourful dish with large beet with goat cheese, pickled red onion, sherry dressing, yogurt and walnuts.

Crispy calamari, nicely battered calamari drizzled with caramelized peanut sauce.

It was such an amazing time that evening. The food was delicious, the service and atmosphere were all wonderful. Be sure to check it out as well!

Here’s a complete list of everything we ate that night!
Warm soft pretzel
Truffle popcorn
Masa chips
Ocean tour
Devilled eggs
Fiore eggplant
Fiore de latte
Bufala pear
Bufala tomato
Beet salad
Serrano ham
Sparta salad
Curried shrimp
Calamari with peanut brittle
Chinois duck wrap
Miso cod
NY strip
Tapioca pudding
Crunch bar
Second rush

Words and cell phone photos by Flora Tran. Other photos by Nick Lee.

“I’m honored and very excited to introduce Origin North to the vibrant community of Bayview Village. With every new restaurant I open we have something new to reveal,” says Claudio Aprile, head chef and owner, Orderfire. “Origin North will have many new signature dishes that will be exclusive to Bayview Village and as well the dishes that we have become so well known for. I’m looking forward to seeing you all there!”

2901 Bayview Ave, Suite 300
Bayview Village
Toronto, ON
www.originnorth.com

@rachelwalters128