Cheers to the Toasted Pheasant Bistro
Its first name was the Drunken
Chicken Bistro. But that’s a bit
undignified, don’t you think? So
the Toasted Pheasant Bistro it
became…definitely more refined.
Jim Poynter, owner of the Toasted
Pheasant, wanted to create a casual
bistro, where good food combined
with moderate prices, and he has
succeeded.
We have now dined there twice, the first time with John and Ursula Miley, discriminating diners both. Unbeknownst to us, there was a fivecourse wine dinner going on that night. Good thing we had reservations, as the place was packed with oenophiles. We were invited to join that group, but, even at $49.50 per person for all that wine and food, it was a bit much for our appetites. We did accept the glasses of Prosecco offered us, however. And we applaud Poynter and his chef, Peter Leonavicius, for winning a following right off the bat with this monthly-to-be event.
Back to OUR dinner table, though. Each of us ordered a different
entrée, to better judge consistency. Ursula had the Lamb
Shank Rosemary, $19, which she right away identified as New
Zealand lamb, thanks to its tenderness. John chose a special of
that evening, Black and Bleu Steak, $24.50. He said he’d tasted
better. George picked Chicken Scaloppini Piccata, $17; he pronounced
it excellent. And I enjoyed the special Snapper with
lemon and herb oil, $21.50.
I always consider it a plus, when a place is not a la carte. At the Toasted Pheasant a crisp salad and side dishes come along for the ride. Ursula and I had glasses of Hulott Pinot Noir, $7 and Everett Ridge Chardonnay, $7.50, certainly reasonable, and John, Paulaner Lager for $5.50. Our lemon tart with chocolate sauce and their apple tarte, $7.50 each, were fairly pedestrian. But, all in all, we left that night with smiles on our faces.
Next time our neighbors Stuart and Vicki Anderson went along with us, giving us a chance to sample new things. Like the French Onion Soup with Swiss Gratin they had, $5.95. Vicki then had the Bistro Salad with grilled chicken breast, a classic Salade Nicoise to my mind, $12.50.The main-course salad can also be enjoyed with grilled tuna or seared duck breast for a few dollars more.
Stuart ordered an individual pizza,$12.50, which, as I had suspected,
was plenty for one hungry guy or two less hungry
folks. The pizzas all sound yummy. They start with thin whole
wheat crusts, oil and herbs, a boursin cheese base and sliced
Roma tomatoes. Then you choose from a European tour of flavors…
London, with smoked salmon, capers and red onion. Or
Paris, featuring grilled chicken, melted brie and Portabello mushrooms.
That’s just the beginning.
On the everyday dinner menu, you’ll find a smattering of small plates, or tapas…like Country Pate or Baby Brie, mostly $6 to $8, an alternative for small appetites. Also, each day there are daily additions to the regular menu. Always, these include fresh fish, as only fresh fish is served.
On my recommendation, our friends Deb and Curtis Culver tried
Toasted Pheasant subsequently, once for dinner, once for lunch.
On the lunch menu, the pizzas and salads are the same, but there
are two yummy categories for lunch: sandwiches and crepes.
Sandwiches range from $7.50 for grilled chicken and smoked
bacon on a baguette, plus petite salad…to Grilled Black Angus
with Dijon mustard on a baguette with salad for $9.50. A side
of fries, or frites, can be added for $2.50.
Crepes are $10.50. Your choice of seafood, chicken or beef Bourguignon, each with petite salad. I’ve gotta get the girls together for lunch here. Sounds like a winner, all around.
Sad to say, the namesake entrée has gone untried.The “Toasted Pheasant” and Beef Medallion, $24, consists of a roasted boneless pheasant breast filled with wild mushrooms and paired with a seared petite filet and madiera glaze. Gives us something to look forward to.
The Toasted Pheasant is in the Grand Plaza, 14445 N. Dale Mabry. Reservations, 265-6700.
- Sandra Harrington
We have now dined there twice, the first time with John and Ursula Miley, discriminating diners both. Unbeknownst to us, there was a fivecourse wine dinner going on that night. Good thing we had reservations, as the place was packed with oenophiles. We were invited to join that group, but, even at $49.50 per person for all that wine and food, it was a bit much for our appetites. We did accept the glasses of Prosecco offered us, however. And we applaud Poynter and his chef, Peter Leonavicius, for winning a following right off the bat with this monthly-to-be event.
Back to OUR dinner table, though. Each of us ordered a different
entrée, to better judge consistency. Ursula had the Lamb
Shank Rosemary, $19, which she right away identified as New
Zealand lamb, thanks to its tenderness. John chose a special of
that evening, Black and Bleu Steak, $24.50. He said he’d tasted
better. George picked Chicken Scaloppini Piccata, $17; he pronounced
it excellent. And I enjoyed the special Snapper with
lemon and herb oil, $21.50.
I always consider it a plus, when a place is not a la carte. At the Toasted Pheasant a crisp salad and side dishes come along for the ride. Ursula and I had glasses of Hulott Pinot Noir, $7 and Everett Ridge Chardonnay, $7.50, certainly reasonable, and John, Paulaner Lager for $5.50. Our lemon tart with chocolate sauce and their apple tarte, $7.50 each, were fairly pedestrian. But, all in all, we left that night with smiles on our faces.
Next time our neighbors Stuart and Vicki Anderson went along with us, giving us a chance to sample new things. Like the French Onion Soup with Swiss Gratin they had, $5.95. Vicki then had the Bistro Salad with grilled chicken breast, a classic Salade Nicoise to my mind, $12.50.The main-course salad can also be enjoyed with grilled tuna or seared duck breast for a few dollars more.
Stuart ordered an individual pizza,$12.50, which, as I had suspected,
was plenty for one hungry guy or two less hungry
folks. The pizzas all sound yummy. They start with thin whole
wheat crusts, oil and herbs, a boursin cheese base and sliced
Roma tomatoes. Then you choose from a European tour of flavors…
London, with smoked salmon, capers and red onion. Or
Paris, featuring grilled chicken, melted brie and Portabello mushrooms.
That’s just the beginning.
On the everyday dinner menu, you’ll find a smattering of small plates, or tapas…like Country Pate or Baby Brie, mostly $6 to $8, an alternative for small appetites. Also, each day there are daily additions to the regular menu. Always, these include fresh fish, as only fresh fish is served.
On my recommendation, our friends Deb and Curtis Culver tried
Toasted Pheasant subsequently, once for dinner, once for lunch.
On the lunch menu, the pizzas and salads are the same, but there
are two yummy categories for lunch: sandwiches and crepes.
Sandwiches range from $7.50 for grilled chicken and smoked
bacon on a baguette, plus petite salad…to Grilled Black Angus
with Dijon mustard on a baguette with salad for $9.50. A side
of fries, or frites, can be added for $2.50.
Crepes are $10.50. Your choice of seafood, chicken or beef Bourguignon, each with petite salad. I’ve gotta get the girls together for lunch here. Sounds like a winner, all around.
Sad to say, the namesake entrée has gone untried.The “Toasted Pheasant” and Beef Medallion, $24, consists of a roasted boneless pheasant breast filled with wild mushrooms and paired with a seared petite filet and madiera glaze. Gives us something to look forward to.
The Toasted Pheasant is in the Grand Plaza, 14445 N. Dale Mabry. Reservations, 265-6700.
- Sandra Harrington
