Eatdrink #42 July/August 2013

18 www.eatdrink.ca
№ 42 | July/August 2013
Leo’s Santa Fe
Chicken Salad:
avocado, black
beans, corn, dates,
and feta with
a peanut lime
dressing, topped
with corn tortilla
strips and lightly
spiced Cajun
chicken.
Josh and Jody),
the owners can
breathe easy
as Alex runs
the line and
Vickie bakes
the breads and
dessert items.
Vickie is famous for her Caramel Pecan Cinnamon
Buns and is now churning ice cream
alongside Jody, with plans for unique flavours
like Lemon Meringue Pie.
There is an emphasis on variety at
UpFront, which is apparent when perusing
their new brunch menu (available Saturdays
and Sundays from 11am–3pm). The menu
offers three variations on the traditional
Eggs Benedict, one of which includes grilled
black tiger shrimp, fresh avocado salsa,
and their house-smoked bacon. Other
brunch items include Hot Shot Prime Rib
Hash and Vickie’s French Toast, made with
her orange-infused brioche and topped
with a tantalizing whipped maple orange
marmalade mascarpone cream.
The restaurant also features international
dinner menus called ‘Destination Dinners’,
comprised of a three course meal with
choice of starter, entrée, and dessert. For
June they chose A Taste of Spain, including
a starter called the Matador Meatballs —
veal and beef meatballs with creamy
gorgonzola cheese on a bed of piquant
tomato sauce — and entrées including
a seafood, chorizo, and pepper packed
Paella. They offer daily specials as
well, in order to tickle their creativity
bone and to keep the variety flowing.
Josh explains, “We have specials
because we want to make something
special, not just to move a product.”
The emphasis on variation carries
over into their beverage menu, but in
choice more than price range: the restaurant
offers a flat rate on all glasses
of wine and drafts, making each drink
accessible to all clientele. This is important
to them, as they carry a beverage to complement
each dish in particular, say the Stalls.
“We value the customer’s experience over our
own profit.” Occupying a space previously
famous for its diversity on the rail, the Stalls
not only maintained the wide variety, they
actually added a tap. They want to cater to
everyone, offering both local microbrews as
well as large beer manufacturers. Josh puts it
well, “If you can’t find a beer on our menu you
like then you don’t like beer!”
To add to their already ambitious food
and beverage undertaking, the restaurant
has committed to showcasing local
independent musicians all summer during
their Steam Whistle Patio Party Series.
London’s Sweet Leaf Garret will perform
live every Sunday from 8 to 11pm. Another
example of their commitment to engage
with the community is their Starter Coupon
Booklet. This offers local organizations the
opportunity to purchase a coupon booklet
for fundraising. Vouchers for discounted
appetizers allow organizations to earn
twice the cost of the booklet and diners to
enjoy $8.00 starters. UpFront is also a proud
sponsor of our London Knights, Original
Kids Theatre Company, and the London
Lesbian Film Festival.
As Jody says, “Our food is addictive. We
just want London to try it and they will be
hooked.”
UpFront at the Market
130 King St, London
519-675-1020
www.upfrontrestaurant.com
open daily 11am–close
brunch saturdays & sundays 11am–3pm
Jody and Josh Stall
Photo by Monique Wiendels www.moniquewiendels.com