PUNCH

​PUNCH

30 Mercer St, Toronto, ON M5V 1H3

(416)883-3431

Punchtoronto.com

Over all: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Service: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

PUNCH is a genuinely unique culinary destination that successfully marries classic British fare with vibrant Indian flavours and flair. The atmosphere is immediately impressive, exuding a "secret club" charm with its beautiful warm wood finishes, amber lighting, and deep leather banquettes that offer a subtle colonial nod, setting the scene for a sophisticated and special evening.

The menu is intelligently curated, transforming staples into innovative Indo-British hybrids. Our multi-course journey showcased the kitchen's creativity, though with a few minor inconsistencies.

Indian Spiced Scotch Egg (8/10):

A brilliant concept, featuring a medium-boiled egg wrapped in a generous, well-seasoned pork seekh kebab mixture. The flavour profile, with notes of coriander seed and garam masala, was excellent (though slightly salty). The house curry ketchup was a lovely, subtly spiced accompaniment. Our main constructive note is that the crust was slightly tough, suggesting it might have benefitted from being served immediately fresh from the fryer for a truly perfect texture.

Mumbai Chat-Slaw (9/10):

A vibrant, well-presented dish that delivers a powerful hit of balanced flavour. The combination of tart apple, sharp radish, earthy carrots and beets, and sour pomegranate was beautifully blanketed by the tamarind yoghurt. The added texture from boondi, potato straw, and crispy leeks made this a delightful explosion of fresh, tart, and sweet notes.

(Note: It would have been ideal to receive this fresh dish before the heavier Scotch egg.)

Beef Wellington (9/10):

A triumphant execution of a classic. The tenderloin was soft and tender, encased in a beautifully latticed crust. The jus offered a thoughtful twist with discernible notes of cumin and cardamom. The Sun-choke purée provided a grounding sweetness, and while the Swiss chard was slightly tough, it’s a minor point in an otherwise excellent dish.

Mishkaki (8/10):

The meat was tender and the accompanying mint sauce and tamarind chutney were excellent matches. However, a slight flavour of infused smoke was an unpleasant element that detracted from the dish's profile. A point of noticeable inconsistency was the garnishing, which varied noticeably from a neighbouring table's identical order.

Fish and Chips (9/10):

A stellar take on a British chip shop staple. The haddock was soft, protected by a super fluffy, flaky, and light breading. The house-made curry leaf tartar offered a lovely creamy, musky, and herbaceous kick. Paired with well-seasoned potato wedges and a perfectly executed side curry sauce (a true taste of a U.K. chippy), this was a high point. The only oversight was the missing slaw mentioned on the menu.

For dessert,

Orange and Pistachio Sphere (9/10):

A velvety smooth and well-balanced dessert. The sphere featured a creamy citrusy dome with saffron and a gulab jamun centre, resting atop a pistachio cake base.

Tableside Chai Chocolate Mousse (10/10):

An unforgettable experience. The mousse was silky smooth, rich in chocolate with a subtle chai flavour. The finishing touch of olive oil, sea salt, and cocoa nibs provided a truly harmonious and memorable combination of sweet, rich, and savoury notes.

The service, led by our waiter Carl, was excellent and professional. Table maintenance was on point, and water glasses were always full. We were particularly impressed that after we mentioned the noted garnish inconsistency, Chef Kulkarni personally addressed the issue and offered a complimentary Masala Chai—a thoughtful gesture that speaks volumes about the restaurant's commitment to the guest experience.

PUNCH is a great choice for anyone seeking sophisticated, high-quality dining with an imaginative Indo-British menu and a beautiful atmosphere. Highly recommended.

Fun fact: The name PUNCH is derived from the Hindi word panch which means "five”. This alludes to the five senses that are invited to take part in the dining experience offered at this restaurant.