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January 29, 2007

Presenting: The Green Eggplant – Healthy, Creative and Plentiful Cuisine in the Beach

After two fascinating interviews, one with Lido Chilelli, the creator of the Toronto Beaches International Jazz Festival, and Bill Libbus, who had given me an insider tour of the historic Fire Station 227 on Queen Street, it was definitely time for a solid lunch. This was my conclusion as I started strolling eastwards on the main thoroughfare in the Beach. Close to the intersection of Queen and Kenilworth I came across a fairly new establishment: a restaurant called The Green Eggplant, located on the former premises of Il Fornello which had been one of my favourites in the area before it moved further east on Queen.

I decided it was time to check out the new tenant, so in I went. I had always enjoyed the layout of this restaurant with the big front windows that open out onto the street. Even though the furniture, the bar and the lighting were different, there was still a comfortable familiarity to these premises with their spacious layout and the beautiful brick walls that always feature unique art.


Serge Kuchak, owner of The Green Eggplant

Since this was an impromptu visit, a “neighbourhood walk and talk” as I like to call it, I asked the waiter for the owner / manager, and a few minutes later I was joined by Serge Kuchak, the newly minted owner of The Green Eggplant. Serge has been in the restaurant business since he is 12 years old, and his previous restaurant management experience includes the Pickle Barrel chain in Toronto. Serge, originally from the Ukraine, has lived and travelled throughout many different countries including Germany, Greece, Israel and United States. He calls Toronto his home for 17 years and adds that he loves Toronto’s multicultural flair, something that makes it truly unique in the world.


The cozy premises at The Green Eggplant

Serge had planned to open his own upscale family restaurant and aimed to provide good size portions of healthy food with good prices. His goal was simple: to provide good food and good value for everybody. He pointed out that his menu is very diverse and includes a wide range of appetizers, salads, grilled dishes, burgers, pastas, stir fries, fresh fish and delicious desserts. An extensive wine and cocktail list rounds out the offerings at The Green Eggplant.


The brand new bar

Since taking over the premises, Serge has put in a new floor, new seating and new lighting; he has sanded the wall, and put in a brand new bar and a new kitchen. Even the restrooms are nicely spiffed up. He spent two months on the renovation and replaced all the tiles and pipes. The restaurant opened at the end of December, and it has been very successful so far. Serge is very happy with the results.


My delicious appetizer

One of the unique features of The Green Eggplant is a selection of three different eggplant-based dips that are served with Italian mixed breads. This free appetizer is put on every table at the start of a meal and consists of three different Mediterranean dips:

- the Baba Ganoush , a Middle Eastern delicacy
- the Eggplant salad hails from Greece
- the recipe for the Fried Eggplant Salad comes from Northern Italy.


A tasty and generous main dish

I tasted these delicious dips with the fresh bread, and the portions were so generous that I almost quenched my hunger from the appetizer alone. I asked Serge what to order and he suggested a delicious chicken sandwich on toasted foccaccia bread, with roasted red peppers, spinach and goat cheese, accompanied by a tasty house salad. A delightful selection, and the portion was so big I had to get half the sandwich wrapped in a doggie bag to take home.


Vasanth and Alvic work in the kitchen

While Serge was doing some errands I started my snooping around the restaurant and connected with the experts in the kitchen: Vasanth and Alvic. Vasanth has been in Toronto for six years and arrived here from Sri Lanka. He has a computer science degree from a university in his native country and learned how to cook in Canada. Vasanth has worked in a variety of different well-known restaurants across Toronto and commented that he likes his new home town. He loves cooking and enjoys working hard, and when his customers are happy he is happy. Vasanth is also in charge of ordering the vegetables, the meat and the fish, organizes the fridge and handles the receiving. He likes working with Serge who hired him from his previous company.


Serge helps with the cooking

Alvic Coronel is originally from the Philippines and has spent the last 15 years in Toronto. Before that he worked as a private chef for the Iranian ambassador in Geneva, Switzerland. Alvic enjoys adding creativity to his dishes. Last but not least I also checked in on the person who had looked after my table: Mark Forzon is the Floor Manager at the Green Eggplant. Mark came to Toronto from Lithuania and also used to work with Serge at the Pickle Barrel.


Mark Forzon looks after the guests

It was fun meeting this diverse team at The Green Eggplant, and they sure know how to put together creative, healthy and sizeable meals.


Related Articles:
Celebrate Toronto - An article series to celebrate my chosen home town
Gene Domagala - A human convenience store of charity and community involvement in Toronto's Beach
Arie Nerman & the Beach Hebrew Institute: The People's Synagogue
Vivetha Bistro: A popular spot with eclectic food
Glenn Cochrane - Media personality, author and expert fundraiser – a champion of the Beach for almost 40 years
Michelle Gebhart: A true Renaissance woman: from army brat to expert renovator, biker lady, successful restaurateur & dedicated youth volunteer
Michael Prue: A working class success story - from Regent Park to Queens Park

Alex Winch & the Beach Solar Laundromat – Unstoppable when it comes to championing renewable energy & innovative entrepreneurship
Mary Lee: A restaurant owner with a heart for the arts

Marie Perrotta from the Pegasus Community Project reaches for the stars
Burgie and Benedetta from the Konditor coffeehouse create Austrian delicacies in Toronto's Beach
Bob Murdoch from Community Centre 55 - 25 years of community service in the Beach
Steve and Paul from Accommodating the Soul B&B: hospitality with a personal touch
John Dowding: A private lesson in photography from a true master
Lucille Crighton: A textile arts Hall of Famer in Toronto's Beach
Lido Chilelli: Founder of the Toronto International Beaches Jazz Festival
Fire Station 227: History, heroism and local connections in the Beach
The Green Eggplant: Healthy Mediterranean food and big solid portions
The Balmy Beach Club - Legend by the Lake & Toronto's best-kept secret
The Garden Gate Restaurant a.k.a. "The Goof" - Good food in the Beach since 1952
Ralph Noble: Firefighter, lifesaver and creator of the most famous mural in the Beach – a noble man indeed
Sandra Bussin - City Councillor and Deputy Mayor shows me her neighbourhood
The Toronto Beach Rotary Club: Service above Self and the joys of volunteering
The Beaches Lions Club: Charity and community projects in the Beach since 1935
The Beach Business Improvement Area: A general overview of the Beach and the merchants and activities on Queen Street East
Maria Minna: An Italian-Canadian immigrant story and a life-long fight for social justice
The Beach Metro Community News: Much more than just the news
The Kingston Road Business Community: A neighbourhood undergoing revitalization and an integral part of the Beach

Andrew Smith and Rachel Howard: Creative entrepreneurs and dedicated community builders
Nevada's Ristorante: Where hospitality is a family affair
Maria Minna: Another neighbourhood walk and talk and discoveries along Queen Street East
St. Aidan's Church:The spirit of charity in the Beach comes full circle
Gene Domagala takes me on a history tour of the eastern and northern part of the Beach - a perfect day of discovery
The Beaches Library: A centre of learning for all ages
A walk along Kingston Road: A shopping district definitely worth a visit
55 Division: Serving and protecting - community policing in action


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