Eat: Ricky + Olivia

New east end gem, Ricky + Olivia is, a gem.

Located on Queen East, just east of Carlaw, we were waiting in anticipation for this spot to open.

We’ve never experienced their pop-ups, but those who have had very good things to say and we can see why after dining at their physical restaurant.

Bottle Shop. Mural done by Toronto-based illustrator of Goji Studio ❤

The space is divided in 3 sections: at the front is their bottle shop offering Ontario wine and beers. In the middle of the space is bar/lounge area where drinks and snack/small plates are offered and at the back is the main dining area. Reservations are highly recommended.

Kalimotxo ($16) – Southbrook Cassis, Hot Rocket Pet Nat and Cola

This reminds me of cherry cola, but fancier.

The menu is playful, fun and almost an adultified version of kid snacks.

Steak Tartare ($18) – hand cut hanger steak, iceberg lettuce, Brighton cheddar cheese whiz, sous-vide egg yolk and deep fried saltines

Chicken Liver Mousse ($17) – Parallel Brothers’ beet tahini, Rosewood Estates wildflower honey, VQA red wine gummies, sour cream bundt cake doughnuts

There are red wine gummy bears on top of the chicken liver mousse and who would have thought to serve it with doughnuts? A sweet and salty experience with this one.

Radishes ($17) – Cookstown radishes, fried nori sheet, St. David’s cucumber, sunflower seed furikake, spicy mayo, popcorn crispy mini “rice” and tobiko

If there is one dish to order at Ricky + Olivia, it would be this dish. Crunchy texture from the crispy rice paper and nori sheet, charred radishes and cucumbers with a copious amount of house-made spicy mayo. Like a sushi bake, but no raw fish. Vegetable forward and so fun to eat.

Roast Pork ($28) – graham cracker crusted, overnight roasted, charred cipollini yoghurt, Rosewood Honey+mustard pan sauce

We typically do not order pork, like pork chops in restaurants as we fear it might be dry. But this roast pork was like pulled pork. A little heavy on the salt, but it was good.

Springhills Trout ($38) – VQA sabayon sauce, cheerio+sesame snap streusel, herb oil

Tiramisu ($15) – vegan, tofu-based.

Ricky + Olivia
996 Queen St. East
Toronto, ON
M4M 1K1