Mmm-monstrously delicious

When AGO Executive Chef Renée Bellefeuille began to look for inspiration for AGO Bistro’s Guillermo del Toro: At Home with Monsters prix-fixe menu, she went south—all the way to the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco in Mexico—where the famed filmmaker del Toro was born.

“We really wanted to zero in on the flavours from Guillermo’s birthplace and the tastes of his childhood,” said Chef Renée. “Jalisco is home to many familiar Mexican flavours, and it’s also where any properly made tequila is from. And with this as inspiration we created a menu that would taste like home to him.”

Chef’s three-course prix-fixe is available for lunch ($35) and dinner ($45). Here are some of the things you can try when you visit AGO Bistro:

Fried Panela

A unique starter of Nopales (cactus paddles) with fried panela (cheese) with a traditional salsa roja.

Birria Beef (available at lunch only)

Traditionally a beef or goat stew type dish in Jalisco – our version is a slowly braised beef cheek braised in birria sauce (tomatillos, canela, cumin, coriander) and served with white corn grits.

Duck Breast (available at dinner only)

Using a chipotle-coriander spice rub, roasted yucca, parsnip and a Mexican chocolate-seabuckthorn jus –this dish combines the flavours of Mexico and Canada.

Shaved Savoy Cabbage, Sweet Potato and Black Chickpea Galette (vegan option)

A healthy representation of classic flavours of the Jalisco area with the addition of a cashew salsa – this type of salsa is used at many taco stands around the towns and cities in Jalisco. (Pictured above)

Chili Chocolate Cake with Avocado Ice Cream

Using the flavours of Mexico in different ways – the cake has chipotle powder for a little kick!

The #GDTAGO menu is available until January 7. Make your AGO Bistro reservation online or by phone at 416.979.6688, and share your meals with us using @agotoronto and @agobistro.

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