It’s that time of year again, when food is what keeps us most warm during the long cold winter months. If you and your girls are looking to escape those winter blue's by drowning yourselves in some funky atmosphere and a tray full of martini’s, well I’ve found the place, hopefully by the time you get to the bottom of this page, you’ll be tempted to try it out for yourself!

I love food; actually, my theory is… “Food is Love”. I am always on the prowl for a new place to get cozy with friends at, over a plate of appetizers and a nice glass of red. My latest find has to be ‘Safari Bar and Grill’, and is located on Avenue Rd, just north of Lawrence. Walking into ‘Safari’, as many of the locals call it, you are welcomed by warm earthy tones, soft candle light, the soft mumble of good conversation and a smell like no other restaurant I have stepped foot in. I slowly approached the bar with great amazement staring at the paintings noticeably hand painted on the walls, and asked for a table. It was here I was to meet with the owner, a young Danny Ferricutti, for a tasting of what his restaurant has to offer, over a glass of merlot and what turned out to be great conversation listening to him tell me stories of how he began in the restaurant business, which once seemed such an unreachable dream.

Danny opened Safari 10 years ago on the corner of St.Germain and Avenue Rd. Previously, all other business in this exact location faded away pretty fast. Going against all criticism, he stuck with his gut feeling, built what is now a two story space with what happens to be the largest heated patio north of Lawrence!

If you’re in for dinner like I was, your taste buds are tantalized just by looking at the menu. Here are a few on the menu that stood out to me, and made me want to come back to try them out.

Fresh P.E.I. Mussels steamed to order in your choice of sauce; curry cream or spicy marinara $8.99
Spinach Goat Cheese Dip with roasted garlic and served with nacho chips and pita $8.99
House Cured Salmon served with sweet dill and pommery mustard sauce over a plum tomato salad $8.99
Baked Brie wrapped in phylo pastry with raspberry and blueberry coulis served with toasted crostini $9.99

Exotic Salads
Tribal Salad, mixed greens, chicken, grilled vegetables, mushroom, spicy pine nuts, sun dried tomato puree,.honey balsamic dressing, topped with Asiago crisps $9.99 for two $14.99\Strange Voodoo, grilled portobello mushroom, roasted red pepper on a bed of baby spinach under crumbled goat cheese with honey balsamic dressing $8.99
The Triple Berry - fresh arugula and baby spinach tossed in our blueberry, raspberry vinaigrette with walnuts, mandarin orange, strawberries and dusted with crumbled Danish blue $9.99

Pastas
Sweet Potato Stuffed Ravioli, dried cranberries, walnuts and granny smith apples tossed in an apple cider butter sauce $13.99
Linguine Del Mare - black tiger shrimp, calamari and mussels tossed in a spiced marinara sauce $15.99
Veal Scaloppini - tender marinated strips of veal loin, roasted mushrooms and farfalle tossed in a porcini mushroom tomato sauce $15.99

Entrees “Beat The Drums”
Mahi Mahi covered with a blackberry and fennel reduction served on broccoli and rice cakes $23.99
Grilled Pork loin Medallions topped with Cassis spiked orange and maple glazed pears, served with roasted sweet potato chips and grilled zucchini $21.99

The Elephant Mixed Grill - an assortment of grilled meat and fish with seasonal vegetables. Market Price see server for details
Burgers & Sandwiches
9oz. Beef Burger $8.99 Add cheese $1 add bacon $1
Safari’s Original Lamburger with side Dijon mayo $9.99 add Asiago $1
Chicken Wrap with cheddar cheese and guacamole, side smoked jalapeno mayo $8.99
Homemade Garden Burger $7.99

Hand Rolled Pizza And Pizzadilla
Mangicake - spiced shrimp, roasted mushrooms, sun dried tomato puree and Asiago cheese $13.99
Meat Head - tomato sauce, spicy sausage, pepperoni, ground beef and mozzarella $11.99
The Red - grilled chicken, eggplant, zucchini, red pepper, goat cheese and mozzarella over tomato sauce $11.99
Prima - tomato sauce, roasted red pepper, grilled zucchini, eggplant and herbed goat cheese $9.99
Quattro - basil puree, mozzarella, Asiago, Parmesan and goat cheese with honey balsamic dipping sauce $11.99
Luca Brasi - hot capicollo, fresh diced tomato, marinated artichoke hearts, calamata olives and Parmesan over tomato sauce $12.99

If that hasn’t tempted you enough, and you are just in the mood for drinks with some friends and a little bit of fun competition, you have the choice to head up stairs to the bar to play some pool or lounge on the leopard sofa with the girls for a cocktail. This bar has done the unthinkable by creating the best of both worlds for men and women to enjoy. Enjoy a hockey game on the big screen or just chill out under the disco ball listening to music and chatting with friends, no matter what your desire, Safari is sure to fulfill your every need!

If your there on a Tuesday like I was, a weekly soulful jazz band will be entertaining for your dining pleasure. This experience not only made me want to come back, but again inspired me to further pursue my dreams. Danny has not only successfully run Safari at this location for 10 years, but as well recently opened his modern version of his 10 year old dream in Ajax, just 20min outside of the GTA. Danny was kind enough to take time out of his week to drive me over to his new love, and show me around the remarkable 2 floor space. Every inch of the restaurant has been designed with personal flair and an elite taste both in style and in character. I not only recommend you take a visit to Safari on Avenue Road, but if your outside of the GTA and looking for some good eats and relaxing atmosphere, Safari in Ajax is the place you’ve been looking for, but haven’t discovered yet! Go ahead, get in your explorer and drive on into the Safari nearest you!

Safari Bar & Grill
1741 Avenue Rd
416-787-6584

Or…

Safari Bar & Grill
60 Randall Drive, Ajax
905-619-2636

You can check out Safari for yourself by going to, www.safaribarandgrill.com. for more info and a sneak peak!