Ten Restaurant & Wine Bar

Fine Dining at Lakeshore and Hurontario, Port Credit Mississauga, Ontario

Ten Restaurant & Wine Bar is one of Mississauga's fine dining restaurants in the trendy Port Credit area, on the Lakeshore at Hurontario (Highway 10). Here, along the shores of Lake Ontario, sailboats, fishing charters, canoes, roller bladers, cyclists, swans a-swimming and a lighthouse blinking its welcome add to the village charm.

This area along the Credit River was once home to the Mississauga Indian tribe for whom the city is named. These days, Port Credit is home to enclaves of tidy cottages that nestle under leafy canopies and trendy new condos and townhouses (see how to buy homes page). This historic area's summertime festivals roll through in waves, luring locals and tourists alike. It's a recreational oasis in the midst of one of Canada's busiest cities, with trendy shops and quaint pubs elbowing out traces of the old industrial port.

TEN Restaurant and Wine Bar On Lakeshore Road in Port Credit Ontario

Enticed by Port Credit's charms, Ten Restaurant and Wine Bar came aboard in April (2005), its name inspired by its crossroads location at highways 10 and 2 (Hurontario and Lakeshore). Over the past year, Ten went from concept to completion, to open in in a new building on the southwest corner. The 3-storey-high premises -- think 'super-sized loft' -- seats 220 (60 on a courtyard patio, 30 at the main bar, 65 on the mezzanine). Large windows on all sides draw you into the lively streetscape, and the muted plum walls and splashes of scarlet and wood soften the industrial chic design, giving a surprisingly intimate atmosphere.

"We wanted to do something else," says Olaf Mertens, Ten's executive chef. "We contacted Fram Building Group, who wanted a unique restaurant in the development at Lakeshore and Hurontario. We were a good fit with their vision for this development."

New HIP Restaurant in Mississauga

The 'something else' Mertens refers to is something in addition to his other restaurant, On The Curve, located across from Square One Shopping Centre. Both locations are under the corporate umbrella of HIP [Hospitality Inspired People] Restaurants, and share a common philosophy, says Mertens, such as foods prepared from scratch.

"We make our own ice cream, all our own dressings and stocks. We use fresh ingredients, except for King crab, and use only Certified Angus Beef. Serious quality and serious ingredients, but with a twist. I like to have fun, to liven things up," he says.

Like with names and prices: And so there is Molten Lava Baked Brie Dip, with carmelized apple compote and baked pita bread for $11.82, and '195 Kudamm' Currywurst (roasted pork sausages with potato frites, mayonnaise dip and a spicy tomato curry ketchup sauce) for an even $10.

"The names and plating of food is very important to the overall appeal of the dish," he says. "With Ten, we wanted to take it up a notch. And with this waterfront location, we offer about 20 percent more seafood [than On the Curve], like our Big Shrimp Cocktail and the Seafood Platter for two."

Food is Fresh, Fresh, Fresh (and made from scratch!)

A symphony of fresh fish, whole lobster, king crab legs, big shrimp and mussels, served with a selection of chef's sauces, and Spanish-style rice and vegetables, this seafood platter is not for the faint of appetite.

"One couple that ordered the seafood platter and a bottle of wine took three hours to finish it," Mertens says. "The butter stayed hot on the server, and the staff warmed up what needed warming up. They had a great time."

There's a twist, too, on the usual 'soup and a burger' at Ten. The signature soup: Butternut squash roasted with brown sugar, pureed with vegetable broth, then ladled over a nectarine-size ball of caramel popcorn, seeds, nuts and dried fruit.

"When the hot soup is ladled over the popcorn ball," he says, "it melts and flavours the soup."

TEN Signature Wellington Burger

The burger is grilled premium ground sirloin that's drizzled with a reduction of equal parts port wine and veal jus. A sauce made with five different types of finely diced roasted mushrooms, cheddar cheese, shallots, thyme, truffle oil, salt and pepper goes on top. Pop it into the oven for a minute to form a 'crust', add two ounces of grilled shaved beef filet on top of that, then serve on a toasted fresh egg bun, with lettuce, tomato, and shaved onion slices on the side, and you have TEN's (signature) 8 oz. Beef Wellington Burger. [Ed note: Yum!]

Desserts, too, after a fine dining meal at TEN

The dessert menu, too, is a confection of intriguing names and ingredients, like Warm Banana Bread Pudding, with roasted banana caramel and chunky monkey semi-fredo, and Chocolate Mousse Tacos with strawberry Grand Marnier salsa. "Both our locations have a pastry chef on staff," he says.

Cheers! at TEN's Martini Bar

While the martini crowd gets the nod with the signature 'TENacious' (equal parts of Absolut peach, Sour Apple liqueur and Amaretto, with cranberry juice), the Wine Bar sparkles with some 77 wines, numbered individually and according to variety, with suggested food pairings for each. Why the numbers?

Ten Restaurant and Wine Bar 139 Lakeshore Road E. Mississauga 905 271 0016

Update: Chef Mertens has moved on to other ventures, leaving TEN in great hands! See more  Mississauga Restaurants here

Got a question or a tip?

• Karen - March 20, 2008, 4:01 pm
  
  Ten Restaurant and Wine Bar sends along this news about an upcoming special event -- the
  Winemakers Dinner, taking place on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 7 p.m. -- five courses mached with wines, for $110 per person, plus tax and tip. Call Ten at 905.271.0016 for more info and reservations.
• HIP Restaurants - May 5, 2008, 4:12 pm
  Mother's Day Brunch Sunday May 11, 2008
  
  At TEN Restaurant and Wine Bar : Seatings at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p..m. (Adults $29.95)
  and a Mother's Day special 4-course meal 3p.m. to 11p.m. $ 34.95
  
  At On The Curve on City Centre Drive : Seatings at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Adults $27.95)
  
  Prices are before taxes and gratuities; children up to age 5 eat free.
  
  Call for reservations : TEN 905 271 0016 and On The Curve 905 804 9582
  
  
• New Years Eve 2009
  Mark - December 18, 2009, 1:01 pm
  Join us for our New Years Eve 2009 celebration!!!
  
  Dinner & dancing packages available.
  
  6 courses of culinary delights & dance into the New Year with our DJ, or come for an early 3 course dinner.
  
  Tickets must be purchased in advance.
  
  Cheers!
  

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