Freshly opened in the ex-Sunflower over there on Roncesvalles, Boho was billed to me (on the way there) as a “kid-friendly” place. Just the kind of thing to give me the shivers. It wasn’t that bad when we got there, however, there was only one kid, and he was pretty cute, so I guess he could get away with it. Whenever I see kids running around a restaurant, though, I can’t help but wonder what leads some parents to believe that it’s a good idea to have kids running around in a place where people are carrying hot, sharp, and/or heavy things through narrow aisles. Let them run around in the park; if you want to take them to a restaurant, rein ‘em in. Yeesh.

That’s all fairly tangential to our visit, however. As I had swung by Alternative Grounds to pick up a pound, the other three had already gotten themselves seated by the time, and the French red Graham ordered was in the process of being opened. Ah, perfect timing.

Kim and I started off by sharing a plate of the grilled calamari, which was less tough than most other places I’ve had that sort of thing, and the dressing thankfully did not feel the need to overwhelm the flavour of the squid. Breese and Graham each had the daily soup, which, by all reports, was quite tasty.

For mains, I ordered the grilled lamb, which comes with scalloped potatoes, plain, slightly oversteamed veggies, and a shiitake mushroom stuffing that, while very flavourful and holding together with just the perfect amount of moisture, comes as just a wee, almost miserly little chunk between two strips of lamb. As for the lamb itself, the peppery spicing is just right, beautifully complimenting the taste of the lamb. The meat, however, comes overcooked, with just the barest hint of pink showing in the middle. Maybe I make too much of this, but it’s one of the things that really bugs me when it happens. It’s sad to pony up close to 20 bucks for a piece of meat and have it come out tough and lacking in a flavour it would have had it been cooked properly.

Graham had a grilled tuna special, which was also quite good, but also came more well-done than he’d asked, and Kim had a fried-fish thingy which she didn’t like so much. I seem to remember that Breese was quite happy with her meal, although I can’t remember precisely what it was she had (typical!).

I don’t mean to pick on Boho; they just hit one of my pet peeves. I do have to say, the service was excellent, and with just a little more care paid on the grill, this could be a great place.