Aquarela Restaurant was absolutely not on my radar at all, but when the suggestion was made to check out a joint specializing in authentic Caribbean food, I had absolutely no choice but to say yes. We arrived in the small, unassuming plaza in which Aquarela is located at around noon on a recent Saturday, and after attempting to find the entrance and walking up the very sketchy stairs, we made our way into the restaurant. Even though we were welcomed in, it didn't seem like they were expecting any customers that early, as many of the chairs were still up on tables and there were people making deliveries and setting things up for the duration of our meal. The fairly unpleasant ambiance proved to be completely irrelevant once we received our food, however. We had decided to share a couple of items, the Mofongo ("Deep fried plantains mashed with a house garlic sauce & chicharron de puerca. Served with your choice of meat.") and the Pollo Al Cibao ("Stewed chicken, reduced to a fine sauce, served with rice and your choice of tostones or beans."), although we certainly weren't expecting such huge portions. (Honestly, one of these dishes probably would've been enough.) I absolutely have to single out the Mofongo. I've never eaten anything quite like it before, and it's absolutely incredible. It's got this really deep, pronounced garlic flavor that's nothing short of irresistible, while the various delicious accompanying components only enhance the experience. The Pollo Al Cibao is perhaps not quite as memorable, but it's nevertheless a top-tier stew that I could've eaten all day. I can't really see myself eating inside Aquarela again, but I'd be more than happy (and excited) to grab takeout someday. read more

Aquarela Restaurant just looks so dark from the outside, and trust me it is much darker in the inside. Having a drink here with the loud Latin beat music from a Live DJ does make me feel I am back on an Caribbean Island somewhere.. Unfortunately the beers here are limited to "Canadian Domestic" and Corona or Heineken. And I could not find my Caribe for 99 cents each! Aquarela aside from being a neighbourhood watering hole, it also serves authentic Dominican & Latin American Cuisine. We shared: Tostones ($3.50) - soft and moist and addictive Chivo a la Monte Cristi ($11.50) - Stewed Goat in an Oregano Sauce made to a taste of Monte Cristi Served with Rice - Goat is soft and tender and the seasoning is really subtle without being overpowering - A popular dish in Northern part of Dominican Mofongo ($11.50) - Deep Fried Plantains Mashed with a House Garlic Sauce and Chicharron de Puerco Served with A Choice of Meat - Served in a pilon (wooden Mortar) is really nicely presented - The shrimp is on the smallish side but I do love the mushiness of the plantains and the sausage gives it an extra bite and the smokey taste Watching reruns of the Blue Jays 1993 final games when they won the World Series while dining was just a really strange experience for me... But it can be worse, watching reruns of the Leafs 1967 when they won their last Stanley Cup! Here at Aquarela, one can find a taste of the Caribbean. Warm hospitality, loud music, good food. If you prefer a more family environment, they do opens during lunch.. read more

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~ M O F O N G O ~ DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT confuse that word as long-form for MOFO. MOFONGO actually is the abbreviation of the famed internet slang, OMG. I'll let the ingredients tell the story... - House Garlic Sauce - Chicharron de Puerco - Deep Fried Mashed Plantains - Broth Soup/Stew - Choice of Meat The Traditional Dish served on a Pilón (Wooden Mortar & Pestle). Fans of North American Mashed Potatoes with Toppings will like this. I didn't fan Shrimps as choice of Meat, Mini Cocktail Shrimps anyone? Dish($13.00) is few times the price of restaurant Mashed Potatoes. While this is not a Side-Dish per se but an Entrée therefore the cost. Got a side order of Tostones($3.50) just because that's how I roll... Chivo a la Monte Cristi($11.50?) ~ Stewed Goat is soft & tender IF you get the Boneless piece. The Goat Meat stuck to my teeth is not meant for snack later. Why does the Rice seem clumpy? Oh, Coconut Milk Rice? A Taste of North Dominican in GTA Toronto? Works for me! For the continuation of this review, please click here http://www.yelp.ca/biz/aquarela-restaurant-toronto#hrid:Rf27wUUnFMwwxBmUrjzmgA read more

Excellent experience. Authentic food from the Dominican Republic. The place was quiet on a Sunday early afternoon, which made it extra comfortable. Good music and atmosphere. The portions were big and very well presented. I had a dish of Chicharrones de Pollo and it was seasoned and cooked to perfection. I am definitely coming back with my family. read more

Aquarela Restaurant - a basket of fried food - Caribbean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I had Mofongo with shrimp on the side and it was AMAZING . This is the place to go when craving Caribbean food . I went around 7pm and I was a nice environment, the staff was nice . You should try it . read more

My friend and I couldn't find it at first and when we did, we felt uneasy about walking up the dimly lit staircase. The place needs more signage for sure. The food took awhile to come but it was so delicious and fresh. My friend got the Mofongo with chicken and I got the stewed chicken with rice, beans and salad.The staff was friendly and the prices are reasonable. I would totally go back! read more

When I think about the Jane and Wilson area of Toronto a lot of things come to mind, what doesn't come to mind is a nice Dominican beach with tasty authentic Dominican food. But alas my friend swears that there is northern Dominican fare to be had in this small, super sketchy strip mall off Wilson ave. We walked into Aquarela at dinner time on a Saturday evening and the music was THUMPING, I immediately became more sceptical that there was food to be had in this dark nightclub environment. We were greeted by the owner who knew right away we were there for the food, we were seated quickly and menus were given. The beer selection is weak, while the posters on the wall advertise exotic Caribbean lagers the menu offers some domestic big brands and Corona, UGH I'll take a Corona (It pains me to utter those words). Mt two friends and I decided to share a couple of mains and an app. For an app we ordered the tostones ($3.50), deep fried plantains which were very thick cut, a little crispy on the outside, nice and soft on the inside. I enjoyed these very much. For mains we got mofongo ($11.50) and chiva la monte cristi (11.50). The chiva was basically a goat stew in an oregano sauce. The goat was pretty tender and was not too gamey, the sauce was nicely spiced but the stew was not saucy enough for my liking. I was expecting a saucy dish to go with the side of rice and beans but the stew did not have much sauce. The mofongo on the other hand was supposed to be the signature dish of the restaurant (according to my friend and the owner). Mofongo is a mashed plantain dish mixed with garlic and chicharron (pig crackling) served in a larger mortar like contraption called a pilon, I definitely enjoyed the presentation of this dish. You get to choose a side meat to go with the mofongo, we opted for the shrimp. The mofongo had a nice garlic flavour with a slight smokiness from the chicharron. The side of shrimp were mini frozen shrimp from the supermarket, very disappointing. Again not enough sauce with the shrimp to help soak the plantain. Overall this was an interesting dish, definitely a rare find in Toronto. I did enjoy my visit to Aquarela, the food is definitely unique. The restaurant itself is dark with a few small tables. I did not appreciate the loud thumping music as it made it difficult to converse with dinner mates. Will I come back? If I am in the area maybe but I would not drive out of my way to go here. read more

The people here are rude and like to try to start fights and the security guy will make u wait outside unless u are a regular as if this place is allll that. There is a place on keele not too far from this called caribena and its the same sh!t. If u are looking to have some drinks in the area go to chinos its two minutes away and way better than this slum read more

the best dominican food in toronto,,with very friendly sevice....thank you sammy the food is always great.

When im in of a good home made soup I go here. Sancocho on a sunday hits the spot. Very nice people. Very different to come in the day time for a bite to eat then at night when it turns into a party and even that is nice. read more