I've been wanting to try LOUIX LOUIS for the longest time, so when the opportunity came up to visit…read moreduring Summerlicious, I knew I had to finally check it out. Located on the 31st floor of the St. Regis Hotel, the restaurant has an incredible atmosphere. The dining room is absolutely stunning with a classy and luxurious feel, but it still feels comfortable and inviting rather than too formal. We started the evening with cocktails before moving into the Summerlicious menu. I ordered the "I Only Drink When I Smoke," which was a great way to start the night. It had a subtle smoky flavour with a touch of sweetness, and the alcohol was not overpowering at all. It was smooth, easy to sip on, and the perfect drink to enjoy while having conversations. For my Summerlicious menu, I started with the Tartare de Boeuf and Caviar. The filet mignon tartare was fresh and really smooth, with a nice balance of rich and savoury flavours. The toasted bread also gave it a nice crunch and paired really well with the tartare. For the main course, I had the Roasted Chateaubriand Filet. When the plate was served, the meat looked really rare as I saw nothing but red on the meat, but it was incredibly tender, making it easy to cut through. It was full of flavour, and the sauce complemented the steak without being too heavy or salty. The vegetables added a nice balance to the dish, and the creamy mashed potatoes were smooth, and definitely one of my favourite parts of the meal. To finish, I had the Mango Passionfruit Cheesecake. It was creamy without feeling too heavy. Though the fruity flavours from the mango passionfruit were a bit tart and sweet for my palate, it still gave an overall refreshing touch. The crust added a nice texture, and it was the perfect ending to the meal. Beyond the food, what really stood out was the service and pacing of the evening. Each course arrived at the right time, allowing us to enjoy every dish without feeling rushed. The price point is definitely on the higher end, so it is not somewhere I would personally visit for a casual dinner on a regular basis. However, for a special occasion, celebration, or a night where you want to enjoy a beautiful dining experience, I think Louix Louis would be a great choice... and for $75/ person for Summerlicious/ Winterlicious, definitely a great value to sample the chefs' artistry. Overall, it was a memorable evening with an elegant atmosphere, thoughtfully prepared dishes, and great service. I can definitely understand why this spot has become such a popular destination, and I would love to come back again for Winterlicious!

Perched high above the bustle of downtown Toronto, LOUIX LOUIS makes a compelling first impression…read more The dining room is genuinely handsome -- a study in polished Art Deco glamour softened by sweeping city views that lend every table a sense of occasion. On a Valentine's Day brunch visit, the atmosphere alone was enough to justify the reservation. The kitchen demonstrates genuine competence: dishes arrive with care, the pacing is unhurried, and the mise en scène -- from tableside presentation to that now-famous thirteen-layer chocolate cake -- reveals an establishment that understands the theatre of fine dining. That towering slice of chocolate cake, in particular, is a masterstroke of marketing and pastry craft in equal measure; it draws the eye, earns its reputation, and very nearly steals the show. Where LOUIX LOUIS gives one pause is in the cuisine's ability to fully match its surroundings. The cooking is accomplished and reliably pleasant, yet seldom rises to the level of genuine distinction one might hope for at this price point. Dishes satisfy without surprising; technique is evident but inspiration, at moments, feels held in reserve. For the corporate traveller or the visitor seeking a polished, geographically convenient showcase of the city's skyline, this represents an entirely sound choice. For those seeking an experience whose flavours linger as long as the view, the kitchen has room yet to grow into its magnificent stage. Service is attentive and well-intentioned, though it can occasionally want for the depth of knowledge that elevates a good meal into a memorable one. LOUIX LOUIS is, in sum, a very good restaurant striving -- not quite yet arriving -- at greatness. The bones are exceptional; one hopes the culinary vision will, in time, catch up with them.

What a delightful little spot in Leslieville. It's a quaint restaurants which takes the food…read moreseriously. First about the ambiance. The place is small and cosy, with whimsical decor. It is very dimly lit, with amazing retro 70-90 tunes in the background (post-punk, shoe gazing, afro beats). I kept Shazaming every other song. The service is very friendly. The place has understated elegance, and is casual at the same time. It's a great place for a second date, if you're looking for something non-pretentious (think the polar opposite of King West.) The food is small plates, which are moderately priced. Certainly not the high prices some tapas restaurants charge. The Campo Real Olives were incredible. Lightly cured, and warmed up. Some of the best olives I've had in a while. The Aged Manchego with Honeycomb was most delicious. What a gorgeous pairing. The honeycomb is a little bite of summer. The Smoked Trout Devilled Eggs are the best darn devilled eggs I've ever had. I'm going to have to try to recreate those bad boys. The Pear + Radicchio + Blue cheese + Walnut salad was great. The Scallop Crudo was delicious. The Ribeye Cheeseburger was excellent. The cocktails were excellent and unique, delightfully flavoured with interesting ingredients, and nice bitters, and with whimsical names. Finally I want to mention that the place is ran by a husband and wife duo. The wife was there the entire evening making sure everyone was satisfied. They have been in business for over a decade. This shows what a real difference it makes when a restaurant is a labour of love of people who care about their customers. This is a place to come back to! P.S. They have a front patio, if you prefer.

We stopped at a Goods and Provisions on a Tuesday night for some apps. The restaurant was not busy…read moreso we were seated right away. The interior of the restaurant was very vibe with wood panelling, low lighting, and an eclectic mix of decor on the walls, including old black and white pictures. We order the octopus and the ham croquettes, both which were great. Would recommend!

Phenomenal!!! Hands-down, the best food and experience we had while visiting Toronto. We did the…read morefood tasting in the cave below, and it was worth every penny. All of the courses were perfectly prepared and delicious. My favorite was the short rib course and the strawberry sorbet. The Service was super friendly and efficient. Our waitress was hilarious and down on earth and made us feeling super invited. Everyone was knowledgeable about the courses and wine, and enlightened our experience. The cave is beautiful, and the ambience was very chill. They were also playing some great R&B music which added to the vibe. Pictures do this place no justice.

And/ore below tasting menu was one of the most unique, classy dining experiences I've ever had. The…read morecool, dark cave with ambient low lighting really allowed us to be fully immersed in the food. Our waiter was incredible. So approachable and took the time to explain each dish.

this place is great! We arrived around 3:15 PM and we already had reservation already booked!…read moreseating was great and accessible. we were there for a family members birthday, my first impression was " ohh this place is so nice I can't wait!" I think the best part was the service, this kind lady was very nice and friendly. The food did not take as long as you would think! We waited about 15 - 10 minutes for food ! They also have an outside seating area. If your sitting outside just be sure that it's not to loud as there are cars and moter bikes. Inside and outside was sparkling clean! the mood outside and inside is warm and welcoming. my plan is to return for more great food and etc, I say people who like outside dining.. this is for you !

Bartender can certainly remain questionable about the age based on appearance but when asked for if…read morethey serve shots, response was a bit vague. Anyway overall ambience was great.

Solid food spot, service was great, clean and nice decor. Only tough thing was that food took…read moreforever to come out and having a baby with us made it difficult.

Went to Lume Kitchen & Lounge as part of the Winterlicious program that runs during the first two…read moreweeks of February. A friend and I went for lunch, and what struck me upon entering was how clean it was and its stylish yet understated decor. Our server attended to us quickly and gave us a corner booth where I had a nice view of the entire restaurant. I ordered the wedge salad to start, which I've liked recently because I'm a big fan of crunchy lettuce and chopped bacon! My main was a Pappardelle Bolognese, which is quickly becoming one of my favourite pasta dishes and Lume Kitchen did it well! And to close is a desert I never pass up - cheesecake of the Bananas Foster variety. A decadent way to finish off a superb lunch. Can't wait for the next time I go to this Etobicoke eatery!

Food was amazing, wine was great, banana pie was incredible. Great service. Strong recommending!read more

Recently went to Alobar for a birthday. I have actually been to this restaurant a few times before…read more The restaurant itself is quite comfortable, with an elegant decor and ambiance. My only problem is that they don't have enough lighting, so it tends to get quite dark (hence my lack of good pictures). The wait staff is accommodating, but they have forgotten to bring side dishes on two separate occasions I have visited. Also, on one occasion they started to clear a plate before we were done with it, which was annoying. The food is quite good. I particularly enjoy the bread, prawns, and mille-feuille dessert (has a nostalgic element for me as it tastes like an elevated Passion Flakie which I would have as a child). I had the lamb saddle as a main on my most recent visit which had good flavour, but was a bit too chewy. Overall, Alobar is a good choice for dinner, but has a few flaws which holds it back.

Great food. Fun place in east end to grab a few drinks and flavourful snack items. Very skillful…read moreand knowledgeable bar staff, friendly crowd and atmosphere.

Amazing Happy Hour at Pinkerton's daily from 5-6pm! All cocktails on the menu are $12 and not just…read moresimple 3-ingredient ones either. On Wednesdays, they have a special on their baos (3 sets of 2 baos for $33). Service was great and included recommendations from the staff. For drinks, we had the Stolen Tiki and the Widow's Kiss which were both great. We ordered the Laab Style Beef Tartare and an assortment of baos, including the beef bulgogi, korean fried chicken, and pork adobo. The tartare was out-of-this-world and super addicting due to the spice! It paired so well with the fragrant taro chips, and even my partner who is French said it was one of the best tartares he's had recently (although don't expect a traditional steak tartare). The pork adobo bao came dressed with spicy mango mayo and pickled cucumber. The cut was pork belly which was extremely rich, so the citrus from the sauce and cucumber were perfect to cut the fat. I loved that the cucumber was just slightly pickled rather than using the typical pickles which are too tart for me. The bulgogi sirloin was our favourite due to the balance of flavours. The fried chicken was good, but came with more of a honey sauce rather than a gochujang sauce as described since there was no spice (maybe the wrong sauce was used?) Would definitely come back to enjoy their happy hour and tartare again.

I've been to 416 Snack Bar many times, and it's one of my favorite places when I'm in the mood to…read moreeat a little bit of different things. Their menu is built around small plates, which makes it easy to order a few dishes to share or sample different flavors in one visit. My favorite item is the lamb sandwich. I order it almost every time because it's just that good. Another reason I love this place is that it's open late into the night. After an event or a night out, it's one of my favorite spots to stop for something delicious when most kitchens are already closed. I also like that the menu changes from time to time. There are always some familiar favorites, but it's fun to come back and discover new dishes as well. The atmosphere is another highlight. The space is small and intimate, with dim lighting, candles on the tables, and sometimes a DJ playing music in the background. It has a cozy, relaxed vibe that makes it a great place to spend an evening. It's one of those restaurants I find myself coming back to again and again.

After years of wanting to try this place and not getting in, I finally made it for a cute little…read moredate night. The vibes were cozy and romantic, the wine was flowing (they have an excellent selection) and the tapas were great. We tried at least half the menu, and the standout for me was the korean fried chicken. Everything else was good, only real miss for me was the flauta. Definitely would come back here!