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Irene is a beautiful restaurant with a lovely patio by the water. The weather that day was too cold, so I ate inside. I ordered the fish tacos and brussel sprouts. The fish tacos were delicious with a burst of flavour in every bite. The brussel sprouts had a ton a cheese and they were also very tasty. However, the waiter specifically asked me whether I wanted both dishes at the same time or if I wanted the brussel sprouts first. I asked for the brussel sprouts first, but the tacos were given to me first. Also, it was happy hour and the waitress gave me the wrong bill without the happy hour discount, which was an inconvenience. Overall, the food was great, but the service could have been better.
My colleagues and I was at Irene like 10 months ago and we had a blast. The Tuna Niçoise salad was a HIT - fresh, zesty, tuna perfection. And the Smash Burger? Juicy patty, crispy bun, with truffles fries. It was delicious :-) Portions were GOOD size and prices felt super reasonable. Staff were super friendly, made the whole vibe chill and enjoyable. Definitely a go to spot for a crew dinner or catch-up.
We came to Irene to enjoy the patio weather, which was perfect because Irene's patio had a really nice view and ambiance right by the water. The food turned out to be very good, which was the ultimate cherry on top. Service was attentive (despite seemingly being short-staffed) and they were able to customize our orders (down the timing correctly) which showed great attention to detail and flawless execution. We really enjoyed the view of the waterfront - you can watch ships sail by in a nice relaxing atmosphere. The music at the patio was also at the 'just right' level - upbeat in the background, without being too loud. Review of the dishes: 1) Cocktail Shrimps (poached jumbo shrimps with cocktail sauce) - Cocktail shrimps are one of my favourite hors d'oeuvres at parties, but I was used to the small bite-size (the ones you get in a ring from supermarkets). So we were impressed at the size of the shrimps here. The cocktail sauce was nice too. This was great as an appetizer / shareable dish. 2) Lettuce Wraps (with cucumber kimchi, coriander, and citrus aioli) - They used Boston lettuce as the outer wraps (which made them sturdy and easy to hold), and I liked that they included cucumber slices for extra crunch in the wraps. The kimchi wasn't too spicy. 3) Chopped Salad (shredded kale, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, grapes, cucumber, red bell pepper, crispy chickpeas, parsley, mint, za'atar, hummus, and grainy mustard vinaigrette) - LOVED this salad, especially the mix of kale and crispy chickpeas. I'm a sucker for salads with lots of ingredients and textures, and this one fit the bill. The dressing (grainy mustard vinaigrette) was pretty good too (I'm a fan of mustard). 4) Pan-Roasted Salmon (with cauliflower purée, green beans, roasted fennel, and basil pesto) - Another great dish. The salmon was cooked perfectly, and the cauliflower purée that came with it was very flavourful (without being guilty eating it because technically it was vegetable). 5) Sesame-Crusted Tuna (with miso glaze, vermicelli, and mixed vegetables) - I liked the texture of the tuna, the sesame crust, and the Asian spin of this dish (with the miso glaze, vermicelli noodles, and vegetables typically used in Asian dishes). The mixed vegetables consisted of bok choy, shimeji mushrooms (loved the extra chewiness), red onion, and sliced red & orange bell peppers. Amazing food, great ambiance, excellent patio and amosphere - it's the perfect place to be during outdoor patio season.
I went to Irene Saturday night for dinner and drinks. We had a reservation on the patio, so we were seated right away. The patio is large with tons of seating, and overlooks Toronto's waterfront; the views are magnificent. However, I found the food mediocre, at best. My partner ordered the chicken sandwich, and found it very dry. I thought the Ahi Tuna Tartar was too salty. I also ordered an Irene Spritz which contains aperol, rosé prosecco, and dry vermouth. It tasted like fruit juice, not an alcoholic beverage. The service was not good; on multiple occasions we had to ask our waitress for water refills because she forgot about our initial ask 15 minutes prior. I also had to physically get up and track her down for the bill, as she had not attended to our table for half an hour. I won't be back.
Came with a group of 15 people and the staff was very accommodating and kind. We had a variety of food and drinks and all were so tasty! I love that their menu (drinks & food) had variety. That's what really sold me. Great location in the summer with the view of the water. Kuddos to Evelyn, Tristan & Vincenso
Awesome atmosphere to dine with almost everyone! The establishment has bar tables and regular dinning tables, which makes it suitable for even families with kids! Parking is available in the same building for additional cost. I'd prob skip the order of bread next time, but the Salmon Benedict was delightful!
A bit off the beaten trail, there is plenty of outdoor and indoor seating. We chose indoors as it was rather windy and blistery outside. The wait staff were attentive, although a little on the slow side. I will admit to it being a downtime part of the day in the afternoon, but still. We saw our two drinks sit on the counter for over ten minutes while the staff stood around. Finally, someone noticed, not our waiter, and brought them over. Our meals, however, came in record time, very different from the drinks. I ordered the Jerk Chicken, and it was excellent. Just the right amount of flavor and spice on a bed of rice and a shredded salad. I thought the meal was great. The prices were very good, and I thought the place had a nice location on the waterfront. Yet, seriously, it's not convenient.
This restaurant is a casual fine dining type of restaurant. It is located in the Corus building right at the Toronto Harbour shoreline; hence great views, while seating indoors or outdoors. Typical entrees range from $25 to $35. The vube is tastefully elegant. There is a long bar with bar seating. I ordered the following: 1. Nasi Goreng ($19). Indonesian sweet & savory rice, green peas, corn, carrots, Napa cabbage sambal, coconut raita, and fried egg. 2. Baked Alaksa ($12). Strawberry + lemon ice cream, meringue. The service was attentive and excellent. The Nasi Goreng was delicious. The sambal is on the side as it should be because it is spicy; you can mix it as you wish. It was strange that it came with a coconut raita because that is found more in Indian dishes. Also, they had fried vermicelli noodles instead of shrimp chips. I didn't get a running egg yolk video because, as usual, my camera enjoys the food too much and takes a long time, so the yolk became harder. Yes, blame my camera for wanting to eat first! For the Baked Alaska, the strawberry and lemon ice cream was a great combination! I usually don't order lemon ice cream, but I'm glad I gave it a try. The meringue was torched lightly so that there was a nice light brown layer. The meringue was sweet, which is how I like it. If you purchase the Irene Smash Cheeseburger ($21), a portion of the net proceeds goes towards feeding members of the local community in need. The organization is called Feed Scarborough. All the booth seating has a hook for you to hook clothing or bags. There is music playing in the background, but as more guests arrive, they turn it louder. This is to allow you to hear your table spak but not other tables. There is an ATM by the washrooms, just in case your credit card runs out of money. Just kidding ... maybe. Even the man's washroom has a baby change table ... how modern of them. This restaurant used to be called "Against The Grain". New management and staff were hired (after the pandemic), and the entire restaurant was renovated. There is free WiFi. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible. There are separate male/female washrooms, and they are both wheelchair accessible. There is a paid parking garage. There are high chairs for little children. Review 2023-124
Really enjoyed sitting outside and the view of the lake. The food was very tasty and drinks were refreshing. Service was great, friendly and prompt.
Bright restaurant with ample lake view. Entrees were incredible, but mains were just ok. Dessert (chocolate cake) was amazing and not overwhelmingly sweet. Service was attentive and fast . Netflix choices for the tv were questionable hahaha
The patio views at sunset were incredible! Nice outdoor patio with sofa seating or regular table seating. Service was a bit slow, but we enjoyed our time regardless. The food was great! Salmon poke bowls were perfect and other dishes got great reviews from the group.
A VERY pleasant surprise. Not only is the view great but the food was phenomenal. Started with the kimchi steak tartare, lots of interesting flavors and worked very well with the taro chips. The short ribs, though, were phenomenal. Tender, not too fatty, and a.pick the plate flavor. Really enjoyed my meal.
2 months ago
Irene is one of the best restaurants and bars to spend a few pleasant hours solo or among friends. Its location in the Corus Quay building, on Lake Ontario next to Sugar Beach, is unbeatable and it has what I consider the best patio in the whole of Toronto. It has been around since about 2013-2014 as Against the Grain Urban Tavern, but the current incarnation shines with solid talent in the kitchen ( delicious food) and on the service side. Some of the great dishes I have had recently were the Smash Burger with fries, which is way above what you'd expect from other similar establishments in terms of taste, quality of ingredients and presentation.The Irene salad is also very addictive. Try it! I just returned this afternoon, and since I had not really eaten today, I ordered the Irene breakfast. Some will say $21 is expensive for breakfast but, come on. Two pieces of great sourdough, a few streaks of extra crisp bacon, two eggs any style, two links of delicious breakfast sausage, home fries and a big portion of house salad for this price is pretty fair for the quantity and quality. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a pic of my breakfast. It was soooo yummy but trust me when I tell you it looked great. Drinks wise, the wine and beer list, while not 2 kilometres long, offers something for everyone and for everything on the menu. And local products, from Trius wines to Mill Street and Steamwhistle beers to Wiser's rye whisky, are well represented. Irene also has great mixologists. So whether you crave one of their original cocktail creations or one of the classics, they will not let you down. Now the staff at Irene is great but my server today and on my last visit, Joela, is really in a class of her own. Not only is she knowledgeable, efficient and proactive but she is also genuinely kind and has a great sense of humour and can cheer up anyone with her great sense of humour. I really recommend this restaurant. It's always a great experience! read more
Beautiful space here at IRENE. Right by the dockside, i can see myself strolling down and then coming here for lunch/drink on the patio. Cocktails were not my fav. Would probably go for a pour (wine/beer). But food was not bad. Would come back to try more items. Overall, great spot to hang out at! read more
3 months ago
Walking around and looking for a patio restaurant and find this place. Weather was so nice that seating in the patio with a cold beer and delicious food made it all perfect. Staff are friendly. Nice decor inside too but we stayed outside. read more
Irene is a beautiful restaurant with a lovely patio by the water. The weather that day was too cold, so I ate inside. I ordered the fish tacos and brussel sprouts. The fish tacos were delicious with a burst of flavour in every bite. The brussel sprouts had a ton a cheese and they were also very tasty. However, the waiter specifically asked me whether I wanted both dishes at the same time or if I wanted the brussel sprouts first. I asked for the brussel sprouts first, but the tacos were given to me first. Also, it was happy hour and the waitress gave me the wrong bill without the happy hour discount, which was an inconvenience. Overall, the food was great, but the service could have been better. read more
My colleagues and I was at Irene like 10 months ago and we had a blast. The Tuna Niçoise salad was a HIT - fresh, zesty, tuna perfection. And the Smash Burger? Juicy patty, crispy bun, with truffles fries. It was delicious :-) Portions were GOOD size and prices felt super reasonable. Staff were super friendly, made the whole vibe chill and enjoyable. Definitely a go to spot for a crew dinner or catch-up. read more
We came to Irene to enjoy the patio weather, which was perfect because Irene's patio had a really nice view and ambiance right by the water. The food turned out to be very good, which was the ultimate cherry on top. Service was attentive (despite seemingly being short-staffed) and they were able to customize our orders (down the timing correctly) which showed great attention to detail and flawless execution. We really enjoyed the view of the waterfront - you can watch ships sail by in a nice relaxing atmosphere. The music at the patio was also at the 'just right' level - upbeat in the background, without being too loud. Review of the dishes: 1) Cocktail Shrimps (poached jumbo shrimps with cocktail sauce) - Cocktail shrimps are one of my favourite hors d'oeuvres at parties, but I was used to the small bite-size (the ones you get in a ring from supermarkets). So we were impressed at the size of the shrimps here. The cocktail sauce was nice too. This was great as an appetizer / shareable dish. 2) Lettuce Wraps (with cucumber kimchi, coriander, and citrus aioli) - They used Boston lettuce as the outer wraps (which made them sturdy and easy to hold), and I liked that they included cucumber slices for extra crunch in the wraps. The kimchi wasn't too spicy. 3) Chopped Salad (shredded kale, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, grapes, cucumber, red bell pepper, crispy chickpeas, parsley, mint, za'atar, hummus, and grainy mustard vinaigrette) - LOVED this salad, especially the mix of kale and crispy chickpeas. I'm a sucker for salads with lots of ingredients and textures, and this one fit the bill. The dressing (grainy mustard vinaigrette) was pretty good too (I'm a fan of mustard). 4) Pan-Roasted Salmon (with cauliflower purée, green beans, roasted fennel, and basil pesto) - Another great dish. The salmon was cooked perfectly, and the cauliflower purée that came with it was very flavourful (without being guilty eating it because technically it was vegetable). 5) Sesame-Crusted Tuna (with miso glaze, vermicelli, and mixed vegetables) - I liked the texture of the tuna, the sesame crust, and the Asian spin of this dish (with the miso glaze, vermicelli noodles, and vegetables typically used in Asian dishes). The mixed vegetables consisted of bok choy, shimeji mushrooms (loved the extra chewiness), red onion, and sliced red & orange bell peppers. Amazing food, great ambiance, excellent patio and amosphere - it's the perfect place to be during outdoor patio season. read more
1 month ago
1 year ago
I went to Irene Saturday night for dinner and drinks. We had a reservation on the patio, so we were seated right away. The patio is large with tons of seating, and overlooks Toronto's waterfront; the views are magnificent. However, I found the food mediocre, at best. My partner ordered the chicken sandwich, and found it very dry. I thought the Ahi Tuna Tartar was too salty. I also ordered an Irene Spritz which contains aperol, rosé prosecco, and dry vermouth. It tasted like fruit juice, not an alcoholic beverage. The service was not good; on multiple occasions we had to ask our waitress for water refills because she forgot about our initial ask 15 minutes prior. I also had to physically get up and track her down for the bill, as she had not attended to our table for half an hour. I won't be back. read more
11 months ago
Came with a group of 15 people and the staff was very accommodating and kind. We had a variety of food and drinks and all were so tasty! I love that their menu (drinks & food) had variety. That's what really sold me. Great location in the summer with the view of the water. Kuddos to Evelyn, Tristan & Vincenso read more
Awesome atmosphere to dine with almost everyone! The establishment has bar tables and regular dinning tables, which makes it suitable for even families with kids! Parking is available in the same building for additional cost. I'd prob skip the order of bread next time, but the Salmon Benedict was delightful! read more
A bit off the beaten trail, there is plenty of outdoor and indoor seating. We chose indoors as it was rather windy and blistery outside. The wait staff were attentive, although a little on the slow side. I will admit to it being a downtime part of the day in the afternoon, but still. We saw our two drinks sit on the counter for over ten minutes while the staff stood around. Finally, someone noticed, not our waiter, and brought them over. Our meals, however, came in record time, very different from the drinks. I ordered the Jerk Chicken, and it was excellent. Just the right amount of flavor and spice on a bed of rice and a shredded salad. I thought the meal was great. The prices were very good, and I thought the place had a nice location on the waterfront. Yet, seriously, it's not convenient. read more
This restaurant is a casual fine dining type of restaurant. It is located in the Corus building right at the Toronto Harbour shoreline; hence great views, while seating indoors or outdoors. Typical entrees range from $25 to $35. The vube is tastefully elegant. There is a long bar with bar seating. I ordered the following: 1. Nasi Goreng ($19). Indonesian sweet & savory rice, green peas, corn, carrots, Napa cabbage sambal, coconut raita, and fried egg. 2. Baked Alaksa ($12). Strawberry + lemon ice cream, meringue. The service was attentive and excellent. The Nasi Goreng was delicious. The sambal is on the side as it should be because it is spicy; you can mix it as you wish. It was strange that it came with a coconut raita because that is found more in Indian dishes. Also, they had fried vermicelli noodles instead of shrimp chips. I didn't get a running egg yolk video because, as usual, my camera enjoys the food too much and takes a long time, so the yolk became harder. Yes, blame my camera for wanting to eat first! For the Baked Alaska, the strawberry and lemon ice cream was a great combination! I usually don't order lemon ice cream, but I'm glad I gave it a try. The meringue was torched lightly so that there was a nice light brown layer. The meringue was sweet, which is how I like it. If you purchase the Irene Smash Cheeseburger ($21), a portion of the net proceeds goes towards feeding members of the local community in need. The organization is called Feed Scarborough. All the booth seating has a hook for you to hook clothing or bags. There is music playing in the background, but as more guests arrive, they turn it louder. This is to allow you to hear your table spak but not other tables. There is an ATM by the washrooms, just in case your credit card runs out of money. Just kidding ... maybe. Even the man's washroom has a baby change table ... how modern of them. This restaurant used to be called "Against The Grain". New management and staff were hired (after the pandemic), and the entire restaurant was renovated. There is free WiFi. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible. There are separate male/female washrooms, and they are both wheelchair accessible. There is a paid parking garage. There are high chairs for little children. Review 2023-124 read more
1 year ago
Really enjoyed sitting outside and the view of the lake. The food was very tasty and drinks were refreshing. Service was great, friendly and prompt. read more
1 year ago
Bright restaurant with ample lake view. Entrees were incredible, but mains were just ok. Dessert (chocolate cake) was amazing and not overwhelmingly sweet. Service was attentive and fast . Netflix choices for the tv were questionable hahaha read more
The patio views at sunset were incredible! Nice outdoor patio with sofa seating or regular table seating. Service was a bit slow, but we enjoyed our time regardless. The food was great! Salmon poke bowls were perfect and other dishes got great reviews from the group. read more
A VERY pleasant surprise. Not only is the view great but the food was phenomenal. Started with the kimchi steak tartare, lots of interesting flavors and worked very well with the taro chips. The short ribs, though, were phenomenal. Tender, not too fatty, and a.pick the plate flavor. Really enjoyed my meal. read more
1 year ago
Maybe this place would be more worth if you sit on the patio on a nice day. The overall vibe is pleasant but the food is mediocre. The lettuce wrap was one of the better items. The meat in short rib benedict was dry. The French onion soup was bad. read more
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Irene - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026
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