We were a group of 8 out for girls night and the staff were very friendly and made our experience great. However, the food itself was very disappointing. I got the hamachi crudo and burger. The crudo didn't have enough citrus and the sauce it was in lacked flavor. I also asked for my burger to be cooked medium rare but it was well done. My friends who got the pastas really enjoyed their dishes, but I'm not sure I'd go back here for food again. read more

Laissez Faire - Hamachi crudo - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Recommended by a friendly waitress at another neighborhood spot, Laissez Faire turned out to be a bit of a hidden gem. Take the stairs to the covered rooftop... a lovely bar with dining booths and lounge seating, all with a perfectly cooled indoor-outdoor vibe. Downstairs, the first floor has a cozy, antique feel with all indoor seating. Food highlights: * Hamachi Crudo: Fresh and nicely portioned, though we wished for a little more citrus and zest. * Beef Burger: Excellent. the bacon jam and aioli take it over the top. * Roasted Half Chicken with chimichurri: Cooked perfectly, juicy inside, ultra-crispy skin, with lemon and herbs adding a bright punch. * Roasted Mushrooms: Generous portion and a win for mushroom lovers. Cocktails are beautifully presented and well-balanced. All around, a great choice for a date night or a larger group looking for something special but relaxed. read more

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Visited Laissez Faire last night for dinner with a group. We had made reservations prior which was a good call seeing as how the restaurant was quite busy with limited seating. We ordered the beef tartare, oysters, and Caesar salad to start and I got the roasted chicken as my main. I wasn't a huge fan of the seasoning used in the beef tartare (too peppery for my taste) and the kale in the salad was quite overpowering. The oysters tasted fresh and came with a good amount of toppers. The roasted chicken unfortunately was quite dry with the gnocchi being the saving grace due to the sauce. I likely would come back to Laissez Faire for some drinks and maybe some apps. read more

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Came here the other day for a late brunch before hitting the spa across the street. Cute place with nice ambience. Staff were friendly but service was honestly a bit slow. We had to wave to get our orders and the bill. Food was decent and overall pretty good. I liked my waffle and chicken. My friend ordered the french toast and found it too sweet esp with the maple syrup on top of the gelato. She did order a latte which was cold so our server did remake it but she said it tasted more like a cappuccino. Overall this www a good experience and it's a good brunch option for the area on the weekend! read more

Laissez Faire - Chicken and waffles - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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We came here for happy hour on a Friday and had a great time! Great ambiance especially as it gets late and they have the lights lit up. Happy hour was a great deal and you can get both food and drinks from the menu. I really liked the charcuterie platter that we had to share. Service was top notch, attentive and friendly. I hear they have a good brunch as well! read more

Laissez Faire - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Went for brunch this past weekend! The price of the food is on the lower end for similar brunches in the Toronto area but the portions are quite large! The place fills up fast, and they allow reservations for brunch which is great for larger group sizes. It has a cozy feel. I tried the avocado toast with burrata. Would recommend! read more

Laissez Faire - Avocado toast - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This cozy, cute restaurant is great for dates and friends outing. The ambiance is nice. Service was good as well and fast. Friends and I came here for happy hour and the prices and portion is good. We got the mozzarella Arancini, beet and burata, the beef tartare was reallly goood. $1/oz for wine is amazing. For the main courses we got the salmon which was really good with the sweet quinoa. The venison tenderloin was a bit underwhelming with 3 pieces and a bit too salty with the sauce. Overall, great place to meet up with friends over food and drinks. read more

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Came here on a Sunday night with a few of my girl friends. The service was great, but the food came out super slow. I would not recommend coming here for a quick bite, however it's a nice venue to catch up with friends. It's on the second level of a king west building, therefore it's easily accessible via 503/504 street car. read more

Laissez Faire - a plate of food on a table - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Found this place by accident as I intended to go to another King St bar's happy hour but they were full. They have an incredible happy hour everyday for 5-7, with dollar per oz wine and half priced appetizers. All the food and drinks I've had here have been great, and the ambiance is nice as well. While it can get busy, I've never had an issue getting a table, even on a weekend. It's happened a few times though that they've had a private event during happy hour so the bar was closed, I'd recommend checking out their IG first (@laissezfairetoronto) to be sure they're open when you're planning a trip. read more

Laissez Faire - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Great spot for happy hour! We tried every item on the happy hour menu. None of them disappointed. The stand-out was the charcuterie board. The portions were so generous and had a great variety of meats and cheese! Unfortunately the space was booked for a private event on Friday evening so we could only dine in for an hour. Would definitely come back again for more. read more

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It was my first time coming here for brunch and it definitely hit the spot. The vibe in the restaurant was super cozy and chill. It was for my friend's birthday and we all got their Buddha bowl, with many variations. The kitchen staff nailed our order. I also want to say our waiter was amazing. My friend ordered an iced earl grey tea and it was definitely not on the menu, but the kind individual steeped the tea, cooled it and then put it on ice. Talk about effort and care! My friend also brought a cake and the staff not only came with candles on her cake, but they also gave us an additional cheesecake on the house for her! It was such a memorable experience and I would 100% come back! Thank you for such a great time! read more

Laissez Faire - Buddha Bowl - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Went here for a friend's birthday in the summer. Their brunch items were so yummy. It was a little nerve wracking eating because it was towards the end of the CNE so they had the plane demo thing that they do. It was so LOUD. Other than that though it was a great experience. Service was excellent. They waived the pancakes that we used a "cake" to put candles on. And if you get one thing here, it has to be the pancakes. So delicious! read more

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The restaurant is very delicious but overpriced. We started with the tuna and avocado which I thought was really good. The avocado "gelato" wasn't to my bfs taste. It was good but very small portion even for a starter. I got the duck two-ways and bf got the scallops as mains. The duck was large enough to be considered a main, but the scallops were a small portion and definitely should have been an app. All of the proteins were cooked perfectly and I thought it was well-balanced. Wouldn't come back for the price. read more

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Eat here if you want mice feces in your food. This place is a complete dump, I don't think it ever gets cleaned. Literally saw a mouse in the bathroom last time I was there. read more

Food: 3.5/5 Cocktail: 4/5 Atmosphere:4/5 Service: 4/5 I love coming here especially in the summer for the drinks with my friends. It is such a cute spot for drinks, and all the staff are super friendly as well. I liked the food but I would say their best is more cocktails. I would want to try in the winter as well for happy hours with my colleagues! read more

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Their menu strays from their French name and also offers Italian dishes for good measure. It's not always done well, the porcini truffle arancini ($13) are the worst I've ever had: the risotto so dry that the ball starts to crumble and the mixture bland so everything relies heavily on the marinara (thankfully, fresh and delicious). As a plus, since it is deep fried rice, even being the worst it's still edible, but certainly not one you'd want to serve a true Italian. The squid ink tagliatelli ($21) is 100% better. Dark ribbons of pasta encompasses a seafood flavour but not in a fishy way. It's covered in a sauce that's not overly thick but salty enough to really give it a briny sea essence. Plump sweet clams and crunchy bread crumb provide a nice contrast to the pasta, while there's just enough dill fronds to add a hint of freshness without morphing the dish's earthiness. Safer sharing plates are some of the cold seafood options. While we weren't advised what the oysters were that evening (only that they were from PEI), the dozen ($32) tasted clean and fresh, accompanied with the traditional vinegary onion mignonette and grated horseradish. read more

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Came here last night (Sat.) to party with my brother. We're American and were out celebrating his birthday. This spot has an upstairs and downstairs. We ended up downstairs. Here are my observations: Pros: - The line moves pretty quickly. We arrived around 12:50 a.m. and got inside in less than 5 min. - The hostess at the entrance was super polite (RARE!) - Attire is pretty casual/cute+comfy+sexy casual; not clubby - Most of the guys are tall - The area in general is pretty jumpin; so if you wanna party elsewhere, there are options in walking distance Cons: - The space is small and overcrowded (avoid wearing nice shoes at all cost; be mentally prepared to get pushed, shoved and maybe a drink spilled on you from time to time) - The restroom line is almost always long - The crowd isn't really diverse in terms of shade tones - If you're a POC, the bartenders seem to go above and beyond to help everyone else (who isn't a POC) BEFORE you. My brother and I spent most of the night in the venue apart from each other and we BOTH had this same experience. The bartenders were these "bro" types and their energy towards the both of us gave off a very "you-are-not-welcome-here-and-I-do-not-want-to-service-you"-vibe. - There was a good amount of couples in attendance so mingling as a single was slightly difficult Do with this info what you may. I'm a black girl from the U.S. (OH/LA/NYC) read more

We really enjoyed our drinks, food and service. Atmosphere is fun and cool. Food was very delicious and very good portions ! Drinks were awesome and service was top notch and uber friendly. The manager Marco was extremely nice and made us feel extra welcome. We will definitely be back! We loved it ! read more

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This new French fusion restaurant replaced Home of the Brave on King West. Came to check it out with a few friends on a Saturday. As a table of 3 we ordered 5 dishes to share. Atmosphere: as expected for King west - candle lights, trendy and nice interior, and loud music. Food: overall it was okay. We tried the cauliflower steak (accompanying sauce was a roasted red pepper hummus), squid ink tagliatelle (10/10 definitely recommend), beetroot tartare, roasted Brussel sprouts and parsnip (was quite vinegary), and pork belly. Service: was also okay. We finished our bottle of water about half way through the meal, and they never gave us a refill. Our server also had to be flagged down to come get our check, as they were occupied with a larger group. read more

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Laissez Faire is a trendy and sexy addition to the Toronto dining scene. From the minute you walk through the door you know that you are in for a great time and meal. The open air kitchen at the back of the dining room with a chefs counter and the good feel music in the background sets the vibe for the evening. The wait staff was ultra attentive and clearly want to ensure that you have a memorable experience. We went to this resto for the food and we were not disappointed. We started the meal with the vegan Cesar salad and tuna+avocado dish. The tuna was prepared in a poke style and topped with an avocado gelato. The contrasting textures and temperatures of this dish were unique and absolutely delicious. The tuna was sashimi grade, buttery and very fresh topped with a cold scoop of avocado heaven. Next,The vegan Cesar salad was a combination of different lettuces dressed in a creamy cashew dressing and topped with crispy chickpeas. The chickpeas were a unique and welcome alternative to the traditional crouton for the crunch factor. This salad was super tasty and not over powered with garlic. For the second course we had the octopus, roasted squash and Arctic char. All dishes were very impressive. The octopus had a buttery interior with a charred exterior and we agreed was some of the best that the city has to offer. The Arctic char was a super impressive portion with two filets and sat atop roasted pears. The char was cooked perfectly with a medium Center and crispy skin. Finally the squash dish came to the table as a piece of art. The squash was roasted and topped with a vegan cheese and roasted nuts. The presentation was beautiful and the flavours dazzled our tastebuds. Overall this restaurant is an amazing spot for date night or an evening out with your girls. Laissez Faire knows how to execute on all levels. read more

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It. Is. So. LOUD. While I've experienced various levels of loud music in these newer hip restaurants, I did not expect the music choice or volume choice here. I had heard the chef had a fine dining background, but obviously was planning a more casual fare. However, I did not expect it to be house music thumping as if it's a club. Off-putting. We were there on a Saturday night, perhaps they pump it up even louder on the weekends. I still wanted to give the food a chance, at the least. We ordered the shishito peppers, the burrata (very delicious), the cauliflower steak, the albacore tuna, the tagliatelle. The standout dish was definitely the squid ink tagliatelle, very savoury and tender. Somewhat lacking in the accoutrements though, just mostly pasta, not much seafood accompanying. This is fine, but just as a note to those expecting more. The food was good enough, but I don't think it was too special. The service was also quite slow...we didn't get more water with an empty bottle on the table and it took them 15 mins to bring the cheque after we asked. Overall, would not return. read more

Laissez Faire - Tuna - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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If you want crappy chain food, don't bother coming here. If you want delicious food full of flavor, made with love and talent (and to order), run, don't walk here! The food is absolutely outstanding. We loved this place so much, we had dinner there two nights in a row. The staff was friendly, fun, and accommodating. If I am ever back in Toronto, I will return here for sure. read more

I was actually shocked at how great the food is here. The service is excellent, the food is good and the vibe is fun. It definitely gets super busy there as well. Good spot - the cacio de Pepe is so good. read more

Dinner at Laissez Faire was solid, but I wouldn't say that it was especially innovative or special. Everything was solidly cooked though, and it was delicious. For two, the portions were okay if you order a couple of dishes. The atmosphere is a bit dim with the mood lighting, except for a few seats near the window overlooking King Street. Our server was really friendly, but when we asked for his recommendations, he gave the old "it depends on what you feel like" (solidifying the view above). read more

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Finding the location is not clearly labeled. The food quality is barely average and the portion sizes are weak. Sampled were the deep fried mushroom balls, tuna appetizer, the salmon and pork sausage pasta. Service was average and they were more concerned to clear tables vs ensuring there are standard expected items like water or cutlery. Visited on a non festival weekend aug 16th weekend. Left hungry. Disappointing and over hyped. Not worth it. read more

Overall: 3.5 Gorgeous elegant rustic décor with decent French inspired dishes. Must try Squid Ink Tagliatelle. Food: 3 Ambiance/Decor: 5 Service: 5 Went for a fairly early dinner on a Friday night, place was still pretty empty. Gorgeous trendy rustic décor with a more casual vibe. When I was there they had a $1 per ounce Prosecco special. We ordered the Cauliflower Steak, Burrata, and Squid Ink Tagliatelle. The squid ink pasta was absolutely amazing, great blend of flavours, you can really taste the seafood, and the pasta was cooked to the perfect texture. I would come back just for this again. Can't say the same for the other dishes. Burrata was pretty good, the poached pear was a good balance against the creaminess of the burrata. The cauliflower steak was a bit disappointing, was hoping for it to be crispier on the outside. My favourite roasted cauliflower is still the one at Fat Pasha. read more

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jazz randomly came up to me and said I was being creepy. I just arrived and was very confused by the situation. I think she was into the girls I was talking to. sorry for starting conversation. good luck with business. read more

My fiancée & I came from New York for a date night, & immediately loved the hip but fancy atmosphere when we walked in. We specifically chose this place for the menu we saw online. Once we got our entrees we knew we'd made the right decision. Our server was attentive, the food was deliciou, & the drinks were strong. Worth the price. read more

Food was very good and tasty and ambiance was amazing! Service was also great! I recommend!

A couple of us visited this spot for Sunday brunch. We made a reservation for 11am (on the website it was the only time slot available), but when we got there it was quite empty. The food was decent but we were extremely disappointed with the quality of service. We were served by Sandra? She wasn't wearing a face covering and her customer service skills were subpar for a lack of a better word. She rolled her eyes at us when we were asking about menu recommendations and gave off a vibe that seemed like she didn't want to serve us. For the price we are paying, the service definitely could be improved. read more

Laissez Faire - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

We attended the end of the month disco brunch party. And let me tell you it was a time. Food was amazing! I came with 7 girls and everyone raves about how good there disH was. Service was excellent and the vibe was bumping! I would highly recommend booking this. Way better then going out at night read more

Came here for a late dinner for a girls night out, and it was pretty much everything we were looking for! Lively atmosphere, great food & plates that were perfect for sharing, yummy cocktails, & good music. Previous reviews have complained about the service but we were quite impressed. Our waiter & waitress were attentive, checking in often & refilling our drinks & water as needed. We wanted to order dessert around 11, but our waitress had forgotten to mention last call for the kitchen to us. She was so apologetic and right away offered to bring us something on the house. She came back with a round of yummy watermelon tequila shots (with fresh watermelon juice) As for food, we loved every single dish! I'd probably rank them in this order: Thai curry mussels (the green curry sauce is delectable & we mopped up every last drop with the bread), squid ink tagliatelle, albacore tuna (seared lightly, served like garnished pieces of sashimi- highly recommend!), beet root tartare (so fresh!), burrata We finished our dinner around 11:30 & at this point the restaurant turned into more of a bar/lounge atmosphere. Previous reviews have mentioned that it's too loud, but we could hear each other just fine in our group of 6, and at no point did I feel like I was yelling. Our waitress kindly told us that if we wanted we could have our table for the rest of the night. I'm sure our spot was highly coveted! So a good tip if you want to come here for drinks & want a guaranteed place to sit, book a late dinner here on OpenTable! read more

Before you read I would like to state that this review speaks ONLY for their Spaghettoni Al Pesto dish. I have never eaten something so bland my entire life. It literally tasted like nothing coated in flour then soaked in vegetable oil. Added salt, didn't help. Pepper, didn't help. Chili flakes, nope. Didn't even taste the slightest hint of basil. Charging someone $21 for this dish should be considered a crime. Can't speak for their other dishes though, might be better. read more

Came here for drinks and apps while waiting to be seated at another restaurant for dinner. We sat at the bar and ordered the charcuterie board, beer and spicy watermelon cocktail. The bartender provided great service and we really enjoyed everything we ordered. I would definitely consider coming back for dinner. read more

I was going for 3 stars based on 2 major factors but it wouldn't be fair as it is by far the top spot in Toronto. Even though there was a mix up with our reservation they were able to accommodate us within a few minutes. The food was really good with many interesting selections and generous portions. Well done! The 2 things that I didn't like were the loudness and the first tip option being 30%! It's the best music I've ever heard in the city but its so loud that people who are dining and want to discuss they have to be even more loud. In addition, it is a "Woo" girls place with tables of 5-6 woo girls screaming and laughing. The other is the tip options when you use the credit machine. 30%? Really guys? For what?? Just being downtown Toronto? Not even at Freds at Barney's on Madison Avenue NY they don't suggest that high! Toronto is not there yet to suggest something like that. Take it easy! read more

Really good food, really great interior decor but all this gets pushed away due to how LOUD the music is, I understand it's a bar but even a bar shouldn't have music that loud If the music wasn't so irritating and the service wasn't bad You could say it's an amazing place as great decor and really yummy food read more

Came here to check it out. Had the charcuterie, Waygu beef, Porcini Truffle Arancini, fingerling potatoes etc. Sat with an empty bottle of wine on the table and needed to flag down the waiter to get another as well as more water. After we ordered dessert we were told we only had 2 hours on our reservation with 15 minutes left. Not amazing after spending that kind of money. This place seems to value it's bar scene the most. The food was good but the experience was brutal. Wont be back. read more

Amazing vibe, amazing food, great patio. Will definitely be back!!

Be aware bartenders will try to scam you. Don't use large bills like $100 each one of us they attempted to fraud. Will never give these guys my business again. read more

The music was great and the place turns into a great place to mingle at night (younger crowd). So this is definitely not a place for a quiet dinner. The food was over-salted, and the cocktails were super watered-down. read more