What can I say what hasn't already been said about this fine establishment. Located in the heart of little India with lake Inez is full of character from its vintage collectibles scattered around the restaurant to its humble store front. Each dish was like amalgamation of inspiration from all over Asia. We ordered the shawarma - was perfect balance of wagyu fatty , pickles dipped in beet juice citrusy and garlic sauce simply delicious. Miso black cod was tender and flavourful but not too salty while the bed of rice reminded me of Dimsum with my grandma on Saturday morning when I wanted to stay home to play maple story. And finally the corned beef tender and crispy. The vegetables added a lighter dynamic to the dish. read more

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i'm so sad bc this was my top resto in toronto but the rotating menu options this trip were just... bad LMAO - food mid, a main cod dish was just flat out bad and underwhelming - waitress was highkey rude - they sat us at a table where there was virtually no light and the music was blaring loud and made me overstimulated i think it rly just depends on what the rotating menu is rip, but i went a year ago so maybe this resto is just going downhill read more

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The food was pretty good I wouldn't say worth the price especially since it was so small. We opted to get one of almost eve try thing off the menu and a couple duplicates as the dishes would be different to split with four people. The calzone and ribs were the items ordered twice. Only a few items were outstanding like the shawarma carpaccio, the ribs, the crudo (although tiny af). My mom really liked the polenta and my boyfriend liked the gumbo. The waitress was helpful in suggesting number of items to get and each time a server came to drop off a plate, they explained each dish were with detail. The place is a very cozy spot with dim lighting and loud chatter from the other patrons around. I'm not totally convinced I'd come back as it was quite pricy for what it was and we're we just satiated by the end. read more

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We were a bit skeptical about this place because it felt artsy and from some past experiences such places have let us down substantially, yet we checked them out on account of good reviews and a menu that had vegetarian offerings or alternatives to each listed item. Small menu, under 10 dishes. Shared plates style. We made a reservation (thank goodness!) because it runs full and busy. Service is slow and curt. We got the sweet potato polenta cake which i liked and my savory tooth partner found excessively cheesy and saturating, squash (veg alt to rib) combo, and stay gold ponyboy halibut. Everything was pretty one tone and not remarkable. Drinks were avg. read more

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Tried out Lake Inez for an early Friday dinner with reservations. It's a hipster spot with shared plates, family style. 8 items on the menu along with one dessert. Dishes are $18.00 to $34.00. They also offer a mystery patio 6-course tasting with pairings ($159.99/person) but only one seating each night. - Yuzu margo ($19.00) - "Peaches 'n' cream" - 112 ($18.00) - Herbaceous n soft vermouth n soda ($11.00) - ratios were off. Drink was overly bitter - All inclusive @ night ($10.00) - Hiramasa Hanoi crudo ($23.00) - nice kick - Whole laksa love ($20.00) - opted for the jackfruit vegetarian version. Tasty sauce - Falafel-fried nasu ($18.00) - "Like a pizza...but harder to eat" ($22.00) - calzone was minuscule. A fancy version of a pizza pop - Stay gold, ponyboy ($32.00) - halibut was average - The pig & the pea ($34.00) - tenderloin was nice Some interesting Asian inspired flavours but can't get over how tiny the plates are. Eat beforehand. read more

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I love coming to Lake Inez - it's a great place to revisit bc their menu is always changing and you know you'll have a great time! Service is on point and the vibes are great for a chill and enjoyable dinner out. We were a table of 4 and tried literally every item on the menu. Highly recommend this approach if you have the right group and this way you can taste everything. We enjoyed every single dish - there wasn't a single dish we wouldn't re-order. We'll definitely be back once the next menu rotation is in! read more

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I've seen Lake Inez at the top of so many people's Toronto food lists, and we finally came by on a Saturday evening. I didn't look too much into the restaurant prior to our visit, but as soon as we opened the door, it felt like we were being welcomed into a warm, bustling living room. The menu is pretty limited, but I presume it changes often. I love that it's a copy of a handwritten menu, adding to the charm. We ordered the following: - Beef & Broccoli Tartare: a lovely Wagyu tartare (9/10) - "Laksa ways to smoke a trout": an heirloom tomato salad with a smidge of smoked trout - loved the addition of marinated eggs (9.5/10) - "Postcards from Bay of Fundy": a striped bass that was so tender (9.5/10) - "The Pig and the Pea": pork tenderloin (my least favourite, I think due to the cut of the meat) (7/10) I'd recommend 4-5 dishes for 2 people. Everything was pretty easily shareable. I really loved the fusion of flavours, and appreciated the common thread of Asian veggies throughout different dishes. Mocktails were equally yummy, including a Canadian seltzer called Gap Tooth. Overall, Lake Inez lived up to the hype. read more

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Lake Inez is one of those places that pops up constantly on Reddit and food blogs--people talk about it like it's Toronto's dining mecca. It may not be life-changing, but it's definitely worth a visit. The atmosphere is buzzing, the space is cozy, and the crowd skews young and in-the-know. We weren't able to book a spot at their Mystery Patio tasting experience, but it's firmly on the list for next time. The menu changes frequently, which adds to the fun. We ordered most of it--too many dishes to list--but a few stood out: Brasicca Rail (fried romanesco with labneh, black garlic, and pistachio halloumi) was crispy and satisfying; Postcards from the Bay of Fundy (striped bass with gem lettuce and herbed crème fraîche) was delicate and fresh; and the Ode to Passion Flakie was a creative, nostalgic dessert with cherry, sakura, white miso halva, and puff pastry. We skipped the pork dishes and went with the meat substitutions listed on the menu. The replacements weren't just good--they were delicious. For one of the substitutions, they actually charged us less than for the original dish. A small surprise, but a pleasant one. Creative food, good energy, and a menu that clearly reflects thought and skill. Worth the reservation--and a return visit. read more

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Brassica Rail (8/10): absolutely delicious layering of textures, from crispy crunchy to softer crunch. Felt like an awesome snack. Sauce was really good. It was a tad on the salty side, though Rojas con Totopos (10/10): the maitake was so freakin' good!! It tasted like an umami bomb, with amazing texture. So tender. The sauce and all the flavors were incredible. Postcards from Bay of Fundy (9/10): the striped bass was so tender and delicious. Nicely seared on the outside. In terms of flavors, I think the iberico Pork was better. Iberico Pork dish (forgot name, 10/10): the pork was perfectly cooked. So, so tender and the flavors were on point. Felt very rich, but the vegetables offered a nice balance to the meat. Really love this restaurant's use of vegetables. Every dish was amazing. We were very comfortably full at the end, sharing 4 dishes between 2 people. Service was great. read more

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Absolutely loved the mystery patio concept. Service was amazing, felt super intimate and homey. Food was just spectacular, each dish was so different but each one had its own charm. Loved the story telling involved with each course. Would love to try their dining menu read more

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Unique, riveting, cozy, fun.... Everything you want in a restaurant! This should most likely be an annual visit for me, ever changing menu, amazing food, friendly service. Just unlike anywhere else. A must try, go anytime you can. read more

Delicious food and drinks! The ambiance is great, and the service is incredibly friendly. Every single dish tasted great. Some standouts for me were the tartare and the corn dessert. read more

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Lake Inez continues to be very hyped but I can't say that I agree! My colleagues and I tried the entire menu and the flavours just fell flat. It was not worth it. The menu was Asian Mexican fusion with seafood, chicken, and beef dishes. The hamachi that we had was fishy; the dish needed some acidity for balance. The tartar was my least favourite - too acidic! The shrimp patty was also a tad undercooked as it still tasted a little floury. The autumn noodles were soggy and bland... you get the picture. The non-alcoholic drinks were tasty but many of us thought the wine and cocktails were ordinary. Nothing special. The service was great and the dishes came out quickly. read more

Lake Inez - Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Lake Inez churned out some of the best food I have ever eaten. It was imaginative, interesting, clever, tasty, delicious and - at times - even daring. The combinations of spices, sauces, ingredients are as unique as I have ever experienced. All in all, I loved almost every dish that I was served. It is a small menu - only 8 entrees - and all are meant to be shared. The 3 of us who went there were all big fat Americans so we ordered all 8 entrees!!! We were not disappointed with any of them. Okay, so we liked some more than others - but that is to be expected. In total, the food was outstanding. Some of the standouts were the Pork & Pea, the Pancake, the Summer corn pie (scrumptiously surprising) and the Laksa. The server suggested 5 plates for 3 people which we originally ordered but we were still hungry after that so we ordered the remaining 3 entrees on the menu! The service - from a woman who wore a tshirt that said "Daddy's little meatball" was 100% perfect. She was charming, helpful, interesting to talk to and fast. She worked her little Canadian buns off! Hats off to Daddy's little meatball. The atmosphere fails to meet the food and service, however. The dining room seems old and dingy and vintage - like an old bar that has been re-opened without a bit of refreshing to a new generation. A restaurant that churns out such fantastic food deserves an equally fantastic interior - I wish they had done so. The tables, chairs, dinnerware and decoration were definitely 2nd rate. It was also crowded and noisy (not in and of itself a bad thing). But crowded and dingy AND loud makes it feel like a low class establishment which the food does not reflect at all. So, I am sorry to report that I can only give 4 stars on the extreme strength of the food and the service. However, I recommend Lake Inez to one and all. read more

stepping into this tiny spot feels like finding a hidden treasure - you might actually miss it walking by, with just its small white lettering marking the entrance. if anything truly shines about this place, it's definitely the service. our server was incredibly friendly and accommodating, constantly making sure our table was clean and our drinks were full. they were so genuinely wonderful that i couldn't help but leave a bigger tip than usual lol. we came at night, and the atmosphere here is so cozy with warm, low lighting (fair warning: your food pics might not turn out great). they've created this alt boho vibe that somehow works perfectly - it's eclectic and informal without feeling messy. you'll spot servers in casual sweaters and shirts, and some of their menus are even handwritten, which adds to this unique, intimate feel they've cultivated. someone mentioned trader joes here, and I have to agree lol it's slightly TJ coded. now about the food - let's be honest about the portions. they're tiny. while they say the dishes are meant for sharing, the portions are really only enough for one person. the prices definitely feel like sharing prices though - you're looking at $20-31 for these small plates. but here's where it gets interesting - the flavours are absolutely incredible. every dish carries that complex southeast asian kitchen depth that just feels so homey and delicious. we tried 6 dishes in total, and i genuinely can't pick a favourite because they were all five stars. the 'chicken wing noodle' was a bit perplexing at first but ended up being amazing like everything else. the drinks menu is fairly priced and offers some unique flavours too. make sure to try the 'thirsty like the woolf'. bathrooms are downstairs and kept perfectly clean. despite the portion-to-price ratio giving us pause, the impeccable flavors and wonderful service make this spot worth returning to. just come prepared to order more dishes than you might expect - your taste buds will thank you, even if your wallet might not. read more

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Very glad I decided to celebrate a special occasion at Lake Inez. They were very kind to provide us with a treat! The pepper and walnut dip was incredibly unique, a perfect balance of acid and fat. It paired so well with the fried pita. Next we had the persimmon salad, which definitely had a funk and kick from the chilis. The kale was delicious (and I'm not normally a kale fan). We also had the red snapper, which was cooked to perfection, with a crispy skin. The pineapple based sauce with lime complimented the fish well. Finally, we finished with the delicious meatballs and peach ragu, which had a balanced sweetness. The sour dough was also soooo good, and great for mopping up the delicious sauce. The service was immaculate. Thank you for giving us an amazing evening to celebrate! read more

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LOVE THIS PLACE. I can see it becoming Michelin star one day with their take on Asian inspired dishes. Favorites were the wagyu tartar toast and the fried romanesco brassica rail although the menu changes constantly. To die for. read more

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Fabulous food, attentive service, creative menu and a relaxed funky vibe. Overall just a wonderful experience!

Came here for the mystery patio. It's a lovely comfy rooftop patio with a tasting menu to die for. Each of the 6 dishes had either a wine or cocktail to put it over the top. Service was so fun. A small group of diners allowed for some awesome attention from the owner and chefs. Each offering was described in detail as well as the accompanying alcohol. Lots of seafood, ie tuna, lobster etc. one of the dishes was pork and I let them know beforehand that I don't eat meat. No biggie. The pork was replaced with fish in the exact same sauce. It was a pricey evening but oh so worth it. read more

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Dishes are presented with eccentric names that has a Trader Joe-like feel, such as the Hand Upstream Rolls ($22), which presents the upstream swimming fish, salmon, cured into gravlax form and covers it with cream fraiche and plum sauce. I enjoyed the meaty chunks of fish but wish the chefs weren't so heavy handed with the sauce, it masked the salmon's flavours and made it difficult to wrap in the nori. While pairing tomatoes with bonito seems strange, the Tomato Tonnato ($21) was one of our favorite dishes of the night. Somehow, the fish flakes' umami essence and the juicy heirlooms just work, bringing out the freshness of the fruit but giving it a bit of je ne sais quoi as well. In fact, Lake Inez's most simple sounding dishes were the tastiest. The Humble Potato ($19) featured big chunks of well-fried, roughed up potatoes that have a lovely crispy coating and tosses it in a flavourful Gouda queso. While the dish may sound heavy, the addition of herbs and anise hyssop (an edible flower) added a freshness to the cheesy potatoes. Along the same vein, the Corn Puddin' & Baby Shrimp ($23) was a lovely dip of hot gooey Fresno sauce studded with sweet corn and a fair amount of just cooked through shrimp. While it was tasty, it would be even better with more seasoning and salt. Still, the bread plate sized tortillas added a sunniness to the dish that I couldn't help but smile when seeing it. The Wham! Bam! Thank You, Ham! ($22) started with promise with slices of lightly cured country ham paired with sweet Korean melon and pears. But then the pickled watermelon rind and pickled peanuts were so pungent that after getting a bite of these that's all I could taste. It seems Lake Inez really likes sour flavours as the Cucumber?! I Hardly Know Her! ($19) was also too tart for my taste. The diced crunchy cucumber was tossed with a cashew cream that seems to contain a fair amount of preserved lemon. Aside from the refreshing cucumber and lemon, the other flavours were rather muted as I couldn't really taste the curry leaves or much salt. This was a divided dish for the table. The Miami Memory ($28) contained a piece of well-seasoned blackened snapper that had a nice spice but was over cooked. While it was considered a larger "main" dish, there was a scant portion of snapper, and the shredded greens and couscous side didn't increase it's substantialness by much. Mama's Meatballs ($28 for two; $10 for an additional meatball and bread) was more generous and the better of the two mains if you're hungry. Mama makes moist and not overly dense meatballs and the peach ragu and mostarda lightens the otherwise hearty dish. Serving these with a large hunk of buttered toast was smart to help mop up the sauce. read more

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This place has been on our must-try list for at least two years and my wife's birthday was the occasion that finally pushed me to call far enough in advance for a reservation...they're booked at least 2 weeks out but I think they accommodate walk-ups with a reasonable wait. Expectations were high for this much-hyped fusion eatery in the heart of little India and I'm afraid to say we were underwhelmed. Even so, the food was good and it's a charming and warm spot. You're first struck by how inconspicuous the restaurant frontage is on Gerard street. We were standing in front of it on the sidewalk and it looked closed. Not a light or murmur from inside but upon opening the door, the warmth of an English tea room, the fragrance of a Caribbean kitchen, and the din of a New Year's Eve party hit you all at once. The menu was a good selection of items, not too long, not too short and impressively, each and every item had a veg option. We started with the veg version of the wagyu tat tar, which was an eggplant concoction not unlike babaganoush but without the sesame. It was a nice flavour, cumin-forward, but served fridge cold. This was my principle critique of the food. It was mostly served too cold. The magic of that dish however was the garnish of anise hyssop. Mixing the unique herb with the flavour of the eggplant produced a beautiful medley in the palate. Then we had the bean salad with a dressing that tasted like a sesame miso combination. Great flavour! Alas, served fridge cold. It would have been better at room temp. Next was the potato and grilled octopus. Again, amazing flavours and I was looking forward to hot and fresh grilled octopus and steaming potatoes in a flavourful pesto dressing. But this dish was served at room temp. We finished with the only hot dish of the night, the corn-dog inspired fried halibut. It was served with a sweet chutney, which worked well with the simple and perfectly done fish. We thought Lake Inez would wow us and make its way on to our favourites list of places like Bar Isabel and The Wood Owl. It came close, very close, but we're leaving it out in the cold for now. read more

A few of the starter dishes were good but the pork rib main was a completely fatty and inedible. When we mentioned this, the response from management was off hand and restitution was not forthcoming. A free desert was promised but we still had to ask for it off the nil. The cocktails were terrible. The server phoned it in. Never checking in on about the food. Just not a good experience at all. If we could do it again we would just soak in the ambiance and share a couple of starters with a glass of wine and quit while we're ahead. read more

Alright, I came back for the rooftop patio thingy. It's awesome. It's a pretty penny, but it's truly an experience. The food and drink is absolutely outstanding, with wines from far and wide, even sharing some of the background around some of the winemakers. One example was a Chilean wine that doesn't conform to traditional wine making methods, and preserves his wines in beeswax -- it really tasted like he doesn't conform to traditional winemaking methods. Service is immaculate. It's almost a dinner and a show with the way that each course is presented with a short poem? Story? Whatever it is, it's weird, and it's great and if you can justify the 160pp for a special occasion, you can be sure that your experience will be a memorable one. read more

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I like this restaurant because their food is super unique, the staff is so friendly and the service is amazing. Their menu is seasonal and this time the dishes didn't blow me away. The best dishes were the tartare and the dessert imo. The cocktail wasn't the best - stick to wine. Their wine list is a good time. read more

Lake Inez - Spanish tangerine creamsicle - Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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We enjoyed our time at Lake Inez. The food was incredible. I loved the wine selection. The service was exactly how you want to be served. For a high end restaurant, the vibe was friendly. We are heading back in a couple of weeks for our anniversary. It feels good to be excited about a night out for dinner read more

Cute restaurant in leslieville! The dishes are creative with lots of vegetarian option. Large selection of wine. My favourite was the corn pudding and fennel tempura. Service was great. read more

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I applaud Lake Inez for its originality and creative ambition. I can't think of another Toronto restaurant quite like it, and for that alone it's worth your time, if only just to see if it's your cup o' tea. For our group, we were very intrigued by the menu but at the end of the day, we just weren't enamored with the food. Keep in mind that the menu changes (daily?) so perhaps it was just a 'miss' for us that night. But the place itself is very cool and cozy with a buzzing atmosphere and interesting cocktail options. Give'r a go and see for yourself. read more

Came here for a date last summer (oops late review) and the interior is romantic, dimly lit, and great for a date. We tried various items on their menu. I like how they have a rotating seasonal menu, you won't be able to eat what I ordered basically which is cool! read more

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The ambiance was romantic and is the perfect place for a date night! We got to try a few of their dishes and they are all unique and delicious. Would recommend for special occasion or just wanting delicious small dishes to share ! read more

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I have only heard rave reviews about Lake Inez, and people tend to go regularly. My expectations were pretty high and I was still very impressed. delightful staff, really passionate and knowledgeable. they did not try to up sell. The restaurant is quirky and interesting decor. Small number of seasonally inspired small or sharing plates. Really enjoyed everything we had; Tuna crudo, peas peas peas and liver mouse. Also an interesting selection on the wine list. I will definitely be going back read more

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Had dinner here a thursday evening and it was quite enjoyable. We had a reservation, and it got quite busy at around 7pm, so would definitely recommend getting a reservation. Restaurant is very quaint with very unique decor choices and and overall easygoing atmosphere & vibe. Service was pretty good, but they're definitely short-staffed. As it got busier, service became less attentive. They had 3 servers running around doing everything, including bartending; so patience will be important. The food was overall very good! My favourite was definitely the chicken liver mousse and Nachos. We ordered 4 dishes from the dinner menu (they recommend 3-4 for a table of 2). Fennel moment - this was sort of like a fennel sour cream dip with thin crisps to smear the dip on. It was pretty good, but I was hoping for more fennel and fennel flavour as fennal has a strong licorice flavour if eaten raw. Chicken liver mousse - my fav dish of the night. If you've had chick liver mousse before, it can be very heavy and rich. by adding the sour cherry and hazlenuts, it was the perfect combo and when served on the rice crackers, it was delicious! we are depressed thus: nachos: definitely order this, it was VERY cheesy (in a good way) and so delicious. it's slightly spicey but not to the point where you actually feel it... so people who don't enjoy spice (which is unfathomable to me!) can likely still eat it without being torched. wild watercress clams in brodo: this was pretty good, especially the black bird bread and the broth! BUT I wish it was mussels instead of clams, simply because there were about 12 or so clams, and it seemed like a tiny portion after you remove the shells... Clams are expensive and have a tiny yield. Mussels are relatively cheaper and much meatier. The sauce is 100% the star. Lastly, their drinks were quite good. Yuzu margo cocktail was refreshing and unique, and the nothing lasts forever cocktail definitely had a good amount of Johnny Walker black & lagavulin so that you can actually taste it. Big wine selection as well Overall really enjoyed Lake Inez and very solid 4 stars. read more

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Our server was lovely and on the ball. Very cute place. Looks like a home that was renovated. There is even a piano. The menu was full of interesting twists on classic items with a lot of variety for adventurous eaters. The cocktail menu was beautiful with a ton of interesting cocktails with neat infusions. The food was tasty for sure. I would go back for the liver mouse any day but the rest was a little lacklustre for me for the price you were paying. We got the gyoza sausage rolls which were packed with flavour but it was gyoza meet inside of puff pastry. The Tuna Tataki was good as well but there wasn't a ton of it for the 18$ price. Again, great experience, really interesting menu but I think there are other spots with great menus where you're more full at the end for the price. read more

Wonderful ambiance and food. Only negative was that we were rushed out after 2 hours at the tables read more

Lake Inez - Fantastic food and service. Only negative was that we were rushed out after 2 hours. - Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Lake Inez is an unassuming hidden gem that is loved by Toronto locals and foodies. From the moment you walk through the door of the restaurant you feel like you are transported to the inside of what might be your grandparent's house. Although The decor might be rustic, the food, beverage and atmosphere are far from "rickety." It was evident that it is loved because eveb on a Thursday night, the dining room was packed with diners. The main level dining room offers an a la carte menu that is ever changing with the offerings of the season. Upstairs they offer a unique set course dining experience that is raved about on social media. We dined from the a la carte menu which allowed us the opportunity to share several of their dishes. We started with the roasted beet dish and green salad. The beets were a combination of perfectly roasted red and yellow beets that sit atop the most delicious yogurt schmear and pesto sauce. The creamy yogurt and the tangy pesto were perfect compliments to the earthy root vegetables. Although the green salad sounded simple, it was far from boring. The salad came tossed with crispy radishes and was tossed in a balanced vinaigrette. Finally it was topped with toasted nuts that added a rich crunch to the light dish. We then had the grilled bread covered in a cheese spread and topped with roasted peaches and sausage. I was so excited to hear that they have gluten free bread so I was able to indulge in this plate. This dish was a favourite of the night. The sweet roasted peaches contrasted with the meaty sausage was akin to a sweet and sour Swedish meatball. Finally we had the pastrami plate. The dish was like an upscale version of a pastrami plate I would be served at my bubbie's house. The braised beef was fork tender and was topped with a crispy potato latke. The whole concoction sat in a beef jus that ensured the beef was moist and flavourful. This dish was certainly a wonderful and creative take on a traditional meat and potato offering. Not only was the food memorable at lake Inez but the service was attentive and on point. I cannot wait to return to see what new creations they conjure in the future. read more

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I pat myself on the back for this one. What a great choice for a client dinner. The ambience is relaxed classy. Tastefully decorated. Great space for an intimate dinner or a large group. The flavours here are outstanding! We tried 6 dishes and here's the breakdown. Falafel - 5/5. -perfectly crunchy on outside and soft on the inside. The humus makes you want to lick your fingers Fried green tomatoes -5/5 (perfect score for the pomegranate remoulade alone)! Quinoa breading was perfect and made it extra crispy. Chicken wings -5/5. - the client KILLED these. Crunchy with a sweet and spicy wing sauce. Wow! Flavour! Sausage rolls -5/5. Rice dish 5/5 Divine. We did a vegetarian version (bacon on side). So so delicious. The spicy sauce on the side looks gross (dark green) but when you mix it into the rice it's next level. Don't judge a book. Amazing! Strawberry shortbread -5/5 Wow the Macerated strawberries were divine. $100 for two people for all the above. I left stuffed. I ate like a queen. Lake Inez will be tough to unseat as my new fav restaurant in Toronto. Phenomenal! read more

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This is literally one of our top 3 favourite restaurants in Toronto! The Nystery Roodtop Patio Tasting Menu is a fantastic experience. The regular dining menu is also always great. Unique dishes. Fabulous ingredients. Great natural wines. Wonderful people! read more

When I first saw the menu for this place, I was a tad skeptical. There aren't many menu items, and frankly, most of the dishes just didn't stand out to me. But boy oh boy, was I pleasantly surprised! My favourite dishes, and what I found to be the highlights of the meal, were the spicy charred brussels, market fish curry, roasted squash salad, and the Japanese deviled eggs. All beautifully incorporated Asian flavours in a very natural way. My companions loved the Sinigang wings, brussels, and market fish curry. We came as a group of seven, and thus chose to order everything on the menu. We asked the server to decide for us, and he seemed a bit overwhelmed / nonplussed. I started with the 4am Birdsong and expected a lighter drink, given the lychee flavour. However, it ended up being a much strong whiskey drink. Next time, I should definitely order the Thai Gin Fizz instead, as it is their most popular cocktail product. Japanese Deviled Eggs: These were the first to arrive, and we had one half each. I was NOT expecting them to taste like wonderful bites of sushi, but they had the pleasant umami flavour of the ocean! It must have been the salmon roe, combined with the nori and furikake. The kewpie mayo and yuzu added a slight tangy note, but not overwhelming by any means. Duck & Chicken Liver Mousse: The server had initially proposed only getting one of these, but then after careful consideration, he came back with two orders. Good call on his part! The liver mousse was so wonderfully creamy and earthy, and paired perfectly with the housemade Filipino sweet bread (pandesol). The pomelo was okay - slightly bitter (obviously not in season), and the shallot jam was a sweet addition. The mousse killed it though! Za'atar Roasted Cauliflower: Out of all the dishes we ordered, I found this to be the most underwhelming. The Za'atar gave it a nice curry kick, but the flavour profile was weak and the edamame hummus wasn't very prominent. I still had seconds though, as I was trying to get some veggies in ahead of a protein-packed meal - though I regretted it shortly afterwards when everything arrived and was so delicious! Roasted Squash Salad: I don't think that my companions appreciated this dish much, but I absolutely loved it! The squash was roasted to be wonderfully creamy, and the arugula was coated in this umami-filled Thai dressing. You could really taste the dried shrimp and fish sauce, and I loved every bit of it. This dish has really inspired me to go home and experiment with these flavours, because the Asian fusion reminded me of home in a very modern way. I definitely consumed half the dish, but I'm not ashamed to admit it! Sinigang Wings: We ordered three dishes (15 pieces) to share among the 7 of us. Everyone at my table adored this dish - some even went so far to state that it was the "best wings" they've ever had! On my part, I found the wings very flavourful; the tamarind sauce with peanuts and chilies really shone through. However, it wasn't my preferred dish, as I thought the wings were too salty and saucy. Had to gulp down multiple glasses of water after consuming just one! Spicy Charred Brussels: Don't be fooled by the appearance of this dish... the brussel sprouts look blackened, saucy, and mushy, and they'rehidden under this fresh green bed, but are so delicious! The sprouts are coated generously in this very salty and spicy oyster sauce, but there's a very rich and earthy flavour coming from the anchovies. My companion kept asking incredulously, "Is there meat in this dish?!" but all the flavour definitely came from the crispy anchovies. We got two orders of this, and everyone really enjoyed it. Rice w/ Mushrooms: This was my least liked dish of the night - the taste was quite bland. Perhaps it would have been better to start with this dish due to the subdued flavours, as the richness and saltiness of all the other dishes probably overpowered the profile of this dish. The slow-cooked egg didn't really mix well with the rice (maybe they could consider a poached egg), and the porcini flavours didn't really come through. Market Fish Curry: This came with Malaysian roti and jasmine rice, and was by far everyone's pick of the night (we ended up getting three orders!). Though I forgot what type of fish it was that night (some sort of trout) but it stayed warm in the hot stone pot. The curry was sinfully creamy (probably had a can of coconut cream in each pot), and I loved the hidden mustard greens. I did find that there were too many peanuts though - filled me up much too fast. Grilled Bavette: The steak was very well-marinated, and there was an unexpected spicy kick to it! A little chewy/tough, but still very delicious. Unfortunately, it paled in comparison to all the other Asian dishes! Ricotta Donuts: These deep-fried goodies resembled Chinese style donuts, but by then I was too full to have an entire one. Wasn't my favourite though... To conclude - an amazing, indulgent meal! read more

Lake Inez - Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

If I could give this place 6 stars, I would! Everything about this restaurant is AMAZING! My boyfriend and I came here for dinner on a Wednesday evening. The restaurant was dimly lit and pretty full. The service was wonderful. The servers were attentive and extremely friendly. Their cocktail menu was quite interesting, so we got two of their cocktails which were delicious. We continued to order 4 dishes and a dessert. The Ode to Rangoon was INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS! Definitely a must tried. My next favourite was the Apple Cider Donuts. They were SO GOOD!!! Nothing we had wasn't amazing. The Queso with Chips and potato dish were also great. My boyfriend got the wings which he really enjoyed. It looks like they change their menu every so often. This is a highly recommended restaurant. The food and service was AMAZING!!! read more

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We went to Lake Inez for the first time last night.We were warmly welcomed and the menu and format were explained by our server.the service throughout the meal was excellent.We ordered 4 plates and shared each one .We were very impressed with the variety of the flavors in each dish .We enjoyed our meal very much .The restaurant was very busy but that did not effect the great level of service we were given.Its a very funky ambiance inside a very plain storefront on Gerrard East. We loved our whole experience and will be back soon. read more

I love this place. There's a certain charm to it. It's pretty dim with a bunch of random items decorating the restaurant. The servers are casual but friendly and the service is a bit slow. Everyone is having a good time, going at their own pace so I don't mind the slower service. I think the vibe is what does it for me here. It's just super chill. The first time I came was a few years ago and I remember thinking oh wow, there are so many flavours that I don't usually get to taste or I haven't had before. The food was very interesting and exciting. The server mentioned it was the last day they would be serving their fish curry before they change the menu so obviously we had to get it. It ended up being my favourite dish. I recently came back and it happened to be on the night of the snow storm. Arrived at 8:30pm and I was surprised the restaurant was almost full. They have a bunch of craft beers if that's what you're into. I prefer non-alcoholic drinks and they were out of their lime kombucha so they ended up making something similar to the lime kombucha. No complaints. It was yummy so I got a second Fried Green Tomatoes ($15) - Comes with four pieces, battered in some hard crispy stuff with a ricotta, tomato, basil spread. It wasn't bad but nothing to be impressed about. I wasn't really a fan of the crispy layer. The texture of it was like eating something that went stale. Mussels Marseille ($23) - Bouillabaisse was spicier than I expected. Came with two slices of sourdough, each one loaded with saffron spread. Definitely too much spread. You could wipe it off and have enough to cover another slice. I wasn't impressed with this dish either. Chantrelle & Shitake & New potato ($17) - Their version of a poutine. The potatoes were done well and were crispy on the outside. Didn't think there were enough mushrooms. I wasn't a huge fan of this dish either though. 2:45am Fried Rice ($22) - I wouldn't order this but everyone around me was getting served this dish and it felt like everyone knew something I didn't. Apparently the sauce was very spicy and there would be no way I could handle it (FYI, I can't handle spice) so I didn't try any. That's also probably why I thought the rice was a little bland (sauce was served on the side). Others around me were all raving about it though so maybe the sauce makes all the difference. Apple Cider Donuts ($12) - Comes with three pieces and I didn't like it. Very dense. There's a thing apple slice on top of each donut. Our Friend Trevor's Truffles ($4) - For two pieces. They're real tiny, probably the same size as the tip of my finger but I really loved it. Even considered getting another order of them but also had to take into account that they were $4.00 for 2 seconds of happiness, 10 if you stretch it out. If I based this only on the first time, I would definitely give them 5 stars. I didn't really like the food this time but the vibe and the staff are still super cool. I would definitely come again because I'm a believer. *Pictures didn't turn out great. Phone was acting up. Oops. read more

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