Fantastic experience here at Lee at the Waterworks during Summerlicious 2025!…read moreThe first impression at this, the last day of 'Licious with the place oozing with a well-dressed crowd ready to have a party in the mouth that evening in July, was that the place was vibing so much it almost took down the building. Every table was occupied when I arrived, and I was happy to chill out by the bar and look over the cocktail menu. Cool that they had a drink called Shanghai 75 since my friend was from there, bonus! The menu selections were expertly picked, of course, and gave a good sense of the theme of this Asian fusion food and how the chef thinks. Take a look at my pictures and set your sights on another 'Licious coming up for one of these fun events. Think of 'Licious as much more bold and light hearted way to enjoy some of Toronto's finest restaurants and see how well they work under pressure, which make these so popular and so much fun!

Finally got to try the place my cousins the Lees "own". And I have to say, I'm impressed! Asians do…read moremake the best food! We tried their top chef curry roasted chicken and I can see why they won top chef! Meat is tender, skin is crispy and the curry! Goes real well with the chicken! Coconut rice cake was pretty good too! It's not like korean rice cake, tasted more like fa gao, giving it a nice texture. Char siu bbq duck with Peking garnish was pretty good too. I love how the breast meat has a nice balance of meat to skin, so its not too oily and it makes the meat tender too. Peking wrap was kinda cold, so that threw me off alittle. But overall its still amazing! Shrimp was juicy and tender, but nothing too wow about it. But good quality! The chef even came out to greet us and have a quick chat with us! That was a nice touch, service and ambiance is nice too!! Would totally come back for it again!

We stopped by Midnight Market thinking it was still an after-hours club--fair warning, it isn't…read more But the staff was super friendly, and since they share management with Big Trouble, they gave us free cover cards, which was a nice surprise. We ordered the bulgogi dumplings, turnip cakes, miso mushroom udon carbonara, mushroom black garlic spaghetti, and the red curry chicken rigatoni. Everything was genuinely great, especially for the price. For a spot so close to the clubs, it's an awesome place to grab food during a night out. We had someone in our group who's gluten-free, and they were happy to sub rice noodles into one of the dishes. It was thoughtful of them to accommodate, but the rice noodles soaked up the sauce too much and clumped together, making it hard to eat. Still, overall the food and experience were solid, and I'd definitely go back.

Amazing 10/10. Love love the soju bombs give me 14 of them right now. They have an amazing happy…read morehour of buy one get one free for appetizers which is insane

Still dreaming about this meal. We had a reservation for a birthday celebration, sat upstairs (a…read morelittle chilly), but all the staff were so nice and attentive. Every dish was amazing, but we can't stop talking about the sunchoke dumplings!! Creamy and flavorful bursts of happiness. The hainan chicken was the most tender chicken I've ever had in my life. And to top it all off, their Vietnamese coffee tiramisu! Light, crispy, perfectly balanced dessert. Thank you DaiLo team for the best dining experience we had in Toronto. Last note - LOVE the little DaiLo red envelope.

Was very excited to try this place. A bit disappointed though as it did not live up to the hype I…read morehad been reading about in several reviews. Every review I read about the place raved about the flavors so I came in with high expectations. We ordered 5 dishes and although there were a variety of textures and layers to each dish, everything seemed to have the same flavour or garnish. After a while everything started to taste very similar to the dish brought out just before. Crispy garlic and chili oil seemed to be the lingering taste in each dish. The only item that didnt contain these were the tacos which werent anything special. The tofu dish wasthe most enjoyable for me but again was topped with a lot of that chili oil that took over after a while. Truffe fried rice had a beautiful aroma but the truffe flavor wasnt as strong. Just missed the mark with me on this one but truly had high hopes for it. Great ambiance. Friendly service. Two levels. Bar seating available as well.

Went to R&D downtown for Winterlicious and had a good experience overall…read more I ordered the scallops appetizer. It looked simple but had a lot of flavor. The mie goring we ordered was also very good, though I wish it came with more protein. My friend ordered the lamb spaducci as an appetizer, which he enjoyed. His kare kare main was a smaller portion, but was tasty. It did come with naan bread, which helped but didnt fill us up. For dessert, the three of us tried the panna cotta, chocolate cake, and honey toast. My favorite was the chocolate cake, but everyone had different preferences. I'd come back on a regular day to try more of their menu. I've been wanting to visit R&D for a while, and this was a solid first experience.

Been meaning to check out R&D since my uni days in Ontario back in 2022. Finally got the chance to…read morevisit Toronto again. I was sadly a bit disappointed with my experience. With prices of an upscale dining restaurant, the service didn't feel like it matched up; it was fairly mediocre. Food was a bit of a hit or miss for us too.. Shrimp toast: fun, good texture, could taste the oiliness stronger than I expected. Paired well with the emulsion. Fun guo: super tasty, quite greasy though. I typically don't order fun guo but the texture was a delight to eat. Pork & crab siu mai: this felt like it lacked identity, not really sure I saw the vision. It just felt like curry on a siu mai lol Iberico cha siu: beautiful cut, perfectly tender, good savouriness, no complaints. R&D fried rice: my biggest letdown. Maybe my expectations were set to high. For a house special, I would expect a solid crowd-pleaser. Having each bite feeling mostly like 'crunch' is not what I think of as fried rice nor a favourite for most people. My ideal fried rice focuses on the grains of rice, with substantial bite and flavour in each spoonful. The flavour was most definitely there, don't get me wrong but it was extremely hard to eat more than a bowl. The redeeming qualities were in the flavour and cute little mushroom garden concept. If they had maybe 2x the amount of rice for the ratio of toppings and crunch, I would say this is a delicious and near perfect fried rice. Not bad, but a hefty price tag for a meal that I had really high hopes for.

Heard a lot about Patois over the past few years so finally got around to trying them out this…read moreweek. First and foremost, their food is delicious. We had: - seafood pasta - Fried chicken w/ rice and peas - Pork noodles I especially enjoyed the seafood pasta as it was filling and flavorful. There was just one aspect that I found really annoying with these guys. It wasn't that they charged $20-30 per entree, no... because if other cuisines and restaurants can get away with that price point, there's no reason why Caribbean can't be elevated enough to as well. It's that they charged $5 for the most piddling amount of ox tail gravy.. the nickel and diming felt greedy and left me with a bad taste. I've already paid $20-30, don't charge me $5 for 2 tbsp of gravy. I wouldn't go back, but if you want to have a slightly elevated Caribbean experience and just vibe, it's not a bad option.

I love Caribbean and Chinese food so I was really excited to try this spot. On their menu they have…read morea few different plates (that our server recommended sharing family-style), and platter options (set menus made for groups or for two). We decided to go family style because there were specific items we've seen online that we wanted to try! Also just a heads up, the portions aren't that big. What we ordered: Izakaya shrimp pasta: Very garlicky and creamy! Had a great flavour and it was very unique as it was made with ramen noodles. Would definitely be too heavy if I were to finish all of it by myself, the few bites I had were enough for me! Popcorn shrimp fried rice: Was very excited to try this one and it had a really rich umami flavour. The tobiko eggs added a nice crunch and sweetness. A tag bit oily but that is to be expected sometimes with fried rice. Half-portion of jerk chicken: Tasted pretty standard but it was quite juicy. I liked the pickles it came with!

Overall, the taste is quite impressive, and the ambiance is perfect for capturing some great…read morephotos, whether it's for a birthday celebration, a dinner date, or just a special night out. The service was excellent--well worth the tip! P4 Sashimi Platter A beautiful platter featuring five different types of sashimi. The high visual appeal is definitely a highlight. P2,5 Nezo9 This is a chef's secret dish--nine compartments filled with a surprise selection of fresh ingredients based on what's available that day. It's unique and definitely worth trying. P6 Lamp Chops The lamb chops were perfectly tender, and cooked medium, they were absolutely spot-on. P3,7 A5 Wagyu Caviar Roll A5 wagyu beef sushi topped with caviar--this was such a treat! The refreshing yuzu pepper really cut through the richness of the beef, balancing the flavors beautifully. P4 Ribeye The charcoal-grilled ribeye was delicious, accompanied by three sauces that each complemented the dish perfectly. Cooked medium, it was just the right balance of juicy and tender

From the moment I stepped into Akira Back, I knew I was in for something special. The restaurant's…read moresleek, modern design immediately set the tone for an evening of exceptional dining. Nestled in the vibrant Entertainment District, the ambiance is both chic and intimate, offering the perfect backdrop for a refined yet relaxed meal. The food at Akira Back is where this restaurant truly excels. The fusion of Asian flavors with Western culinary techniques creates an unforgettable dining experience. Every dish was thoughtfully crafted, showcasing fresh ingredients and bold flavors, while maintaining a balance that made each bite feel indulgent yet satisfying. The tuna tartare was a standout, a true celebration of freshness and creativity. The service was attentive and knowledgeable, striking the perfect balance between professionalism and warmth. The staff guided me through the menu with enthusiasm, and their recommendations were spot-on. The pacing of the meal was flawless, allowing me to savor each course without feeling rushed. While Akira Back may be on the pricier side, the quality of the food, the innovative approach to dining, and the impeccable service make it well worth the experience. For those seeking a memorable and elevated dining experience in Toronto, Akira Back is a must-visit.

Fallen Feather is one of those spots where the vibe hits before the food even lands. Dark, moody,…read moreintimate. It feels like a hidden date night spot but still has a lively energy. The menu leans Korean fusion and nothing feels forced or overdone. I tried them during Winterlicious and it was such a good intro to what they do. Standouts for me: Braised short rib was unreal. Super tender, rich, and easily the best dish of the night K Pasta was so unique. Packed with flavour and not something you come across often Kalbi striploin burger was juicy, flavourful, and done right Cocktails were strong and easy to sip. They disappeared way too fast, which says a lot. Overall, great execution, a menu that stands out, and a space that feels sexy but still cozy. Definitely a spot I'd come back to.

For $55 per person, getting seafood, steak, dessert, and cocktails felt like a very good value…read more The mul hoe was one of the prettiest dishes on the table. The tuna and salmon tasted very fresh, and the sweet-spicy Korean-style sauce made the whole dish feel bright, refreshing, and really appetizing. I also loved the potato dumplings.. crisp on the outside, but soft and pleasantly chewy inside, with a very smooth texture. The arugula salad was a great complement and added a nice fresh balance to the meal. The real standout for me, though, was the kalbi. It was incredibly tender and full of rich flavor. It almost melted in the mouth, with that satisfying buttery, savory richness that meat lovers would definitely appreciate. The cocktails were also fun and well done. I tried a few, and all of them were enjoyable. Some even had a smoky presentation, which made the experience feel a little more special. The service was another strong point. The staff were friendly, attentive, and made the dinner feel smooth from start to finish. Everything came out at a comfortable pace, and the overall hospitality really added to the experience. As for the ambience, it felt stylish, intimate, and a little moody in a good way. The lighting and presentation gave the dinner a polished feel, but it was still relaxed enough to enjoy comfortably. It's the kind of place that works well for a casual date night, drinks with friends, or simply a nice evening out.

We came on a Friday for dinner and didn't have a good experience. 3 items on the menu was not…read moreavailable and when we ordered, we were told there was a 4th item not available. Their menu isn't extensive so it was a bit of an issue trying to find dishes we wanted to try. We got the duck dumplings, brussel sprouts, grilled shrimp, crispy tofu, miso cod and shrimp scallop chow mein for five people. The stand out was the miso cod, but for $36 it was not enough as an entree as the size of the fish is small and it didn't come with substantial sides. Also after taking our orders, our server disappeared. Another server came by to cover our table but there was no explanation or reason given. It was strange as they had just opened for the day. Expect high prices and small portions. Nice ambiance but don't think I will be back for that.

Came here for Winterlicious 2026 $55 per person. They had an ube cocktail that i was interested in…read morebut sold out. I was quite sad... The 3-course menu had 3-4 options under each course. So there's something for every one. Nothing fancy but tasted delicious.

We went for a February meal which ended up being a Chinese New Year fusion celebration…read more The theme and playfulness of the menu was fun and I really enjoyed it- especially the final dessert. Highlights were: the canapés of auspicious desserts, mala broth fish and lobster noodles. There were a few misses- the jellyfish being so overpowered by the horseradish, the Dan tat and the rice dish being so overly salty, and just overall execution- not what I expected at a Michelin star restaurant. Overall, everything felt cold in terms of atmosphere. I think it was creative and I'm happy to have tried it, but it's not a place I'd jump go back to. Too many misses and unmemorable moments, in a city where we are always looking for a connection.

Over last summer I saw Akin had dim sum cooking classes taught by the master chef Eric Chong. I…read moreknew I had to go! Been a huge fan and was excited to visit his second restaurant Akin. We were taught how to make har gow and siu mai. I would say mine turned out looking decent but the taste was amazing! Everyone in the class took their own made dumplings home to steam. Instead we got to try the restaurants version (there was complementary dinner as part of the class). This was the best fine dining dim sum we had ever had. The flavour of every dish was danced on our taste buds. I still think of the crab roe fried rice dish. I never like fried rice till trying that dish. It was THAT good. Looking forward to coming back for the tasting menu!!

May 16/2026: Dinner with my Al before the Neil Diamond show…read more Started off with a draft Sapporo ($9.99). Always liked this brand of Japanese beer. We decided to go with the combo meals. Mine was the Ginger Beef combo ($31.39). It came with Hot/Sour Soup, egg fried rice (for an extra fee, $2.00), a spring roll & dessert rice balls. Everything was good but NOT overly tasty including the dessert rice balls. Not sure what they were filled with. There were no specific issues except for the lacking of taste in the food. The service was very good & the wait staff looked after any requests we had quickly. This was a very clean restaurant that appeared well maintained. The bathroom was also clean. I'd likely go again but just order something else.

The food was great it was a cold evening and the nice warm won ton soup hit the spot.read more