Rasa has been on my list of restaurants to try and I am so glad I finally had the opportunity to try it. I made reservations a few weeks back for a group of 6 on Saturday night. Reservations are definitely a good idea as the restaurant became busier throughout the night. Food 4/5 Instead of the experience menu (8 dishes and 1 dessert), we ordered everything on the menu with the exception of the chopped salad, lamb and Atlantic char. Standouts of the night were the ceviche, truffle gnudi, and the tuna tataki. Ceviche was well-balanced in terms of the chili oil with a kick of acid that added an great flavour to the sea bream. The truffle gnudi was very flavourful and was very rich. Although not terrible dishes, my least favourite would be the fried chicken. It lacked flavour and the sauce was quite bland but the meat was juicy and tender which helped to save the dish. The squash cencioni was very unexpected to what the menu read. It actually came out like a squash pasta that was a little under al dente (to my friends) but was perfect for me. The squash was slightly undercooked and but quite sour. Service 3.5/5 Our server to begin was great, happy to answer any of our questions and made lots of suggestions. She was also very helpful in terms of explaining portions and recommendations on what would work best for our group. However throughout the meal the other servers that brought our food didn't give us the same attentive service. Some of them didn't even bother telling us what dishes we were being served nor did they ask for our feedback. Rasa was a great experience in terms of food. I would come back solely for the food but would not recommend a group larger than 6. As you can tell by my pictures the food was so good that I couldn't keep up with taking pictures. read more

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Rasa continues to impress, on my second visit. I work around Harbord, so the first time I came was with co-workers over the holidays, and was impressed. This time, I brought my girlfriend and we were seated at the bar. The vibe is good for date night and birthdays. It's a reasonably small restaurant and it tends to cater to groups (4-6), so couples are usually seated at the bar. Anyways, this review is to mainly highlight the service provided tonight. Amanda, was tentative, with refilling our drinks, followed up consistently without being overbearing. While I did follow up on the Wagyu steak and an app, she prompted checked in and even offered a complimentary sample of the lamb ribs. She remembered that we debated between the ribs and the Wagyu! This is going above and beyond in thoughtfulness. The shared staples, like the chopped salad, are fresh and bright. The tomatoes and grapes add the right amount of sweetness. I continue to rave about the Brussell sprouts in a scotch bonnet vinegar and cauliflower cheese (don't worry, it's not that spicy). All of their sauces and purees pair perfectly with the main. For example, the fat of the lamb ribs melted in your mouth accentuated with a little sweet blueberry dressing on top. If you have room for dessert, do order the sticky bun. It's the right amount of sweetness and shareable for 2. Rasa gets full stars from me. I'm already planning for the next time I'm returning. read more

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Cute place with extremely mediocre good at small portions. Servers were friendly but service and food were both very very slow. We were there on a Thursday night at I don't recommend the place and I personally would not come back again. Steak tartare: Tastes very mediocre. Strong flavours (spicy and salty) but just strong, not exquisite or special Brussels sprout: Very saucy. Doesn't tastes any better than a typical Brussels sprouts side Truffle gnudi: It doesn't taste bad but just very mediocre. Sticky bun: again, nothing special. Just a typical cinnamon bun with some nuts. read more

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Came here for a celebration of a birthday for my boyfriend and wow, such an amazing experience. they really make the whole meal an experience from server recommendations, to how they plate / bring out the food to the outstanding dishes. I can not recommend the chopped salad enough! read more

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We had an incredible time here. The ambience is energetic and fun. We had the tasting menu and everything was exceptional. The burger is definitely the best burger I've ever had. Our server was incredibly passionate and knowledgeable. The tasting menu finished off with a shot which was so fun. I would definitely return! read more

I would consider the food to be overpriced here. It's tapas, so small plates, however, I feel like I should be getting more dishes for the price. I walked out hungry. The food is not bad, I would say salted with a heavy hand, couldn't finish the salad because of how salty it was. Well seasoned, nice presentation. It's a price fix menu on Mondays (industry night), for $40. Around $52 per person after tax and tip. the interior was quite comfortable, even though we were seated by the door, it wasn't cold at all. For this price I got: Tiny Corn bread muffin + salsa Verde sauce (miniature corn bread muffin, just bigger than a twoonie in diameter) Chopped salad (overly salted, beautiful presentation) Jerk chicken (very flavourful, 4 drumsticks) Truffle Gnudi (truffle flavour was just a hint, 4 Gnudi nuggets) Malt chocolate cake (2 x 2 x 2 cm chocolate malt cake. If you add $5 you get a donut with it) read more

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Very cool interior. Great energy and friendly staff. The food is mega delicious. Everything was super tasty. A bit pricey, still really enjoyed ourselves and would recommend it for a good night out read more

The chopped salad was tasty, and the wine selection was good. Most notable was the excellent service.

Such a fun atmosphere, I sat at the bar where I was served amazing cocktails and had great service. The food was incredible, every dish had so many flavours and details. It was amazing having an open kitchen where we could actually see the chefs at work! So pleased all around with Rasa. I will be going back. read more

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This meal was incredible! This place is a bit loud as it's so small, however the atmosphere is excellent. Servers and staff are so friendly and knowledgeable. We got the tasting menu and EVERY dish was fantastic. The brussel sprouts were my favourite dish by far. You'll need to order a few dishes here as they're smaller portions - an opportunity to try more! We will be back for sure read more

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I have been here a bunch of times and realized I have never left a review so here goes ... Rasa is a gem and has never let me down. The menu changes frequently but there are a few staples such as the chopped salad that are consistent players. They always start with an "amuse bouche" which they will tailor to your dietary restrictions. Last night, we shared the chopped salad, broccoli, squash, brussel sprouts and a coconut yogurt dessert. I appreciate that each time I have visited, they will make an effort to modify dishes to meet dietary needs (and will be honest if the alteration will compromise the dish). The squash was the winner last night and mine was with tomatoes instead of cheese. The service is always friendly and I love the ambience. Be sure to check out their patio in the summer. read more

Rasa - Canadian (New) Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Was actually surprised where this hidden gem was located! Located at a corner of a small intersection with dark wooden decor with a small patio as well as limited seating inside the restaurant. The restaurant has a compact open kitchen were you can smell all the delicious food they're making as well as a small bar. We went on a Wednesday around 8pm, made a reservation just incase but it was fairly empty as we got it. Couple of servers walking around and working but our table wasn't greeted until a good 10mins. Menu is fairly simple, not a huge selection but a good handful from each category. Our servers told us everything is basically meant to be shared and 3-4 dishes per couple is a good portion size to fill you up. So we ordered the spicy ceviche, truffle gnudi and rasa burger which all were recommended and popular items. For dessert we got the sticky bun which was a warm dessert, if you order it, allow 10mins of prep time. After you order they give you a small bowl of complementary garlic thyme popcorn meanwhile you wait. Fresh in house popped popcorn which tastes amazing, if you are a popcorn fan, you would definitely want more. Spicy ceviche - I've never tasted anything better! Fish was very fresh, you can tell especially if served raw, it was bit size with a good thickness to it. The combination of peanut, thai basil, chili oil and yuzu could not get better, the aroma which balanced each other out with the combination of the fresh sea bream, PERFECT! *MUST TRY* Overall - 5/5 Truffle gnudi - the smell of truffle as it arrived at our table was just screaming eat me. The gnudi wasn't too chewy it was stuffed with a mushroom mixture inside which made it more flavorful. There was a mixed of mushroom in the dish as well, portabello and wild mushrooms, just wished there was a few more pieces. The padano cheese was grated then melted to give it a crispy texture which added the savory saltiness to the dish. Overall - 5/5 Rasa burger - this seemed rather ordinary for me, after trying 2 previous dishes, I was hoping for a little more. The burger was made of grounded beef cheek cooked medium rare which I thought could use more flavor, tastes like a regular burger patty. It had gochujang mayo which I thought was a touch more on the spicy side because the heat lingered a little too long for the after taste. The brioche burger bun wasn't too impressing either, it was average I would say. Overall - 3/5 Sticky bun - Had high hopes on this one as it was ordered and recommended by many people. It was more of a cinnamon bun with no filling, candied walnuts on top as well as 2 pieces of candied bacon. Honestly, a bit disappointing, the bun was quite dense, it could be more fluffy and light. There could perhaps be more cream cheese filling making it less dry. The candied bacon was heavy on the savory side which I thought could use a bit more sweetness to blend with with dish. Overall - 3/5 The value I would is say is pretty average, you pay for what you get basically. read more

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Really enjoyed this restaurant. Had a family style dinner with 11 ppl, and every dish was phenomenal. Normally when a restaurant uses more than 6 or 7 ingredients in a dish it's really trying too hard but Rasa knocked it out of the park with their dishes..... it just worked! The food was fresh, flavours were exciting and creative. Every single dish was a new experience and I was very pleasantly surprised. Definitely will come again! read more

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To sum it up: community. By far, out of the hundreds of restaurants I've tried, Rasa is by far my favorite dining experience. From the moment you walk in, the feeling of community embraces you. The space is warm and relaxing with inviting seating that keeps you close to your fellow patrons while leaving you with plenty of space to easily enjoy your group's night. From there, the staff explain the menu: a shared experience among your party, deepening the message of community. Your plate is stamped with the words "Thank You" in various languages to showcase their gratitude for joining them for a night filled with global influences. And that's the best part: each and every dish lives up to this, embodying different ingredients and techniques from across the world all in one plate. It's as if the chef is saying "this is what happens when the world comes together," providing you with some of the best dishes you'll ever find. Not to mention, the menu is constantly changing and evolving with each season. The food is present beautifully, extremely thoughtful, and absolutely delicious. It out competes most michelin starred restaurants I've tried, yet rids itself of any "poshness" to maintain their feeling of community. Rasa's staff, venue, and food all bring in the theme of community, and each dish truly showcases the beauties that can come from a culturally diverse plate. To say the least, Rasa will forever have a place in my heart, and their meals there will not only change the way you view food itself, but the way you enjoy it. read more

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Officially one of my favourite semi hole in the wall place for dinner. My friends and I came here for dinner on a Monday night. There's a preset $40 menu course that day so be prepared. You can order something a la carte but 2 things = $40 anyways so you might as well get 5. We got two shared appetizers. One was a potato fried item. I honestly forgot the name. The second was a salad with 13 ingredients. The salad was really yummy and interesting flavours. I ordered the ceviche as my start. It was good and I really enjoyed the lemon and portion sizes. Nothing to waste. For my main, I got the mushroom pasta (I forgot the name of what it's called on the menu) and my friends ordered the burgers. They all taste quite nice. Our service was really good and we didn't feel rushed to finish and get out. We did however spend 2.5hrs but because we were celebration an occasion, it made time worth wild. I forgot to mention there's was live music. I'm not sure if it was just for that one day or all Mondays, but it was pleasant to have. Overall a positive experience read more

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Wanna feel like an extremely well treated coal miner? This is the place. Mainly because of its interior - a tasteful cave setting with pieces of pipe sticking revealed, unpolished floor and a few gas lamps to add to the mood. Rasa isn't something you'd do often. It's like that hot restaurant in the neighbourhood that you always wanted to try and won't tell your regular restaurant about it. Tastefully crafted menu with an amazing offer - 40$ Monday where you get all three courses and a dessert. I ordered chickpea salad and a burger. The portion size is keeping you from extra calories which is good sometimes. Nonetheless, it did fill me up. The burger was of a very good quality meat and (I rarely say this) a tasty bun. We also got a sweet surprise in a form of a couple cookies with a raspberry syrup which was divine. The service was friendly, attentive and pleasant. read more

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I semi enjoyed my experience at Rasa. The food was good but nothing besides the dessert really impressed me. I also was so turned off by the service. We were stuck at a corner on the Patio, and unless our food was coming out which took awhile for every dish, our server(s) were not attentive. Every table had the fire going beside them except for us, and it took our server 20 minutes to come and give us the bill. The dessert is probably the only reason I would ever come back and it would be just for that dessert. It's a sticky bun, that tastes like a Cinnamon Bun topped with Walnut Pralines and on the side you have cream cheese anglaise with candid bacon. I have a passion for candid bacon and a slight obsession with Cinnamon buns so it was the perfect dessert. Keep Eating, Angela read more

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My FAVORITE restaurant! I visit every time I come to town for the chopped salad, and am delighted by the rotating options throughout the year. The iberico pork is also a go to order for me, one of the only pork dishes I'm thrilled to eat. Tried the malb dumplings on my most visit and they were excellent. Staff is always courteous and helpful, great at explaining the dishes and concept. Bar makes great drinks. Cute interior and exterior setup, love the atmosphere. read more

This is one of Ju's favourite neighbourhood restaurants and I can see why. The perfect place to come for a late night drink and food. We showed up late Thursday night and the patio was bumping. Love the layout as the patio wraps around the sidewalk so you can people watch the night away. We had a couple drinks to start (pricey at $12.00 to 14.00 but smooth) and they brought out a little amuse bouche for us to snack on while we waited. - Amuse bouche - cheese puffs with a roasted red pepper spread. It was light, flaky, just the perfect bite sized to open the palate up. Well, for my friend at least! I was way too stuffed from eating all day to have a bite of her burger. - Burger ($17.00) - ground steak, beef cheek, provolone, gochujang sauce and beansprout kimchi. Interesting combination with the Korean fusion influences. Ju ordered it and devoured her burger so I'm guessing that's a very good sign. Rasa's Set Monday's menu looks pretty intriguing. $40.00 per person for an amuse bouche, salad, two mini entrees and dessert. Damn, that's a steal! read more

Rasa - Amuse bouche (cheese puffs) - Canadian (New) Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I've picked up their burger and fries on two occasions by delivery and have been absolutely thrilled by the experience! I'd heard lots about the shop before but never got the chance to stop in, so I was excited to see them available by delivery service, even if it meant a more limited selection. The burger was a perfect medium that was very juicy, and the Asian fusion aspects are thoughtful and go surprisingly well with the meat. Who knew I'd enjoy kimchi in my burger so much?? It is a LARGE burger so small appetites beware, but even saving a portion of it for the next day's lunch proved it held up in the fridge and was still enjoyable. The fries were well seasoned to be flavourful but not too salty, and the garlic aioli sauce paired super well with it. I normally reach for a blend of ketchup and mustard so I get some sweetness with a kick, but this garlic aioli was perfect for the job and needed nothing else! Not a fry went to waste! At $19.99 for the burger and fries combo, it is definitely a costlier burger option in town - but I think it was worth every dollar. I've been to many sit-down restaurants, pubs, even steakhouses that offer a burger option and been sorely disappointed by poor execution. If you're looking for that comforting burger - this is it! Even by delivery this stood out by a lot! I'll be looking forward to exploring the rest of their menu in the near future! read more

We tried the chop salad, halibut, rasa burger and the sticky bun(looked like a heart attack but SO GOOD and fluffy). The chopped salad was extremely refreshing and a had a medley of flavors/texture. The halibut was so soft it melts in your mouth... paired with a side salad and sauce (a little on the salty side). The burger is from beef cheek- not greasy yet super tender and lean. The sticky bun... we definitely got upsold here (she told us, no sticky bun then your first visit doesn't count). It's massive! A big cinnamon-roll type bade with a walnut top, cream and bacon strips. Toon it to-go :) Great service and ambiance of the restaurant. Menu was easy and catered to all. Would visit again read more

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Went there on a Monday. To our surprise they had live performance, $5 drink specials and $40 set menus. Music was nice and mellow, didn't intrude on conversations. My friend and I decided to share everything so we took the advice from the bartender. The corn fritter amuse bouche was too salty, the chickpeas, kale, jalapeño paste salad however was tasty and hearty. Tuna ceviche has interesting Asian flavours but the tuna was cut too thick and a bit warm. Chicken taco was one tiny piece to share between two people. The truffle pasta was delicious but sadly it only had 3 small pieces. Burger was also great but again really small for a main. Overall service was relaxed and friendly. The food had interesting flavours but portions were too small. I was still hungry at the end but couldn't add on any dishes because of they only offered set menu. After $65 each person I still had to go elsewhere to buy more food for dinner. For this reason, I would be hesitant to return. read more

I went to Rasa last night and the service was fabulous. The waitresses were friendly, polite and they had a lot of energy. The menu looked delicious but we just went in for dessert and drinks. The desserts were out if this world. I had "The Chocolate" and it was amazing. One of my friends had "The Citrus" and she said it was phenomenal. This restaurant definitely changed the tone of our night. We started the evening at Harbord 93 and had a horrible experience. This place knocked Harbord 93 out of the water. I will definitely be back to try their entrées. read more

Rasa, Rasa, my sweet lord in heaven, Rasa. This marks the 6th time my husband and I've visited, and hootnanny, ya'll. Yaaaaaaa'll. Let me get into it: Our usual order goes a little something like: whatever veggie selection strikes us, whatever meat selection strikes us, TWO ORDERS OF TRUFFLE GNUDI SO WE DO NOT HAVE TO SHARE, and usually that fatty, fatty sticky bun. Oh my. Rasa. The first time we came and got the salad, perhaps it was an off-day, because it wasn't great. Took us this last visit to try it again, and hot damn, it was delicious! We ate it with the burger, which is stupid juicy and flavourful. It's a regular burger taste but artfully, thoughtfully made, and it showcases the reason people just like burgers. Together, these 2 dishes heightened each other and really sang. Then that damn gnudi . Seriously, seriously well put-together flavours. We did have a couple visits on off-days (B-team?) where they just weren't sauced adequately, but when they're on, they're ON, and no tastebud can stop them, they are invincible. If you love mushrooms, if you dig ricotta, if you love this pairing shot through with the perfect vinegar zing and truffle-trim, holy crap, you'll love this. It's a dish designed to bring you back, and I dearly hope they don't get tired of producing it, 'cause I ain't tired of eating it. The sticky bun is a guilty little affair, and just lovely, provided they don't stiff you with a smaller one with less than your ration of frosting (an off-visit gave us that, maybe they didn't like us that night?) The bun has tested our marriage for sharing and we have decided it's more blissful to have one's own bun, after all. Peace has ensued since. The cocktails? Eh. The staff? SO nice! Their music selection - yes. Once we heard some live music there, too, and the little dude played Sylvia's Mother from Dr. Hook(!), and other times I hear things from the 70s and 80s there, and I'm not old, but I'm a musician, and I appreciate a place that pairs actual chord progressions with such great food. A small thing, but it's noticed. A deeply diggable place - whoever helps create Rasa's zeitgeist KNOWS what tastes spectacular, KNOWS how to be welcoming, and it definitely shows. read more

We wanted the tasting menu but it was not available during the summer. We actually end up ordering quite a few items off the menu, the chopped chickpea salad had a great crunch, my friend recommended the burger but i thought It was just alright. We had the seabeam. I feel like the food looks better than it taste. Nothing remarkable read more

Undoubtedly probably some of the best food I have had my entire life. It was absolutely delicious! First let me start with the life changing ceviche. It was as if the gods made it! It was so seasoned and fresh. Then the lamb dumplings delicious! The hamburger fire!! The steak hands down some of the best steak ever! Everything was small plates but it was enough to fill you up and we shared everything. EXCEPT the ceviche because I was NOT sharing! Nope. Absolutely not! We went twice and I wish I could go again! The desserts! A sticky bun with enough nuts on it to cover a football stadium and sweet bacon. At this point eating I was just being greedy. I was stuffed but had to try some. And the ice cream sandwich. Babbbyyyyy let me tell you. Too good!! This was some of the best food I've ever had! If I ever make it back to Toronto I am going there again and again!!! Also the servers were sooooooooo nice! Very welcoming! Loved it!! 10 out of 10 Recommend! read more

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We visited Rasa on a Monday night, not knowing that it is Industry Night with a special $40/person tasting menu. If you have a chance to go on a Monday night...do it. #WorthIt Many reviews below provide nice summaries of the various dishes. I'll say that the tossed salad with crispy chickpeas and a bunch of other great stuff is pretty amazing. I'd order that again no matter what night of the week it is. The burger was also outstanding. We didn't have anything we didn't love. Fortunately, we were able to sit at the bar which meant Amanda was our bartender and server. The food here is great...but Amanda made the 5th star appear in this review. Knowledgeable about the food, talented in making the drinks and fun to hang out with while we ate. She also provided us (unwitting tourists) with names of a bunch of other restaurants and bars that she said we'd enjoy during our time in Toronto. Very classy move. If you're in town for business or a tourist on vacation, get the hell out of downtown, away from the convention center and come to Rasa for dinner. Well worth the 30 minute walk. Can't wait to come back and visit again. #TexansForRasa read more

I'd probably rate this 3.5 but rounding down since it's got such high reviews anyhow. Food is 3.5/5, service 3/5. Decided to try it knowing that it was a tapas place since it had rave reviews. To make reservations they ask you to text which is interesting. I text for a table for 2 ten min before we arrived and got a reply back that they were looking forward to serve us. When we arrived they couldn't find my reservation which wasn't a big deal since they were busy but still had plenty of seating. They have an outside area and the regular indoor dining area. We opted to sit outside since it was nice out. Lots of staff and everyone is pretty friendly. Our server was "mahore" or something like that. He was friendly and explained the menu to us. We ordered: Chopped Salad $15 Duck confit $29 Rasa Burger $18 Truffle Gnudi $20 About 10-15 after ordering we were given a complementary appy: two Amuse Bouche (per the photos other have posted). This is a Brazilian cheese bread (Pão de Queijo) made out of a tapioca starch. The difference is they were flatter and not as fluffy as the Brazilian version, but they were placed on top of a really nice orange sauce. About 10 min later we were given the chopped salad, which was very tasty. After that we waited about 25 min for the Truffle Gnudi. That was delicious. There were 4 different mushrooms along with two ricotta stuffed pasta things. It was really perplexing why it took so long because while we were waiting two other tables were served the same dish. You would think they could make it at the same time instead of batch per batch because it was quite a big wait between when the other tables were served and when we were served. Waiting about 25 min for our third dish which was the sous vide duck confit. Quite pricey $29 for 5 slices of dick with a variety of different sauces and some veggies. Wasn't bad but would only rate 3/5. First time having sous vide but considering there's been so much hype with sous vide I didn't think it was anything spectacular as it was any more super tender than how I've had non sous vide duck and especially not worth the price. After that dish we waited yet another 20 min for our burger, which the waiter claimed was the #2 burger in the world. Perhaps he must have meant to say in Toronto as how does one determine your ranking in the world? The burger was tasty but for $18 you would think you could throw in a few chips like some of the other photos show. After the four dishes I would say I was full but not stuffed. The service was super slow. Just over 1.5 hours for 4 tapas dishes is a bit ridiculous I think. While waiting for our dishes the girls next to us we commenting how slow everything was. When we sat down they were eating and finished the truffle dish themselves and they waited quite a while for their next dish. The girls also commented it wasn't anything big deal although they did mention that the sticky bun dessert was to die for, but for $12 it better be damn good. Our server was only ok. He wasn't super attentive to us or the girls at the other end of the table but he was super chatty with another table of 4 that seemed to be having a set menu though. He did ask us a few times how things were after serving 2 of our 4 dishes and he refilled water in the beginning but after being there for more than 45 min he didn't come back to the table. One of the other wait staff did come to refill our water but that was after we finished eating at 1.5 hour mark. The girls next to us were commenting about the service too. And although they finished eating before us they waited about for about 15-20 min to catch the servers attention so they could ask for their bill. And then they had to wait a bit for that to arrive too. Maybe the rave reviews were about some of the other dishes that weren't offered on the menu (fish platter and Buddha bowl) but it's not a place I would go back to especially to spend $100 on! But then again maybe because I am picky as I come from Vancouver where good food is plentiful and pretty affordable! Btw, they do indicate at the bottom of the menu that you can take a photo and text it to a number and they will in turn provide a meal to a person in need. So that is cool. read more

Love the tasting menu here. Was just thinking about this place the other day and wish I could hit it up. That salad is delicious!

amazing food and service! the specialty cocktails were fantastic (as was the bartender)! would highly recommend and we will be returning! price was also very reasonable for that amazing food quality. read more

Hidden gem or not? Restaurants on Harbour St are in such a dilemma location, between Annex & Kensington/Queen W. You just don't come here too often. I am so glad I FINALLY tried Rasa after bookmarking it for so long... Location/Decor: the address says Roberts St, it's door is actually on Harbor. Easy to find street parking, free after 9pm. Can also park on neighbourhood streets. It is very intimate vibe, exposed brick, exposed concrete, big wood beam, restored wood slab tables, leather high chair (my fav seat), big facing street window, cactus plants by the window. It's love at the first sight. Food: they change menu every month? Or season? I'm not sure. But few classic items remain on the menu (such as chopped salad, sticky bun, octopus). Because it's tapa style so we (two girls) ordered five dishes (including dessert). We were too full after four dishes. First dish, chopped salad. I am not a salad person AT ALL. I usually skilled all salad dishes when dining out. But this salad is a MUST-TRY. Few chopped veggies, quinoa, grapes, toasted crunchy chickpeas, with jelapño spread. Second dish STICKY BUN, we had them serve dessert as second course because we were just too hungry and figured dessert won't take long to come. It's another must try item. Tastes like warm cinnamon bun with toasted walnut and applewood bacon! We also order duck breast, octopus, and braised lamb. All of them are 9/10 in terms of flavours, presentation, creativity. I would come back!!!!!!!! read more

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Came here for a second dinner while restaurant hopping. Walked in and there were no spots but we checked out a dessert and came back after two hours and got seats at the bar! What a viewww! We loved checking out the dishes as they were prepared and given out! We just ordered a couple of dishes to try. Strip steak - gorgeous presentation and subtle flavors! The med rare thin slices of steak went well w the jalepeno, picked shrimp, schmaltz, subtle fish sauce mayo and yummy chicken skin! Couldn't stop eating this one! Smoked branzino w dill creme fraiche, orange caviar, beets and mustard crisps - the mustard crisps went really well w the dill creme fraiche and smoked fish! Omg yum!! Maybe I'm biased BC I loveeee smoked anything but my friend and I both loved this dish! Sticky bun w walnut praline, cream cheese anglaise, n candied bacon - when we both laid eyes on this, we knew this was the One ... dessert that we HAD to get! It looks like a huge cinabon topped w drizzled goodness, walnuts and omg of course two strips of candied bacon! Totally had me at bacon and totally had me at cinabon. It tasted as good as it looked. Definitely the choice for those w an extreme sweet tooth !! Food was awesome. I'm definitely coming back to try their cumbraes beef (which looked rly good n filling) and their burger! Service was great! The bartender was really attentive and the owner was so nice! read more

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Haven't been to Harbord street forever after graduating from U of T and I thought it's still a small street with not much going on. Turned out I was wrong. In the recent year this neighbourhood has got some really great restaurants. Rasa is one of them. The restaurant is inside a house at a intersection. Looks like it's got a bit patio (for the summer). Once you get in you need to walk a few stairs down. I was instantly impressed with the vibe and the decor. It felt like an indie restaurant almost. Dim light but not so much. People are talking but not so loud. Busy but not packed. I loved it. The seats we got are two super super comfortable high chairs side by side facing the window by the street. Very intimate setting great for close friends or a date. We ordered 5 dishes - chop salad, octopus, braised lamb, duck breast and sticky bun. All of them came out really great. You can tell thoughts were put into the presentation, texture, and the taste. The sticky bun and the duck breast were especially incredible. The braised lamb very unique with a Persian touch. The octopus was tender and flavourful. There were only two of us and we ordered 5 dishes because usually portions at tapas restaurants are small but this is not the case for Rasa. The portion is quite decent and we got so full! The bill wasn't exactly cheap or expensive but it think it's worth it and of great value. read more

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We had an excellent meal, shared the octopus, short ribs, popcorn shrimp, burger, and peanut butter ice cream dessert. Gin apricot smash perfect. Loved it all. Really artistic presentation. read more

Highly recommended. We were sat outside in the patio on a warm fall night so the weather was perfect. Service was friendly from the confirmation texts, to table side. Food was good - we got their tasting menu - quite tasty, generous portion, fair prices. The chopped salad, burger, ceviche and the brussel sprouts were the highlights. Cocktails were ok - quite standard. Casual, cozy vibes. read more

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Likes: - Service was on point. The servers checked in at the right times, they were attentive and showed a genuine interest in our feedback. - They have a great patio space. Too bad we didn't get to take advantage of it during this visit. - The Rasa burger was one of my favourite dishes for the evening, and I am not a burger kind of person. Not a fan of: - In general, we found the flavour profiles to be a bit off-balance. Most dishes tasted good at first, but as we dug in, we found certain dishes too sharp and overwhelmingly salty. Before we even placed our order, we were served a small plate of warm Brazilian bread. It was a tasty start. We ordered the following: - Chopped salad ($17) - This dish was texturally pleasing with a good variety of crunchy vegetables. The crispy chickpeas took it to the next level. The overall flavours were fairly balanced, with mild sweetness from the grapes and a more intense savoriness from the jalapeno feta cheese. Do mix the salad well as it may be on the salty side if you have too much feta in one bite, but this was a solid dish. - Grilled Halibut ($30) - I really enjoyed the halibut, it was slightly under-cooked as the middle was a tad glossy and translucent, but I didn't mind it. The fish was mild, moist and flaky and paired well with the light onion buttermilk sauce. The char on top also added a nice smokiness and woody flavour. However, the side salad was a complete miss. The more bites I took, I found the sharpness to be overbearing, it was over dressed, and I felt this unpleasant feeling on my tongue from all the acid and brininess. - Brussel Sprouts ($14) - The first few bites were good, but again, this dish became progressively salty and a tad too acidic. - Rasa Burger ($19) - This was probably my favourite dish for the night. The beef cheek patty was a joy to eat, it was lean, yet very tender and slightly stringy, resembling beef brisket. You get added richness from the buttery provolone, a bit of sweetness from the gochujang and a nice hit of acidity with the pickles and "scrapchi", Rasa's own version of kimchi. All elements of the burger are made in house, including the brioche bread, which was fluffy and delicious. This burger is not cheap, the portions aren't big and it does not come with sides. However, it's truly quality over quantity and the smaller size worked in my favour as I didn't get that gross greasy feeling after devouring it. Overall, I feel Rasa has a lot of potential. This restaurant has been on my list for a while now, and since it's always booked, we were so happy to get a reservation last minute on a Saturday evening. With high expectations going in, we were a bit disappointed with how some of the flavours turned out. When our waitress came back and asked us how the food was, we gave her honest feedback. To our surprise, she took the drinks off our bill. We appreciated the gesture. Even though the food was a bit of a let down, there is still a chance we will return for the burger and try other menu items as the overall experience was still a positive one. read more

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5+1 star!! Love love love this place! This was my 2nd time here. Small cozy place with dimmed lighting. Friendly servers with great service. Call them or text them to make a reservation. (Open Table doesnt show any available time for weekends) They have changed the menu slightly but everything was amazing. We ordered 8 dishes: Chopped Salad Brussels Sprouts Truffle Mushroom Pork Ribs Octopus Wagyu 2 desserts Nothing disappointed me. Every single dish had an unique flavour with perfect spice. I also want to give a bonus star to their presentation. All dishes were aesthetically pleasing. My favorite was the Truffle Mushroom. I never tried such a flavorful dish with just veggies. My friends and I shared all dishes but next time I come, I will order the truffle mushroom just for myself. This dish was sooo delicious. I meam everything was... now my mouth is watering thinking about this already. Lol read more

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Fave item: Burger - so tender and juicy!! It was cooked perfectly and the soft buttery bread makes everything melt in your mouth. Other items: Fried chicken - this tasted like an Asian style fried chicken that wasn't breaded and overly crispy. Chicken wasn't dry and best of all, no bones! Truffle Gnudi - almost like a pierogie but filled with ricotta cheese instead. There were a variety of different mushrooms, which I personally don't love but my friend thought was great. Sticky bun - ended off with a delicious Cinnabon like dessert with delicious cream and candies bacon. You really can't go wrong with this! Overall, it was a wonderful experience with great service and delicious food. Don't forget to get a drink (and let them know if it's your birthday)! read more

Updating my overall review after coming here for 2 brunches and 1 dinner. Dinner - 3.5 stars... great flavours but the food service was sooo painfully slow. A little over 3 hours for a normal dinner. We had spots of 45 minutes of no food in front of us. I'm not sure I can recommend this place for dinner. Brunches - 5 stars for food and service... just amazing We finally got dinner reservations for this great spot. Patio is open for the summer... a really nice spot to enjoy the warm sun. The only problem is that the food service was painfully slow. Other tables in addition to ours had the same problems and some other tables were complaining. I wish it was better so I can keep this place at 5 stars but I honestly wouldnt recommend coming here for dinner. There are some bright flavours coming out of the kitchen but some of the food was served temperate warm and having no food for 45 minutes at a time, it was getting worrisome. What I would have expected having 2 seatings... it was mostly one for most tables. We saw so many people turned away and I can see why. The kitchen just could not keep up or time the dishes to send out timely. These are meant to be shared plates but they are on the slightly smaller side... so they do recommend 2 dishes per person... I would dare say 2.5 dishes per person more so. Some of the food we ate Chopped Salad - Best salad in Toronto... its the one reason I keep coming here for brunches. Zesty combination of the jalapeno, goat cheese, and avocado smear combines with many fresh chopped vegetables and the super crunchy chick peas. It's a burst of fresh flavours... definite winner. Brussels Sprouts - Solid rendition of sriracha and cauliflower 'cheese' on cooked brussels. I kinda liked them... they were served barely warm. It would have been better if they were hot. Octopus, sous vide and then grilled - nice flavours and the octopus was very tender with nicely charred bits to add more flavour and crunch. Unfortunately similar to the sprouts, it was served lukewarm. I did like the roasted almonds and creamy coconut yogurt to give it added crunch and flavour. Shrimp - 4 medium large shrimp... it was served closer to room temperature and that was unfortunate. The smokey tomato sauce was a nice flavour. It just couldnt save the dish. Sticky Bun - This is a large caramelized bun that is served hot with some candied bacon and it sits on top of a cream cheese smear. This was the 2nd best dish of the night and probably the hottest dish served. Soft pillowy bread that has lots of crunchy walnut pralines pieces creating crunch and caramelized flavour. This is a definite winner. Overall... good option for brunch but unfortunately I cannot recommend it for a dinner. I know a full tasting menu of 6+ dishes not including amuse bouche and dessert is normal for a 3 hours session but this was more a painful waiting game of lukewarm but decent dishes. read more

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Lovely meal sitting out on the patio. Outstanding dishes were the truffle gnudi and the plum pavlova. Unique and outstanding. The chopped salad I've had before and it is popular but last night I found it underwhelming. The burger was also excellent and I'm not a burger person. Husband loved it. We had the kimchi on the side. We also had the duck breast which was very good not sure if it was outstanding. Overall excellent food, service and menu. Enjoyed the half portions. read more