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I arrived at Vela excited for brunch as this place was mentioned in the Michelin guide. Unfortunately, the experience did not meet my expectations. Food 3/5 - the food was overall ok, and a bit overpriced for what it was, in my opinion. The best dish I tried may be the pancakes, which was fluffy, and went well with both the elderberries and icing on it (my partner found the icing too sweet, but I enjoyed it). The burrata dish was a bit too acidic, and didn't come with bread which had to be ordered separately. The steak was cooked just right, but the egg was a bit overcooked and burnt, and the sauce in this dish was very bland. Finally, the Mooncake mocktail which tasted good, though a bit sour, was mostly ice. I only had a few sips before I couldn't drink it anymore because it was only ice left in the cup. Service 2/5 - Unpon arrival we were offered complimentary coat check, and was seated right away. However, no one came to our table, or brought us any water to start for at least 15 mins. The first server, when he arrived, appeared lost, and said he didn't realize there were people sitting at the table, even though it was easy to see all tables in this area of the restaurant. After he brought us our water, he went away without taking our order, and when he appeared again, he went on to clean the table next to ours instead of checking in on us. It was another 15 mins before another server realized that no one has taken our order yet and did so. The service for the remainder of the visit improved after this, but it wasn't a very good start. Ambiance 4/5 - The decor was beautiful, chic and modern, and the atmosphere during brunch hours was bright and airy. There was also some live music (a person playing a trombone to some jazz music playing in the background). However, I found the noise level really high here.
I went on a Thursday evening for dinner and it wasn't too busy. The interior is beautiful, the bar has a lot of different drink options which is pretty cool. We ordered burrata, bread, gnocchi, button mushrooms and the escabeche fish. The burrata was okay, nothing special. The "butter" that came with the bread was a bit odd. The gnocchi was cooked perfectly but it was bland and flavour was okay. I can't speak for the fish/mushrooms as I didn't try it. The drink I ordered was okay, didn't enjoy it but that was my fault because I'm not a fan of Campari. I think it's a bit absurd to charge $9 for 5 slices of bread.... So you may want to bypass that. For a restaurant with high end prices, you'd expect it to taste way better than it did. Very disappointed and I don't see myself returning in the future.
Stylish and somewhat high-end spot offering a variety of different American and European foods. I ordered the Mushroom Rigatoni ($37), which was honestly just alright- the pasta was a bit too tough and the dish was kind of too oily. In addition, I think it could have used some more mushroom. Our waiter also didn't ask if I wanted more parmesan on top. In general, the pasta was sort of bland (not that it was that bad though). I also tried the Ricotta Gnocchi ($32), which was decent but also sort of bland. It had some pepperonis on top of the gnocchi and sweet honey nut squash paste on the side which made it a bit better though. The interior is "swanky" as Google calls it, with some cool trendy decor including some cool modern lighting designs on the ceiling. It is a good environment for late night food or drinks. The staff are fairly friendly/attentive, and the service speed is decent. Overall, I would give Vela 3.5 stars if I could for the mediocre pasta but nice atmosphere, but given food needs to have the most weight in my reviews, I will have to round the rating down to 3 stars.
I went to vela recently with a few friends for a birthday celebration. When I got there, I shared the name the reservation was under and our table wasn't ready. I went to the bar to sit for a moment but then another table was opened so I was seated. As I was being seated, the host confirmed we were there for a birthday. They also took my coat for coat check which I appreciated since the table was quite small and in a central area. It was quite late but still busy which was nice. The interior is really beautiful. I love the ceiling and the space is laid out very well. We ordered drinks and it took several reminders to get my one friend's drink but eventually it arrived. Unfortunately, she didn't like it (the pina colada) but I had a melon sour which was nice. We all got different food but overall, everything was good. The only complaint I heard from the table was that the chimichurri wasn't very good. I ordered the schnitzel from the larger snack plates menu (the perfect portion if you're not too hungry) and enjoyed it. We didn't order dessert (we were far too full) but I was kinda surprised they had asked about it being a birthday but then didn't really follow up on that. Nbd, but it would have been nice. Overall, service was just fine. I would go back when I'm more hungry to try some other dishes!
Firstly, to quickly sum up the experience - the meal was exquisite. The albacore tuna crudo ($21) arrived in huge chunks rather than the 1/3-inch slices generally found at other restaurants... a surprisingly generous portion of fish. Tossed with a dashi soy vinaigrette, crispy shallots, and compressed cucumbers, the dish certainly has Asian influences, which made the fried rice crackers an appropriate pairing with the crudo. Still, the tuna was so fresh and meaty that it tasted equally delicious solo. The burrata ($24) may look typical, but the pistachio pesto provided such an interesting savory bite against the cool creamy cheese, with the nuts giving it a bit of texture. Plenty of figs and grapes were strewn throughout to add sweetness. If anyone remembers the iconic burrata from Campagnolo, this is in the same realm of deliciousness. Of all the starters, the beef tartare ($18) was probably the most traditionally prepared. The meat was finely chopped and mixed with mayo, pickled shimeji (a tiny, sweet mushroom), and other spices. I liked that it wasn't overly salty allowing the umami of the shaved truffles and parmesan to shine through. We were already off to a good start and then the mains blew me away. Vela doesn't skimp on the truffles in the truffle rigatoni ($40), the prized fungi mixed with chewy fresh pasta and just enough mushroom duxelles cream sauce for flavour without becoming overly saturated. Having dishes family style is best as the pasta was huge and being so rich would be a lot for one person. The Nova Scotia halibut ($45) seemingly was poached in an infused broth as even the centre of the thick fish was tasty on its own. The herb beurre blanc is a traditional sauce to pair with the halibut but was augmented with a spicy stewed potato that added a burst of zeal that the meaty fish needed. Who knew, maybe halibut goes better with a chili sauce. Food aside, what also makes Vela standout is the down-to-earth nature of the restaurant. The posh environment could seem too fancy and stuffy, but the warm greeting from the host and friendliness of other staff members really puts the diner at ease. Even quippy descriptions in the menu such as what was listed with the steaks help, "You all know what you like. Feel free to order blue, rare, medium rare, medium, medium-well, well-done, or burnt to a crisp. Live your best life!"
This venue located steps away from king west. I came here for a pop up event - omakase experience executed by Tachii chefs (designed by masaki saito). Priced at 99$ a person, you get a hand roll, appetizer, 10 nigri, miso soup and a dessert! This is great opportunity for people who want to experience omakase on a budget. The food was good for what you pay for, some pieces were a little dry, but some pieces were executives extremely well. I would highly recommend this experience that wants to give omakase a try/ a taste or masaki saito menu without forking our 700$ a person. Complementary coat is located at the front.
A classic king west type of spot, Vela has the type of vibes to get you rolling for the rest of the night. Service is great, they have a nice patio, and the interior was really nice with an open concept dining room / chefs counter, a lounge area with a DJ, and lighting which I really loved. The food and drinks were a bit hit and miss, here's the rundown: - Espresso martini was meh - Tokyo whiskey cocktail was excellent, extremely smooth - Beef tartare was packed with flavour and textures - Wedge salad was alright, bit annoying to cut and a bit basic overall - Truffle rigatoni was packed with explosive flavours - Steak was a pretty big miss, super tough, but the fries were top notch with perfect texture Overall I'd definitely recommend Vela, just be careful with what you order.
Where do I even begin.... Absolutely zero complaints. Jeff I believe was our server and the staff did an absolutely impeccable job. Each dish was perfect and I genuinely didn't want to ruin the meals when they came out. Went for Valentine's Day and had the 7 course preset dinner. Forgot to take photos of everything We had Beef Tartare, Arancini, Oyster, Hamachi Crudo, Spaghetti Alla Chittarra, Striploin, Pink Pineapple Sorbet and Baked Alaska
I came here for the first time in February 2022 for a dinner with friends. We decided to go with a few items and share. We chose: Grilled Romaine Salad Crispy Mushroom Burrata Artichoke Cakes Spicy Roasted Eggplant Salmon Crudo Crispy Mushrooms Australian Lamb Rack Blistered Shishitos Truffle Fries I also had the chance to try their signature drink at the time, called Don't Go Breaking My Tarte, which was a wonderful grapefruit & Mezcal cocktail. The food was absolutely delicious! my two favourites were the Artichoke Cakes & the Lamb Rack. The staff were so kind and knowledgeable and offered great recommendations, especially for one member of our part who was gluten-free. The atmosphere and decor here are also so great. I will definitely be back!
We tried the tasting menu and while we left full, the dishes were underwhelming. We enjoyed the Arancini balls and Octopus but everything else including the baked Alaska's was underwhelming. The pasta was a little rubbery and the chicken breast was mediocre. We thought the Pistachio flavour in the baked Alaska could be stronger.
Went to Vela to celebrate my birthday, had a good time overall! The food tasted good but for the price you pay, the portions are really small. I ordered "The Mari" house cocktail, Albacore Tuna Crudo, Little Gem Salad, Ricotta Gnocchi, Famous Fries, and Chocolate Hazelnut Tart for dessert. My friends ordered the 8oz Flatiron and Truffle Rigatoni. The drink wasn't too sweet nor too strong on the alcohol, though nothing interesting. The apps were ok, nothing noteworthy. My gnocchi was not the traditional small lumps of potatoes, I received 7 balls instead. The sauce paired well with the dish and the gnocchi itself was soft and smooth, but 7 for $32?? I wouldn't re-order it strictly because of the price. I got a couple bites from my friend's rigatoni, it was better than my own dish taste-wise and size-wise. The fries were nothing close to famous, do not order it. My favourite dish was the dessert, it tasted exactly like a Ferrero Rocher. Regarding interior/ambience: Vela is very aesthetically pleasing and 100% Instagram worthy (if you're into that). One thing that bothered me was the level of noise in the restaurant. It felt like I was screaming at my friends to talk. TLDR: Nothing stood out. Won't return for the restaurant, would return for the bar. Yummy tasting food but small portions for what you pay. It was a miss on the drinks, but would go back to try others. Be mindful of how loud it can get in there.
Pretty disappointing anniversary celebration here. Came here for the first time on Friday and I was honestly left feeling pretty disappointed. We arrive a little earlier than our reservation time and was immediately seated. The ambiance was quite busy but dark and dimly lit. However no one came to us for about 20 minutes. Then we had a girl come by and ask us for drinks and had also asked us if we were ready to order. There was not much of a greeting that or her as our server so it was quite awkward. It didn't help that after ordering she came by to tell me the Chicken Ballotine was sold out. I was left a bit confused it was around 8 pm and something was already sold out? I wounded up ordering the striploin. For the appetizer I ordered the chicken liver mousse toast, which tasted pretty good, the blue berries really balanced the taste. The striploin however was disappointing the menu stated it was served with fries however it just came with a couple onion rings. It was cool when the bus boy poured the sauce on top but other than that the steak was fine just felt like there needed to be a bit more to it. We finished off with the Choux pastry which we were told because the menu was transitioning to fall it would be difference with hazelnut and apples, it tasted fine if you like Ferrero rochers. Overall for a special occasion I was left feeling just meh.
This is one of my go-to recommendations when someone needs a higher end, dietary variety, and delicious drinks sort of outing. The staff are always fun and have good recommendations, and the food and drinks are displayed beautifully and taste great. As a primarily vegan eater, I never feel like I'm compromising on quality with the many options on the menu, and my meat-eating companions are always satisfied.
2 years ago
The Brunch Menu Vela's brunch offerings are a perfect balance of indulgence and elegance. Here's a closer look at the standout dishes: French Omelette A masterpiece of simplicity, this three-egg omelette was delicately prepared and adorned with fresh chives. The texture was smooth and velvety, with a lightness that made it melt in the mouth. Served with a side of crispy bacon, it was a perfect harmony of flavors. Brunch Burger This wasn't your average brunch burger. Modified with egg truffle mayo and aged cheddar, it was a rich and satisfying dish. The perfectly cooked patty and fluffy brioche bun elevated every bite, making it a truly decadent option. Placebo Cocktails While alcohol-free, these cocktails were full of character and creativity: * Tropical Storm: A vibrant combination of mango, ginger, lemon, soda, and berries. This drink was sweet, tangy, and refreshingly light. * Mooncake: A delightful blend of coconut, peach, lemon, soda, and mint. Its tropical notes brought a hint of sunshine to a cold winter day. The Standout: Banana Pudding The star of the brunch was undoubtedly the Banana Pudding. This dessert featured luscious layers of vanilla mousse, ripe banana, dulce de leche, and spiced cake. Each spoonful was a perfect mix of creamy, sweet, and spiced flavors. It was the kind of dessert that leaves a lasting impression. The Space Located in a historic heritage building, Vela is more than just a restaurant--it's an experience. The interior is a luxurious blend of modern elegance and timeless charm, with spaces like the champagne bar, chef's counter, lounge, and intimate booth seating. Every corner is thoughtfully designed, creating an atmosphere that feels both grand and inviting. Inspired by a constellation of stars, Vela's layout takes guests on a journey through its distinct spaces, making it an ideal spot for anything from a casual brunch to a special celebration. The Verdict Vela Restaurant sets the standard for upscale dining in Toronto. The combination of exquisite food, impeccable service, and a stunning ambiance makes it a must-visit destination. While every dish impressed, the Banana Pudding stole the show for me. Whether you're a local or just visiting the city, Vela is a culinary experience that's worth every moment. Tips for Visiting * Reservations are highly recommended, especially for brunch. * Save room for dessert--the Banana Pudding is a must-try. * Take the time to explore the different areas of the restaurant for the full Vela experience. read more
2 years ago
Went for a large group dinner so did the family style prefix menu and it was great! $90 a person for 4 apps, 4 mains and 3 desserts The top faves were the chicken schnitzel, crispy mushroom, and especially the opera cake! Service was great, restaurant was very modern, and staff were very attentive. Would definitely be back! read more
We came here for Winterlicious prix-fixe menu and we were awed by the quality of the food and amazing service. We booked our table for a Friday night a few weeks ahead of time to be sure and received a text message a few days prior to our reservation for confirmation. When we got there, we parked in the parking lot, on the intersection of Portland St. & Adelaide St. and paid $25 flat rate. There are cheaper parking options available, but we decided to park close by since it was cold. After checking in our coats, we were guided to our table and offer the regular menu, drink menu and Winterlicious menu. We ordered our drinks and 3-course menu. Our order included Albacore Tuna Crudo for appetizer, Burrata Cansetri and Octopus for main course and Brownie and Mont Blanc for dessert. Our appetizers were okay, but entrée was amazing. The pasta was fresh and exquisite and Octopus was without any doubt, the most delicious Octopus I have ever had; very tender and flavored. Our favorite dessert was Mont Blanc, like nothing I have ever tasted before (I didn't expect such an amazing taste from a vegan dessert) hazelnut praline and chestnut purée were an absolute joy. The service was great; staff were attentive, but not pushing you to order or leave the restaurant. The vibe is amazing; both too formal not too casual. read more
I arrived at Vela excited for brunch as this place was mentioned in the Michelin guide. Unfortunately, the experience did not meet my expectations. Food 3/5 - the food was overall ok, and a bit overpriced for what it was, in my opinion. The best dish I tried may be the pancakes, which was fluffy, and went well with both the elderberries and icing on it (my partner found the icing too sweet, but I enjoyed it). The burrata dish was a bit too acidic, and didn't come with bread which had to be ordered separately. The steak was cooked just right, but the egg was a bit overcooked and burnt, and the sauce in this dish was very bland. Finally, the Mooncake mocktail which tasted good, though a bit sour, was mostly ice. I only had a few sips before I couldn't drink it anymore because it was only ice left in the cup. Service 2/5 - Unpon arrival we were offered complimentary coat check, and was seated right away. However, no one came to our table, or brought us any water to start for at least 15 mins. The first server, when he arrived, appeared lost, and said he didn't realize there were people sitting at the table, even though it was easy to see all tables in this area of the restaurant. After he brought us our water, he went away without taking our order, and when he appeared again, he went on to clean the table next to ours instead of checking in on us. It was another 15 mins before another server realized that no one has taken our order yet and did so. The service for the remainder of the visit improved after this, but it wasn't a very good start. Ambiance 4/5 - The decor was beautiful, chic and modern, and the atmosphere during brunch hours was bright and airy. There was also some live music (a person playing a trombone to some jazz music playing in the background). However, I found the noise level really high here. read more
I went on a Thursday evening for dinner and it wasn't too busy. The interior is beautiful, the bar has a lot of different drink options which is pretty cool. We ordered burrata, bread, gnocchi, button mushrooms and the escabeche fish. The burrata was okay, nothing special. The "butter" that came with the bread was a bit odd. The gnocchi was cooked perfectly but it was bland and flavour was okay. I can't speak for the fish/mushrooms as I didn't try it. The drink I ordered was okay, didn't enjoy it but that was my fault because I'm not a fan of Campari. I think it's a bit absurd to charge $9 for 5 slices of bread.... So you may want to bypass that. For a restaurant with high end prices, you'd expect it to taste way better than it did. Very disappointed and I don't see myself returning in the future. read more
3 years ago
Stylish and somewhat high-end spot offering a variety of different American and European foods. I ordered the Mushroom Rigatoni ($37), which was honestly just alright- the pasta was a bit too tough and the dish was kind of too oily. In addition, I think it could have used some more mushroom. Our waiter also didn't ask if I wanted more parmesan on top. In general, the pasta was sort of bland (not that it was that bad though). I also tried the Ricotta Gnocchi ($32), which was decent but also sort of bland. It had some pepperonis on top of the gnocchi and sweet honey nut squash paste on the side which made it a bit better though. The interior is "swanky" as Google calls it, with some cool trendy decor including some cool modern lighting designs on the ceiling. It is a good environment for late night food or drinks. The staff are fairly friendly/attentive, and the service speed is decent. Overall, I would give Vela 3.5 stars if I could for the mediocre pasta but nice atmosphere, but given food needs to have the most weight in my reviews, I will have to round the rating down to 3 stars. read more
I went to vela recently with a few friends for a birthday celebration. When I got there, I shared the name the reservation was under and our table wasn't ready. I went to the bar to sit for a moment but then another table was opened so I was seated. As I was being seated, the host confirmed we were there for a birthday. They also took my coat for coat check which I appreciated since the table was quite small and in a central area. It was quite late but still busy which was nice. The interior is really beautiful. I love the ceiling and the space is laid out very well. We ordered drinks and it took several reminders to get my one friend's drink but eventually it arrived. Unfortunately, she didn't like it (the pina colada) but I had a melon sour which was nice. We all got different food but overall, everything was good. The only complaint I heard from the table was that the chimichurri wasn't very good. I ordered the schnitzel from the larger snack plates menu (the perfect portion if you're not too hungry) and enjoyed it. We didn't order dessert (we were far too full) but I was kinda surprised they had asked about it being a birthday but then didn't really follow up on that. Nbd, but it would have been nice. Overall, service was just fine. I would go back when I'm more hungry to try some other dishes! read more
2 years ago
Firstly, to quickly sum up the experience - the meal was exquisite. The albacore tuna crudo ($21) arrived in huge chunks rather than the 1/3-inch slices generally found at other restaurants... a surprisingly generous portion of fish. Tossed with a dashi soy vinaigrette, crispy shallots, and compressed cucumbers, the dish certainly has Asian influences, which made the fried rice crackers an appropriate pairing with the crudo. Still, the tuna was so fresh and meaty that it tasted equally delicious solo. The burrata ($24) may look typical, but the pistachio pesto provided such an interesting savory bite against the cool creamy cheese, with the nuts giving it a bit of texture. Plenty of figs and grapes were strewn throughout to add sweetness. If anyone remembers the iconic burrata from Campagnolo, this is in the same realm of deliciousness. Of all the starters, the beef tartare ($18) was probably the most traditionally prepared. The meat was finely chopped and mixed with mayo, pickled shimeji (a tiny, sweet mushroom), and other spices. I liked that it wasn't overly salty allowing the umami of the shaved truffles and parmesan to shine through. We were already off to a good start and then the mains blew me away. Vela doesn't skimp on the truffles in the truffle rigatoni ($40), the prized fungi mixed with chewy fresh pasta and just enough mushroom duxelles cream sauce for flavour without becoming overly saturated. Having dishes family style is best as the pasta was huge and being so rich would be a lot for one person. The Nova Scotia halibut ($45) seemingly was poached in an infused broth as even the centre of the thick fish was tasty on its own. The herb beurre blanc is a traditional sauce to pair with the halibut but was augmented with a spicy stewed potato that added a burst of zeal that the meaty fish needed. Who knew, maybe halibut goes better with a chili sauce. Food aside, what also makes Vela standout is the down-to-earth nature of the restaurant. The posh environment could seem too fancy and stuffy, but the warm greeting from the host and friendliness of other staff members really puts the diner at ease. Even quippy descriptions in the menu such as what was listed with the steaks help, "You all know what you like. Feel free to order blue, rare, medium rare, medium, medium-well, well-done, or burnt to a crisp. Live your best life!" read more
This venue located steps away from king west. I came here for a pop up event - omakase experience executed by Tachii chefs (designed by masaki saito). Priced at 99$ a person, you get a hand roll, appetizer, 10 nigri, miso soup and a dessert! This is great opportunity for people who want to experience omakase on a budget. The food was good for what you pay for, some pieces were a little dry, but some pieces were executives extremely well. I would highly recommend this experience that wants to give omakase a try/ a taste or masaki saito menu without forking our 700$ a person. Complementary coat is located at the front. read more
A classic king west type of spot, Vela has the type of vibes to get you rolling for the rest of the night. Service is great, they have a nice patio, and the interior was really nice with an open concept dining room / chefs counter, a lounge area with a DJ, and lighting which I really loved. The food and drinks were a bit hit and miss, here's the rundown: - Espresso martini was meh - Tokyo whiskey cocktail was excellent, extremely smooth - Beef tartare was packed with flavour and textures - Wedge salad was alright, bit annoying to cut and a bit basic overall - Truffle rigatoni was packed with explosive flavours - Steak was a pretty big miss, super tough, but the fries were top notch with perfect texture Overall I'd definitely recommend Vela, just be careful with what you order. read more
Where do I even begin.... Absolutely zero complaints. Jeff I believe was our server and the staff did an absolutely impeccable job. Each dish was perfect and I genuinely didn't want to ruin the meals when they came out. Went for Valentine's Day and had the 7 course preset dinner. Forgot to take photos of everything We had Beef Tartare, Arancini, Oyster, Hamachi Crudo, Spaghetti Alla Chittarra, Striploin, Pink Pineapple Sorbet and Baked Alaska read more
4 years ago
I came here for the first time in February 2022 for a dinner with friends. We decided to go with a few items and share. We chose: Grilled Romaine Salad Crispy Mushroom Burrata Artichoke Cakes Spicy Roasted Eggplant Salmon Crudo Crispy Mushrooms Australian Lamb Rack Blistered Shishitos Truffle Fries I also had the chance to try their signature drink at the time, called Don't Go Breaking My Tarte, which was a wonderful grapefruit & Mezcal cocktail. The food was absolutely delicious! my two favourites were the Artichoke Cakes & the Lamb Rack. The staff were so kind and knowledgeable and offered great recommendations, especially for one member of our part who was gluten-free. The atmosphere and decor here are also so great. I will definitely be back! read more
We tried the tasting menu and while we left full, the dishes were underwhelming. We enjoyed the Arancini balls and Octopus but everything else including the baked Alaska's was underwhelming. The pasta was a little rubbery and the chicken breast was mediocre. We thought the Pistachio flavour in the baked Alaska could be stronger. read more
Went to Vela to celebrate my birthday, had a good time overall! The food tasted good but for the price you pay, the portions are really small. I ordered "The Mari" house cocktail, Albacore Tuna Crudo, Little Gem Salad, Ricotta Gnocchi, Famous Fries, and Chocolate Hazelnut Tart for dessert. My friends ordered the 8oz Flatiron and Truffle Rigatoni. The drink wasn't too sweet nor too strong on the alcohol, though nothing interesting. The apps were ok, nothing noteworthy. My gnocchi was not the traditional small lumps of potatoes, I received 7 balls instead. The sauce paired well with the dish and the gnocchi itself was soft and smooth, but 7 for $32?? I wouldn't re-order it strictly because of the price. I got a couple bites from my friend's rigatoni, it was better than my own dish taste-wise and size-wise. The fries were nothing close to famous, do not order it. My favourite dish was the dessert, it tasted exactly like a Ferrero Rocher. Regarding interior/ambience: Vela is very aesthetically pleasing and 100% Instagram worthy (if you're into that). One thing that bothered me was the level of noise in the restaurant. It felt like I was screaming at my friends to talk. TLDR: Nothing stood out. Won't return for the restaurant, would return for the bar. Yummy tasting food but small portions for what you pay. It was a miss on the drinks, but would go back to try others. Be mindful of how loud it can get in there. read more
Pretty disappointing anniversary celebration here. Came here for the first time on Friday and I was honestly left feeling pretty disappointed. We arrive a little earlier than our reservation time and was immediately seated. The ambiance was quite busy but dark and dimly lit. However no one came to us for about 20 minutes. Then we had a girl come by and ask us for drinks and had also asked us if we were ready to order. There was not much of a greeting that or her as our server so it was quite awkward. It didn't help that after ordering she came by to tell me the Chicken Ballotine was sold out. I was left a bit confused it was around 8 pm and something was already sold out? I wounded up ordering the striploin. For the appetizer I ordered the chicken liver mousse toast, which tasted pretty good, the blue berries really balanced the taste. The striploin however was disappointing the menu stated it was served with fries however it just came with a couple onion rings. It was cool when the bus boy poured the sauce on top but other than that the steak was fine just felt like there needed to be a bit more to it. We finished off with the Choux pastry which we were told because the menu was transitioning to fall it would be difference with hazelnut and apples, it tasted fine if you like Ferrero rochers. Overall for a special occasion I was left feeling just meh. read more
This is one of my go-to recommendations when someone needs a higher end, dietary variety, and delicious drinks sort of outing. The staff are always fun and have good recommendations, and the food and drinks are displayed beautifully and taste great. As a primarily vegan eater, I never feel like I'm compromising on quality with the many options on the menu, and my meat-eating companions are always satisfied. read more
4 years ago
Vela was absolutely wonderful! A perfect date night spot or for a group to celebrate. The atmosphere was my favourite part about the restaurant. It is an open concept restaurant, it is one big room, half the kitchen is also in the same room so you are able to see them cooking which was different in a high end restaurant. Our server was very informative and the food was very tasty. I loved the pasta and the steak. The drinks were also good and nothing to complain about. I would like to visit them again to try more dishes! read more
We came with another couple who made reservations for 6:15pm. We were seated and offered drinks and menu items were explained. The servers were all excellent. They had several vegan, gf items on the menu but a couple of people at our table were interested in the tasting menu. The server said that the entire table needed to order the tasting menu as it is served family style and they would give me gf and vegan options and our friend her gf options. I asked if I could just order vegan and gf options a la carte and the others take the tasting menu and they said no. This made no sense to me as my courses had to be different than the fish, meat and octopus anyway. Other than the forced up sell to tasting menu for me, everything was excellent! Each course was unique and flavourful and enjoyable. I enjoyed it so much that I forgot to take pics of all courses! The tofu amuse bouche was tart and flavourful. The heirloom carrots in hummus was tasty with a slight spicy kick . The fried mushrooms and artichoke cakes were crispy and so tasty but I did not specifically want fried food. The others enjoyed halibut, steak and octopus courses. My friend said she eats octopus everywhere possible but this one had a coating that tasted like candy, which she loved. They brought 3 desserts, one of which was a vegan gf brownie with sorbet and candied pecans.....it was awesome! The interior of the restaurant was lovely, there were several gender neutral washrooms and there was seating along the open kitchen as well as many tables. A DJ set up around 8:30 which we felt was too early. The music was loud and the general volume of voices increased significantly as people had to shout to be heard at their tables. Ideally loud music should be 10pm or later. I prefer quiet east conversation with dinner. read more
Our friends came to Vela for a birthday celebration as we heard great things. There was lots of seating indoors and on the patio. We chose indoors as it was quite hot out that day. The 5 of us were awkwardly seated with 2 small round tables pushed together. This would make apps sharing very awkward so we asked for another table which they did not hesitate to provide. However they moved us to a solo round table which felt like the same size as one round table which was a bit weird. Perfect for 4, but maybe not 5. We didnt mind the cozy feel (as it was better than sitting so far apart) so we went with it. Cocktail menu had a great variety of options. We picked up a few different ones which everyone enjoyed. For food we pretty much tried 75% of their menu it feels :) We decided to go family style and share a bunch of different dishes. We ordered what most reviews recommended (not the steak lol): Crudo, Octopus (served cold btw), Burrata, Crispy Mushrooms (the sauce with it is delish), Beef Tartare (had truffle on top), Vela Pasta, Artichoke Cakes, Grilled Brocollini, Branzino and finally finished off with the Stacked Brownie. Our group enjoyed the Octopus, Burrata, Fried Mushrooms and Beef Tartare the most. The pasta was also very flavourful and shrimp was done well. Overall service was top notch as well. I think some dishes could have been elevated more (like the branzino) or the portions could be a bit bigger to call it a main. I think overall we had a great time but we definitely needed to order lots to be full :) Id definitely come back to have some cocktails and apps. read more
Well my fav spot Gusto, across the street, was closed so decided to try this place, despite its not very high rating on Yelp. Well I wish I had listened to the reviews and stayed away. We had a lousy meal here. Positives are the location and the service, both good, friendly and efficient staff.. Sadly the food was awful. We had the steak frites and it was horrible. The steak was chewy, burnt and tasteless. It has an awful bitter burnt taste and the texture was horrible. We had ordered two and they were both awful too. To top it off their side sauces were also terrible. They had a ranch peppercorn sauce. Usually I get excited and the chance of a peppercorn sauce on my steak but this sauce was horrible. It was a very diluted white sauce with no peppercorn flour at all. In fact the only flavour you get is Sour. Horrible. Such a shame they could have had a delicious creamy peppercorn sauce. So they nicely brought us the other two options, romescoband chimichurri sauce. Both of then weren't good either. The chimichirribwas Sour again and not seasoned at all. The romesco was just not pleasant. The only thing good about this meal was the fires they were very tasty. This place needs a reset. They seem to be trying to make fancy creative dishes, most dishes are not typical at all. But their chefs can't handle this. They can't seem to make the basics let alone the exotic. Stay away from here and eat anywhere else... read more
I wish I could give half stars - because I really want to give Vela a 4.5 - which is to say - the majority of the the experience was excellent, with a few small details that we less than excellent. More detail below - but overall I really enjoyed it and will definitely be back. We sat at the chef's counter which was really fun to see the excitement (and get ideas on what I will order when I go back). All of the service was attentive, friendly and helpful in decision making Drinks - like that they have several champagne cocktails, we tried the classic and the crispy clean. The classic was boozier and less bubbly than I imagined (never had one before so maybe that is normal), the crispy clean was yummy! Food - I had the chicken liver mousse - so good, loved the wild blueberry and rosemary - i should try something else next time - but i probably won't. My friend had the salmon crudo = also very fresh and nice spicy sauce to accompany! We share the black cod and truffle pasta. Enjoyed the pasta (light hand with the truffles - which I appreciated). The cod was really the only disappointment - it was over cooked, and no one likes turnips (no matter how cute and small they are). For desert we shared the brownie stack - the server described it as a smaller portion - however it was very generous sharable for two people - and very yummy read more
5 years ago
Just had a dinner at Vela, the first thing I have to comment on is their exceptional service. Every single staff from the entrance to the dinner service had their best day, they were helpful, attentive and informative. We had 2 apps, 2 veggie sides, 3 entrees and 1 dessert. All of the items we tried had a different flavour of their own and were delicious. It was one of fav dinners post pandemic Also the vibe was awesome, great lighting and musics + beautiful interior design. We did splurge for the Caviar sandwich, that in my opinion was the only thing that was under appealing. Just too much butter and garlic and less caviar flavour. read more
2 years ago
The place is beautiful. I sat by the kitchen both times I went so that I could watch the chefs cook (and I love when that option is available). The first time I went, I picked the tasting menu option and they made it all vegan for me! It was so good and felt so special. I told them I loved truffle and boy did they hear me! Almost all my dishes had truffle. I was the happiest. This is the type of exceptional service that makes you come back forever. read more
Unreal! The love child of Alo, George, and Bar Raval really lives up to expectations. Came in on Saturday for an early lunch and it was 1000% worth it. Patio seating was plentiful and spaced out for social distancing, staff was helpful and kind, only if mother nature was a little nicer and gave us some sunshine, that would have been the cherry on top. The food, the drinks, outstanding. We ordered Burrata, Crudo, Beef Tartar, Caviar Sandwich (WOW) and the Pomodoro. Each dish was refreshing and left us extremely satisfied. The whiskey sour is also outstanding, ended up getting a second, one didn't hit the spot. The Burrata is served with basil pesto which was such a nice compliment to the ball of cheesy goodness. The sourdough bread was grilled with the right amount of char to offer a little smokiness to go with the cheese. Beef tartar was amazing, topped off with some grated truffle. The Crudo was by far my favorite app on the menu, the hamachi and passion fruit was so good, what an amazing spin on a ceviche like dish. We ordered just the amount of apps to warm us up, we were ready for our main. We shared the pomodoro which was perfectly cooked, each pasta bite was an explosion of sweet & savoury tomato sauce. For the main event of the review, despite the hefty price of the Caviar sandwich, it was a pleasant experience overall. Caviar and creme fraiche goes together so nicely, definitely worth a try if you're looking for an experience. The milk bread was really nice and provided a nice subtle base for to put the entire thing together. Would I order it again? probably not, however, I definitely enjoyed my bite. We'll definitely be coming back, hopefully get to enjoy the beautifully designed and decorated interior. read more
From what I know, this restaurant is known for dinner but recently branched out to brunch as well - which is what I got to try out and I was quite happy with my decision. My friend and I decided to order the brunch tower which is around 55$ per person and comes with a mix of sweet and savoury treats. Personally I found their savoury dishes to be far more superior and the only one I didn't like was the smoked salmon one - everything else was just heavenly. The avocado spread and jalapeño scones in particular were super flavourful and delicious - I would go again just for those! The desserts were not bad but average in comparison to the level of the savoury snacks. Overall the brunch tower was a great value for it's price and will leave you feeling quite full. The ambience is also nice and the interior is very pretty for taking pictures if you're interested in that. My overall rating is 9/10 - definitely worth checking out! read more
5 years ago
Vela Restaurant August 7 2021 We had dinner for two on the patio. The good: The Vela Caesar salad. They grilled the Romaine lettuce and had chickpeas and sunflower seeds with a light dressing. It was delicious. A cleverly circular arranged salad with sunflower seeds and pieces of chorizo and a tasty dressing. I can't remember what the name of it was. Perhaps the "Wedge salad". The Buratta. Bocconcini cheese in the middle surrounded by mint, pesto, olive oil, and pearl onions. Perfect! The Maitake mushrooms. Pecorino and egg yolk with a vinagrette! Who would have thought this combo with mushrooms could be so addictive? The not so good: The scallop dish was very bland. After having such stellar salads, the scallops fell flat. The corn puree surrounding the scallops didn't help much visually either. The cocktails. The two cocktails we had were not memorable and way too tart (we fixed them with added simple sugar that we asked for and received). Thereafter, we settled for a couple of rum and cokes instead. Bad: The 24oz 35 day aged medium-rare ribeye was a colossal disappointment. The outside edges where the fat resided was tasty, but the middle of the steak not cooked at the right temperature to have it be medium-rare. The steak was more rare than medium-rare. It was also inconsistent in taste and flavor (35 day aged?). I'm not sure a blow torch could have fixed it. This was a $150.00 mistake. I took it home and had steak and eggs the next morning. Go to Vela if you are a vegetarian, or crave elevated salads. read more
New trendy King West alert! There's so many new restaurants popping up its hard to keep track! I've driven by this chic patio a few times and was always curious what was inside. The inner decor and ambiance was even more stunning! We had the: Beef Tartare: the truffles were all little broken pieces/crumbs, I wished they had been larger and higher quality pieces of truffle, but I guess for $18 you can't expect much. The sour dough was too thick to eat gracefully, but tasted great Burrata: the mint and basil pesto paired beautifully with the burrata, however it was lacking a bit of salt/pepper. We asked for that on the side and it was absolutely delicious after that Crispy Mushrooms: This was actually so crispy and didn't taste like a mushroom at all, however I would have paired it with something like a truffle aioli or truffle mayo instead of ranch (I guess I'll bring my own from @savouryimports next time) Vela Pasta: This seems like a basic pasta but was actually hitting all the right flavors. The pasta sauce wasn't too salty, it had a hint of spice, and the aroma from the basil was fragrant, and the pasta was perfectly al dente. I really enjoyed this dish more than I thought! 8oz Flatiron: I'm actually shocked they even serve this on the menu at all. With such a tough cut, you would expect them to sous vide it then grill to break up the proteins and make it more tender, however they simply grilled it and it was super tough and dry BC Steelhead Trout: The trout itself had a bit of fishy taste, and I wasn't a fan of the grainy texture in the ajo blanco (crush almond puree), however it was my first time having charred grapes and it sort of tasted like a sweeter tomato (yum) The ambiance was nice, the decor was modern and sophisticated and the price was not terrible for King West. So regardless of the entrees, I would come back and try more of their appetizers and give the other entrees a chance! read more
5 years ago
Think this is a fairly new joint. Definitely has a cool design with all the lights and all through the restaurant. The service was great. The food quality was great as well, just wish it came with some sort of side for the prices that the dishes were. But for a place like this, can't go looking value! All in all I'd say it's a great experience for a nice night out once in a while, but other than that I'll continue trying other spots out. read more
Beautiful restaurant that just opened in the summer and it's already packed. I love the interior - very cute and perfect for photos. We got a nice booth seating indoors with a view of all the tables and the kitchen. I hear the steaks are pretty trash here so I didn't get it but I ordered a bunch of other things and was pleasantly surprised. My absolute favorite dish were the Scallops in corn purée with mushrooms. I would lick the dish if manners weren't a thing but the corn purée was so good - creamy, tasted like a buttery corn snack I had in Asia. We got a bunch of other dishes too - Crudo, Burrata, Potatoes Brava, and Branzino that were pretty dece For dessert, the Pavlova is the way to go. Light, tangy, sweet and perfect to end the dinner. read more
5 years ago
Finally tried Vela with a friend and we were not disappointed. We sat at the food bar area, which i recommend for a unique experience and for the occasional sample that gets shared to taste. We had the mushroom pasta and loved it. Would go back and order the same thing. The serving staff was very knowledgeable and had GREAT recommendations for drinks. We tried a number of drinks and highly recommend engaging the staff for their recommendations based on your preferences. Will return! read more
4 years ago
5 years ago
This restaurant has a beautiful setup on their patio, which is totally covered so you can dine here even if it is raining. Service was good, and the place felt on the fancier side which is nice. The food was very good but didn't blow me away with any intense flavours. The patatas bravas look very crispy but they were surprisingly very soft. While not authentic, they were quite good! The pasta had a fair share of shrimp pieces and the noodles tasted fresh. The placebo cocktail was absolutely delicious and I didn't even miss the alcohol. I am rating this restaurant four stars instead of five because the flavours were a bit simple. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
Fav stuff: shrimp cocktail, fried mushroom & truffle pasta. Our waitress was super sweet. Most of the food was either too salty or bland. Overall food was ok, nice vibe. I probably wouldn't come back but it was still nice to try it :) read more
3 years ago
The ambience and decor are beautiful. Service was fairly quick and attentive. Had the beef tartar, crispy mushrooms and the tuna crudo to start. Everything was tasty. Steak frites for main was good. For dessert, the choux pastry! Delicious. Would go back! read more
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More info about Vela
90 Portland Street
Toronto, ON M5V 2M9
Canada
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http://www.velatoronto.com
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5 years ago
Vela - venues - Updated August 2026
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