My nephew is in TO to celebrate end of university. Where to get a celebratory STEAK?

[VikkiBlue]

Canoe does fantastic meat and their wine selection is excellent as well if you call ahead you can get a seat overlooking the city from the 52 floor...its quite a site.

I have also heard that LeCastille in Mississauga is quite the place...I have a friend who will drive from TO just to eat steak there.

Regardless...I hope you have a wonderful time and it is an unforgettable evening

 

[Anynym]

Ruth's Chris
Hy's
Barberian's
Morton's
Tulip
Harbour 60
Scaramouche
Nota Bene
Cava
Centro
Mistura
Splendido
North 44
c5
Oro

Nice list, but I presume it's not in any particular order.

Splendido is a great place (well, I assume it's retained its greatness after David Lee sold it last year to focus on Nota Bene). Nota Bene is pretty great, too. Neither of them would be considered steakhouses, though.

Hy's is okay, but as noted above, many have had a less-than-great experience there. But a bad steak from Hy's still beats a mediocre steak from The Keg.

Ruth's Chris was good, but my date had a bit of an adverse reaction to something she ate, so we won't rate them.

I'm looking forward to Barberians, and to Mortons.

Cheers!

 

[james t kirk]

Actually, do your nephew a favour and tell him to stay in school.

It doesn't get any better than being in your 20's and in University. He may not believe it, but it's the truth.

When I was in University, it was the time of my life. I had fuck all, took the bus, was broke ass poor al the time, but I was 20 some odd years old, could stay up all night - even on a friday night, I had a group of guys that were like my brothers as friends, we laughed our asses off all the time, we were in a place with thousands of single women in their early 20's before life chewed them up and put them all on anti-depresents, there were no cell phones, no emails, the music carried you away, everything was loud and in technicolour. and our only stress was exams and assignments - which we always found a way. Now I have stuff (and the associated debt that goes with it), but I'd trade it all to be 20 years old again and taking the bus to school.

 

[Steve Harper]

TBones

Eglinton east of Midland. If the steak doesn't kills you, the random bullets from drive by shootings with the Gilder Boys just behind it will add excitement to your evening.

 

[Insidious Von]

Ruth Crisp, Missauga. The best

ROTFLMAO!!!!!

Your fellow Albertans would have you drawn and quartered for this remark. I have no use for Ruth Cris and their American corn fed beef, give me Albertan barley fed any day. Beef should not taste like pork.

I know you wish to remain downtown but La Castile is the best steak house PERIOD!

http://www.lacastile.com/

And don't forget to bring a couple of Romeo y Julieta for dessert.

 

[wetnose]

Actually, do your nephew a favour and tell him to stay in school.

It doesn't get any better than being in your 20's and in University. He may not believe it, but it's the truth.

When I was in University, it was the time of my life. I had fuck all, took the bus, was broke ass poor al the time, but I was 20 some odd years old, could stay up all night - even on a friday night, I had a group of guys that were like my brothers as friends, we laughed our asses off all the time, we were in a place with thousands of single women in their early 20's before life chewed them up and put them all on anti-depresents, there were no cell phones, no emails, the music carried you away, everything was loud and in technicolour. and our only stress was exams and assignments - which we always found a way. Now I have stuff (and the associated debt that goes with it), but I'd trade it all to be 20 years old again and taking the bus to school.

Ya know...Mr Kirk speaks the truth. I was under pressure to do well and was dead-freakin' broke - I'd spend 5 minutes having an internal debate about getting the lean vs regular ground beef.

But I had the best buds and we had nothing to lose. Now marriage has taken all of them away and we all have responsibilities.

But staying in school only delays the inevitable. We all have to grow up.

 

[EntertainmentMan2000]

go to a really good butcher in Toronto, pick up the best cuts of beef and grill'em yourself!

 

[blackrock13]

ROTFLMAO!!!!!

Your fellow Albertans would have you drawn and quartered for this remark. I have no use for Ruth Cris and their American corn fed beef, give me Albertan barley fed any day. Beef should not taste like pork.

I know you wish to remain downtown but La Castile is the best steak house PERIOD!

http://www.lacastile.com/

And don't forget to bring a couple of Romeo y Julieta for dessert.

I've been to Ruth Cris once and the food service and the company was great, but it was quite expensive for what we had. The steak was very high quality. I've had steak in Texas with the usual fixin's and it did taste different. They do raise them differently and some say their standards are higher, meh. I'm not big on anti-biotics and growth hormones sp I'm picky about my red meats at grocery stores.

 

[healer677]

La Castile. Hands down.

 

[ducttape]

As others have said: Barberians. Ask for a tour of the wine cellar.

 

[ogibowt]

The Tulip is a great place, but it is not "as good" as Barberian's or Morton's. Not even close.
Its good if you want to spend less money, and it could very well be better quality for the money, but even steven, it is inferior. If you want to wear flipflops, go to the Tulip but the steak is not as good, and lots of people wear jeans to Barberian's.

That being said, I would hate to see the crappy celebrities that wear the clothes I would wear to dinner at Barberians, or Mortons, or Hys for that matter.

Bardi's is another place that is pretty good downtown.

make no mistake, those jeans in Barbarian,s.are $250 designers..not anything from Marks work warehouse..

 

[lochlan]

make no mistake, those jeans in Barbarian,s.are $250 designers..not anything from Marks work warehouse..

Respectfully disagree. I have worn jeans and running shoes most of the times I have been there.
And I dont wear designer jeans, unless you consider Sir Denver Hayes or Mr Edward Bauer designers.

Did a decent Steak House kill your parents or something. Sheesh.

 

[ogibowt]

Respectfully disagree. I have worn jeans and running shoes most of the times I have been there.
And I dont wear designer jeans, unless you consider Sir Denver Hayes or Mr Edward Bauer designers.

Did a decent Steak House kill your parents or something. Sheesh.

easy there buds..ive been to Barbarians at least 10 or 12 times over the years, great steak, great service, great atmosphere, but if i want to be more casual i go to Tulip..btw..who the fuck are Sir denver or Edward bauer.?im a cretin,,i get my jeans at Tip Tops..i go to Rainbow Jeans in Yorkville so i can hijack the ju jubes at the front .lol..

 

[lochlan]

easy there buds..ive been to Barbarians at least 10 or 12 times over the years, great steak, great service, great atmosphere, but if i want to be more casual i go to Tulip..btw..who the fuck are Sir denver or Edward bauer.?im a cretin,,i get my jeans at Tip Tops..i go to Rainbow Jeans in Yorkville so i can hijack the ju jubes at the front .lol..

Guess you don't shop at Mark's either. Denver Hayes is their house brand. And I figured Eddie Bauer was self-explanitory.

So we can agree, the Tulip is a great place to have a casual steak and a kick-ass Vanilla Milkshake. I just got the impression that the OP was looking for someplace to celebrate a life achievement, not to save a buck.

 

[Why Not?]

Price is no option. I'm thinking Jacob & Co or Hy's for a celebratory steak tonight. I just want t a place that will give him a good meal that I can get a reservation without any grief for tonight.

A place that serves fresh oysters as an appetizer would be ideal.

Any recommendations? I want a place where the tables are not on top of each other so I can chat with the kid about life.

Fernie

I have been to Jacob & Co., Morton's, Harbour 60, Ruth's Chris, Hy's, The Keg, Tom Jones, Bardi's, La Castille and others. If price is no object in my opinion the best bet is Jacob's and Co. Morton's and Harbour 60 were good but Jacob's & Co. dry age their own beef on the premises. It is done in a glass walled cooler and you can go to view the beef before choosing. They have some extrememly expensive cuts of beef from all over the world (like Wagyu) but their best deal is on the aged rib eye. Thier ceasar salad is made at the table and is the best I've ever had.

I agree that Hy's is not worth it. The Keg is owned by the same people and the steaks and service are better there and at a much lower price. I wasn't impressed with Ruth's Chris at all, with steaks served in sizzling butter. But to each his own.

 

[blackrock13]

I have been to Jacob & Co., Morton's, Harbour 60, Ruth's Chris, Hy's, The Keg, Tom Jones, Bardi's, La Castille and others. If price is no object in my opinion the best bet is Jacob's and Co. Morton's and Harbour 60 were good but Jacob's & Co. dry age their own beef on the premises. It is done in a glass walled cooler and you can go to view the beef before choosing. They have some extrememly expensive cuts of beef from all over the world (like Wagyu) but their best deal is on the aged rib eye. Thier ceasar salad is made at the table and is the best I've ever had.

I agree that Hy's is not worth it. The Keg is owned by the same people and the steaks and service are better there and at a much lower price. I wasn't impressed with Ruth's Chris at all, with steaks served in sizzling butter. But to each his own.

I read your post and almost put it on my TDL but after a quick boo at some of my favourite review sites, Chowhound for one, I'm going to pause for now. The photos I've seen have benches and cool corner booths and I like to sit next to someone special or at least close to the table. One person described it as a cool lounge that also had a menu. You mentioned Tom Jones. I haven't been there in a few years but it has a great piano lounge for before or after; always something to consider. i've never gone to Harbour 60 and it's been a a really long time for Hy's, so I can't give a good opinion.

 

[ogibowt]

Guess you don't shop at Mark's either. Denver Hayes is their house brand. And I figured Eddie Bauer was self-explanitory.

So we can agree, the Tulip is a great place to have a casual steak and a kick-ass Vanilla Milkshake. I just got the impression that the OP was looking for someplace to celebrate a life achievement, not to save a buck.

i probably flogging a dead horse here..but the steak at Tulip compares wth all those fancy restaurants..thats just my opinion..btw..i have never bought a pair of blue jeans knowing who the fuck are the labels..only fancy dan brand conscious, social climbing nobs do..again only my opinion

 

[syn]

i probably flogging a dead horse here..but the steak at Tulip compares wth all those fancy restaurants..thats just my opinion..btw..i have never bought a pair of blue jeans knowing who the fuck are the labels..only fancy dan brand conscious, social climbing nobs do..again only my opinion

The Tulip would be a great place to take a local friend for brunch or a quiet meal. I agree with the poster who said it is hardly the place to take a nephew to celebrate a milestone - especially after the OP specified that price was not an issue.

Syn

 

[syn]

West end Le Castillles Dundas at 427, East end Barcley's on Lawrence 1900 block, DT Barbarians Dundas and Yonge. Ruth Cris is good, but too expensive for what you get.

I was not that impressed with Le Castille. And it appears the reviewer at the Star had the same impression: http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/restaurants/article/845983--where-hogwarts-meets-high-end-steak



Syn

 

[Silkroad]

I've enjoyed fine steaks all over the world for more decades than I care to mention. For me it's all about the beef, not a pretentious ambiance or the current trendy favourite. In Toronto for me that means Tom Jones. You also gotta respect a steak house that knows to start you off with Strubs.