Good choice. Would have been one of mine. If the OP would get back to us and give us a better sense of what he's looking for, I would give a short list, depending on the variables...Bridgeman said:
http://www.leselect.com/
Where to dine?
- Thread starter Shyguy*
- Start date
http://www.leselect.com/
I've been to many of the places mentioned. If you order wine by the glass and have one glass each, you can go to nice places for under $200. If you order a bottle of wine, you will be over $200 at a really nice place.
Jacques on Cumberland - I go here a lot. Small, romantic, French. Really nice lunch place to take a girl if she is romantic and fun and doesn't want to be dazzled. Limited menu - steak and fries, poached salmon or trout, omlettes...love their floating island dessert. Romantic does not mean 5 star luxury...some of the most romantic spots in Paris are not the most expensive expense account places. Don't confuse expense account oppulance with romance.
Il Fornello - If I am going to the movies with friends or family in suburbia, I often eat at Il Fornello. A calamari appetizer followed by the veal with fettucine alfredo side is tasty comfort food that fills me up and is better than any of the suburban chains I know. The fig pizza is also very nice. It isn't an 'impress a date' place though, so I would not recommend it for that. Also, there are better choices downtown.
Somebody said Truffles - that is my favourite 'dress up' place to eat. It is expensiev, and very good. Love the wild pig wall art in the entrance way. I had the chef's tasting menu last time and it included 5 courses with a glass of wine for each course...scallops, wild vension, souffle for dessert. I have yet to find better in Toronto. My bill was $800 for 4, so think $400 for two. Also, I've dated a girl once who said investment banker types take first dtaes there to impress them, and teh girl thought the atmosphere was too formal to be romantic. It screams expensive, with the modern day equivilant of footmen adjusting your napkin every two minutes. I love the place, but unless you are dating a gold digger I wouldn't take a first date there unless I was interviewing a girl to be my mistress lol...even then I would pick a more casual romantic place. When I was there two times ago the two lawyer guys at the next table ordered a $700 bottle of wine to drink and left 1/3 of it in the bottle when they left. It is expense account heaven.
Sotto Sotto on Avenue Rd just south of Davenport is a nice romantic Italian place - in the basement grotto with warm cadlelight, friendly staff and great food. I often take dates there. I love the seafood rissotto for two - how romantic to share the food from one big plate while you gaze into her eyes, yes? Also of note is the Dover sole. One of the most romantic spots I know, but reservations essential. They valet park for you out front. It is pricey, but not as much so as Truffles.
Canoe - overrated. Staff were arrogant, nice view, but I like Jump better as the staff there are nice.
If you like the O&B owned places - Biff's Bistro on Front & Scott St is nice - a bit of a threatre crowd but romantic and nice menu - I love the braised beef on a cold winter's night with oysters to start. If you're in the north end of town, Auberge du Pommier is a more formal French restaurant - warm interior and good food - a dress up kind of place.
Again, most of the better restaurants will cost you with wine more than $200. Jacques du Parc on Cumberland is more affordable, but if she wants 5 star luxury she won't like it.
Oh, another romantic one is Michelle's Brasserie in the courtyard next to the Four Seasons Hotel. They do a great steak and fries and also have oysters and their menu is such that you can probably get by on $150 for steak and fries and wine. It is not a luxury dress up place though, but I had a romantic meal there with a hot girl once last summer and we left happy.
If the girl wants to go to a big name place top brag to her friends that she went to such and such, then go to the places she suggested if you want her to be in a receptive mood afterward. If you take her to a romantic place that she doesn't think has name appeal, she will not be happy and you've wasted $150. Is she worth the $400 dinner she obviously wants? If so, do it. If not, go to a place in your budget and hope for the best. Romantic doesn't have to equate with most expensive...in fact it most often isn't the most expensive at all.
Good luck, and bon appetite!
Jacques on Cumberland - I go here a lot. Small, romantic, French. Really nice lunch place to take a girl if she is romantic and fun and doesn't want to be dazzled. Limited menu - steak and fries, poached salmon or trout, omlettes...love their floating island dessert. Romantic does not mean 5 star luxury...some of the most romantic spots in Paris are not the most expensive expense account places. Don't confuse expense account oppulance with romance.
Il Fornello - If I am going to the movies with friends or family in suburbia, I often eat at Il Fornello. A calamari appetizer followed by the veal with fettucine alfredo side is tasty comfort food that fills me up and is better than any of the suburban chains I know. The fig pizza is also very nice. It isn't an 'impress a date' place though, so I would not recommend it for that. Also, there are better choices downtown.
Somebody said Truffles - that is my favourite 'dress up' place to eat. It is expensiev, and very good. Love the wild pig wall art in the entrance way. I had the chef's tasting menu last time and it included 5 courses with a glass of wine for each course...scallops, wild vension, souffle for dessert. I have yet to find better in Toronto. My bill was $800 for 4, so think $400 for two. Also, I've dated a girl once who said investment banker types take first dtaes there to impress them, and teh girl thought the atmosphere was too formal to be romantic. It screams expensive, with the modern day equivilant of footmen adjusting your napkin every two minutes. I love the place, but unless you are dating a gold digger I wouldn't take a first date there unless I was interviewing a girl to be my mistress lol...even then I would pick a more casual romantic place. When I was there two times ago the two lawyer guys at the next table ordered a $700 bottle of wine to drink and left 1/3 of it in the bottle when they left. It is expense account heaven.
Sotto Sotto on Avenue Rd just south of Davenport is a nice romantic Italian place - in the basement grotto with warm cadlelight, friendly staff and great food. I often take dates there. I love the seafood rissotto for two - how romantic to share the food from one big plate while you gaze into her eyes, yes? Also of note is the Dover sole. One of the most romantic spots I know, but reservations essential. They valet park for you out front. It is pricey, but not as much so as Truffles.
Canoe - overrated. Staff were arrogant, nice view, but I like Jump better as the staff there are nice.
If you like the O&B owned places - Biff's Bistro on Front & Scott St is nice - a bit of a threatre crowd but romantic and nice menu - I love the braised beef on a cold winter's night with oysters to start. If you're in the north end of town, Auberge du Pommier is a more formal French restaurant - warm interior and good food - a dress up kind of place.
Again, most of the better restaurants will cost you with wine more than $200. Jacques du Parc on Cumberland is more affordable, but if she wants 5 star luxury she won't like it.
Oh, another romantic one is Michelle's Brasserie in the courtyard next to the Four Seasons Hotel. They do a great steak and fries and also have oysters and their menu is such that you can probably get by on $150 for steak and fries and wine. It is not a luxury dress up place though, but I had a romantic meal there with a hot girl once last summer and we left happy.
If the girl wants to go to a big name place top brag to her friends that she went to such and such, then go to the places she suggested if you want her to be in a receptive mood afterward. If you take her to a romantic place that she doesn't think has name appeal, she will not be happy and you've wasted $150. Is she worth the $400 dinner she obviously wants? If so, do it. If not, go to a place in your budget and hope for the best. Romantic doesn't have to equate with most expensive...in fact it most often isn't the most expensive at all.
Good luck, and bon appetite!
Il Fornello is lousy, there's a reason it's right across from Roy Thompson Hall, only a tourist would eat there.
For Italian, go to Terroni, the nicest one is on Adelaide just west of Church Street.
Le Select is also a good choice, great atmosphere.
For Italian, go to Terroni, the nicest one is on Adelaide just west of Church Street.
Le Select is also a good choice, great atmosphere.
To answer your question...
I was making an observation that others have made as well - if you are from a town where food is pretty well done (Chicago, New York, Montreal) and take a recommendation on a restaurant here in Toronto from a Torontoian, you well more than likely be disappointed. Six years of experience has taught me to not do so.
Insofar as my anti______ rhetoric, listen, I didn't set the tone for this board....it was that way when I arrived. Like I have repeatedly said - people take swipes at institutions I care about regularly...and everyone just stands on the sidelines. The U.S. is so frequently a target people don't even notice anymore. Minorities are slagged on a regular basis. And of course, people take shots at me personally. So - I give back. This wasn't even one of those instances...I was just telling the truth that "Il Fornello" is brutal, and that it is worshiped by Torontoians. (Voted best Italian in the city several times)
So, no - I could give a fuck about how "uncool" and "uncalled" for you or anyone else might think what I have to say is.
BTW - I would not waste time worrying about what my "deal is". It isn't that serious.
...no, it wasn't, and I guess I might have sabotaged my effort to curry favor.Captain Fantastic said:
I was making an observation that others have made as well - if you are from a town where food is pretty well done (Chicago, New York, Montreal) and take a recommendation on a restaurant here in Toronto from a Torontoian, you well more than likely be disappointed. Six years of experience has taught me to not do so.
Insofar as my anti______ rhetoric, listen, I didn't set the tone for this board....it was that way when I arrived. Like I have repeatedly said - people take swipes at institutions I care about regularly...and everyone just stands on the sidelines. The U.S. is so frequently a target people don't even notice anymore. Minorities are slagged on a regular basis. And of course, people take shots at me personally. So - I give back. This wasn't even one of those instances...I was just telling the truth that "Il Fornello" is brutal, and that it is worshiped by Torontoians. (Voted best Italian in the city several times)
So, no - I could give a fuck about how "uncool" and "uncalled" for you or anyone else might think what I have to say is.
BTW - I would not waste time worrying about what my "deal is". It isn't that serious.
A pretty pathetic response mlam and a little uncalled for.MLAM said:
There are literally thousands of replies that a guy with your intelligence could have come up with that would have been easier to swallow than the one above.
Speaking of trolling internet boards on a Saturday night, I see your posts were at 9:25, 9:46 and 9:52pm.....
And I'm trying to figure out why you wouldn't ask Torontonians for the best place to dine in Toronto, are we better off chatting with somebody from New York, Boston or Chicago and putting the question to them.
Thanks for the suggestions guys. Tis the season for some fine dining with a beautiful lady over a bottle or two of wine.
You have issues man... what's the saying? "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."MLAM said:
No one attacked you until you made a stupid, backhand remark about all Torontonians. You were just looking for a fight.
You could have just said "Il Fornello is a low-end, pseudo-Italian chain restaurant" and left it at that. Instead you chose to pull the scorched Earth "I'm so much better than all you Toronto rubes" card out once again.
(Just between you and I - you're not.)
I don't necessarily believe that (although Fred's Not Here is a tourist trap and vastly overrated) but it's the same sort of throwaway crap that you write without thought, or worse, to elicit a response so that you can come back and attack. And you claim that others troll internet boards?
People have different tastes - you may not agree with them, but that doesn't mean you slam everyone in your attempt to show how cool you are.
BTW - the people who vote Il Fornello the best Italian restaurant are the same that vote Pizza Pizza the best pizza. Probably the same idea as shills on TERB I would think - paid monkeys that stuff a ballot box (for a free weekly, no less), so to speak. I mean really, does anyone take NOW's "Best of" seriously - McDonalds made their list for Best Burger one year, for Christ's sake!? Oh wait, apparently you do - I guess I meant anyone who actually knows anything about Toronto. Now the fact that Zagat rated it top-10 in 2006... wait, isn't Zagat American? Don't Americans slavishly care about and do most of the reporting for Zagat? Shouldn't they check these things before posting and printing?
PS - The fact that Torontonians keep sending you to shitty restaurants speaks volumes for the people you associate with and seek advice from... either that or they just don't like you and send you to lousy places intentionally! If so, I could understand that... LOL!
Only take her to Baton Rouge if you never want to see her again. The place is horrible. Their jambalaya penne is, seriously, penne with tomato paste and weiners. Service is mediocre. Is my dislike for the "restaurant" coming through?Plan B said:
A decent Japanese place in your price range is Yamato, located in Yorkville. Reservations are a good idea after 6 PM.
Good luck. Have fun.
Scaramouche Pasta Bar ... you gte the panache of the Scaramouche name at more reasonable prices. Upscale crowd. Can't go wrong. Shye'll do a search on Scaramouche and see it is always in top five.
I concur on Select. Can't go wrong there.
I concur on Select. Can't go wrong there.
What about Bistro 990. Last time I was there, the food was pretty good and price was resonable. If you can swing it, the tasting menu is fantastic at Splendido. The also have another restaurant on Queen/University called Nota Bene with some incredible food. On the Cheaper side, last suggestion is Lee @ King/Spadina area owned by Susur Lee.
2 Can dine easily for $150.00 at a very nice restaurant in Toronto.
1. Kultura
http://www.kulturarestaurant.com/main.html
Tapas style. Order 5 things off the menu and share. Incredible room as well. If you don't score taking her here, something is wrong.
You'll need a reservation.
2. Globe Bistro
http://www.globebistro.com/
Great food, great room. You'll need a reservation on the weekend.
3. The Stone Grill on Winchester.
http://www.stonegrillonwinchester.com/
In the heart of Cabbagetown. A totally unique experience, food is great, room is romantic (especially when they are showing Bogdonavich's "The Last Picture Show" on the TV in the Lounge and a 22 year old Cybil Sheppard gets naked to go in the pool. EVERYONE in the room stops eating to take in that scene...
http://www.strangecelebrities.com/content/item/105152.html
But I digress.....
Afterwords, you could go on a walk through cabbagetown.
4. Blowfish
Best Sushi (other than Kaji, (Kaji being the best Sushi in Toronto) but Kaji's room is bland and it will cost you $300 + for 2 people) in Toronto with a far better room
http://www.blowfishrestaurant.com/
Order the Ebi Shooter for each of you. She'll be impressed.
5. Madeline
Suser Lee's new restaurant. Been there once. Same concept as Lee next door (Tapas style), but the room is better. If she knows her celebrity chefs, she'll be impressed and her panties will be yours.
http://www.susur.com/
There's 5 great restaurants, all of which you can escape from for about $150.
Sotto Sotto is good, but not great. The room is shit in my opinion. Basically a basement in an old house on Avenue Road. When it's full, the background noise is DEAFENING. You will not be able to enjoy your meal because everyone is shouting above the rest to be heard (what is it with people - are they all deaf that they have to raise their voices to the level of a jet engine at take off?)
A better choice is Sotto in the Village on Spadina in Forrest Hill. Same restaurant, more or less the same menu, far superior room.
http://www.sottosotto.ca/
Please note, Il Fornello, or Baton Rouge are not even on the freaking list. Better off to go to Swiss Chalet.
1. Kultura
http://www.kulturarestaurant.com/main.html
Tapas style. Order 5 things off the menu and share. Incredible room as well. If you don't score taking her here, something is wrong.
You'll need a reservation.
2. Globe Bistro
http://www.globebistro.com/
Great food, great room. You'll need a reservation on the weekend.
3. The Stone Grill on Winchester.
http://www.stonegrillonwinchester.com/
In the heart of Cabbagetown. A totally unique experience, food is great, room is romantic (especially when they are showing Bogdonavich's "The Last Picture Show" on the TV in the Lounge and a 22 year old Cybil Sheppard gets naked to go in the pool. EVERYONE in the room stops eating to take in that scene...
http://www.strangecelebrities.com/content/item/105152.html
But I digress.....
Afterwords, you could go on a walk through cabbagetown.
4. Blowfish
Best Sushi (other than Kaji, (Kaji being the best Sushi in Toronto) but Kaji's room is bland and it will cost you $300 + for 2 people) in Toronto with a far better room
http://www.blowfishrestaurant.com/
Order the Ebi Shooter for each of you. She'll be impressed.
5. Madeline
Suser Lee's new restaurant. Been there once. Same concept as Lee next door (Tapas style), but the room is better. If she knows her celebrity chefs, she'll be impressed and her panties will be yours.
http://www.susur.com/
There's 5 great restaurants, all of which you can escape from for about $150.
Sotto Sotto is good, but not great. The room is shit in my opinion. Basically a basement in an old house on Avenue Road. When it's full, the background noise is DEAFENING. You will not be able to enjoy your meal because everyone is shouting above the rest to be heard (what is it with people - are they all deaf that they have to raise their voices to the level of a jet engine at take off?)
A better choice is Sotto in the Village on Spadina in Forrest Hill. Same restaurant, more or less the same menu, far superior room.
http://www.sottosotto.ca/
Please note, Il Fornello, or Baton Rouge are not even on the freaking list. Better off to go to Swiss Chalet.
Cowbell and Silver Spoon are mid range and reasonably good places to go. They are also on Queen West so you can go out for drinks to a couple "funky" bars afterwards.
http://www.cowbellrestaurant.ca/
http://www.silverspoon.ca/info.html
Good luck!
http://www.cowbellrestaurant.ca/
http://www.silverspoon.ca/info.html
Good luck!
I normally like to take gals to the non-traditional resaurant...then at least I know the ambiance will be nice, especialy if it is a 1st date.
I will suggest this Moroccan resto on front st.
http://www.thesultanstent.com/
They also have bellydancing there on week-ends
atmosphere is nice, the tables are not lined up like reg resto, you do feel u are like under a tent (totally feel outta of TO).
Damage will probably be around $100-150.
I will suggest this Moroccan resto on front st.
http://www.thesultanstent.com/
They also have bellydancing there on week-ends
atmosphere is nice, the tables are not lined up like reg resto, you do feel u are like under a tent (totally feel outta of TO).
Damage will probably be around $100-150.
define hot?
Shy Guy has semi-deep pockets and he wants a complete date, thus the food must do part of the work. If she wants him to ante up the lucre so she can be "seen" his chances of stealing home are slim. So I'm assuming he wants a "hot" date:
Phebe's Oyster Bar.
http://www.zeegrill.com/
Nothing like oysters and vodka shots to get a girl in the mood. Order lobster for her and, if cedar grilled Artic Char is on the specials, don't pass it up!
Another cuisine that sets the mood is Chinese (Peking Duck), and the very best is Champion House. Their dim sum selection is delicious but the PD is the main attraction.
http://www.restaurantica.com/on/toronto/champion-house-restaurant/23001548/
Shy Guy has semi-deep pockets and he wants a complete date, thus the food must do part of the work. If she wants him to ante up the lucre so she can be "seen" his chances of stealing home are slim. So I'm assuming he wants a "hot" date:
Phebe's Oyster Bar.
http://www.zeegrill.com/
Nothing like oysters and vodka shots to get a girl in the mood. Order lobster for her and, if cedar grilled Artic Char is on the specials, don't pass it up!
Another cuisine that sets the mood is Chinese (Peking Duck), and the very best is Champion House. Their dim sum selection is delicious but the PD is the main attraction.
http://www.restaurantica.com/on/toronto/champion-house-restaurant/23001548/
For wine and local-fare tapas (small portions, but great for sharing, variety and intimacy) with a Canadian-fusion twist and a great wine list of rare vintages (many of which you can purchase by the glass), you can try Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar (Church @ Esplanade). For a more traditional menu, try Jamie Kennedy Gardiner.
http://www.jkkitchens.com
If she's a vegetarian and you want to impress her, try Fressen on Queen St. W. (b/n Spadina and Bathurst.) I'm no vegan, but I was impressed - same concept as JK: small portions to share, good wine, cool atmosphere.
http://www.fressenrestaurant.com/fressen/index.html
I'm not a huge fan, as the food is kinda average, but I'll admit the place is impressive: Rosewater Supper Club.
http://www.libertygroup.com/rosewater/rosewater.html
Not everyone's a fan, but I like the chef and his traditional French sensibilities: Thuet http://www.bitemerestaurant.com/
I haven't been, but I've heard good things about his new venture: http://atelierthuet.ca/
Romantic atmosphere? Try The Corner House: http://cornerhouse.sites.toronto.com/ or Splendido http://splendido.ca/
http://www.jkkitchens.com
If she's a vegetarian and you want to impress her, try Fressen on Queen St. W. (b/n Spadina and Bathurst.) I'm no vegan, but I was impressed - same concept as JK: small portions to share, good wine, cool atmosphere.
http://www.fressenrestaurant.com/fressen/index.html
I'm not a huge fan, as the food is kinda average, but I'll admit the place is impressive: Rosewater Supper Club.
http://www.libertygroup.com/rosewater/rosewater.html
Not everyone's a fan, but I like the chef and his traditional French sensibilities: Thuet http://www.bitemerestaurant.com/
I haven't been, but I've heard good things about his new venture: http://atelierthuet.ca/
Romantic atmosphere? Try The Corner House: http://cornerhouse.sites.toronto.com/ or Splendido http://splendido.ca/
