Sometimes Yelp reviews can be misleading, but very rarely, especially when many people are saying the same things on a certain topic. No matter. I flew my fiancée in for the weekend so we could hang out so how could I NOT bring her here?!
Atmosphere/Appearance: I mean, it's inside the freaking CN Tower overlooking Lake Ontario AND downtown Toronto. How does it overlook both you ask? Because the restaurant is completely circular AND... it spins. Yup. Spins. Not like a ride at a fair, but much, much slower. Make sure you have reservations before coming here so that the process to get inside is easier. Once you're in the base of the building you're directed through a series of ropes and lines to get to the correct area. Then you ride on this super-fast elevator that takes you up 80+ floors. The restaurant is so beautiful. It's so elegant. The music is soft, the giant tilted windows give the greatest views even in the snowy, gloomy, cold mess. The carpet is a bit trippy, but it was cool. Lol. The most awesome part is that when you first walk in you can literally see the floor moving. It's just a very unusual thing, you know? I'm uncertain about the rotation speed, but we were able to complete almost 2 full revolutions in about an hour and 45 minutes so you totally get to see everything if you stay a while.
Service: Jeff was freaking awesome. In what seemed like a very snooty, uppity environment, he kept it real. I liked that. He was attentive, funny and made sure that we had everything we needed. It was pretty slow in there on a late Saturday afternoon, so maybe he was bored. Lol. Ask for Jeff when you check this place out.
Food: So in order to hang out on the observation decks after you eat you have to order one of their prix fixe menus or their steaks. Well, I didn't want to spend steak money at lunch so I went with one of their cheaper options. I started with their Warm Seafood Verrine which is Atlantic lobster, Fogo shrimp, Humboldt squid, bay scallops, octopus, clams, tomato seafood reduction, dulse seaweed and served with a puff pastry. It was delicious! It reminded me of like a tomato pasta with no actual pasta... just lots of bits of seafood! I was impressed. For my entree I went with the Braised Beef Short Rib. It consists of a rutabaga purée, sautéed baby turnips, lardons, pearl onions and mushrooms. It was fantastic! The plate was gorgeous, beef cooked well and it was just falling apart. The vegetables were savory and fresh. Everything was just great. I don't know what many of the Yelp reviews were talking about, but the food here was fantastic. I just wish I could afford to eat here more often so I could try more of their menu! That's where they lose a star...
Value: Man... not the greatest. (All prices are in $CAD). So for my 2-course prix fixe menu it was $60.00. FOR LUNCH FAM. If I wanted the 3rd course (dessert), it would've been $74.00! Are y'all trippin'?! LLLUUUNNNCCCHHH! I can't imagine what dinners here cost if that's the lunch price. Oops, I forgot that I had to pay an extra $6.00 for my seafood verrine. Their steaks... their "Prince Edward Island AAA" steaks START at $65.00. They max out about $90.00. We're still talking about lunch here. If you want the 1.5 lb lobster... $95.00. Surf & Turf? $120.00. This must be the restaurant the elite come to dine 350 meters in the air to look down at the peasants. Lol. Oh well. It's a nice place to come and celebrate something special. I did see a proposal once at the Space Needle restaurant in Seattle (similar setup), so I mean this would be the place to do it! Bring the wallet and credit cards!
In conclusion I absolutely loved eating here. Everything about this place is awesome, but you pay for it. Rightfully so. I mean, people keep coming here so someone feels it's worth it right? Makes sense. Come check this place out if you're in the area and want to be one of the elite! read more