Here's the updated review:…read more ** A must-visit Italian spot in Toronto!** My wife and I had a fantastic dinner at Vagabondo Restobar, and we can't wait to come back. Her sangria was one of the best she's ever had. If you go, you have to try it! The pizza was the best we've had in a long time, and the pasta carbonara was delicious: rich, creamy, and full of flavor. The bread was a great start to the meal, and you have to try it with their homemade jalapeño sauce. It's amazing! The service was excellent too. The staff were friendly and attentive and made us feel welcome. Honestly, everything about this place was great. We loved it and will definitely be back. Highly recommend!

A lovely restaurant on Front with the associated higher downtown prices. Great space for impressing…read morea date or a fancier celebration dinner. We shared the Vitello Alla Romana and the Gnocchi Pomodoro. Generous portions with solid execution. I liked the gnocchi because it wasnt gummy or stodgy as most are. I enjoyed both the atmosphere and service. Our server was attentive when he needed to be, but gave us space to enjoy our meal.

This west end, cosy Italian spot was on our radar for some time but as east-enders, distance kept…read moreus from making the trek, not to mention that it takes a couple of weeks to get a booking. We finally made it and it was worth the wait! You're struck by the intimate ambiance. It is a small place with a hella-cute bar and the kind of dining room you could dwell in for hours on a snowy winter night. The service was attentive and warm and not at all intrusive. We started with the charred cabbage and the king oyster mushroom crostini. Both were smash hits. The mushrooms were bathed in a miso butter. The cabbage was accompanied by a silky stracciatella cheese with a hit of tang thanks to a chili jam. Based on other reviews, the steak tar tar seems to be a fashionable choice for starters but we were very happy with our selections. For our mains, my wife had the Black cod - beautifully done, tender and moist with a tasty potato crema. I ordered the picanha steak which was beautiful to look at and very tasty but was a bit too hard to cut and chew due to the sinewy nature of that particular cut of beef. The accompanying fried eggplant was delectable...it could have been a main by itself and worked beautifully with the beef reduction. For dessert, we went off-broadway again, eschewing the wildly popular tiramisu pancakes, instead opting for the apple torta. It melted in your mouth with a subtle flavour that was not overly sweet. Bravo! After some coffee and digestif to end the night, we were blissed out from such a great meal and just like that, Viaggio felt a little closer to home.

Very beautiful spot. A little noisy. Food was delicious as to be expected. Recommend for special…read moreoccasions!

The Brunch Menu…read more 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.

Went for a large group dinner so did the family style prefix menu and it was great! $90 a person…read morefor 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!

The Fifth & Terrace has such a great vibe, especially in the evening. The rooftop setting adds…read moresomething special -- relaxed but still a bit elevated. The food was well presented and flavorful, and the service felt attentive without being over the top. It's one of those places that works just as well for a casual night out as it does for something a little more intentional. Definitely a spot I'd come back to when I want good food with a view.

We were supposed to host an event here on April 24, 2020 which I cancelled within 14 days of…read morebooking due to COVID-19. My client is contractually due a refund and has not received it, or any correspondence whatsoever, since Mid-March of 2020. DO NOT book events here. I never received the money, 3.5 years later, and gave up trying.

Came here for a drink at a table after a long day filled with meetings and lots of work. It was a…read morevery comfortable experience and inside was very cozy and beautiful. Staff was not pushy about ordering food as well and they made sure we were comfortable and set with drinks and water. Drinks were good, pretty standard, but it was the experience sitting with the cozy dimmed lights ambiance and pretty view that made the night! It came with a pretty view from the window!

The Chase is a beautiful restaurant with good food, great views, and amazing service…read more I went here for winterlicious. I got the truffled mushroom soup, duck leg confit, and sticky toffee pudding. We also added a halibut from the à la carte menu. My favourite was the dessert. Service was amazing once we were seated. It did take some time to be seated though since there was no one there when we first got to the restaurant.

What a delightful little spot in Leslieville. It's a quaint restaurants which takes the food…read moreseriously. First about the ambiance. The place is small and cosy, with whimsical decor. It is very dimly lit, with amazing retro 70-90 tunes in the background (post-punk, shoe gazing, afro beats). I kept Shazaming every other song. The service is very friendly. The place has understated elegance, and is casual at the same time. It's a great place for a second date, if you're looking for something non-pretentious (think the polar opposite of King West.) The food is small plates, which are moderately priced. Certainly not the high prices some tapas restaurants charge. The Campo Real Olives were incredible. Lightly cured, and warmed up. Some of the best olives I've had in a while. The Aged Manchego with Honeycomb was most delicious. What a gorgeous pairing. The honeycomb is a little bite of summer. The Smoked Trout Devilled Eggs are the best darn devilled eggs I've ever had. I'm going to have to try to recreate those bad boys. The Pear + Radicchio + Blue cheese + Walnut salad was great. The Scallop Crudo was delicious. The Ribeye Cheeseburger was excellent. The cocktails were excellent and unique, delightfully flavoured with interesting ingredients, and nice bitters, and with whimsical names. Finally I want to mention that the place is ran by a husband and wife duo. The wife was there the entire evening making sure everyone was satisfied. They have been in business for over a decade. This shows what a real difference it makes when a restaurant is a labour of love of people who care about their customers. This is a place to come back to! P.S. They have a front patio, if you prefer.

We stopped at a Goods and Provisions on a Tuesday night for some apps. The restaurant was not busy…read moreso we were seated right away. The interior of the restaurant was very vibe with wood panelling, low lighting, and an eclectic mix of decor on the walls, including old black and white pictures. We order the octopus and the ham croquettes, both which were great. Would recommend!

First time at this restaurant, and let me just say... I will definitely be back!…read more The restaurant has a really nice vibe. It's not one of those places where everyone is yelling over each other and you leave with a headache. You can actually have a conversation without saying, "Huh?" every five seconds. The food was absolutely delicious, and the portions were great. They also take allergies seriously, which I really appreciate. My sister is sensitive to spices (poor thing ). Me? I'm the type who would probably ask for extra hot sauce on hot sauce. We were seated right away, and our waitress, Kaily (I really hope I got her name right!), came over before we even had a chance to open the drink menu. She was super sweet, friendly, and had such a welcoming smile. Then... poof! Like Tinker Bell flew by and borrowed her for another mission, she disappeared into the restaurant. She got so busy with other tables that we had to wait about 20 minutes and finally asked another staff member to let her know we were ready to order. Honestly, I was about to send out a missing person's report. Then the food decided to take the scenic route to our table. Personally, I don't mind waiting. Maybe I've traveled to Europe one too many times, but I've learned that a good meal is an experience, not a race. If I'm going out to eat, I'm there to relax and enjoy it. My sister, however, wasn't feeling well and was hoping the food would arrive a little faster, so she wasn't exactly sharing my Zen attitude. Was the wait worth it? Absolutely! I had the steak with mushrooms and a side salad, and it was cooked perfectly. My sister had the salmon with mashed potatoes, asparagus, and a salad, and she loved hers too. I also ordered the Virgin Passion Fruit Mojito. Let's just say... we weren't meant to be. Next time I'll stick with the classic virgin mojito because sometimes you don't need to reinvent a perfectly good wheel. Overall, great food, generous portions, a relaxing atmosphere, and staff who genuinely care about allergies. A tiny improvement in the timing of the service, and this place is an easy 5 stars in my book. Looking forward to coming back... and hopefully Tinker Bell lets Kaily stay at our table a little longer next time.

The service was okay in the beginning, by the end of the night less so…read more Ambience was okay, the booth was extremely dirty, food from previous guests littered the seat. Which was surprising. The worst part was the food. Appetizer of beef Goyza was good. Steak was TERRIBLE. What did I do to deserve this "salad"? It's almost offensive. $50 for a plate of fries and a cold steak. I have never been served a cold steak in my life. I was too embarrassed to send it back. The dessert was good, but the birthday surprise was not on the house which was odd for a $200+ tab. We will not return. Nothing special. Cold steak and that depressing salad is unforgivable.

Shared the Caesar salad and a pizza. Both were okay but the Caesar could have had more flavour and…read morethe addition of bacon would have vastly improved it. Not fond of their croutons. The pizza was delicious. Lived the crust. Service was really good and they let us stay as long as we wanted without rushing us.

Dropped by this spot in Yorkville while roaming around with a friend, got a pizza, apps, and…read moredrinks. Service was okayish kinda slow, and our tiny table for 2 was squished between others. Meh, food was good though.