The space is intimate and cozy, and perfect for lingering over shared plates and drinks. The staff…read moreare genuinely friendly and caring, and they're great at guiding you through the menu, especially when it comes to cocktail recommendations. The tapas are really good, though dishes did come out a bit on the slower side. But honestly, it fits the whole experience here: order a few cocktails, enjoy the atmosphere, and let the night unfold at its own pace (within the seating time limit of course). One of those spots that makes you want to order just one more plate. We got: * Half Octopus * Mussels Escabeche * Jamón Croqueta * Shishito Peppers * Sea Bream Ceviche & Chips * Grilled Beef Tongue & Mojo Rojo * Sobrasada & Foie Gras

Rating this a 4/5 overall because I did enjoy my experience here, but I will say the food itself…read morewas more like a 3/5. Came here on a Thursday night and was surprised at how busy it was for a weekday. Despite that, the service was excellent! Staff were friendly off the bat and very attentive after each dish was finished, making sure to wipe off the table or exchanging the plates which I was really impressed with despite how busy they were. We decided to go with their tasting menu where you gave them a price range you wanted to stick to - I believe it was $85-$200, and you can mention some dishes you definitely want to try and they curate the rest for you which I thought was so unique! I loved the idea of that. The dishes we really wanted were the octopus, bone marrow and scallops. The only standout dishes to me were the scallops, and a salad I cannot remember the name of but was so shocked at how good just a simple salad could be. Other than that, the other dishes were still good, but nothing extraordinary to be honest. The octopus was a bit too charred which was disappointing as it was what I was looking forward to the most. The tasting menu we got also had mainly vegetable dishes (other than the ones I just mentioned), so was hoping to get a few more meat dishes. This is definitely a great spot for vegetarians as it had a lot of veggie dishes. I would still come back to maybe try some of their other more meat focused dishes. Overall, I still had a great time and can't stress enough how lovely our waitress and the rest of the staff were!

Solid cocktails overall. The space is pretty small, but we were able to get a table easily right…read moreafter work. I had a Shelly in Athens and tried a friend's Lady Jang. Both cocktails were well made. I tend to prefer drinks with sharper contrasts, and these leaned more toward flavors that blended together. Based on the ingredient lists, I was anticipating more distinct notes, but instead, everything kind of melded together (not in a bad way). I'd be curious to try other drinks if I were to go back to see if I feel the same.

We made a reservation on a weekday and when we arrived, our table was ready. The bar has both…read morecounter tables inside and heated patio. We were seated inside and enjoying the beautiful wood carved decorations. The drinks menu offers great variety of cocktails, wine, beer and liquor. The food menu includes great tapas options for sharing. The staff are friendly and the service is fast.

Because we enjoyed Sara, we decided to try Rasa next. The vibes are definitely similar with the…read moretasting menu of small bites. The food had some tasty components and interesting combinations, but when comparing directly to Sara, I think Sara still wins for me. A couple plates here landed slightly salty for my taste. The cocktail menu is also very creative. The service was amazing. Everything came out quick, the team was friendly, and the pacing was great. Overall still a lovely evening. However, Sara is still my favourite of the two.

We went for the Tasting Menu - Classic, which features seven dishes, each with its own unique…read moreflavor. The dishes aren't overly light, but they pair beautifully with wine, making it perfect for a little after-work treat. Here's what we enjoyed: Chopped Salad (p2) - Fresh, crisp, and packed with vibrant flavors. Spicy Ceviche (p3) - A zesty kick that wakes up your taste buds. Truffle Gnudi (p4) - Silky soft pasta pillows with an indulgent truffle aroma. Rasa Burger (p4) - Juicy and flavorful, a gourmet twist on a classic favorite. Brussel Sprouts (p5) - Roasted to perfection with a touch of crispiness. Black Cod (p6) - Melt-in-your-mouth tender with a perfectly balanced seasoning. Sticky Bun - Sweet, gooey, and the ideal finish to a fantastic meal. This tasting menu is a journey through flavors, perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine after a busy day.

I booked a reservation here in the fall. I found this restaurant from an Instagram post talking…read moreabout their mortadella sandwich. We had a large group and shared many things off the menu including 4 mortadella sandwiches. Addicting is all I can say. All around solid spot for its food and wine. It's just a chill neighborhood bar and restaurant. Fairly quiet and private which was nice. I do recommend a reservation.

Super cute wine bar w small plates The duck on the brioche…read morebun and mushroom tartare was delicious! Wish they had more selection but maybe it was just this seasons menu that didn't really wow me.

416 Snack Bar is a hidden gem at Queen and Bathurst with a cool, laid back atmosphere and lots of…read morecharacter. The communal seating gives it a lively, social feeling, and the menu is full of creative Asian inspired bar snacks at very reasonable prices. My favorite dishes were the steak tartare on crisp sourdough and especially the Octos Bravas, which had crispy potatoes, tender octopus, grilled shishitos, and an amazing sauce that tied everything together. The Banquet Duck Wrap was tasty but too small, and the Korean fried chicken was just okay. Overall, this is such a fun place for drinks and sharing interesting snacks with friends, and I can absolutely see why locals love it.

After years of wanting to try this place and not getting in, I finally made it for a cute little…read moredate night. The vibes were cozy and romantic, the wine was flowing (they have an excellent selection) and the tapas were great. We tried at least half the menu, and the standout for me was the korean fried chicken. Everything else was good, only real miss for me was the flauta. Definitely would come back here!

I arrived just before 2pm on a Saturday looking forward to a place I had a previous wonderful…read moreexperience. I ordered the signature smoke. It arrived and took a bite. I was surprised by the taste of fennel and a complete lack of smokiness. I proceeded to finish and ask about the fennel. I was informed this was in the smoked dates. It was suggested that somehow I had a great plate to have discovered this, fennel was the dominant flavour, not subtle. Would try again in the hopes the signature smoke is both of those.

I made reservations and was genuinely excited to support this vegan restaurant. The space feels…read moreintimate and comfortable, with beautiful touches like fabric draping and dried herbs and flowers hanging from the ceiling. Alex, one of the owners, introduced himself shortly after we were seated, offering a warm welcome that immediately made us feel at home. The cocktail program is creative, with a thoughtful lineup of drinks, beers, and wines. We tried two cocktails--both delicious, though quite small for the price. A bit of a Toronto theme, it seems. We chose the six-course vegan prix fixe. Each plate was a true piece of art, crafted with precision and intention. You get to experience a range of flavors and techniques, though the dishes lean more toward tasting portions than filling plates. We left a bit hungry, and the pricing felt high for the amount of food. The best way to think of it is as investing in edible art--beautiful, expressive, and memorable, though not necessarily hearty. I'm not sure I'd rush back based on value alone, but I'm genuinely happy to see a vegan restaurant like this thriving. Grateful for the chance to experience it.

Came here for a casual dinner and drinks, and overall it felt like a really easy, relaxed…read moreizakaya-style spot in downtown Toronto. The space itself leans more modern and clean rather than the typical dark, cozy izakaya vibe, which I actually didn't mind. It felt comfortable, not too loud, and easy to settle into for a slow dinner. We ordered a mix of small plates to share, and everything came out looking nicely put together. The aburi-style salmon sushi was one of the highlights for me.. lightly seared, with a soft texture and just enough flavor on top without being overwhelming. The tuna tataki was also fresh and clean, simple but well done. Some of the fried dishes leaned a bit richer with the creamy sauces, but they were still enjoyable, especially if you're in the mood for something a little more indulgent. The beef fried rice was straightforward but satisfying, one of those dishes that's easy to keep going back to between everything else. Drinks were a nice touch too.. refreshing, nicely presented, and added to the overall experience. Overall, this feels like a solid spot for a casual night out with friends. It's not overly traditional, but it's easygoing, shareable, and comfortable.. the kind of place you'd come back to when you just want good food and a relaxed atmosphere.

Great spot for small plates and drinks!…read more Love the vibes here. It really does remind me of Japanese izakaya. Their pressed sushi is a signature! Dont skip on the karaage cuz the sauce with a onsen egg is bomb! It can get busy and its a small place. So go early!

I really enjoyed this restaurant. Service and food were excellent…read more Cozy local spot that made you feel welcome. Looking forward to coming back!

First visit to The Wood Owl. The savoury dishes were well-presented and flavourful. I thought the…read moremenu had a good balance of options. The service was friendly, and the space had a relaxed, cozy atmosphere. Overall, we enjoyed the experience, the desserts & braised short rib could use some improvement imo but not bad.

I loved Short Turn. The food was edgy and whimsical and super delicious. The ambiance was hip. The…read moreplace was hopping on a Wednesday night, filled with lots for first daters. The Lox+Schmear and Tots was some of the best smoked salmon I've had in a while. The hamachi was delicious. The Steak and potatoes was divine. The steamed black cod was superb. The CocoChoco cream pie was sinful. The service was excellent. It's not a huge bang-for-your-buck, but definitely worth visiting.

Short Turn located along Queen St. W near Bathurst is a cocktail bar opened by 416 Snack Bar right…read morearound the corner. The ambiance of the space is moody and intimate where there is a creative cocktail list as well as an extensive wine/spirits list. There is a list of bar snacks for you to choose from, like some classics from 416 Snack Bar. I stopped by Short Turn on a Wed night around almost 6pm for a quick drink and bite. It looked like there was a hosted party towards the back of the space, upstairs from the main area. The rest of the bar was already half filled with customers. I grabbed a table facing the bar. For my drink I got the "Emily in Tokyo" (cachaca, house midori, yellow charfalse, lemon). For a quick bite I got the steak tartare. Both items arrived at a reasonable time. The cocktail was refreshing and delicious. The steak tartare was a good size portion where the tartare was on 2 slices of toasted sourdough bread. Service wise, the staff there were attentive and friendly, coming around multiple times making sure that the customers were doing good. Service was great. Overall, a great cocktail bar at Queen/Bathurst! Would not hesitate to return to try more cocktails/drinks and small bites.

I traveled to Toronto and was super late to "vita life" and I called around a hour before they…read moreclosed and they was truly understanding and pleasant about our last min dine in and I'm truly happy they accepted us but let me tell you about this lovely dish it was packed with so much flavor and spices I'm sooo happy I was able to experience their delicious food. And thank you again!!!

Ugh so delicious so delicious…read more Was on a bike ride in the east end and got a little hungry. Happened to stumble on this place. If you see my first review you'll know Im all about vital life. This was delicious, was recommended the jerk and it is perfect. Very kind lady at the front, lovely little spot off broadview.