After hearing about some early growing pains, I purposely waited before visiting. But when Toronto…read moreLife hosted a special TL Insider dinner ($225 per person, inclusive of taxes and gratuities), curiosity won out. The prices listed below reflect the regular menu, though portions at the event were likely smaller than standard service. The evening began with a beef skewer ($31), featuring cubes of barbecued beef glazed in teriyaki and topped with plenty of chives. Unfortunately, consistency was an issue. Other guests raved about how tender theirs were, while mine arrived overcooked. It wasn't inedible, but it certainly wasn't tender. One of the restaurant's newer additions is its aged fish program, so I was eager to try the dry-aged salmon ($33). Listed as a "crudo," I expected delicate slices in a citrusy sauce, but it arrived as another skewer. The texture was undeniably smooth, with the dry aging removing any chewiness, but the salmon also developed a gaminess that lingered unpleasantly. A marinade or thinner slicing might help balance things out. I'm glad their signature Caesar salad ($24) remains excellent. It's beautifully balanced with acidity, savouriness, and thoughtful touches like buttery breadcrumbs and bacon bits that aren't rock hard. It's still one of the better Caesars in the city, though tableside preparation now costs an additional $10. Fans of tartare will likely appreciate the beef tartare ($41), which is prepared traditionally with minimally dressed hand-cut beef. Personally, I wanted more contrast in texture or flavour, though tartare has never been my go-to dish. I did appreciate the accompaniments of buttery crostini and gem lettuce leaves, which offered a lighter way to enjoy it. And for fans like me, don't worry their cheese bread puffs still make an appearance (along with their take home chocolate muffins). What continues to shine at Jacobs is the steak itself. The 40-day dry aged striploin was cooked beautifully, developing a crust that locked in the juices while maintaining tenderness despite being a leaner cut. The seasoning is more restrained, which allowed the volcanic sea salt and chimichurri on the side to actually enhance the beef rather than overwhelm it. The pecorino broccolini ($22) had me almost finishing off the plate and is such a nice accompaniment with the rich beef. The only disappointment was the duck fat fries ($21), which arrived lukewarm and slightly stale, likely a casualty of serving a packed dining room. Dessert ended the evening on a high note. The crème brulee ($21) was fantastic with visible vanilla bean specks throughout the silky custard. The sugar topping was thin and delicate, avoiding that overly sweet crunch some versions suffer from. Served alongside a sizeable chocolate biscotti and a fragrant orange shortbread cookie, it's easily large enough to share. With the expanded dining room, the front-of-house team has clearly grown as well. The staff is younger and fresher-faced, so any old-school steakhouse stuffiness has largely disappeared. More importantly, the service remains polished and attentive, and we were well taken care of throughout the evening.

I made a reservation at Jacobs & Co to celebrate a family member's milestone birthday. The…read moreatmosphere in the restaurant is odd - some people are wearing T shirts and denim jackets while others are wearing suits and heels. It definitely leaned more casual. We ordered the tuna tartare, beet salad, Chef's Tasting (steak), 30 days aged 32 oz bone in ribeye, potatoes gratin, broccolini and wagyu fried rice. The best thing we ate that night was the complimentary bread - very similar to Yorkshire pudding. The wagyu fried rice was flavourful. The appetizers were mid and the Chef's Tasting steaks were ok albeit served lukewarm. The 30 days aged 32 oz bone in ribeye was extremely disappointing. It was very chewy and difficult to eat. Lots of fat and tough veins in the steak - it was not quality and definitely not worth $302. We didn't even eat half of it. Our server asked us if we wanted to pack it and we said no because it was disappointing and difficult to eat. He likely did not have training on how to respond as he completely ignored the comment, no apologies or further questions and cleared the rest of our table. It was really odd service for a highly rated steakhouse. I personally would not recommend Jacobs & Co and would not dine again here.

We stumbled in for lunch and the food was fantastic!…read more Steak frites was soooo good! steak had a nice rub and it was perfectly cooked. The peppercorn sauce was the best I ever had! Truffle burger was also very tasty! The French fries were perfectly crispy and airy! While I'm not normally a fan of chocolate mousse their 70% chocolate mousse with sea salt was delicious. They were kind enough to include a candle for us. While the seats were not the most comfortable, the environment was rustic and casual. Great meal.

Côte de Bœuf delivered a great dining experience. The steak frites were cooked perfectly and packed…read morewith flavor, the charcuterie board was a fantastic way to start the meal, and the escargots were rich, buttery, and delicious. The patio was also a pleasant surprise. Even though it's right on Ossington, it still had a great atmosphere and wasn't too loud. The service was friendly and attentive throughout the evening. The only downside was that the beef tartare we ordered never made it to the table. By the time we realized it had been forgotten, we were already full and didn't feel the need to ask for it anymore. It was a minor miss in an otherwise excellent meal, and we'd definitely come back.

I the sophistication of Toronto. It is definitely a world class city…read more And this restaurant exemplifies that. Friends brought me here and we enjoyed the sampling menu, which was exquisite. I adore foie gras so I began our leisurely dinner with that appetizer. It was one of the best I have ever had. Our service was lovely. It was truly a marvelous evening. Thank you!

The Butcher Chef is one of those restaurants you keep in mind for a special occasion -- or, in our…read morecase, for dinner before watching the Leafs lose an important game. It's a small, elegant space that feels both intimate and deliberate, with every detail carefully thought through. What we ordered: foie gras, octopus, Caesar salad, and a range of steaks. The meal begins with amuse-bouche -- little bites that quietly announce the kitchen knows what it's doing. The food: exceptional across the board. The foie gras is rich and perfectly seared, the octopus tender with a bit of char, and the steaks are cooked and seasoned with precision. Every course feels intentional and balanced. You get what you pay for here -- and it isn't cheap. Atmosphere: the room is compact but beautifully designed, with warm lighting, dark wood, and an inviting sense of calm. The crowd is an eclectic mix of people who can clearly afford to enjoy themselves -- couples celebrating, small groups, a few well-dressed professionals, and the occasional Leafs jersey on game nights. It's upscale without feeling exclusive or pretentious. Service: on par with the food -- confident, well-timed, and polished. The team moves with quiet efficiency and professionalism throughout the night. Overall: not the best value in town, but easily one of the best steak experiences in Toronto. Perfect for a special dinner, an anniversary, or softening the sting of a tough loss at Scotiabank Arena.

My second evening visiting friends in Toronto, they brought me here for dinner. OMG. The food, the…read moredrinks, the service, the ambiance -- all were simply great. Thanks to a couple of the reviews, we ordered -- among other things the spicy rigatoni. Absolutely unbelievable flavor that really wakes up your tastebuds and says, "Delicious, aren't I?" The answer is YES!!! We ordered the truffle fries for the table, which are the best I've ever had and I love truffle fries. I ordered the Sangria Rouge simply because I love a really good one. This met and exceeded all my hopes and dreams. In fact, I would say that that describes this restaurant. It was a wonderful, wonderful experience.

Great date night spot. My wife and I went for our anniversary' dinner in Toronto. The place is…read morehidden so just look for the sign. The ambiance walking in is astounding with all the lighting. It's dim but they have cool light show during dinner. It's a small place but the food was top tier. Sea bass was phenomenal! Get the whole sea bass and thank me later. The sizzling shrimp was great but they only give you 5. Those truffle mashes potatoes melt in your mouth like butter. The service was a little slow but the food made up for it. It looks like the restaurant turns into a night club later in the night. Great place

To not come here would be a MIS-STEAK! It's very elegant, sophisticated, but casual...or upscale…read more If you're dropping a kid off at college a need a celebratory meal, this is it. The steak is delicious and the ambience is unmatched in the downtown area.

Preface by stating we were in a large group in the private cellar…read more Service was excellent - 5 stars. Friendly, engaged, accommodating and quick! Wine selection is outstanding and we enjoyed some really excellent South African reds. Food - appetizer platter of oysters and HUGE shrimp etc was very good. Appetizer Caesar salad was okay-ish. Was underdressed and not certain it was well washed. Had that slight bitterness from unwashed salad. Steak - really was a let down. Not seasoned that I could tell and way over cooked. Medium rare ordered, past well done delivered. Dry and tasteless. Being in such a large group I didn't bother sending back as I didn't have time. It's a shame because service and aesthetics of the cellar were wonderful. But you come here for a great steak and it was not there.

This is a lovely family run restaurant with excellent and unique creole and Cajun dishes. The…read moreservice by the owner, his son and all the staff was very friendly, attentive but not pretentious.The ambiance is more up scale. There is also a pizza oven that will open up soon, serving creole pizza. We enjoyed the seafood platter and definitely filling. When making our reservation, we told them it was our anniversary. They provided a beautiful dessert platter free of charge as well as a liqueur. I would highly recommend this place for a special occasion or for a night out.

What an absolute gem! We chose their new location to celebrate our wedding anniversary and were…read moreblown away. The modern, chic decor sets a wonderful ambiance, and the service was immediate and welcoming. The food was spectacular from start to finish. We started with fresh, warm bread, followed by a flavorful seafood gumbo loaded with meat, and a generous portion of two lightly breaded crab cakes. For our mains, the 10oz ribeye and 8oz tenderloin were seasoned and cooked to absolute perfection--compliments to the chef! They came with a lovely side of baby potatoes and vegetables. We capped off a perfect meal with a warm pecan tart and ice cream. I highly recommend coming here. We noticed they have a pizza oven and plan to add pizza to the menu soon; we already can't wait for our next visit to try it out! Ps parking wise, the restaurant is just off a residential neighborhood and parking is free. No need to pay for any parking, just remember to read signs.

I'd been curious about Holy Cow for a while, so when we had a little time to kill in between TIFF…read morescreenings, I figured what better excuse to finally pop in. We zeroed in on the lunch menu and I eventually opted for the Beef Don ("Beef chuck marinated in housemade BBQ sauce with Japanese steam rice"), which came with small bowls of potato salad and soup. I didn't know what to expect from that aforementioned potato salad, but it definitely hit the spot. Perhaps a touch too salty, but otherwise very satisfying. The soup was great, too. The main arrived shortly after that and was nice and hot. It's a tasty dish. The tender meat has a lot of flavor and the rice is a perfect accompaniment. I wish there was some tableside sauce I could've added, as I love a saucy rice dish, but that's a minor complaint. The service was efficient and friendly, and the ambiance was comfortable. Holy Cow is a cool little place.

I recently tried the Wagyu steak and overall had a good experience. The steak itself was flavorful…read moreand cooked well, with a rich taste that made it the highlight of the meal. My only criticism is that it was a bit on the salty side, which overshadowed the natural flavor of the beef. The restaurant itself was pleasant and offered good value for the price point. The atmosphere was comfortable, and the overall dining experience met expectations without trying to be overly fancy. Overall, it was a decent experience, and I'd consider coming back to try some of the other items on the menu.

Not only was the food incredible, the service blew everything else out of the water. Unfortunately…read moreI had come for the oysters to find out they had a new menu since I last checked, the rest of the food made up for it though. The vibe is clean and elegant, with low lighting that makes it very easy to relax. The bathrooms were very clean, the decor really hit the mark. Everything except the appetizer was a recommendation from Val, who was incredibly lovely and patient. The steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare, garlic potato mash was also amazing.. to top it off the crème brûlée was the best I've ever had. Special thanks for making my birthday dinner a little more special!

July 30, 2026 - I got the prime rib sandwich lunch meal, which came with a side of fries. The…read moresandwich was stuffed with caramelized onions, cheddar and roasted garlic mayo. They were very generous with the ribs, and the dipping sauce really hit the spot to top off an amazing meal. Although a bit pricey, the sandwich was really good.

Service was great. We had a most attentive server and to boot she got me the frites as for some…read morereason we got fries that were not quite as skinny as frites but more like French fries. They cook them in beef tallow which for me is a bonus cause that adds a lot of flavour. However I noticed a difference between the regular fries vs the frites. The frites were much better. The salad was amazing with the candied walnuts The steak was good. I still thought it was slightly overcooked for medium rare. We also had the one of the desserts. $20 for a slice of cake!! It was 5 layers and made in house. I would go back again though I might fuss over the doneness my steak next time. I was just happy to be there and enjoy their back patio which was so lovely in the summer. Though I did a wasp that just wouldn't leave for a while Overall it was good. 4 stars cause the steak did not arrive medium rare

Expectations were exceeded at J's…read more It started right when we walked in and the host offered to take our coats. Our server proceeded to explain their 2-course menu - candied walnut salad with a side of bread, a 10oz steak & UNLIMITED fries for $60/person We ordered our steak in medium-rare and it was so tender & juicy, paired with their butter sauce - it was heavenly What's better than unlimited fries is the fact that it's fresh out of the fryer! no cold soggy fries in da house ‍ it tasted like McDonald's fries but on CRACK After our meal, our server brought out 4 different types of dessert for us to choose - so boujee purr They rotate their dessert frequently. We went with the 4-layer red velvet cake with a layer of cheesecake in the middle. & since we mentioned to the host we're celebrating a birthday, they included a candle for a sweet touch Overall, great food, amazing service. 10/10 no notes.

Our first sojourn into the Alo family of restaurants…read more.. Ambiance: a hellacute "dinette" format with retro 70s stylings done with contemporary class. Perfectly lighted, which seems odd to say but yeah, it makes a difference. Service: Impeccable. Professional, friendly, helpful but also unobtrusive. Food: TL;DR: "ooh la la" We started with the torched hamachi crudo, which was a symphony of flavour on the palate. The fish was perfectly prepared and struck with just the right texture and char. The candied ginger hits with some zesty accompaniment. In another instant, you're transported to Southeast Asia with a soothing coconutty, tamarind (?) dressing and finally, your head turns (in a good way) when the jalapeño hits. Every bite was a trip. We were in a foodie trance when the next courses arrived. The triple fried French fries were as good as they sounded. There's no picture because my mouth was faster than my camera. The lobster & shrimp fritters were perfectly crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and packed with crustacean flavour. The sauce was another hit of tang and zest. I think the gastronomical term for how we ate them is "wolfing." The Brussels sprouts were smaller and more flavourful than you commonly find on menus featuring this on-trend appetizer. They were perfectly caramelized and seasoned. The peanuts offered a nice crunchy contrast. We finished with the lemon meringue pie which was a visual and sweet feast in and of itself. I favoured the crust and the meringue topping to the ultra sweet and tart filling but all three shone together in concert. The meringue especially was a gooey, marshmallowy party that spilled over the rest of the dessert. I finished with an Amaro Meletti, which was a nice caramel-cola flavoured digestif and would make a fantastic sorbet (hint to the chefs for a summer treat). Allez chez Aloette, gentile Aloette

We went there on a weekend with quite high expectation as it's been in Michelin stat list for…read moremultiple years in a row. Well, we were somewhat disappointed. The interior, especially the furniture needs a refresh. Service is good, our server was knowledgeable. We had the 12oz Prime Striploin medium-rare, Grilled Duo Lamb and Triple Cooked Fries. The presentation was nice, cooked with near perfection, except the fries. However, the selection of meat cut/quality really needs improvement. The price vs quality falls far below for a great rating.