I came here a while ago, so the menu items may not be current, but I believe some may still be…read morethere. I came here solo, and the staff was absolutely lovely. My waitress was so kind and helpful, and she was the perfect amount of attentive. The birria was good, but not the best I've had. It just lacked a little depth of flavor. The chicken skewers were well-seasoned but somewhat dry, but still enjoyable. For me the real star of the show was the popsicle dessert. It was floral, but in a pleasant way. This day was nice and warm, so the refreshing dessert was a perfect ending. A cute stop for a girls night out or a date night.

Spain might be out of reach to the most of us, but not when you're going to Bar Chica. Situated…read morealong the hip stretch of Portland street. Chica is nothing but concentrated flavor. The server, Kerima, was absolutely amazing. My wine glass seemed to fill itself. The food was equal parts star with the croquettes and crispy eggplant leading the way. The imberico ham was melt in your mouth and the Beef Picanha was a nice way to round out the meal. The vibe is great with on point decor and a DJ spinning great tunes. In the game of life there are throwaway meals and memorable ones. Let Chica be the canvas for one of the good ones.

This is a great spot if you're looking for a fun night out with shareable small plates. The space…read morehas a really nice vibe, with a beautiful interior and plenty of tables, making it feel lively without being overcrowded. We ordered the ceviche, tartare, branzino, truffle gnocchi, and chopped salad. Everything was delicious, but the standouts for me were definitely the branzino, the ceviche, and the chopped salad. Those three dishes complemented each other really well and were the highlights of the meal. The truffle gnocchi was okay, but much richer and heavier than I expected, so it's probably best to share. The tartare itself was excellent, though I wasn't a fan of the chips it came with. The food came out quickly, and the service was friendly and attentive throughout the meal. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this place if you're looking for quality tapas style small plates, good drinks, and a great atmosphere.

Dropped in for dessert after having dinner nearby…read more Place is very dingy feeling. I've been here before and know the food is great, but the dingy feeling is so prevalent it feels a touch unclean. Staff was fantastic. We were given a glass of prosecco for our wait and a dessert was comped because it was a birthday. Aside from getting free stuff, the attitudes of the staff were great. We sat at the chefs counter and had a chance to chat several times with the cooks. Sticky bun: delicious and creamy. Candied bacon was a nice touch. Ice cream sandwich: ok. Cardamom was a touch overpowering. Texture was nice. Down by the way drink: Apparently award winning. It was nice but not my style. More my fault than theirs. Several main dishes looked very nice like the burger and the fish. Will be back to try other things too.

Paella anyone? I bet you haven't heard that in a while. And…read morehonestly, who knew it was such a Portuguese thing too? We all know Spain made it famous, but Portugal? INSANE. Back to why I do this. I'm endlessly curious about food, people, and the magic that happens when great meals meet good music. Friendships just seem to evolve naturally around a table. And thank you, E, for another incredible photo -- your choices are always perfect. Mercado on St. Clair is a hidden gem. What was once beside my mom's flower shop downtown has now found a home in a slightly more industrial setting on Caledonia -- and somehow, it works perfectly. Cozy seating inside, a great covered patio outside, and that village-style European restaurant vibe you hope to stumble across. First off, the waiter was phenomenal. He walked us through the menu, explained everything perfectly, and genuinely elevated the whole experience. The menu is massive -- meat, seafood, everything you could want -- but we came for the paella. We were told it takes time because they make it the proper way. Not overly crispy, just authentic, rich, and layered with flavour. Worth every minute of the wait. To start, we had the gambas / shrimp in a rich red garlic and herb sauce plus extra toasted bread for dipping, per our waiter's recommendation. Absolute rockstar move. The other appetizer was a delicious beef stew served over crunchy rustic bread. Simple, hearty, and top notch. Now... drum roll please. This may have been the best paella I've ever had. Okay okay, maybe somewhere along the coast in Spain I've had one fresher... but this was absolutely off the charts. Zero fishy smell. Just beautiful saffron-infused rice with that perfect slight crisp, loaded with mussels, clams, octopus, calamari, shrimp, and more. Built for two people to share and completely unforgettable. A few glasses of house white later and bam - there was absolutely no chance I was going back to work. And dessert? I kept telling myself: "No dessert, Frank. No dessert." But there's a rule in life ; if you see crème brûlée on a menu, you order it. This wasn't exactly crème brûlée, but a cheesecake-inspired version of it. Two spoons, four bites, and thank you very much. Favourite meal of the year so far. Completely blown away by this place. Mercatto -- go now. Go fast.

I was there for my birthday and this place didn't disappoint, even on a Monday…read more The atmosphere was calming and refreshing with an upbeat fun whimsical garden. Service was friendly and prompt. The food was delicious. We were a party of thee and ordered a plater that served us well. All ate from the Beira Mar platter and all meats and seafood were cooked well to order. Fantastic place for a night out or a get together with other friends family or special occasion.

My birthday dinner at Beso by Patria was nothing short of exceptional- it turned out to be the most…read morememorable dining experiences we've had in Toronto. Every dish was beautifully prepared: bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. What truly set Beso apart, however, was the hospitality. Despite the restaurant being incredibly busy, Bryan, our mixologist and bartender, and Krisztina, the general manager and sommelier, took the time to chat with us throughout the evening. They shared their knowledge of the menu and wines helping us with our choices. They both transformed a fantastic meal into a truly memorable experience. The evening ended with a personalized birthday dessert! It's rare to find a restaurant that combines outstanding food with such authentic, heartfelt hospitality. Even on a packed night, the team made us feel like we were their only guests. We can't wait to return!

I had such a great experience at Beso by Patria. The space has a really warm, slightly upscale vibe…read morewithout feeling too formal, which I loved right away. We ordered a mix of dishes to share, and everything came out beautifully presented. The flavors felt very balanced--nothing overly heavy, just really well thought out. The seafood was especially fresh, and the tapas-style plates made it fun to try a bit of everything. Service was attentive without being intrusive, and the pacing of the meal felt just right. It's the kind of place you can come for a relaxed evening but still feel like you're treating yourself a little. Definitely a spot I'd come back to, especially with friends so we can order more and share.

So fun! A colleague recommended this place and I walked by yesterday night (a Friday) and it was…read morepacked! Fun vibes leaking out onto the streets and lots of chatter and conversation. I was able to score a table for 4 today (Saturday) for lunch and had a great vermut with some fizz. We had three adults and a little baby. We got the prix fixe meant for 2 people and added a few other dishes to supplement. The prix fixe included: Shishito peppers, simply roasted and topped with flakey salt Pan con tomate, better than the ones I had yesterday... the sourdough bread they make themselves in house. Think, crusty, topped with great olive oil. We ended up ordering a side of just bread and olive oil because we loved it so much. Papas bravas, a touch spicy. Lots of scallions. I thought they were just alright, but my friend devoured them. We chose the manchego over the chorizo (one of my friends is a pescatarian) and we enjoyed that. The star was the octopus and our additional order of the mushrooms with cured egg yolks. The octopus was so tender and yet crispy at the tentacles. The mushrooms were just scrumptious!! My absolute favorite. Crispy, meaty, topped with some greens that went nicely with the oyster mushrooms. To finish, we had basque for dessert. Umm can't believe it's the first time I had this! Wow, so delicious.

Came here for a date night and I really wanted to love Bar Isabel, but was a little disappointed…read more There was a lot of hype around the restaurant, but the food was just average. We ordered the Sea Bream Ceviche and chips, quarter Octopus and Patatas Bravas. The highlight was the ceviche. The octopus was unfortunately a little overdone, which made it tough. I would absolutely not order the patatas bravas again. The potatoes were very dry and tasted as if they had been sitting out for some time. We also sat at the bar and had a few ordered of cocktails with the food. Be aware that the bar itself slopes down towards you. With that being said, my partner put her drink down on the sloped part and it fell all over both of us, with the bartender seeing it all unfold. He was nice in providing some extra napkins to dry ourselves off, but all he had to offer was "Yup that happens a lot" as opposed to maybe offering to remake the drink which was now 2/3 empty as a result. Was a little disappointed at that service in particular, especially when you're paying upwards of $18 for a small cocktail. The atmosphere was good, however. IF I were to give it another try, I'd probably just opt for drinks and skip the food, which was a little pricier for what you're getting portion-wise and quality.

I've been to 416 Snack Bar many times, and it's one of my favorite places when I'm in the mood to…read moreeat a little bit of different things. Their menu is built around small plates, which makes it easy to order a few dishes to share or sample different flavors in one visit. My favorite item is the lamb sandwich. I order it almost every time because it's just that good. Another reason I love this place is that it's open late into the night. After an event or a night out, it's one of my favorite spots to stop for something delicious when most kitchens are already closed. I also like that the menu changes from time to time. There are always some familiar favorites, but it's fun to come back and discover new dishes as well. The atmosphere is another highlight. The space is small and intimate, with dim lighting, candles on the tables, and sometimes a DJ playing music in the background. It has a cozy, relaxed vibe that makes it a great place to spend an evening. It's one of those restaurants I find myself coming back to again and again.

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!

Good ambience for friends to get together . There is outdoor patio. Service is good. We order prixe…read morefor $98 with multiple tappas. I like half of them only. Hence I only give it 4 stars.

This was a fun place! It's a little tight in there, I won't lie, but once I was seated things were…read morefine. I'll add that I wasn't in the best mood when I came in but this place changed it. We ordered the avocado flatbread (which I didn't try but my friend said was very good), the chicken lettuce wraps, chorizo croquetta, spinach croquetta, and something else I can't remember. But honestly, it was all good. Very good flavors! Our waiter then brought over some sort of digestif that tasted like cherry to me, also good and unexpected! There are such unique tapas and pairings, I would love to come back and try more!

Hands down this is the best restaurant in Toronto. Came across Byblos on accident and now it is a…read morepermanent stop for me anytime I am in the city. I got the harissa roasted half chicken and it was excellent. I guess the secret lies somewhere between the recipe and their charcoal grill that they are grandfathered into having. Nothing on the rest of the menu misses either. Short rib Kebab, stuffed olives, everything. Great atmosphere, great service, and easily one of my favorite meals in Toronto.

Really enjoyed my night at Byblos. The vibe is super chic but not too formal. I love that the menu…read moreis designed for sharing, so you get to try a little bit of everything. Everything we ordered was flavorful and well-balanced. Also loved the cocktails. Great spot if you're looking for something a bit different from the usual dinner places.