The chef is an absolute culinary genius. He does rotate his menu, so expect your favorite dish from here may not always be on the menu, but you'll find your new favorite dish soon enough. read more

The kitchen is right by the front door when you walk in and smells amazing, I knew I was going to have a good dinner. Flavours were really really great and the dishes were Eastern European influenced. They're on their winter menu right now which is more rich and homey. The beef borscht was super tender and fell apart in your mouth. I also loved the winter fennel since I have a soft spot for roasted veggies. The sauce it was in was super good. Service was attentive and nice. The seating is one of those cozy intimate spots as well and can get quite loud if it's full. read more

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A quaint restaurant that makes for a cozy dining experience. Although, maybe too cozy as it was cramped. Service was attentive and very helpful. Digby Scallops with Leek Terrine: Id reccomend passing on this one. This dish consists of scallops, wrapped in leek terrine, topped with some caviar and served cold. The scallops were wonderful, and the caviar was quality. However, the leek terrine was not to my liking. It was far too fibrous and masked the other components. Stuffed Rabbit Saddle: A vast improvement over the terrine. The rabbit alongaide the sauce was bursting with flavor. My one complaint was that the rabbit meat was very lean, and the meat was almost taut. The foie gras helped even out the dish, and was the highlight for me. Dressed Beets: A wondeful partner to the ribeye. The beets were slightly sweet and refreshing. The beets provided a satisfying bite that was perfect with the softer squash. Having some of this as a palate cleanser in-between the ribeye was a killer combo. 30 Day Aged Ribeye: A beautiful cut of steak. The meat was cooked perfectly, the crust was just right, wonderfully salted, and the butter was phenomenal. Honey Cake: I enjoyed this dessert, but it wasn't very cake-like. Visually it looks more like a crepe cake. But texturally it gives custard or cream. Its a delicate flavor that is only slightly honey. The honey cream that comes with it is also very good. read more

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Amazing food, the foie gras scallop literally MELTS in my mouth. So flavorful and buttery. This was my favorite dish. The 30 day aged steak was decent, cooked to medium rare, topped with truffle bone marrow. Lastly we had the rabbit ragu ravioli, also delicious. Service was good, we got bar seating instead of dining room because they were fully booked. I loved the cat themed decoration inside. The open kitchen made it open but cozy at the same time. I really enjoyed looking and smelling the food as they're being operated. read more

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Always liked the 30day dry aged steak here. Also love the idea of rotational menu and the wine list is great! read more

Restaurant Stop - Dry aged steak - Comfort Food Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

We loved the old location and it took us way too long to visit the new location. But the instant we walked in we knew we were going to enjoy our evening. Music played quietly in the background as several patrons at the bar were arched forward over their plates supping with rapt intensity. People come here to eat and that is exactly what we had in mind. Repurposed old tavern furniture, wood-grain Arborite tables, salon style kitsch photo gallery (mostly cats), and general lived-in-look make for a casual shabby vibe that feels just right. The menu is short and to the point, but they do have daily special and weekend specials so keep your eye out for those. We started with one of the specials - a twist on the classic multi-layered Russian shuba salad, known commonly as Herring Under a Fur Coat. But in this update cured salmon stands in for herring - and a beautiful version it is. Or was, because - it disappeared. Delicious, salty, with a hit of lemon. Goes nicely with some wine. Then we moved to the terrine, which came as a generous portion with really delicious toasted dark bread, pickles, and caramelized onions. We shared it between the three of us and it could have been a main for one person looking for a light tasty meal. Then onto the borscht and crepes. The borscht here is a meaty delight. A superior version of this soup might be hard to find. A meal in a bowl topped off with sour cream and plenty of dill, served with a nutty dark bread perfect for dipping. And the mushroom crepes were incredibly flavorful, the mushroom umami punched up with a pungent roasted garlic puree and a fresh lick of sour cream. We finished with a slice of honey cake - which was a sweet treat. My only complaint was that the cake slice was a touch on the thin side - only because we wanted more of it (but in all honesty it was a bit svelte). We would have loved to have some khinkali (dumplings) but they only come up as specials some days. We had them at the old location and they are something special alright. So we will be back much sooner than later. Drop in for a bowl of borscht and beer at the bar, or settle in for a multi-course chow down. Either way Ossington Stop is an unpretentious oasis. read more

Restaurant Stop - Shuba Salad - with cured salmon. - Comfort Food Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Started off 2020 with a bang here!! This an updated review for Ossington Stop as of Jan 2020. Food: F-omg-omg-good, Denis (the owner-bar tender-chef-businessman one-man band) is a culinary genius. The borsch (red and velvety plus bread and fresh sour cream makes you feel so warm and bubbly on the inside) are delicious and the khinkali dumplings are the show stoppers. Do not leave this place until you've devoured at least 3 or 4 of these little steamed wonders. They are made fresh with Denis' own bare hands and SHOULD be sold in supermarkets everywhere. I could eat these every day! And then there's his a crepes that smell so buttery good, with the perfect sweet and savoury and drool til you bite build-up. My favourites are Denis' rotating specials, like the lamb chops and potatoes he once had, MASSIVE portions and the meat was cooked to perfection. Have you seen Denis' chef knife? Don't mess with him, just come and eat, drink, and be merry! If you're looking for a 5 star meal, hop on over. Tell him Will and Justin sent you and you'd like to feast like Royalty tonight. Pro tip: we usually start our bar circuit here, then head to EL Ruddy, Get Well, and finally a night cap at Communists Daughter. Amazing. read more

Now known simply as 'Stop' and located at 1543 Dundas West, I've had the pleasure of visiting both locations many times over the years. The owner, Denis, and his entire staff are some of the nicest, most genuine people I've ever met. Denis is also the chef and cooks delicious classic Russian dishes like khinkali, borscht, salmon in a fur coat and cabbage rolls. Everything is fresh, prepared in-house from scratch and worth every penny. There are usually rotating specials (ask your server) and on Sundays they serve "meat on a stick" - a skewer of charcoal grilled meat (usually pork, chicken or beef) expertly seasoned to perfection and melt-in-the-mouth good. My go-to dishes are the khinkali (obviously) and the rib eye steak when it's on special. Not cheap at $57 but it's huge (16oz) and is easily enough for two people. Beer choices on tap are simple - Lager or Pilsner, but there is an extensive liquor selection and plenty of choices for the wine enthusiast - admittedly not me. Check out their Instagram (@ossingtonstop) and message for reservations in advance as they can get very busy on weekends. I'd give them six stars if I could. Already looking forward to my next visit! read more

Restaurant Stop - Delicious khinkali dumplings and veal chop! - Comfort Food Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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First time trying this place as it just popped up in my neighborhood. I had the pork and beef cabbage rolls and the asparagus tart with caviar. It was delicious. Service is lovely. For dessert I had this angle cake layered with custard sitting in this lemon sauce (I think) - delicious. I'm gonna work my way through their menu. read more

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One of the best restaurants in the city. A gem that's so damn good I don't even want to post about it on here because then it will get too busy for little old me someday. But it deserves all the shine it can get. The food is OUT OF CONTROL good, and one of the only places to get amazing russian food in the city. Cool vibe, amazing staff, great lighting...ice cold drinks and did I mention the lighting? LOVE this spot. Or should I say Stop. Or should I say Stizzop. Either way... go there. NOW. They deserve all the support and good people that frequent there. I want my Childrens children to be able to go there one day read more

This place is a hidden gem. It's one of our favourite spots in the area, consistently good quality. It's a one man operation and you can tell the care that he puts in every meal. Khinkali dumplings with sour cream and the borscht is AMAZING! We've done takeout once during the pandemic, will need to revisit soon. read more

Restaurant Stop - Khinkali with cabbage rolls and potatoes (takeout) - Comfort Food Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Russian language and Russian pop / rock / folk music flows in this intimate, low-lit pub. Come for the beer, stay for the borscht! I've had the borscht several times and the balance of ingredients varies from visit to visit - every time it's delectable! This is a classic Russian borscht - forget about clear beet broth, this is full of veg, meat and potatoes. It's the best borscht in town. Soft meat, perfect potatoes, the right pinch of fresh dill, generous helping of smetana (sour cream). The huge bowl of borscht comes with some amazing fresh rye, but come hungrier so you don't have to stop there. Get a couple khinkali (steamed meat dumplings) as well. The texture of the meat filling is spot-on, just enough chopped onion. They're served sprinkled with black pepper and served with an amazing hot pepper mixture (the best adjika I've ever had). Your chef here is your bartender, your server and your greeter here, and he takes a lot of care with the food, drink, and atmosphere! Support this yummy place! read more

Love this place. Staff is great and the food is amazing. I usually go for the khinkali dumplings but have tried most everything on the menu. Great food. Huge portions. Never disappoints. And keep an eye on their specials. If you get lucky you might just pop in on 1/2 price wine night! read more

Run don't walk. Creative and delicious Russian cuisine served here. Service is great but the food is the real stand out. Russian food is more then just borscht and the chef here does a fabulous job of delivering on that promise. Please order copious amounts of vodka and do not forget the pickle plate. read more

I almost reviewed this place the first week it was open, and I'm glad I waited. This candlelit snack bar with drink specials is really coming into its own. This corner isn't necessarily known for its drink specials, so when I can get a shot and a pint for $9 without leaving my hood, I'm a happy little lady. I look forward to returning (when I'm not out on a strictly-liquid evening) to this tiny stop and trying their fabulous looking food. read more

Restaurant Stop - a woman working on her laptop - Comfort Food Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

It's a small dark bar that offers a short interesting menu. The prices can be a little steep but the food is tasty. I was disappointed that the cabbage rolls were not on the menu. I'll start with my least favourite to most favourite. The cured pork belly needs to be eaten along with the pickles and garlic. The pork belly on its own was just fat and was cut perhaps a little too thick. Considering the amount of fat, the portion could be smaller too. The dumplings are delicious, I think the filling was pork and onion. I would get more of those. The borsch was the best part. A nice big bowl with lots of ingredients. I have no idea how authentic it is but I enjoyed it. It's pricy but worth it. There is just one window that let's in a slight breeze and it can be quite warm after a while so don't over dress. Service was great and they were quick with our order. I would come again on a cool day. read more

Tiny hole in the wall with beer and perogies what could be bad? I had a very reasonably priced Jameson here and enjoyed the ambiance and friendly service. Seems like there are only 10 seats. The perogies and borsch smelled amazing. I'm keen to go back and try the food. read more

Wooow! I went to Ossington Stop around to 3 times with friends and all times the staff is very very friendly and easygoing. You can order different combinations. The owner is the chef. The Cabagge Roll is perfect! Is to die!!!! I really recommend read more

We went there on a hot summer night for some good music and some cheap beers and that's just what we got! The bartender was super friendly and the small space allows for conversation with other bar-goers. Though early in the evening it was pretty empty we were told that it usually fills up later in the evening, which it did. Over all, fun intimate atmosphere and great vibe. Of note though - they don't do mixed drinks, so you are limited to beer or straight liquor. read more

The Ossington Stop will be my new neighbourhood go-to spot for drinks and a meal with friends. It has a friendly vibe and the food is affordable, healthy, and fresh. I shared the following things with one other person: stuffed crepe with mushrooms and kale, 2 khinkali dumplings, and borsch. Dennis, the owner and operator, is really friendly and flexible. He served us sweet crepes for dessert even though these aren't on the menu. I'll be back! read more

Most likely my absolute favourite restaurant/bar in Toronto. Denys is an incredible host, chef, bartender and server... He is all the things! He makes each experience thoughtful while serving you the most delicious, authentic Russian dishes. The space is relatively small, candle-lit (yet still dark) and covered in artwork and rock memorabilia. Speakers pump metal, or rock and roll or traditional Russian songs that you cannot help but give in to. I could go on and on over the menu, but I will simply leave it as this: Try the borscht. Try the khinkali. Try the cabbage rolls. And if it's still on the menu, ask for the beet salad. read more

Service: It's a one man show here, where the owner is the chef, bartender, cashier, and server. He's usually pretty tentative, but when the bar gets crowded it might be hard getting a drink. Ambiance: It's a really small shop with a few high top tables. Good if you are going in as small group. Food: Haven't gotten a chance to try the food yet, but they have a pretty good selection of beers and specials. read more

My favorite bar in Toronto. The drink menu is a bit small, but they have great food which the owner makes himself and they serve some Russian snacks which you can rarely find. I like the music the play and the owner is a super nice dude. read more

I made reservations to come to this restaurant for my mother-in-law's birthday for three people. I was looking forward to having an authentic Russian dinner and having a good time. Upon our arrival the waitress did not seat us properly, she just pointed to where we're sitting which is against the window and did not say anything except I'll get your water. We weren't sure if the table was ready for us yet so we were standing there Clueless. The sad part was we were seated against the window not even facing each other. Seatrd on bar stools as well and my mother-in-law cannot sit on it cuz of her back. The dining room had two large dinner parties set up. One table was full the other table was waiting for the guests. We got so disappointed, who wants to sit up against the window for a birthday dinner and not face each other. If the restaurant is full and you cannot accommodate then give me a heads up and I'll cancel my reservations. We drive 45 minutes to the restaurant and 30 minutes back home. Waste of time. Give your guests a heads up if you seat them against a window on high chairs. Or at least try to accommodate. read more

The food is incredible, and really cheap. Great service, and it's tiny so it stays pretty low-key.

Great and affordable spot for dinner and drinks. The short menu filled with hearty Eastern European classics is an instant win. Do not miss the dumplings. The mac and cheese is covered in fried delicious bits, which will leave you drooling for more. read more

a single person bar; the bartender is the chef+bartender+server, who is not only not very professional, but also can slur some rude and racist comments. Could have been a very cozy and interesting place for drinks. read more

Poor service, treated my friends and I like we didn't exist. Previously it was OK (which is hard to imagine considering it wasn't great in the 1st place) but has degraded in the last 3mos. I'm basing this review mostly on previous experiences, based on this experience I would give it 1/5. read more

The Ossington Stop is one of the best spots in the neighbourhood. Dennis the owner and chef is a mastermind when it comes to good eats, and good service. Its a great place to indulge without breaking the bank. read more

Best Russian food I've had in the city, cheap drinks, great atmosphere and great people! The music is awesome, owner does a great job trying to accommodate everybody at once. 10/10 would recommend! read more

Dennis is a real jerk, certainly not a personality you'd want to know. His cooking abilities are second rate anyways, the place had such great potential when it opened but Dennis let the place slip. When did Russian cuisine become popular? Oh yeah it didn't read more

I'm so glad that this place came into our lives. This is the perfect spot for those days when you just want a quick meal and/or drink without having to wait around all night. The prices are refreshingly reasonable amd the food is delicious and healthy. I've had the pulled pork tacos, chicken tacos, kale salad, and ribs with coleslaw. I'd get them all again and again. They have beer, shots, beer/shot specials and wine, but "no mixed drinks." We are hoping they will get some more scotch options soon (Buffalo Trace? Johnny Walker Black?). The service has been lovely. Love their motto too: "we feed the masses." read more