I went here for breakfast one morning and had no idea what to expect. It's really beautiful and the service was decent. The servings were much larger than I was expecting so in that way it could make it worth the price tag however, the food was nothing to write home about. It was decent. I got steak and eggs and it came with a bunch of items on the side that were nice but the steak itself was chewy and the seasoning was not for me. read more

[LOCATION] - 5/5 This place is located at Spadina Avenue and Richmond Street West. Plenty of cool shops in the to explore before/after your meal here, especially if you venture off to Queen Street West. [SERVICE] - 5/5 Hands down the best service ever. Our server even gave us a tour of the brunch buffet! She always checked on our table, was professional, yet also super personable. [DÉCOR] - 5/5 So elegant and beautiful. The placement of every single piece of decor was well thought-out and extremely aesthetically-pleasing. [QUALITY] - 5/5 Mind-blowingly high-quality and fresh ingredients for a brunch buffet. [ORDER] - 5/5 - Sunday Jazz Brunch Buffet - $59.00: the highlight of this brunch buffet was definitely the seafood station with cocktail shrimps, fresh oysters, and scallops. The meats were also cooked to perfection, and there were ample varieties of salads and other greens. There's also a station where the chef prepares a fresh omelettes and foie grois. [OVERALL] - 5/5 My visit to Ricarda's was hands down one of my favourite dining experiences. From the top-quality service and live Jazz music to the value of the food, I would definitely recommend this place for special occasions, or if you just want to enjoy a phenomenal Sunday brunch buffet read more

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4.5 Stars! Likes: - Service was efficient and pleasant, and our waitress was very knowledgeable about the dishes. - Food was delicious. The chefs were thoughtful and deliberate with small touches that elevated each dish. - Lovely open concept kitchen with high ceilings in the dining room. Not as impressed: - Can't really think of any I came here with 2 of my girlfriends and we all enjoyed this dinner. We ordered the following dishes: Char-Grilled Octopus ($19) - The octopus tentacles were tender and I enjoyed the Mediterranean influence in the dish. I love both black olives and plum tomatoes, so it was a perfect combination for me. The fresh piquiollo gremolata was bright and had a mild sweetness to it. The israeli couscous was fried and added a nice crispy element to the dish. Carnaroli Risotto ($22) - The presentation of this dish was not particularly appetizing, but the whiff of truffle oil immediately caught my attention. The risotto was rich, creamy and just delicious! The parsley and hibuscus sea salt added brightness to this otherwise heavy dish. And the unexpected hint of floral flavour somehow worked. This was definitely one of my favourites for the night. Milano Flatbreads ($17) - The melted cheese and artichokes were my favourite toppings. I also liked the earthy mushrooms which of course paired perfectly with truffle oil. Overall, I enjoyed the flatbread, although this isn't a must order in my view since there were so many other delicious choices. Aged Balsamic Glazed Brome Lake Duck Breast ($27) - The risotto had some stiff competition as I couldn't quite decide which dish I enjoyed more. The duck breast was rich and flavourful and the parsnip puree and figs added a nice sweetness to the dish. The creamer potatoes and mushrooms complimented the dish well and we almost licked the plate clean! Ricarda's Signature Tiramisu ($10) - The tiramisu was a nice finish, although I was more impressed with the savoury dishes here. The tiramisu was wrapped in a thin piece of dark chocolate, which although tasty, I prefer the traditional version a lot more. Overall, I really enjoyed the meal and I have every intention to return! read more

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Came here for my friend's birthday dinner and was pleasantly surprised by their sharing menu option. Perfect for sharing between two people, for $80, you can choose from the menu a starter, a pasta, a main and a dessert. We had a big group so we tried a lot of different things from the menu. Note that although we had 9 people we were not required to do any prix fix menus which was great. The service was a little slow so it might not be ideal if you are in a rush. For starter I recommend the charcuterie board because that alone is already $28 so you definitely get your value for money if you do the sharing menu. Or I would recommend the Provimi Veal Carpaccio, which is raw veal with truffle honey drizzle, very tasty and generous portions. For pasta, the group seemed to have enjoyed the shrimp and oyster mushroom ravioli more than the black truffle risotto. For main, my friends really enjoyed the rack of lamb with Pistachio Crust (I don't eat lamb so I skipped out on that). To wrap up the meal, the tiramisu was average but very nicely plated. Overall the food was decent and the sharing menu was really good value for money. I would return to this restaurant. read more

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I saw this place at Richmond St a few times and decided to try it out! The restaurant is owned by a French Couple and was relaunched in January this year! The decor designed is fantastic and you can see the effort taken to maintain good quality of food and service. We tried the Southern French Vegetable Soup, which was very nicely cooked. I could never imagine pesto sauce and pine nuts in a soup but the chef did a great job. While the Vegetarian Burger was very messy to eat, it was worth the effort! It was stuffed with corn patty and came with in house sauce. It also came with hand cut fries, which were not cooked properly... I tried almond cake for desserts. It was good for the first time but probably too sweet for my platter. read more

Ricarda's - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

4.5/5 for my experience planning a major event and for bakery food! After getting feedback from past formal events, one organizer recommended that we look into Ricarda's. The people my team worked with were experienced and made our jobs a lot easier. One of the biggest concern was quantity of food. The event planning team at Ricarda's gave us plenty of (quality) food. We had stations serving pasta, mediterranean food, antipasti, and of course, a dessert station. It was also for a very reasonable price, in comparison to hosting events at Oliver and Bonacini spaces. Venue - Ricarda's is situated inside a larger building with security. We gained access to the "upper deck", which consisted of several couches and a perfect place for people to stay when they want to step away from the heart of the dance floor/party. Overall, very spacious and accessible by transit. Food - The food I at at my event was spectacular. During one of my pre-event visits, I picked up a lemon raspberry croissant. The lemon filling was oozing out of the flakey, buttery pastry. I love how the pastry had pink highlights, differentiating it from other croissants. I would definitely come back to try their sit down menu and of course, host another event here. read more

I'm still coming off cloud nine as my husband and I spent over two glorious hours here for Ricarda's Mother's Day brunch. I'm so thankful they were able to squeeze us in as I inquired the day before since we were going to be in the area. The service, from the hostess seating us, to our server -- and everyone commandeering their buffet stations-- was spectacular. The ambiance is quaint with rustic and inviting modern vibes. This buffet -- that was split by cuisine across countertops-- was better than yummy. I loaded up on salad assortment after salad assortment (yes, I am the one who likely used up all the white balsamic dressing) that was simple yet so delicious with all the toppings. There was steak, salmon, a breakfast area, oysters for the bougie, antipasto, and a dessert area with the most delicious treats -- including personalized créme brulee and a fudge type concoction in an edible chocolate cup. Everything hit the spot and was so perfect, including the live jazz and kids club option that allowed me and my husband to enjoy adult beverages and adult conversation without our rugrats interrupting. I'm so thankful we got to experience the brunch and wish we lived nearby! read more

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I made a reservation to come here for my friend's baby shower brunch. I actually called to make the reservation, and was told that the person that organizes the Sunday Jazz brunch wasn't in but she would call me in a couple of days. I never got a phone call so I made a reservation on Open Table just to be safe. Shortly after I got a call advising I had to leave a credit card for the reservation. I told her that I had called previously, so there wouldn't be duplicate reservations...turns out the reservation was never made when I called, nor was the person that organizes the brunch told. So good thing I went on Open Table. The restaurant is beautiful. Unfortunately we were seated in the atrium, which meant that it was essentially "regular" brunch b/c the jazz band was in the restaurant, and there were no speakers in the atrium. It was disappointed that we paid a premium for a "jazz brunch" but only got half of the deal. While the food was alright, it was way overpriced IMO. I've been to other Sunday jazz brunches for the same, or lower prices, and you get either unlimited or even a couple of drinks included. Not here. They have a pasta station where you place your order and they give you a buzzer when it's ready. I ordered the special. It took FOREVER. The pasta was essentially my dessert. And the portion was SO tiny. I know I could go back and get more, but didn't really feel like waiting again. I was really looking forward to checking this place out. It was okay, but I've been to better Sunday brunches and I think I'll stick with those. read more

Came here a bunch of times as its so close to my office, got snacks and lunch a few times on a weekday and for their weekend brunch. There's usually a lot of tables available but its also not empty, ,but quiet enough to chat. Firstly the space is beautiful, tiled floors high ceilings, green wall, plush velvet chairs! When you walk by you can watch and SMELL all the pastries being made in the morning, it really calls you in. For the weekday lunch I got a risotto, but it actually came as pearl couscous like not actual risotto rice which was a little disappointing. The portion was a bit smaller for the price, but there was lots of mushroom and truffle taste, really savory and came out hot. But $20 for a weekday lunch is on the pricier side, but great for a business power lunch. On the weekend, I came once with a large group. They take reservations for brunch so good for parties. They do walk around with a tray of pastries and offer one to you, they look tempting but do know they charge for it and its not free. Some people thought it was included, but its not. I got the duck confit hash, the raisins added a great sweetness, lots of texture happening with the crunchy almonds and the portion size was good. Eggs were runny and it came with a salad no complaints here. One of my friends got the steak and eggs and unfortunately the steak came really underdone, she sent it back and they made her a new one but it was still poorly cooked according to her. Everyone else in the party had no problems with their meals though. Their stuffed croissants are delicious though, really buttery and flakey with lots of filling whichever flavor you get. Coffees and lattes are good, but not cheap. They also do a lot of catering for my office building, great breakfast sandwiches with eggs and sausage. You can also rent the lobby of the building and I've seen them put together beautiful dinners and receptions as I walk by. read more

Ricarda's - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Came for the Monday $2 any drink (espresso based) special and left with a flat white and a beef sandwich. A beautiful but overly priced restaurant/menu. The sandwich was crafted well, a bit over salted with the finishing salt though. The flat white was strong and could use a bit more micro foaming technique. All in all I would come back for the coffee. There are tables that surrounds the restaurant on the outside for those grabbing from the quick-to-go counter. This is nice since it is a much more toned down relaxed environment than the beautifully designed upscale on the inside. More sustainable methods should be considered since their bins are always overflowing and well, looks really bad with all the paper cups, plastic lids, stir sticks etc that are clearly going to the landfill. Would love to come for dinner but the menu and the price, to me doesn't seem worth it. Just my two cents. read more

Ricarda's - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Ricarda's has been on our bucket list for quite a while. We walked in and were seated at the bar fairly quickly. There are a couple of things that caught our attention right away: the Jazz was great, the ambiance was definitely note-worthy. Unlike a lot of the brunch places downtown, the area was spacious so you didn't feel like you were having breakfast with the neighbouring table because of how close we sit. Most of the food was fresh and good quality but I would have liked to see more selection considering the brunch price. They had a selection of charcuterie, pastas/grains, salads, hot food, seafood and pastries. Considering it was a brunch menu, I wish I would have seen more classic breakfast items incorporated into the menu. For example, there was one omelette station but the eggs were soggy and not well cooked. Now, I think there's a reason this review is 2-star: the price and the service. The service was likely the worst service I have received in any restaurant. We were seated at the bar and when we came in, the bartender asked us if there was anything to drink. We didn't want anything except water. After that, the service was just neglectful. The servers didn't take away our plates regularly so at one point I was stacking them up myself in the corner of the bar. They did not refill our water or even our cutlery. When we asked for new cutlery, it seemed like we were asking them for a lot. Maybe sitting at a table would have been different. Maybe the bartenders are not trained to serve people directly seated at the bar but if so, people should not be seated at the bar. Our standard is informed by the price. If we were paying 50$, it would have been different than paying 150$ for two people and bad service. read more

The interior of Ricarda's reminds me of a classy high end version of the Eaton Centre food court. It's not a knock on them that's just how I felt (keep in mind that the current rendition of the EatonCentre food court is pretty well furnished). The overall takeaway from the experience was the food was enjoyable but the service is pretty raw for the type of clientele they are trying to serve. I booked for an early lunch on a weekday so the place was not super busy when I arrived. The hostess never asked if I wanted to check my coat while I noticed that others were offered the service. Not a deal breaker. I ordered off of the Winterlicious menu quite quickly as I noticed the traffic was starting to pick up. When the server confirmed my order I noticed that he was pronouncing bouillabaisse properly by adding an accent aigu on the last e (I think it's important for servers to be able to pronounce the food names). First course was a wild rice and mushroom veloute with caramelized bacon, poached eggs and baby spinach. The dish had a good mushroom taste which would remind you of a well done cream of mushroom soup. The roux had the right consistency which was not too watery or thick. The mushroom taste struck a fine balance of complementing the egg and yet being able to mask the husky taste of the wild rice and the fuzzy taste of the spinach. The egg was also done perfectly, so good that the yolk slipped out of my fork at a low height between my utensils and my plate and the impact of it hitting the side of the plate meant part of the yolk was oozing onto the table. After I finished my appetizer I apologize to the server for the mess I created and he diligently swept the mess with a towel. However the sweeping was done directly toward the direction where I was sitting. Yes he was using a plate to catch the stuff but what if he missed? There's definitely a potential for a laundry bill here if there was a slip of a hand. Next the much anticipated bouillabaisse. As with the first dish the server did not identify what the dish was before putting it on my table (maybe that's by design since there's a slightly more casual vibe to this place?). I was so looking forward to the bouillabaisse since I never had a chance to try it when I was in Provence years back. The stew was a concoction of different fish and shellfish stocks and herbs. I was really impressed by the garlicky rouille sauce that provided an effective contrast yet didn't take over the entire dish. There was a super thin slice of crunchy bread with slight spiciness on it. The seafood that was present in the stew was ok not the best you will get. Shrimp was standard, scallop was quite large but a bit on the salty side, the European sea bass fillet was solid and the mussels were quite small. I wish the seafood was at least of slightly better caliber but I guess I shouldn't complain about it since it was from the Winterlicious menu. To end the meal I always had the intention of ordering the opera cake but for whatever reason I had a brain fart and ended up picking the mint chocolate pavlova. Fortunately I didn't regret my choice at the end. The pavlova did its job with a crunchy exterior and a chewy interior. The crackle cookie did not have an overwhelmingly strong chocolate taste. The mint mousse however was done just right - light and with a subtle natural menthol taste. After a satisfying meal I asked the server for the bill. He brought the machine and handed to me and stood behind me all this time. I know that he was not looking at my entry but still it's not the spot to be standing when people are paying. I would come back to try some pastries and cakes but they certainly have tons to work on to prep their servers accordingly to give patrons a well-rounded experience. Some personality would also be nice. A solid 3.5 stars with a generous rounding up score wise for Ricarda's. read more

Had the opportunity to stop by Ricarda's this morning for breakfast and was pleasantly surprised. Upon entering we were greeted immediately by courteous staff and were welcomed in to a room of great ambiance and sophistication. To my surprise the menu offered many options with reasonable price points. We chose the steak and eggs and eggs Benedict with salmon. The steak and eggs were incredible! Perfectly cooked steak to medium rare deliciousness and accompanied by tasty spices to boot. This dish came with seasoned fries and salad - both executed wonderfully. In fact, my wife immediately thought I ordered the best dish. That brings me to the eggs Benedict with salmon. While certainly not the best Benedict I have experienced, it also wasn't the worst. It was a bit oversaturated with butter, which overpowered the flavour - but all in all, remained serviceable. Overall, I would still strongly recommend Ricarda's. It offers excellent service, ambiance, and a great location in the downtown core. I'd recommend giving the steak and eggs a try and if you absolutely need to order a Benedict, please lower your bar slightly. read more

Ricarda's - Steak and Eggs - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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We came to Ricarda's in a party of 4 for dinner on an early Saturday night. It was fairly easy to get reservations, and got busier towards 8pm. We ordered: - black and yellow fettuccine - marinated salmon - grilled octopus - toula flatbread with spicy sausage and 2 sunny side up eggs - pork belly - yogurt cornish hen with a side salad of spring mix, dried figs, and dried apricots and a ratatouille. Highlights were the flatbread, cornish hen, and pork belly. The flavours and execution worked together very well - I love apple and pork, and the apple and bacon bits on the pork belly were delicious. The cornish hen was very moist, but the salad seemed to be an afterthought of greens thrown on the plate. The ratatouille was tasty, but slightly underwhelming- it was similar to chopped vegetables in a curry base. The bread was also a bit underwhelming for a place that makes their own bread (they have a bakery attached to the main restaurant for quick grab and go goods). Dessert was the rum baba, a cake with a flambé banana, rum ice cream, and rum soaked raisins. The cake was a bit of a bread like consistency, but the rum flavours were very strong. Overall it worked out to be roughly $160 without drinks, which was pretty reasonable! Overall, the flavours and execution was well done, but the dishes could be more interesting and creative. Would definitely come again to try their brunch and other menu items. read more

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Fantastic venu for a wedding. Staff was incredible. The staff didn't know I was vegan. Once I told them the entire menu changed and it was awesome. Hats off to this place. Well Worth what ever it costs for service like this. Thanks. read more

This is one of my favorite restaurants, I used to live nearby but even after I moved I still visit often! Went to brunch the other day and fell in love with Ricarda's all over again. The lamb confit with hash is excellent and hearty. The smoothie bowl will be my new go-to, so delicious and refreshing, great choice if you want something light. The service has been exceptionally every single time and the decor is beautiful! I plan on going back for their jazz brunch on Sunday's. read more

Ricarda's - The lamb confit - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Really enjoyed brunch at Ricarda's! I'm from nyc so I feel like I know brunch (nyc is the capital Of brunch!) and this place definitely scored high on my brunch scale. No bottomless but that's cool because their mimosas are made with freshly squeezed oj and their brunch menu is really good. I had their spinach quinoa burger and my husband had the lamb burger. Both super tasty! Our waitress Hillary was super sweet! Every Sunday they have a live jazz brunch. I would definitely go back next time I visit Toronto! read more

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I've been here a few times in the past few months for team lunches, it's one of my favourite spots in the area. The interior is beautifully designed with lots of light. There is a separate bakery area that sells baked goods, salads, and sandwiches for those who are on the go. Note: I've only come for the lunch service and have yet to come for dinner. From experience I've had very friendly servers. They're able to accommodate and serve large groups. They serve different daily specials so be sure to check them out! The food has always been great, I haven't been let down yet. The table bread is very delicious and it comes with what seems like a tomato based spread. If you're really hungry you could ask for refills. My favourite appetizer is the halloumi (cheese that has been lightly grilled). Sous vide salmon is really lovely, the salmon isn't overcooked and the skin is light and crispy. The octopus in that dish was also done really nicely. The only thing I will say is the risotto was a bit too watery for my liking but the flavours were good. I've had another salmon special and it seems like they're very consistent in how they cook their fish. I've gotten the power blend salad from the bakery and the staff was very nice when I asked if i could add protein to it. They really went out of their way to make it for me even though I was just inquiring about it. It's a great place with great food! read more

Ricarda's - Salmon sous vide - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Shopping on queen west and stopped by for a quick dinner bite. Decor is nice. Surprisingly not busy or filled dining area for a saturday night dt. Presentation of food was really nice. The food itself was mediocre - nothing special. Very reasonable price point. Would come back to try their pastries/dessert! read more

Ricarda's - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Winterlicious lunch was very average and Portions were small, I ordered Pan Seared Chermula Sea Bream which is pretty average. The mango chocolate tart is very sweet, Apple Ginger Sour Cream Cake was just apple pieces and bread nothing special. For appetizers Grilled Black Kale & Romaine Salad was interesting tasted okay, portion was small, my friends Sourdough Tartine was not good either. Service is really good. Below I attached photoshopped photos read more

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I am sort of on the fence between 3 and 4 - I would have given 4 stars for Ricarda's if I was a bit more impressed with the food for the price I paid. I went during Summerlicious and thought the service and decor were really superb. For the meal, I was a bit underwhelmed. I do not even remember what I had for the starter. For my main I had the fish was that was tasty but such a thin piece I was still hungry. For dessert I had a fancy cookie that the waiter talked up too much. Again, for the price, not worth it. But the atmosphere and wait staff were kind. Side note that was a cute touch - I was celebrating my engagement with my fiancé so they brought us a special dessert on the house which was very thoughtful. read more

Ricarda's - Fish dish for Summerlicious 2018 - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Came here for Sunday Jazz Brunch. Lots of selection on food choices: shrimp cocktails Raw oysters Pasta bar Foie gras & omlette Waffles/ crepes and many other options !! My favorite part of my meal must be the foie gras & omlette !! Brunch is $55 per person (includes drip coffees) Service is excellent, Ambience is nice - they have musicians playing instruments live !!! Overall, would definitely come back again :) read more

Ricarda's - Multiple foie gras lol - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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We were here for dinner and I was really underwhelmed. The place lacked much energy and was mostly empty. I found the appetizers and main dish as good but nothing special. I guess I expected more from the branzino that I ordered - it just lacked something. The flatbread fell flat as no one wanted to finish it among 6 people. Not a great sign. I will say the service from the second we walked in was excellent. read more

Came here for an early Mother's Day lunch and was really impressed. The food is very reasonably priced, good sized portions and tastes delicious. For the starter I had the crab bisque which had chunks of real crab meat and for my main I ordered the seafood risotto which was creamy and had three huge shrimp! My dad got the lamb burger which was cooked to perfection and my mom ordered the lobster linguine which had lovely hand made noodles. For dessert we had the tiramisu which was wrapped in a perfect dark chocolate shell. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful and spacious and the service was attentive. read more

Ricarda's - Tiramisu - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Super disappointing lunch at Ricarda's today. I'd never been before but it's close to my office and we were welcoming a new team member. People trust me for food reviews and I was embarrassed I suggested this place. First, service was awful. She was so slow, which I could have forgiven if it was lunch rush but we were sat just before 1 pm. By the time we were done the place was empty. An example of the poor service is I ordered a make your own salad. For $6, I added salmon (this was already a $15 salad). However when it arrived it was not cooked salmon but three small pieces of smoked/raw salmon, which I can't eat. I finished the rest of the salad and all that was left on my plate was the salmon, which again, was an additional price and not just an ingredient of the salad. She didn't question why I didn't want to eat my $6 salmon, she just cleared the plate like that was normal. So disappointing - clearly they don't care about return guests. They need to label their menu clearly so that people know what they're ordering. Seated next to an extremely sunny window and the room was boiling hot. Noise level good for business conversation, Seats comfortable, plenty of (very expensive) options for all food restrictions, Reservations easy to make online. read more

Grabbed an Apple Crumble Danish from the bakery section. They have a lot of other sweets like oatmeal cookies, macaroons, various croissants, loaves of sweet bread, pretzels, and mini cakes. The danish wasn't too sweet, which I prefer. The cashier was also very nice! This place has a very $$$$ brunch, but they have $2 coffee and they always run various promotions like 50% off baked goods after 4PM. read more

Ricarda's - Apple Crumble Danish - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Airy space with high ceilings yet has a cozy feel. The walls do echo a bit so it's a little on the louder side which is great for groups. Came for winterlicious and the menu was great! I had the bouillabaisse which had juicy shrimps and mussels, a pan seared scallop, fish, and a yummy crunchy bread! I've been experimenting with making this myself and it is quite good!! The other option was duck which is another one of my southern French favorites. Mediterranean French id say this place is. Will have to come back to try the rest of the menu! read more

Ricarda's - Bouillabaisse - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Great spot for brunch. Drinks and food were on point. Beautiful decor too. We will be back if we are in the area. read more

Ricarda's - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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While visiting the city, I found this place right here on Yelp for a good quality, early breakfast. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful and the smell of freshly baked pastries and breads was delightfully tantalizing. It was about 9 am on a weekday, so it was pretty quiet and we were seated immediately. The waiter was busy preparing for the upcoming day, but was still very attentive and helpful. I can't eat wheat, so the waiter kindly offered me options, such as making the crepe into an omelet. So I ended up getting the omelet, which came with a small bowl of super fresh fruit. My husband ordered Ricarda's classic breakfast and he loved it. The vibe of this place is great and it feels like stepping into a glamorous, old movie. Even the bathrooms felt classy (this is important, let's be honest)! The only reason that I am not giving 5 stars is because of the somewhat limited menu, but the food that I ordered was great so I can't complain too much. I would love to return for dinner and drinks the next time I visit. read more

Ricarda's - Omelet with fruit - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Ricarda's is a great dinner option. Something in between fancy and casual. The decor is lovely. They have a separate lounge area + just dinner table area. On Sundays they have Jazz brunch - which is $55/person for a buffet and no a la carte option. So if you're aiming here for brunch and don't want to do the buffet, probably best to come on a Saturday instead. The staff are all quiet on point. The food came out fairly quick as well. Lots of interesting plates to pick from! read more

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4 1/2 stars because the flavors of the bouillabaisse was lacking, but EVERYTHING ELSE WAS AMAZING! We enjoyed 3 course Winterlicious 2020 lunch for only $23! Wild Rice and Mushroom Velouté, Quinoa and Baby Kale, Saffron-Fennel Bouillabaisse, Braised Duck Leg, Bailey's Pot de Crème, and Almond Opera Cake. Every bite was so good. read more

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Made reservations for my friends and I for dinner, and mentioned that it was a celebratory dinner for our newly engaged friends. They were kind enough to decorate our table in red rose petals which made the experience extra special for them! The food was really delicious, I shared a Caprese salad which was extra flavorful and one of the best I've had, along with crostini bites (burrata, crab & shrimp). I ordered the grilled octopus salad for my entree - it was really tasty and the squid ink was a delicious touch (was looking to eat on the lighter side). The ambiance is really beautiful, white marble tables, large windows and candles. Our server was really friendly and constantly checking in on us. I definitely want to try it out for Brunch :) read more

Ricarda's - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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When I stepped into Ricarda's I immediately thought "business lunch'. The television series "Suits" is usually filmed here which sorta makes it a cool place. The restaurant is so large and airy and spacious. For me it screams business lunch and why not since the entertainment district is a few blocks away. It's a little on the fancier end with a wide selection of wines and different menus for lunch and dinner. The kitchen is quite visible to diners. We were served three selection of breads with a dried roasted tomato dip on the house. As I was walking out I later saw one of the cooks dipping it out from a packaged container with no label. Not sure what was happening with that. I ordered the lunch special for $16. It was worth the price. A baked flatbread laid out in on a wooden platter and cut into pizza-like slices. It was the right temperature when it was served to me. It was baked with oozy gooey cheeze, red peppers, tuna, shrimp-all drizzled on a pesto sauce. A fresh handful of baby arugula as garnish made this baby so delicious. Lunch was satisfying to say the least. The postcards served with the bill is a nice way to end time spent here. It is quite unique to this place. What I didn't like about dining here was the fact that the restaurant was empty yet our food took more than 45minutes to come out. read more

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Originally made a reservation for 7:30pm on a Saturday, was emailed back to come earlier with no specific time given as to when they had preferred. I then offered to come in at 7pm which they could accommodate. When we arrived we were quickly seated but the place had many available seats open. (Not sure why they preferred that we come anyearlier). Our waitress was very attentive and friendly. We weren't originally going to order alcohol but another staff member came by asking if we needed help ordering a drink (she made the drinks list), and was offered to sample some wine, and even added some sweetener to my rose (I like my wine very sweet). Our mains came before our appetizer which wasn't a big deal but there was a mix up in the kitchen. We ordered: Fritto Misto $18 (were told it's a blend of lightly fried seafood and some vegetables). It was a small bowl of tempura tasting vegetables (we had this in Italy before and the batter tasted completely different). And there was only one large shrimp in the small dish which was very disappointing. Honey Braised Lamb Shank $29 came with pomegranate rice and tabbouleh. The sides weren't very special and we actually didn't like the taste of the rice and tabbouleh was very dry. The lamb itself was fairly big and filling. Lemon Saffron Linguine $20. Came with hand-made pasta, mushrooms, calamaretti, and some vegetables. Again, was a little dry for my liking. Lastly we asked about the dessert sampling platter at the start of the meal which included a little bit of each of the desserts on the menu. When we were ready to order, the manager came over to tell us due to the pricing of the ingredients the dish now costs $27, not the $15 that is listed... So we deliberated and decided that we still wanted to try all the deserts this place is known for, our waitress let us know the dish actually costs $25, not $27. (I don't know if they just decided this as we were ordering because it seemed pretty odd the prices kept changing and after we ordered, most of the tables ordered the same thing). Dessert Platter: selection of 4 out of 6 desserts listed and I have to say, none of them really stood out as a favourite. All were presented very elegantly but the taste was a bit bland. Overall the ambience/space and service was very classy and friendly, but I think I would only come back here for drinks and not the food. read more

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Fabulous Easter birthday brunch with family! An array of wonderful food, great service! Only complaint was we went for Sunday Easter brunch today, and due to the fact that they wanna squeeze in 2 seating a, felt slightly bit rushed! 11-1pm, 1-3pm (second seating) Made reservations for 12pm, they called w days prior to reconfirm & had informed us of their two time frame, so was encouraged to move it to 11am! At about 12:30, the hostess came by to inform us the brunch will be ending shortly in 15 mins and the waiter will come by with the check in preparation for the 1pm crew. It was nice Of them to inform us so politely, 2 hrs for brunch seems enough time but for slow eaters it may feel a bit rushed. According to our waiter, it's only two season due to the Easter brunch being so full. Hence they tried to do 2 seating, usually is more relaxed! Wonderful atmosphere, Sundays they even have a live Jazz band playing which put it in a very relaxed Sunday vibe. Sunday brunch is $55 pp with the option of adding bottomless Cava, Caesars and other boozy drinks. Love the made to order pan seared foie gras which was hidden in with the omelette station! Delicious anti pasta station! I completely missed the pizza waffle station at the entrance on the right! Very tender roast beef, even tho I had the ends it was nice and tender and very flavourful, however no Au jus?!? Nice selection of seafood; freshly shucked oysters, shrimp cocktail, crab legs, mussels all on a bed of ice spread. There's also a made to order pasta station, I thought the order would be small and tiny but it was a full size portion! They take ur order and give u a pager for when the food is ready for pickup! Their dessert was heavenly. Nice petit size so u can try them all! Would be nice to have some macarons thrown into the mix! There was also a supervised kids station with bouncy castle and decorate your own cupcakes for kids at the back of the restaurant which is connected to the building lobby! Very considerate so it's definitely a kids friendly place! Not sure if it's only during Easter though! Definitely a great birthday treat! read more

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I celebrated my 22nd birthday here with my friend and I really enjoyed it. We reserved a table on a Saturday night and it was a correct decision because they are very busy that night. The food is so tasty. The black & yellow linguine is interesting and delicious! I also got a birthday message on my dessert plate!! And the service is a perfection. Definitely worths the price. The servers are very careful and warm-hearted. The supervisor came around and asked us how we were doing during the dinner for more than three times. I feel their carefulness. It made me so happy that night. It was just perfect. read more

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We found this restaurant based on its proximity to the Elgin theatre, and I was wowed by the décor being so fancy, and such a fun lounge setup with a gastropub open kitchen, and a bakery area too? Much more than I imagined the place to look like. Service greeted us promptly and were attentive throughout the night. Our server explained the menu thoroughly and gave us great recommendations. I'm always appreciative of someone that knows the menu from personal experience - not just whatever "is popular" or "on special". We put in our order, emphasized how short on time we were, and then were served bread with a roasted red pepper and sour cream spread. The spread was very flavourful and complemented the bread very well - an interesting alternative to butter! For mains from what I recall, we got the scallops, the mushroom risotto, and rack of lamb. The scallops were few...and came with a few ravioli - the worst volume for money. It was very tasty was the comment though! The rack of lamb and risotto were very good, the risotto I was personally quite happy with as there was just the right amount of truffle to make it distinct and the risotto was cooked well. There's much of the menu to explore so I think I'll be back! Despite the mishaps when serving (a dish flipped over!) the staff were attentive to fix the issue right away - which was only inconvenient because we were in a rush to the theatre. It all worked out in the end, so it's all okay. I enjoyed the flavours as being distinctly European inspired, and the service and ambiance was great as a nice meal for occasions. I'll be back! read more

Five star service and dinning experience! I have a really easy rating system, 2 stars for taste, 1 star for value/price, 1 star for ambience and 1 star for service. If the resto delivers on all the criteria, they get 5 stars. Let's start with the food, the DIY pasta was the winner of the night. Everyone who made their own pasta loved it. My sister thought her pasta was a bit too Al dente and told our server, he offered to remake it without any questions asked and actually came back to tell us the chief agreed it was a bit on the Al dente side. I have never encounter a chief that owns up to their mistake! I thought that was quite honourable. As for value, the DIY pasta cost $17 while most of the main entree hover around $20-$25 with very Generous portions. The restaurant looked very sophisticated and chic with very inviting spaces like their lounge area and booths. Last but not least, the service!! It was top notch. Our main server Britney was super friendly and was also supported by a team of other servers that genuinely looked like they care about you. We bought a cake for my sister's bday, not only they plate it for us, they even decorated with fresh fruits! A really nice gesture that earned them the 5 star rating. I will definitely come back and you should give Ricarda's a shot. read more

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I am surprised Ricarda's is not more popular. The decor here is modern and swanky. There is a nice bar area, a bakery section that bakes bread fresh every day and a very nice dining area. The prices here range anywhere from mid-range to pricey (just under $20 for pasta dishes, high 20's for mains, and anywhere from around $40-90's for big sharing dishes). You can definitely get a great meal here at a reasonable price. Me and my friend ordered: - Bouillabaisse ($26): This is a different type of bouillabaisse where the soup is separated from the seafood. I got a good sized portion of fish, mussles, clams, prawn and scallop. The soup itself was very delicious (intense lobster bisque flavour, not overly salty). The crostinis provided were a perfect complement to the soup. Yum! - Honey braised lamb shank ($28): Also a very good dish. Lamb shank was braised well (tender) and was very flavourful. A good portion of tabbouleh and jeweled pomergranate rice were given as sides and they were both very delicious. I have heard mixed things about their seafood brunch but given my experience here for dinner, I am definitely looking to come back again and would be more than willing to try their brunch at some point. Definitely recommended! read more

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Came for winterlicious dinner with a friend. Both of us got the wine flight option for 3 6oz glasses of our choice of red or white wines. All wines were paired with each course and they allow you to double up. This was my first crudo - it has a more mild flavor than a ceviche, not much acidic flavor. The smoked duck breast app was really good, the dab of burrata in the middle complemented the duck and crostini well. The salmon main tasted very good but the portion size is a bit small. The lamb shank was fall off the bone tender. Definitely get this if you are hungry as the portion size is much more generous than the salmon. I am not really a dessert person but both desserts tasted great, weren't extremely sweet, and beautifully plated. Aside: the restaurant looks really trendy, slightly dimmed for ambience. Staff were all polite and food came out in a timely fashion. I will definitely be back to try the regular menu. read more

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