The wine selection was decent, with a focus on natural wines. The space itself is very cute and has…read morea cozy atmosphere, although we didn't end up spending time there. The experience was a bit of a mixed bag. The staff seemed to be upselling throughout our visit, including recommending bottles that were above the budget we had shared. We also weren't informed about the corkage fee ahead of time, which came as an unwelcome surprise. Overall, it was an okay experience, but I wish there had been a bit more transparency and less sales pressure.

Grape Witches located inside the Waterworks Food Hall is their second location in the city (their…read morefirst location is located along Dundas St. W.!). This bottle shop has a unique variety of natural, organic, and biodynamic wines that may rotate depending on the season. The space also has a wine bar where you can try different wines by the glass or treat yourself in a wine flight or a whole bottle. The by the glass menu changes weekly where you get to have a chance to try new and exciting wines from different regions. I've been to Grape Witches several times but I was able to sit down at their wine bar this time and enjoy a wine flight (three 1oz pours featuring wines from Germany) and a glass of wine. Having the wine flight, I was able to find a new rose that I really enjoyed that I ended up getting a glass of it afterwards. Staff are extremely friendly, personable, and knowledgeable about wine where they can give you suggestions based on your preferences without being pretentious. You are also able to taste any wines you're interested in on the menu to see if you like them as well. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Grape Witches enjoying the delicious selections where I even found new favourites. Overall, a great new wine shop and bar at Waterworks Food Hall. If you love all things wine this is the place to go. They have unique bottles you can purchase and friendly staff to help you with selecting your wines. Will definitely be back to try other glasses of wine in the future!

Perched on a corner of John Street, Piccolo Caffe e Vino holds one of the Entertainment District's…read moremost enviable patio positions. I have returned here many times, sometimes alone, and it rewards solitude as gracefully as company: a glass of something thoughtful, a small plate to nibble on, and the city's downtown energy drifting past like street theatre. The wine list leans curious, the sort that tempts you toward a bottle you never planned to order. Small plates such as the burrata and antipasto act as honest companions to the glass rather than showpieces, and that is precisely their charm. Inside, the room is intimate and warm, well suited to a date. An unhurried hour of wine and people watching, few corners in the city do it better.

Went here for dinner on a Saturday night / great location and cute spot! I love the branding and…read morethe inside + feels very trendy. This is a wine bar - the house lager was bad (maybe my own bad decision) and the red I got was fine ... nothing to write home about. However place fell apart with the food - the shrimp came with 5 medium sized shrimp with the tails, legs and shells on and were under seasoned. The artichokes were mediocre (loved the sauce they came with). Worst of all was the "Ontario peaches" with the burrata were totally canned peaches - could've even been dole brand! This place has amazing potential with the location and vibe - but the food just was not it. Small portions and the price didn't match what was served. The service was friendly but nothing too crazy. Go here for the drinks, but maybe not for the dinner!

I love coming to Mel rose for light drinks during their happy hours! the price in downtown core…read morecan't be beat!! not to mention they have the best charcuterie board with homemade pickles! it's a great spot for a casual date night or girls night

We came for the happy hour menu. My party and I enjoyed the drinks, but we wish the happy hour food…read moremenu was better. Inside the restaurant is kinda dark, we wish there were more lights. Seems more like a date night or intimate spot, rather than a spot to get with a group of friends. Server was attentive and remembered most of our orders. Food was OK, we got the hummus and charcuterie board to share.

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!

We had high hopes for this spot, especially since the ambience was beautiful--perfect for a lovely…read moredate night. We ended up ordering quite a few items from the menu. Our favourites were the oxtail pintxo, bravas, wagyu, churros, and flan--each of these really stood out and delivered on flavour. That said, I was especially excited for the paella, and it unfortunately fell short. I've had better paella from a food truck, and for much cheaper. Between the chicken and striploin, we preferred the chicken as it had a more cohesive flavour. The striploin was cooked closer to rare when we asked for medium rare, making it tough to eat, and the rice itself was quite bland. On a positive note, the service was lovely--attentive, warm, and accommodating throughout the night. Our server checked in often without being intrusive and made the experience feel polished and welcoming. Overall, while the ambience and service made for a great evening, the food didn't quite justify the price for me. Not sure I'd return, but still a nice spot if you're looking for a good atmosphere.

I had visited this place for a friend's birthday a while ago. We had plans for the night to go…read morecelebrate, but we wanted to get food and drinks first. We've been hearing a lot of good things about the spot so we decided to make a reservation check it out. I absolutely loved the ambiance inside, it's very dim with an intimate set of decor lighting. We sat at a high top table, which usually isn't my favorite, but it was actually very comfortable and right next to a large window, where we were able to see all of Toronto. The spot definitely gave an elegant feel, so it was perfect that we were already very dressed up for the occasion. As for the food, we ordered pizzas and espresso martinis. The espresso martini was strong, with a very creamy foam on top. The pizza was filled with cheese and sauce, absolutely worth every bite. We were a big group of people, and our server was very accommodating and kind. He was sparking up conversation with us about our night, and what we were planning on doing. It felt like talking to one of our friends, so I definitely appreciated the kind service.

We had a fabulous pizza at cibo last night and the service was also incredible. We got the Italian…read moretruffle pizza for half off on Tuesday which was an amazing deal. The crust was so light and delightful. The arugula was fresh and hearty. The truffle paste was amazing. We loved the chili oil. Everything hit the spot that we were surprised that we didn't visit this place sooner. Usually our go to place for pizza over the last few years has been Bridgette and I can see this replacing them because of the variety and the taste. Our waitress, Spiridoula, was amazing and attentive. She was checking in our waters and filling them promptly. The ambiance is very classy too. We will be coming back in a bigger group for the pizza offer and the happy hour which looks very promising too!

Higher end sandwich restaurant, cheese varieties,wine school is actually on upper floor of this…read moreplace. On the pricier side, but if your going to try this place I reccomend ketchup fries... so good.

Debated long and hard between a 4 and 5 star, and wanted to give a 4.5... unfortunately, Yelp…read moredoesn't do half stars, and I didn't feel that the mains justified a 5 star rating (they were good, but didn't blow me away nor wow me), so I settled on a 4 star. Overall, Grand Cru Deli serves fantastic food (the apps and desserts were out of this world!) and the place is super cute. A friend mentioned that the colour and decor resembles something from a Wes Anderson film, and he was right - I could see the Grand Budapest reflected in the interior design! We came here for the Winterlicious menu, and since we had three people, we decided to try the entire menu. Brace yourselves for a long and lengthy review! I've organized everything from most to least favourite within each category. Appetizers Broccoli Falafel Salad This was a nice and fresh app, and my favourite of the bunch. You can taste the broccoli bits in the falafel, but it's a lovely flavour. I never thought it could work together like this! The sunflower tahini and smoked labneh were a pleasant and nice touch, and I loved the microplaned / spiralized cucumbers. Seasonal Country Pate This was definitely bang for your buck! A hefty chunk of pate was served on a plate with baguette and crusty bread pieces. Since it's pate, the app was on the heavier side, but still an enjoyable light bite. Matzah Ball Soup This was my first time having matzah, and it was quite interesting! To be honest, this was my least favourite... the schmaltz / chicken fat with dough highly resembled a Chinese fatty fish ball of sorts. The chicken broth was lightly flavoured, filled with celery and carrot pieces. Mains Trout Amandine This trout was so buttery and flaky, tender and moist! Topped with thin slices of almond slivers, there was a nice juxtaposition with the juicy filet and the crunchy bits. As the fish was lightly seasoned, the fried capers added a great punch of salty flavour. The pomme puree (mashed potatoes) was also very hearty and rich; it was a nice consistency and felt so comforting. We unanimously voted this to be the best main. Eggplant Parmesan I was pleasantly surprised at this dish; despite being vegetarian, it had such a rich flavour! It was likely attributed to the mozzarella and the arugula pesto - when eaten together, the entire dish tasted like a lighter lasagna. The side of arugula helped balance the flavours. Braised Beef Short Rib While good, this dish was quite standard. The braised beef was melt-in-your-mouth-tender, but wasn't very seasoned. I found the creamed spinach a little heavy, and the white beans a little bland. Dessert Chocolate Chip Cookie This chocolate chip and miso cookie with salted caramel served in a hot, petite cast iron and topped with vanilla ice cream was the perfect contrast of all that you can think of. Sweet and salty, hot and cold, crunchy and soft, hard and runny, etc. It was such a hearty and comforting dessert! We all raved at this dish. Creme Brulee I'm not typically a fan of creme brulee as I find them to be a little too rich. However, the light, floral taste of the earl grey really stood out and made this dish! I kept scooping bite after bite. Very well executed, and not too sweet at all! Chess Pie This cornmeal-based dessert was my least favourite, although I must say that it had a fantastic and crunchy crust. The custard filling was nice, but I found it too sweet - in fact, the fino sherry cream made it even more sweet. Overall, I really liked Grand Cru Deli. The food was very well executed, and I was pleasantly surprised at the calibre and taste of the dishes. I'd definitely come again to try their regular menu, and have a glass of wine or two!

Same Same serves contemporary, modern, and fusion Thai and Lao dishes in Toronto's entertainment…read moredistrict (on King West). The location was ideal for theatre-goers, as it was right across from the TIFF building and a stone's throw away from a lot of theatres in the area. The interior was spacious and modern, with a lot of tables and seatings extending to the back of the restaurant. It was quite empty when we went on a weekend afternoon, so service was prompt. The food was excellent!! They put creative spins on classic Thai dishes that turned out very well. Review of the dishes: 1) Raw Oysters (fresh raw BC oysters with roasted chili jam, fried shallots, and house nam jim seafood sauce) - They were like raw oysters in typical Western seafood restaurants, but with a Thai twist. "House Nam Jim Seafood" is a Thai dipping sauce commonly used for steamed or grilled seafood, made of garlic, chilies, lime juice, fish sauce, and cilantro. This sauce, in addition to the roasted chili jam, created a mouthful burst of flavour when the oyster was eaten in one go. The roasted chili jam created a heat effect in the throat, which made it warming. The fried shallots added a nice crunch, in contrast to the smooth raw oyster. This was definitely a unique spin to the plain raw oysters. 2) Larb Crispy Brussels Sprouts (fried Brussels sprouts with lemongrass, cilantro, lime juice, chili flakes, toasted rice powder, fried shallots, and coriander) - I was excited to see a vegetarian version of larb on the menu! Larb is a Lao dish typically made with minced meat, fresh herbs, lime juice, fish sauce, and toasted ground rice. Instead of using meat, they subbed it with crispy Brussels sprouts. I liked the crunch of the Brussels sprouts, but found the dish to be too salty. 3) Eggplant Salad (fried eggplant with black tiger prawns, mint, shallots, Thai chili-garlic lime dressing, and sliced medium soft-boiled egg) - This reminded me of the Filipino dish of tortang talong, except the egg was served on the side instead of being pan-fried and coating the eggplant. The eggplant in this dish was fried and quite sweet & spicy, which I didn't really like. I liked the pieces of black tiger prawns, shallots, and sliced medium soft-boiled egg surrounding it though. The egg especially was perfectly soft with a bit of a gooey egg yolk. What surprised me was the presence of pomegranates in the Eggplant Salad. I always see pomegranates as a common ingredient in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, but never in Thai dishes. It was a pleasant surprise, and it showed that the creative fusion of Thai, Filipino, and Middle Eastern / Mediterranean elements and ingredients worked well here. 4) SS Egg Fried Rice (jasmine riceberry stir-fried with eggs, green onion, and garlic) + jumbo lump crab meat add-on - This was the dish that made me come to Same Same, and it did not disappoint! I thought the fried rice tasted unique compared to the fried rice I've had at other Thai and Chinese restaurants. It had a strong wok-char look and flavour, and they used jasmine riceberry, which made it taste more chewy and nutty. They did not skimp on the jumbo lump crab meat, and there were "jumbo" pieces of real crab. It seems rare to get real crab (and a lot of it) in fried rice in Thai and Chinese restaurants, so this fried rice was a winner for me. 5) SS Pad Thai (fresh rice noodles, tofu, eggs, peanuts, tamarind, chives, bean sprouts, banana blossom, lime) + black tiger prawns add-on - The tofu and bean sprouts were the stars in this dish. Although the black tiger prawns that we chose as an add-on were really big, for some reason I really liked the tofu in this pad thai more (more flavourful). They used fresh instead of dry rice noodles, which we could tell because the noodles clumped together quickly as soon as it cooled down. 6) Wok Vegetables (stir-fried yu choy sum and green beans) - As simple as this "side dish" was, this was my favourite. We asked for it to be cooked without any sauce because that's how I like my veggies (not a fan of vegetables doused in so much oyster sauce / any thick sauce). They were able to accommodate our customization request, and the dish came out perfect. The green veggies (yu choy sum and green beans) were also still quite crisp and not overcooked, which earned them extra points.

Was so excited to try Same Same and their Samemer-delicious menu for July!…read more Came today with my plus one and we ordered: Appetizers: - deep fried wingette with ma kwen jeaw sauce: I felt the sauce was a bit too sour and salty yet addicting! I kept coming back to it. It came with 10 wings and it was deep fried really nicely, didn't feel too oily. - shrimp toast: house made brioche with cucumber relish and added the peanut sauce espuma. I love bread at baseline and this brioche was so nice and crispy. The cucumber relish was refreshing and slightly sweet. Mains - same same pad thai (vegetarian): now that I'm reading the menu it looks like they use fresh rice noodle but I found that the noodles were SUPER chewy, more chewy than other thai places I had. I appreciate the freshness of the noodles but would also liked if it were a bit easier to chew. Would also have liked if there was more veg in the meal. - ngowpochana chicken cashew: this came with crispy chicken thigh stir fried with (really SPICY) dried chilis and cashew nuts with a side of mixed purple? rice. The rice was tasty and the chicken was really crispy! Came out in small pieces and it was good but was not blown away. Desserts - mango sticky rice: so so good, love how they put butterfly pea in the sticky rice. Mango was ripe and soft, coconut cream was strong, and the jasmine riceberry puff added a great crunch to the dessert. - pandanas kaya toasted brioche: I would return for this dessert. My partner and I LOVED this dessert and how carmelized the toast was, it was divine. Final thoughts We loved the desserts and appetizers but felt the mains weren't super special. Staff were friendly. It did take us a while to get our food- appetizers came quick but took more than half an hour for our mains to come and waited more for our dessert. It was pretty busy but maybe they're still getting their groove as the Samemer delicious promotion brought in an influx of customers.

This was my first visit to Boxcar Social inside Waterworks Food Hall and I got a delicious soy milk…read morelatte with honey. They didn't have any vanilla which I usually get at other coffee shops but it still tasted good with honey. Great service by Rebecca and loved the leaf design she did on the foam! It's usually difficult to do with soy milk so I was impressed! I also liked the warm ambiance of the place that had stools for people to sit and work.

I always loved Boxcar when it was on the corner of the waterworks building, the room with the loft…read more Sadly that location closed up and was taken over by Sobr Market the non-alcohol drink specialists, who previously only had the loft space in that location. Now, I'm reviewing the new spot for Boxcar, who is inside the Waterworks food court. Same deal for coffee with the choice of beans, one for straight and one for mixing. On the opposite side of the coffee counter is the Boxcar bar with full selections and signature cocktails, quite different than in the old location with a couple cocktails on the menu but no actual bar. Missing are several things. Firstly, the bar stools at the order counter, with separate tables as the option if you want to sit. Sure, there's the bar attached which would be nice later in the day, but they lost the food options. The avocado sandwich was super popular. In fact there are no breakfast options in the entire food court so far. Even the baking selection has been slimmed. Nice to have them back, regardless, and being adjacent to one of downtowns best off-leash parks really convenient. Espresso $3.85.

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.

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.

Grey Gardens provided one of the best solo dining experiences I have had in a really long time. If…read moreyou ever find yourself dining alone in Toronto, put this one on your list. I'd go with a group too, but the restaurant had the flexibility to oder half portions of many items on their menu. Which, as a solo diner, is a game changer. The bar seating overlooks the grill and prep area, so you have something entertaining to watch while you eat. I brought my book out of habit and barely touched it. The staff was excellent, attentive and accommodating without being overbearing. I never feel like an afterthought here. For the food, I ordered the bread service, carpaccio, yellowfin, and cafarelli. The carpaccio was not available as a half but was worth every bit of the full portion. A subtle hint of heat from the peppercorns and horseradish. The yellowfin tartare was my favorite out of the lineup. It comes out with these small fish shapes cut from Kohlrabi which is a playful touch, and the flavor was excellent. The bread service was delicious and the cafarelli pasta was rich and good, though it did not reach the same level as the carpaccio and the tartare. The neighborhood itself adds to the experience. Eclectic and buzzing, especially in summer while I was there (August).

We were group of 6 dining for a special occasion. When we made our reservation, the staff offered…read moreus the semi-private table by the window. It was nice to have a more secluded spot, but the seating was quite drafty/chilly and dark, so didn't quite capture the warm ambiance of the rest of the restaurant. We were also offered a wonderful family style tasting menu for $90 per person. Overall, the food was fantastic, especially the seafood options. The dishes were innovative and fresh. Stand-out dishes: - Smoked Fish - chips n' dip - Scallop (raw) - chicken fat, green strawberry, serrano pepper - Tomato - feta, green olive, red onion - Sea Bream - peas, cumin, scallion - soooo good I would re-order all of the above in a heartbeat. So delicious. The following dishes were good but not amazing: - Bread - cultured butter - Ravioli - cheese curd, potato, leek - Crumb Cake - coffee, pumpkin - Quince - foie gras, sponge toffee And the following dishes had some flaws (though still enjoyable): - Spaghetti - chorizo, peppers, stracciateila (way too salty) - Half Chicken - truffle, green bean, gravy (chicken was quite dry) The portion sizes were sufficient. And the service was really attentive and quick. I wish they had more non-alcoholic drink options.