This is the place I picked to celebrate my birthday! Loved the setting, laid back but with very…read morenice design details. I recommend making reservations and asking to sit on the outdoor patio. The service was good, the FOH team was very friendly and committed to ensure customers were comfortable and happy. I left the best part for last... the food! It was outstanding! Loved the menu and the execution was spot on. I especially appreciated the fresh flavors and the presentation. Thank you for adding the pastel de Nata to your menu... that was an especially nice treat for us! Well done!

This place was INCREDIBLE!! Was in town for the wknd and was looking for a bite to grab…read more.. couldn't have landed it any better. The food was incredible and the Pinot Grigio was delicious. The staff was SO friendly !! Every single staff member!! The vibe was super cool.. we went back two days in a row. Highly recommend !!

Absolutely loved our dining experience here. You can feel the passion in each bite…read more They use local and fresh ingredients AND are able to accomodate gluten allergies, which so many restaurants cannot do. I love the pre-fixe, chef's choice dining style where you go in, there's no decisions for you to make (besides beverages) and you just enjoy! You begin with a delicious amuse bouche style bite and we received two courses of pasta. The pasta and udon noodles are freshly made and tasted delicious. HUGE fan of chewy fresh pasta. The udon was a little underdone, we had some floury bites, but honestly, the mushroom and truffle sauce just covered that right up! We got to finish up with a celery root pizza, and I was in heaven. This was an amazing pizza. I wish I could order this all the time, but that's the beautiful of their seasonal, changing menus! I loved that someone came out to introduce each of the dishes. Knowing where the ingredients came from and how the chef was inspired to make certain twists was really fun. I certainly appreciated the design of each dish more. Considering what a unique experience this is, I'm really grateful that they try to keep it priced reasonably per person so more people can enjoy the experience. I hope they're able to keep it going for years to come. I'd love to come back for date nights more often.

I'm honestly so obsessed with this place. as a Muslim person who enjoys farm to table restaurants…read morethis place is actually such a dream - no meat and no alcohol. I felt so comfortable. Everyone who works here is so nice and I love the vibe and cute little mushroom decor everywhere. Now to the food - so unique and absolutely unmatched. We had the fungi pizza and poblano pepper noodles. The pizza was so fluffy! And the noodles were so spicy and creamy. We also enjoyed the apple cake, which was so soft and cozy. Often times I'm wary of vegan meals like this because of the differences in cheese or cream but everything was absolutely phenomenal. I wish I could try some of their collab or tasting menus but unfortunately out of our budget. But the a la carte pizza and noodles did not disappoint - will definitely be back. The only note I'll mention is that it would be helpful to have some more description on the drinks menu for people that don't drink or are unfamiliar with an alcoholic drinks menu.

Alright so gave it another shot with my friend and had a better experience. Still, please tell your…read moreservers to tell the specials and about the steaks. We should not be asking about it. Good service otherwise. We ordered the cherry cocktails that came with a candy instead of cherries. It needed cherries but it's cute to relive childhood days with a cocktail. The candy part, not the alcohol. The mushroom pate is phenomenal. It comes with a ton of it but only 2 of pieces of bread. Just needs more bread. Once again, that bread. Yum. The dates were sooo good and the flavours worked perfectly. I think we honestly nailed it with our choices if I do say so myself. Just a reminder, don't get the crudo. And get the bread!!

Newmarkets latest gem, part of the Locale brand of restaurants. This is their first Tapa style…read morelocation. The place is buzzing and vibrant with a very cool vibe. The food here is impeccable with only a few dishes I wasnt impressed with. Steaks were delicious Octopus was chared perfectly The tapas were almost all a hit. Did not like the fried sardines. The marinated ones were excellent. Duck breast was amazing. Must try the banana dessert which is nothing I have ever had. So simple yet amazing. Staff are amazing. A must visit.

We've been here three times now. It's a local bar with locally sourced ingredients and ever…read morechanging seasonal offerings. They have a gold rush on the regular drink menu. Only place I've been able to order one. Even better, the honey is local. Good amaretto sours, too. The maple old fashioned is great, but only available seasonally. They also make the traditional version. We have yet to try the food, but I've had the cheesecake twice. Amazing. Perfect texture. They made great use of a small space with a long bar, a few tables, and a cozy couch. Service is friendly.

Very near place, quiet and very friendly staff. Recommended other places in the area as well. They…read moreuse locally sourced ingredients when available. The Gold Rush was perfectly balanced.

We've been here a couple of times now; once for a takeaway and once to eat in. As far as I know,…read morethis is the only place in Pickering that has Poké bowls so that's what I come here for. I'm not going to lie, I'm confused by the decor. It's like a mix between a sports bar and a sushi place. I think it's the big heavy oak wood bar that dominates the restaurant combined with the typical uncomfortable bench seats... but yet there's some proper tables and chairs. It just throws me off a bit. No matter, the food is good. Their salmon poké bowl is delicious. The description is that it includes, Sushi Rice with Salmon, Avocado, Kani, Cucumber, Tobiko, Wakame, Green Bean, Corn, Mango, Mayo. I asked for a side of spicy mayo and it really kicked it up a notch. Next time I'll ask them to make it with spicy mayo instead. I'm pretty sure it had pineapple instead for mango though and honestly, it brightens up the dish. The guys running the place are really nice and the service is great. Super friendly and really welcoming. Everything that was being served to the other tables looked fantastic. I really do need to start trying other items on their menu. 3.5 for now. :)

Came here for dinner with my sisters and enjoyed the sushi. It's fresh and tasty. Definitely a…read moregreat spot in Pickering for sushi cravings.

Because we enjoyed Sara, we decided to try Rasa next. The vibes are definitely similar with the…read moretasting menu of small bites. The food had some tasty components and interesting combinations, but when comparing directly to Sara, I think Sara still wins for me. A couple plates here landed slightly salty for my taste. The cocktail menu is also very creative. The service was amazing. Everything came out quick, the team was friendly, and the pacing was great. Overall still a lovely evening. However, Sara is still my favourite of the two.

Cute little spot on Harbord. We got a spot at the bar cause it's usually more interactive, but it…read morewasn't here. Next time we might just do a table. But if you want to see how the kitchen works and drool over dishes comes out, this is the perfect spot. The service was ok. We did the classic tasting menu with wine pairing and our wine pairings kept coming later and later, which was also disappointing. I also got their award winning cocktail, down by the bay. It was fantastic! But the food was great. As part of the classic tasting menu you get 6 savory dishes and a dessert (to share). They start you off with an amuse bouche of bread with tomato cream. I could eat a whole basket of those. The courses are broken up into 3 pairs, so for the first we got the chopped salad and spicy ceviche. These are two of their best dishes and I wouldn't miss getting them. For the next course we got the chickpea fritters and country style ribs. These dishes were ok. The chickpea fritter was good but the ribs were overcooked, dry, and didn't have the greatest flavor. It would've been more flavorful with a good glaze. I would skip these dishes next time. And for the third course we got the rasa burger and truffle gnudi. The burger was good, but it was just a burger. The gnudi would be something I get again. For the final course we got the sticky bun. These bun was a very dry at the bottom, but otherwise good. I might try the ice cream sandwich next time. Cause it looked amazing too. Overall, great experience and a place I'd come back to. I'm glad I did the tasting menu, but if you're coming with a larger group, just order the whole dishes a la carte.

Stopped by for brunch at Next Door, located in the heart of Main St. Unionville. The restaurant is…read moreunique in a sense where it's situated in the historical Unionville Planing Mill. Was seated in their dinning hall ( the other side is more of a bar) and ordered a brunch tower for two. The tower includes their signature malaysian scrambled eggs, chorizo sausage, bacon, Brussel sprouts, toast with buttermilk pancakes stacked at top of the tower. The tower was beautifully presented and what I love most about the tower is their pancakes. Truly fluffy and light with whipped cream on top of it. Overall, service was efficient and attentive, often checked on and refilling water. On top of that, the restaurant has great decor and parking is provided in the back of the restaurant. Its considered on a slightly higher end for brunch ($20-30 range), but it was truly an amazing experience. They also have daily promos so worth checking out for dinner and late night deals.

This is very popular brunch place in Markham - but the options are more limited up here. Came with…read moremy parents to see what the hype is about (a few years after the hype has died down, but oh well). I must say that I do understand why people are drawn to the restaurant - it is very pretty and makes for wonderful pictures! This includes the lovely visuals of the food, which is beautifully presented and extremely photogenic. The taste of the food, although quite acceptable, fell just a bit short of its looks. The variety of colours was not matched with a variety of flavours, and everything was somewhat on the salty and greasy side. That being said, we very much enjoyed the potato hash, pancakes, and French toast. The portion sizes also outdid themselves - if you're coming here for brunch, just be prepared for a long nap in the afternoon! Service was excellent: prompt, helpful, and friendly. The interior is fairly spacious and elegantly decorated. Overall, a pleasant experience even if it's not the most spectacular - and perhaps worth a visit for some based on the aesthetics alone.

If you told me I was dining at a upscale restaurant in California, I'd believe you. Surf Kitchen…read morehas mastered the art of transporting you -- the decor, the energy, the whole vibe just hits differently. It doesn't feel like Whitby. It feels like a getaway. The food is consistent, which honestly matters more than people give credit for. You know what you're getting and it delivers every time. The street corn with chips is legendary -- I've had people travel from the west end just to experience it, and it never disappoints. The roasted Brussels sprouts with dip are equally addictive. The birria tacos and fish tacos are solid, the drinks are great, and the staff are genuinely kind every single visit. This is one of my favourite spots I bring people when I want to impress without explaining myself. Highly recommend.

Good cocktails! Whitby has needed a place like this…read more I was here on Friday night for a bite and some drinks. I heard a good reputations among locals. I had: Food - Jackfruit Tacos Drinks - Heat wave & Golden I have never had jackfruit before, so I do not know what the taste/texture is supposed to be like. I think this dish was created as a part of their "vegetarian friendly" efforts. The jackfruit had a good spicy kick. Overall, pleasant flavor but the texture was kind of monotone, not extracting the unique character of the ingredients. I found the soft taco was a bit bland and the texture was not as smooth. The drinks were great. They use a lot of interesting tropical fruits/plants' liquor and syrup. Each cocktail was loaded with sufficient booze. This place is definitely worth coming back for cocktails and other drinks. They have a interesting beer selection as well, mostly from local small breweries. They seem to be using a lot of local artist's work in their decorations as well, which makes me want to support them more. A new oasis right in the center of the town. Welcome!

We took my granddaughter here recently. She is vegan and her dietary restrictions were respected…read moreand well catered for. We were able to observe the kitchen at work and this was a treat. My wife and are omnivores and thoroughly enjoyed our Get Wekked and Big Macka meals. This is a popular restaurant and in a great location with a friendly ambiance. Take care where you park as the meter maids are very thorough!

This spot had such good vibes. We went on a weekday night and it was super busy, but in the best…read moreway. They have really good drinks and the music and lighting are so cute. The place has a rustic but modern vibe. We got a bunch of tapas to share and everything was delicious. Service was amazing too and they were very attentive. Overall, it's a really fun spot with good energy. I'd definitely recommend it for hanging out with friends or family. We ended up staying for a while because we loved the atmosphere so much!

On Sunday, I headed to Whitby to meet up with friends at BarDown Gastropub. This eatery is located…read moreat Iroquois Park Complex, but runs independently from the sports complex. I like that you don't have to go through the sports complex to get to this restaurant. I parked in the parking lot in front of this eatery. There are steps to go up to get to the restaurant. It's also wheelchair-accessible with a ramp. Bar down is a hockey term. When a hockey player shoots the puck and it hits the bottom of the crossbar first, followed by going straight into the net, it's bar down. Some folks also call it bar south. We were a group of four. It was a thrill for me to get to check out the kitchen. Jody and Chris were kind to give us a tour and were delightful hosts. We also got to meet the chef, John Charles, who is the mastermind behind the dishes. We ordered way too much food. We wanted to sample lots of it. We did! Our order consisted of these items: - BarDown smash burger with fries - Truly Canadian Detroit-style pizza - Jerk chicken penne - Buttermilk chicken tenders - Cajun roasted red pepper and garlic parm wings, with fries - Ahi tuna poke - BarDown nachos - Street fish tacos I got multiple refills on Diet Pepsi. Each glass of it was crisp and delightful. This restaurant is on City of Whitby property. The city has a contract with Pepsi, so it's Pepsi products here. It was nice seeing customers watching the Blue Jays spring training. This eatery houses the largest screen in the city. Wow! The BarDown smash burger was excellent. It has two beef patties that were juicy with crispy edges. The bun was yummy and held everything together, including the pickles. It was excellent! The truly Canadian Detroit-style pizza has an odd name, but it is Canadian. It had mushrooms, which made me happy. It also had pepperoni, bacon, and peppers, with a side of ranch. I liked the crispy edges and yummy toppings. The herbed tomato sauce was awesome! If you like a spicy kick, get the jerk chicken penne. The penne was al dente. The jerk chicken was tender. The heat kicks in slowly after your first bite and builds. The flavours were perfect. So good! This place is known for its buttermilk chicken tenders. I was in heaven enjoying one. It was juicy and had the best crunch. I dipped it in the plum sauce. Yum! I also loved the coleslaw that accompanied the tenders. It was crunchy and delicious. The fries were excellent. We got generous portions. I loved them. The ridges were perfect to get more ketchup or whatever condiment you like. I love wings. This eatery makes fabulous wings. Each one was huge. Both the cajun roasted red pepper and garlic parm wings were meaty and yummy. I loved the veggies, which made me feel like I was eating something healthy-ish. My favourite item was the ahi tuna poke. Think nachos, but with wonton crisps. The tuna was crusted in white and black sesame. It had avocado, pico, pineapple salsa, pickled chili, ginger soy, sriracha aioli, and cilantro crema. Fabulous! It was incredible. I am still dreaming about it. You get a generous portion of BarDown nachos. The spicy beef chili was amazing with the melted cheese, pico, and nachos chips. The street tacos were so bright and scrumptious. We got beer-battered fish, with shredded lettuce, pineapple salsa, slaw, and cilantro lime crema. The fish was flaky and yummy. This place makes such a great pineapple salsa. I loved how light and bright these tacos were. It's a family-friendly establishment. I saw a group of young hockey boys with their parents eating at a long table after their game. The hockey arena has a concession stand that sells your usual hot dogs, chips, pop, pizza, and more. It runs independently from this eatery. I used the washroom a couple of times during the three hours that were were here. The women's washroom was exceptionally clean. No issues. This eatery is on Skip the Dishes. I had a wonderful experience having lunch with friends. The food is excellent. I'd return in a heartbeat. (74)