Beer Bistro.

Beer Bistro.

I unfortunately haven't been to Jacob and Co yet but have been to Queue de Cheval and I'm hoping it's better than that. Last time I was there we sent 5 of 6 steaks back. Both Moishe's and Gibby's are better in my opinion.

Generally have never had a problem with Allen's but I only get the burger (med rare) and never go at peak time. Went once at peak time (Saturday night at 7:00) and waited over 40 mins for a takeout order. Only happened once but I avoid busy time if at all possible.

As I mentioned in another thread the DDH is perfectly respectable as a steakhouse. I have never had a bad steak there although I wouldn't rank it in the same category as Harbour 60 or Jacob and Co..

I wouldn't order seafood in a steakhouse so I can't comment on other food but their steak has been consistent. Also, as mentioned, Ilike the various sections although admittedly very old school.

Agreed any hotel bar. I guess my question would be is there any bar in the city that's NOT appropriate to go solo? I would expect they all are.

Yeah, that could all be true. I've only ever ordered the baked potato and always the steak. I can't remember anything about vegetables since it's never something I focus on, strictly the steak.

I was there the other night and I din't notice a new name. I did notice however their smokehouse menu section and ordered the ribs. In my opinion one of the more authentic BBQ ribs I've had. A little too well done but nice smoke ring and flavour. Not sure what rub they use but it was too subtle for me. Oh and the BEST BEANS i've had to date. I'll go back just for the beans - fantastic.

Agree with the other replies. This place is really bad. I can't understand how they stay in business....oh wait, the bar is jam packed every weekday from 4:00. They don't stay alive on tyhe food, that;s for sure.

Actually I have been to David Duncan house on many occassions and I would compare it favourably to most steakhouses for quality and consistency. Not probably in the same league as H60 (haven't been to Jacob & Co) but certainly respectable and I have always enjoyed their New York strip.

Agreed that Federick is not what it used to be in the late 90"s. I had Lin Garden a week ago and regretted I did a couple of hours later.

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Lin Garden
1806 Pharmacy Ave, Toronto, ON M1T1H6, CA

It might not be quite what you had in mind but have you ever been to a little place on Elm called Frascati. It's not high on ambience but it is quiet with white tablecloths and very reasonable and it's 5 minutes from the Eaton's Centre. I wouldn't rate it high on the "it place" scale but I think it meets your price and location requirements.

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Frascati
13 Elm, Toronto, ON M4W1M9, CA

Been to Carisma recently. I was underwhelmed and it was one of the more expensive meals I have had which is ironic given the review I read about it in the Globe.

The owner is very nice but I would not consider it a neighbourhood resto (unless your neighbourhood is Rosedale). I will try again since it is very close to me.

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Carisma Restaurant
Toronto, Toronto, ON M5C 1G3, CA

Is La Chien Noir still around? I really enjoyed it last time I was there a couple of years ago.

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Chien Noir
69 Brock St, Kingston, ON K7L1R8, CA

Also agree that Randy's is the best. At least the best I have tried. They are scalding hot though as mentioned but I just (rather impatiently) wait until they cool down a bit.

Irish Embassy has a decent eggs benny.

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Irish Embassy
49 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5E, CA

LOL. I'm pretty sure. They had a blackboard sign out front with chalk saying opening soon and also staff wanted - servers, dish washers. Looks like a new deck on the side and a small parking lot out back. Looks like the real thing

Anyone have the scoop on this soon to open restaurant? I drive by it regularly and it looks interesting. It looks like it may be a bistro style resto rather than what was there years ago (a greasy spoon). I always thought that the building was a great building and hoped someone would move into it. It's all by ityself on the corner of Cherry and Commissioners.

I'm confused. You state "forget about Mercatto" and then admit you've never been to the restaurant and had really good luck at their other location.

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Mercatto
15 Toronto Street, Toronto, ON M5C 2E3, CA

I agree the price is very competitive but my experience was less that perfect. The service was actually very good and they clearly want to improve and want to hear from their customers. The haven't quite perfected the steaks yet as mine was overcooked, similar ot a previous poster. For a steakhouse this is a bit of an unforgivable sin but given their attitude and prices I will probably go back.

I always thought the concept was ridiculous and philisophically I had a great objection to going to a "restaurant" and having to go get my own food. I can do that by myself. Don't get me started on the service charge.

I think it has become relatively fashionable to slag the traditional steak houses (Carmens, Bardi's, etc) and the David Duncan house does fit within that mold. The first time I went there (at my wifes urging) and had the chateaubriand for two, I thought it was terrible.

I have gone several times since and have always enjoyed the food. Not top of the line but the New York strip is cooked to order and quite tasty. I haven't strayed much from that but I know that other food ordered has been at least acceptable.

I think the ambience is pretty good/safe for a business dinner and if you stay within tried and true selections I don't think you can go wrong. I wouldn't normally order much beyond a steak or prime rib in a restaurant like this but I'm ok with that. If I want seafood I'll go to some place that speacilizes in seafood.

All in all, for that section of town, I think it's a reasonably safe bet.

I don't mind Duffs but I agre they are too vinegary. There are however the closest to buffalo style that I've had in Toronto. Wings in general are personal preference. Some people think wings are great if they're huge. I personally prefer taste over size. Also, when I compare wings I naturally assume hot wings. I had a revelation the other day when I tasted St Loius medium wings. Totally different than St Louis hot wings - not in a good way. Neither by the way are Buffalo style but I would never go to St Louis if I was ordering medium or mild wings. It almost defeats the purpose in my mind but then again to each his own.

Penrose is overhyped, overpriced and undersized. The place blows. British Style on the other hand is my go to place and I've been there before and after the sale and it's still my favourite.

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British Style
73 Coxwell Ave, Toronto, ON M4L3B1, CA

Anyone on this board have any experience with Barbizon Restaurant at Eglinton and Hurontario. I haven't been but apparently it's french and I know someone who raves about it. I hadn't heard of it before and there is no referenc on this baorad to it so I thought I would ask. Anyone been and is it worth it?

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Barbizon
30 Eglinton Ave W, Mississauga, ON L5R3E7, CA

Yes, Chicken Deli was the original St Louis style wing. Bistro on Avenue is St Louis by another name. Wings are the same as any other St Louis. I continue to like St Louis and prefer the size of the wing although I agree that they can be under sauced. Clearly I'm not alone as St Louis are popping up everywhere.

However if I want Buffalo style I don't go to St Louis.

Can't comment on the food as I've only been once and it was a while ago. One bit of advice - avoid the window seat with the metal chairs bolted down. They are incredibly uncomfortable.

I dropped in about a year ago hoping that I would find a great steak and was very unimpressed. I haven't returned so I'm not entirley surprised that it's closing.

I have been to many Ruth's Chris throughout North America including Dallas, Jackson, Orlando, San Francisco, Beverly Hills, Toronto, Little Rock, Chicago, Seattle, Mobile, Manhatten, Washington, Boston, Minneapolis, Las Vegas and Nashville. I also been to the original Mortons in Chicago and a couple of other Mortons and can say that Ruth's Chris is superior to Mortons in my mind and also Ruth's Chris has been entirely consistent across all of the RC restaurants I have visited.

I tried Souther RUB this week for lunch. The place was empty except for 1 other guy. The ribs and pulled pork were good although not great. As others have mentioned, the smoke flavour was mostly absent and I thought they were a little too fall off the bone. The beans were good as was the cornbread (not too sweet) and I really liked the carolina sauce on the pulled pork. I would agree that I actually think Phil's compare favourably to them (havn't been in a long while based on other posts here on Phil's downhill spiral). Food portions were large and we left stuffed.

All in all I would go back but I was slightly disappointed in the ribs.