Can you recommend a restaurant in Toronto?

December 7, 2008 3:29 PM

Can someone recommend a nice restaurant in Toronto for my mom (age 60) and her friends? A group of about eight of them are going to the Second City show tomorrow night, and my mom wasn't sure where they should eat. They're looking for something near King St. (the theatre is on Mercer St.) that has a nice/classy atmosphere but won't be too fancy, as they won't be dressed up. In terms of type of food, they're not too adventurous, but would probably prefer something nicer than pub food, and not too meat-focused, as one friend is vegetarian. (Maybe an Italian place?)

Thank you so much! As this is for tomorrow night, quick responses are appreciated.

posted by cider to food & drink (17 comments total)

This is kind of a tough one.

There is Rosebud at Bathhurst and Queen. The food there is excellent, but it may be a little fancier than what they are looking for. I don't know if it's open on Monday.

I'm sorry but I don't know anything about Italian in that neighborhood. I know there are a few Indian restaurants in the neighborhood as well, but I don't know if that is too adventurous.
posted by hazyspring at 4:08 PM on December 7, 2008

Thanks so much, hazyspring! That does look like the right kind of place -- and apparently they don't have a dress code -- but I just called them, and they're closed on Mondays.

I'm not sure about Indian, either, but if you have a good recommendation, I can always propose it to my mom.
posted by cider at 4:17 PM on December 7, 2008

i like Alice Fazoolis. i couldn't remember the name as i haven't been there for a while, but there's a location on Adelaide.

when i went to Toronto.com to find the name of the restaurant, i saw a recommendation for Acqua and it sounds good, too.
posted by gursky at 5:01 PM on December 7, 2008

Fressen. Fantastic food, relatively close (Queen and Augusta), relaxed but very nice atmosphere, vegan food that will blow anyone away (even meat eaters). In addition, it's tapas so the sharing aspect is great for groups that large. However, you need a reservation for a group that large, I would think. Give them a call.
posted by Manhasset at 5:01 PM on December 7, 2008

Biff's is semi close to there. Atmosphere is about right, not sure about the vegetarian option. Also Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar and Beer Bistro are in the same area, though that might not be "Mom" food exactly. That's all I can think of off the top of my head, but you can check out Chowhounds if these suggestions aren't any good.
posted by tracert at 5:02 PM on December 7, 2008

Those are all pretty good restaurants, but they're mostly kinda far from the Second City. Kit Kat is a nice Italian restaurant that is basically right around the corner from where they'll be going, and I'm sure they'll like it. There are a ton of restaurants within a 5 minute walk of that intersection. I haven't been to all of them, but some names to look for are The Red Tomato, Fred's Not Here, St Tropez, Marcel's, Blue Point, N'Awlins.

I hope she has a good time.
posted by Newbornstranger at 5:17 PM on December 7, 2008

Queen Mother Cafe is a quick $6 cab ride or a nice brisk walk away from Second City- about 6 short blocks. Totally casual dress code (as casual as jeans or as dressy as a nice date would all look fine), nice cozy atmosphere, and the food is great. Highly recommend the Khao Soy Guy- chow-mein noodles & chicken with a mild curry sauce, which sounds pedestrian but tastes scrumptious.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 5:19 PM on December 7, 2008

Seconding Queen Mother.
posted by Hildegarde at 5:29 PM on December 7, 2008

I came back to note that if you do want to check out Fressen, keep in mind service can be a little slow as everything's made fresh. I don't find it slow myself but have heard people say that.

As for the responses since my first response: I haven't been to N'Awlins in 8 years or so but if I remember correctly it's long and thin. I can't imagine a table for 8 there being comfortable. Nice piano bar though.

I've only been to Biff's once and don't recall a single veg entree on the menu.

I'll go against the tide and said Queen Mother is fine but it's a pretty boring place for a vegetarian. You'll get the same meat-free entrees there you would anywhere else (pastas, average pad thai, and salads, for instance). Their appetizers are okay though. As a vegetarian, it's a last resort for me when in that 'hood. I also don't dig it for large groups as they'll just shove together a bunch of tables for two and the people at either ends won't be able to hear one another.
posted by Manhasset at 5:47 PM on December 7, 2008

I know it's a little further away but, Beer Bistro is really good. JK Wine Bar is usually very crowded, so it may not be ideal. But, it is really good.
posted by hazyspring at 7:59 PM on December 7, 2008

The area around there is nothing but mid-range restaurants for semi-unadventurous tourists going to the theatre. So pretty much any restaurant within walking distance will be fine. The restaurants Newbornstranger lists are all on one strip, are all perfectly fine, and are just a short walk from Second City. The idea of taking a cab to Queen St or farther west on King seems a little silly to me.
posted by Kololo at 8:47 PM on December 7, 2008

A third for Queen mom - Ping gai (chicken) remarkable and big enuf for 2 /// Aroma is indian just off king and john-ate there friday for 1st time and would def. go back
Terroni is a $5-10 cab ride on Queen -italian and very, very good
posted by pman78 at 9:43 PM on December 7, 2008

I agree with Newbornstranger and Kololo. My dad and I always go to The Red Tomato / Fred's Not Here when he's in the city. The restaurants on King W are closer, and cater to the theatre crowd, which will help ensure they make the show on time. Terroni has a lineup all the time, and is a traffic jam away.

Personally, I feel Queen Mum is overrated. It's great for its location and because everyone knows it, so meeting up is easy. I still go there from time to time, but not because of the food.
posted by girlpublisher at 4:55 AM on December 8, 2008

Thanks so much, everyone! I've passed the suggestions on to my mom, and she's going to discuss with her group and let me know what they decide (and how they enjoyed it!) after they go. I'll let you know how it goes...

I really appreciate all of your help -- my mom was amazed and happy that a place like Metafilter exists!
posted by cider at 5:52 AM on December 8, 2008

I'd second the Red Tomato / Fred's Not Here -- particularly Fred's Not Here. The food is quite good for the area, and it has the atmosphere you're looking for.

For Italian, consider Marinela's, which is on Widmer, just up the side street by the the Holiday Inn. Though it might be gone, since the construction started on that condo building, hard to say for sure -- they'd definitely want to make sure they phoned that one first.
posted by jacquilynne at 8:12 AM on December 8, 2008

800 metres East is Il Fornello. They're very good with vegetarian and other dietary requests.
http://www.ilfornello.com/
Walking Directions
posted by ChuckLeChuck at 1:21 PM on December 8, 2008

Thank you so much for all of these suggestions! My mom says: "We ended up going to Alice Fazooli's as it was really close to Second City. The supper was very good, the service great and the atmosphere great as well. Thanks so much for your help!!"
posted by cider at 4:58 AM on December 10, 2008