Cabbagetown Eats
June 5, 2013 10:25 AM Subscribe
My family is congregating in Toronto for a memorial service in August, and I need to take approximately 10 people out for dinner the night before. Suggestions sought!
We're all in a B&B in Cabbagetown on Homewood and Maitland. One of us doesn't walk well, so it's either nearby or cab rides for everyone. At least one of us is a vegetarian. At least one of us wouldn't be happy in a dedicated vegetarian restaurant. Two of us are self-proclaimed foodies. 60% of us are 70 years old. 50% of us are gay.
Reservation would be for a Tuesday night in August and I'm absolutely stressed out trying to accommodate all of these people on top of making funeral arrangements for my dad, so I would desperately like one of you to just pick a restaurant for me, please.
We're all in a B&B in Cabbagetown on Homewood and Maitland. One of us doesn't walk well, so it's either nearby or cab rides for everyone. At least one of us is a vegetarian. At least one of us wouldn't be happy in a dedicated vegetarian restaurant. Two of us are self-proclaimed foodies. 60% of us are 70 years old. 50% of us are gay.
Reservation would be for a Tuesday night in August and I'm absolutely stressed out trying to accommodate all of these people on top of making funeral arrangements for my dad, so I would desperately like one of you to just pick a restaurant for me, please.
I don't know if upscale pub would be okay, but if so, how about the The House on Parliament?
posted by girlpublisher at 10:39 AM on June 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by girlpublisher at 10:39 AM on June 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
Yeah, House on Parliament is a good choice. Their everyday menu is solid, but their daily specials tend to be a little more foodie-pleasing. They've also got a small room upstairs that (I think) you can book for things like this.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 10:56 AM on June 5, 2013
posted by DrJohnEvans at 10:56 AM on June 5, 2013
this is my old neighbourhood! i love this post! and LOVE the house on parliament.
agree with the above post regarding food. i haven't had a special from them that i didn't like.
as an fyi, the room upstairs is up a flight of about 15ish stairs, as is the washroom, just in case mobility is of concern.
posted by crawfo at 10:59 AM on June 5, 2013
agree with the above post regarding food. i haven't had a special from them that i didn't like.
as an fyi, the room upstairs is up a flight of about 15ish stairs, as is the washroom, just in case mobility is of concern.
posted by crawfo at 10:59 AM on June 5, 2013
oh also! i have heard people rave about f'amelia, though i have never been there myself. i've walked by, and it looks beautiful.
posted by crawfo at 11:01 AM on June 5, 2013
posted by crawfo at 11:01 AM on June 5, 2013
Best answer: Along the same upscale pub lines, the Blake House is quite nice and the food is decent. They've got a private room too.
Cafe California is a little bit farther away and more of a restaurant than a pub. I haven't been in a couple of years, but I recall the food being pretty good.
A new addition to the neighbourhood is Osteria dei Ganzi. We were there last week, the food was good but the service was still figuring itself out.
crawfo makes a good point about washroom access; it's sometimes hard to find restaurants in downtown Toronto that have main-floor washrooms.
posted by flipper at 11:04 AM on June 5, 2013
Cafe California is a little bit farther away and more of a restaurant than a pub. I haven't been in a couple of years, but I recall the food being pretty good.
A new addition to the neighbourhood is Osteria dei Ganzi. We were there last week, the food was good but the service was still figuring itself out.
crawfo makes a good point about washroom access; it's sometimes hard to find restaurants in downtown Toronto that have main-floor washrooms.
posted by flipper at 11:04 AM on June 5, 2013
F'Amelia is absolutely fantastic. My current favourite restaurant in Toronto. But getting a reservation for 10 people may be a challenge, and the menu (and prices) may not be to a large group's taste.
If this was 4 months ago I would've recommended Jam Café, but apparently the patronage of only myself and my wife was not enough to keep them in business.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 11:09 AM on June 5, 2013
If this was 4 months ago I would've recommended Jam Café, but apparently the patronage of only myself and my wife was not enough to keep them in business.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 11:09 AM on June 5, 2013
It would require a cab ride because it's on Wellington, but Trevor Kitchen and Bar is fantastic and has room for large parties. We're having our wedding reception there, and they're incredibly accommodating. The food is delectable, and it's reasonably priced for the value.
posted by PettyThiefLout at 12:01 PM on June 5, 2013
posted by PettyThiefLout at 12:01 PM on June 5, 2013
I also like Sidecar, which is a really good steak place but has a few veggie choices. They have a crook upstairs that you can book for a bigger number of people, and I've never eaten there and been disappointed.
posted by robot-hugs at 12:52 PM on June 5, 2013
posted by robot-hugs at 12:52 PM on June 5, 2013
Response by poster: You are all marvellous, marvellous people. Thank you so much! I will confer with my mother and probably Blake House or Osteria dei Ganzi for convenience. It turns out that we may in fact be a party of 12 now, in which case one of us will be a toddler. Is there a communal wisdom on which establishment would be more tolerant of very short dinner guests?
HOP would be great and we'll probably go for lunch one day but is too far, too squirrelly about reservations, and lacks vegetarian options on the dinner menu :(
posted by DarlingBri at 5:39 PM on June 5, 2013
HOP would be great and we'll probably go for lunch one day but is too far, too squirrelly about reservations, and lacks vegetarian options on the dinner menu :(
posted by DarlingBri at 5:39 PM on June 5, 2013
Best answer: The Blake House is perfect. The north side of the patio is heated when the sun goes down and Jarvis St is not too noisy after rush hour. I live a stone's throw away and i go to the Blake all the time.
posted by cranberrymonger at 7:59 PM on June 5, 2013
posted by cranberrymonger at 7:59 PM on June 5, 2013
Response by poster: Thanks guys, I've booked for Blake House. The manager was really nice and they're happy to host our toddler and the washrooms are on the ground floor and it's around the corner.
I knew I could count on you guys. My mother was a little stressed about finding somewhere to accomodate all of these people, but I said "Don't worry, I'll ask MetaFilter" and she said "Oh that's such a good idea."
Because, of course, my mama reads the Blue.
posted by DarlingBri at 11:06 AM on June 6, 2013
I knew I could count on you guys. My mother was a little stressed about finding somewhere to accomodate all of these people, but I said "Don't worry, I'll ask MetaFilter" and she said "Oh that's such a good idea."
Because, of course, my mama reads the Blue.
posted by DarlingBri at 11:06 AM on June 6, 2013
Response by poster: Followup: we ate at Blake House. The food was fine, if nothing to write home about, but the location, toddler friendliness, staff jolliness and value for money made it a win. Thanks!
posted by DarlingBri at 4:53 AM on September 2, 2013
posted by DarlingBri at 4:53 AM on September 2, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by DarlingBri at 10:37 AM on June 5, 2013