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Bannock
Category: Restaurants Canadian (New) Canadian (New) [Edit]
401 Bay StToronto, ON M5H 2Y4
Neighbourhood: Downtown Core
(416) 861-6996
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7:30 am - 10 pm
Sat 8 am - 10 pm
Sun 8 am - 6 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
About This Business:
Life is about the interaction between you, your circle and your environment. &Company Resto Bar, steps away from the Square One Shopping Center, is the… read more »
61 reviews for Bannock
Review Highlights
"Bannock has got Canadian comfort food done right."
(in 9 reviews)
"but the s'mores pie tops anything I've had lately."
(in 9 reviews)
"...back rib burger- smokey tomato jam and maple mustard bbq."
(in 3 reviews)
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61 reviews in English
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Review from Miriam P.
Toronto, ON
2/14/2012
My friend had heard of this place, so we gave it a try. I really liked the food and the cocktails, the service was very friendly. Seriously: smiles from everyone!
But the tables are a bit close together for a small party, and it's so popular that it is very loud inside. Still I had a great time! -
Review from Tanya N.
2/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
While I don't think anyone really truly knows what "Canadian comfort" food is, Bannock is probably as close as it gets. It's at a great location right by the Eaton Centre so it gives shoppers an option other than fast food and Mr. Greenjeans (is it still there...?).
Anyway, I had their artisan bread that came with hummus which is a better alternative than butter. It was good but would pass on it the next time since it wasn't anything too special. I had the roast duck poutine pizza. Whoa. It's definitely for sharing as it is really too much for one person to handle. It gets too savoury and there's too much gravy (yes, there could be "too much" gravy) to really enjoy the duck that's on it. I love duck so while there's a lot on it, the amount of cheese and gravy takes over so you can't taste much of it and it made the pizza soggy. It would have been better with about a quarter less gravy.
The warm s'mores pie was delicious but at $8 just a tad over priced.
Service was good and I would come back to try the other items on the menu. -
Review from Imran N.
2/11/2012
After three failed attempts to eat here, i finally made it without having to cancel last minute!
The decor is fun, the location is great, the service is excellent. The menu is good.
In general, i found the food to be a touch bland, but excellently prepared and very thoughtful. The Tuna and the Lamb are my favorite. The choice of starch and accompaniments on the plate definitely elevate the experience.
A pleasant surprise and star was the daily tomato soup special which was unexpectedly robust and so full of complex flavours (yes i am comparing my soup to a wine here).
As many people have pointed out, the butter tart at this place is a must. The very fact that fireweed honey (which is so rare to find) is an ingredient makes it all the more worth it.
I'm definitely going back here. But i think given the location and ambiance, this is a lunch rather than dinner place for me. -
Review from Corey S.
Downtown Core, Toronto, ON
2/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Cool atmosphere... almost like your in a wooden cabin. Fits in excellent with the Canadian 'comfort-food' theme. I've had a few dishes here, the lobster roll, PEI mussels, & boneless back rib burger, all of which I'd recommend. The daily noodle however, is scarce - I've missed it all three visits. Alas, perhaps next time, as I will surely be going back.
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Review from Stephanie C.
Toronto, ON
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Bannock really surprised me.
Over the years, I've eaten at other O&B chain restaurants and I come away with less than stellar impressions of their food. I feel that it's never great or fantastic, it's just always OK. But Bannock is different.
I came here for lunch with my new team members. It was a celebratory "get-to-know-you" lunch as I just joined the team.
Firstly, the atmosphere at Bannock is reminiscent to a log cabin, a fancy log cabin that is. I liked how you can either sit down and to eat in the dining area or be in the café area, but the look and feel of the place remains the same.
We were intrigued by what "Canadian Comfort Food" was and Bannock's version of what comfort food was impressed us.
We ordered as a lark the Salt Cod donuts ($(9) for the appetizer. The flavours were a nice touch of not being too fishy or salty, or too doughy. For the main, I ordered the St. Canut Pulled Pork Tourtiere ($16), a small version of a traditional tourtiere served with roots vegetables like beets, parsnips, turnips and ginger root. The way they make the dish is different: the pulled pork is cooked and then ground to be added to the tourtiere. It was a dish I really enjoyed.
For dessert, we had the Warm S'mores Pie ($8) and the Canoe Firewood Butter Tart ($8), the latter being an instant favourite. Pricey, yes, but it's bigger than you're normal size. It's sweet but not as sweet or chemical-tasting than other butter tarts you eat. It's very unique tasting and one to try whenever you're there.
I tried to buy a tart on my way home but sadly, they were sold out. It's not surprising that it's one of Bannock's most popular treats. -
Review from Sara-Yan Y.
North York, ON
1/29/2012
When we first went inside you can see people cooking and it smelled amazing. The server put everybody into one section of the restaurant so it was a bit loud and crowded. Our table was very close to another group's table, and it was awkward when it came to talking because the other table can clearly hear us. But the lively atmosphere suited us just fine as we were able to talk, gossip and laugh as loud as we want.
The décor had a warm and cozy feel to it. The tones of brown and tan in the walls and furniture plus the bright lighting added a down to earth feel. We felt really comfortable and intimate, a place to go for a date or with a group of friends. A place to dress up or dress down.
Our server were friendly and informative, and gave us the daily specials right away. Service was quick and water was refilled frequently. It only took our food 15-20 mins even though the restaurant was quite busy.
My friends and I were not that hungry, so we decided on sharing a dish. We also felt adventurous and ended up choosing the roast duck poutine pizza for $16. It sounded interesting and we never ate anything like it before. We really enjoyed it. The cheese a thoroughly melted and it tasted good. But it was not that amazing that I would order it again.
Overall, this restaurant has a lively but cozy atmosphere to hang out with your friends. We only tried one dish, and it didn't taste as special as it sounds. Other items on the menu sounds good as well and we would come back and try more. -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
I love the decor and feel in here. It's chic, but not pretentious. It's unique but not weird. Its small enough to feel cozy, but yet you don't feel cramped. The location is central. It's a place you can come on your own, with friends, with your parents and feel like you've impressed them with an out of the box choice. And the price point is good too.
Came here around 1:45pm on a Saturday afternoon. They don't take reservations, and the place was full! Waited about 5-10 mins, and we got a nice table for two.
I did very much like how it was a four person table, with us at the corner seats. It made for a less cramped lunch.
Our server was friendly and made conversation, but wasn't intrusive.
The restaurant's namesake is Bannock, which defined on their menu is a thin, crunchy pizza, folded over with food goods inside.
We got the Duck Poutine Pizza. Although it was very good (and very filling), it was basically fries, cheese and some duck meat on top of a thin crust pizza. We opted for the pizza instead of a Bannock, because he said it was the most popular.
I think I regret this choice, because although good, I don't like the feeling of grease inside me after a meal, nor was it something unique (fries).
We also shared the Roasted Pork Shoulder. It was amazing. And I was sad I couldn't eat more because I was full from my one slice of pizza.
For dessert, I noted Tong J's suggestion to get the Sour Cream donuts. Yum, it was melt in your mouth.
My only thing about the food here, is that it's heavy. You have definite itis waddling out of here, so choose your dishes wisely!
They also have a great takeaway lunch area.
It seems like a great place for commuters to meet, but coming here with a car was difficult. Parking around Eaton Centre is expensive (Green P street is $3.50 an hour) but you can also try City Hall as well.Listed in: Pre-Theatre (aka Around Eaton…
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Review from Elvis A.
I was intrigued by the concept for this restaurant, a place that serves Canadian cuisine. Hmm how does one capture the essence of Canadian take on food as the major cities are so cosmopolitan now its hard to pin point what that city is famous for. Sure there are pockets of ethnicity but unlike the countries of yore there aren't any cities I can think off that are famous for a particular dish (Montreal Smoked Meat and bagels or Nanaimo bars are an Exception)
There are regional mainstream unique dishes like poutine from Quebec, Items that can't be categorized as unique to a region like fresh seafood items from BC , lobster from the Atlantic provinces . Then there are the somewhat acquired taste items like prairie oysters, flipper pies in the Atlantic to sustenance food in the North (some of those are too much even for an adventurous eater). Canada a small country in terms of population offers a vast geography that makes for an interesting contrast in food philosophy as it is an abstract of ingredient focus and technique based in terms of cuisine.
With such a wide canvas to come up with a menu here, O&B have left a lot to be desired in my opinion. Sure there is bannock bread and some signature dishes of poutine and a butter tart for 8$ (gasp)
Give me some authentic regional dishes rather than a mainstream attempt at them, most of the menu items consist of common dishes with a twist of somewhat Canadian item.
Anyway on to the main I ordered a Roast Duck and Poutine pizza after going through the whole menu as it was a combo of two items I enjoy.
Beer selection was limited as they had Kieth, Mill Street, Labatt 50 and an another beer (if you are going for a cliché might as well offer Molson Canadian!) I ended up with Labatt 50. Again give me some of the amazing beers Canada has to offer like La Fin Du Monde, Maudite (or most Unibrue gems for that matter), Dieu Du Ciel Line of beers, Dominus Vobiscum line of beers etc etc
Anyway the Pizza arrived quickly. Initial impression was nothing special just a hodge podge of gooey stuff thrown on a pizza. Unfortunately the taste wasn't much of a departure from anything one might get from the California Pizza Chicken (CPK) chain of restaurants in US or dare I say CPK frozen offerings.
The duck was being overwhelmed by the gravy and fries. The cheese curds were replaced by melted cheese and the fries were soggy. The meat had a salty finish that lingered well after dinner. I did enjoy the caramelized onions though.
Service was prompt and quick so Kudos for that.
I don't think I am being overly harsh in giving this place 2 stars. To be fair though I will revisit with perhaps a larger group as to try some other dishes and form a better opinion. -
Review from Joey J.
1/1/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Throughout history, there have been brave men who haven't turned away from adventure despite overwhelming odds against them. Men like Shackleton, Perry, Byrd, Hilary and Adam Richman. When our waiter Shawn delivered the Roast Duck Poutine Pizza to our table, I knew I was setting off on one of those adventures.
The lady commented "That looks like a heart attack on a plate." To which I replied, "That looks like awesome on a plate," earning laughter from Shawn and doubling his tip in the process. Granted, the lady was right in assessment. This was a Man versus Food portion size of carbohydrates. But it was also a heaping helping of potatoes French fried in duck fat, melted cheese curds, roast duck and a wafer thin crust. The fries on their own were so perfectly done that the lady kept stealing them, despite the fact that she said her pickerel taco was phenomenal. The combination of duck, fry, cheese and onion though has worked its way into the top five on my end-of-year list of foods I've eaten.
Not every thing was great at Bannock. The Caesar salad was more like Caesar coleslaw with the way it was covered in dressing. And the salad the lady ordered wasn't much better. The Alexander Keith's IPA was more Miller High Life than India Pale Ale, albeit that's LaBatts' doing more. But when Bannock connected hard, there was little doubt that the dish was a homerun.
Sadly, my battle with the Roast Duck Poutine Pizza ended somewhere between Shackleton and Richman's battles with ghost chiles. But that didn't stop the lady from wanting the S'mores pie for dessert (which was awesome as well, by the way). Shawn asked if we needed two spoons. I said "one and a half." He then proceeded to one-up my joke by delivering the world's smallest spoon. I can see why this place scores an average of four-stars on Yelp, and I think that's about right. But Imma gonna give it five stars anyway.
Editors note: After losing our creativity on New Year's Eve and seeing Bannock right there, we decided to put this initial review to the test. Bannock delivered again. The back rib burger is what the famed McRib sandwich would be if it grew up, earned its MBA and set a course for a senior vice presidency. The pork shoulder fell apart like the Tacoma Narrows Bridge with a simple touch of fork. I've never been so happy to be a dullard. -
Review from Happybadfish S.
Toronto, ON
1/15/2012
Finally someone opened a restaurant in this neighborhood that isn't fast-food.
I had a great dinner at Bannock, chicken pot pie to die for. I savored every bite! I also really enjoyed the butter tart, no raisins, which is bonus in my eyes.
Next time I'm trying some bannock though.
Cute resto, great post-shopping meal! -
Review from Liora I.
Toronto, ON
1/13/2012
We stopped into Bannock for a late lunch over the weekend and had no problem getting a table. The dining room was decked out for winter and the mix-matched pine wreaths were the perfect compliment for this oh-so-Canadiana decor.
We ordered the lobster roll & duck poutine pizza and we were impressed by both.
We even enjoyed watching the christmas shoppers come to and from The Bay, it felt especially wintery and we felt especially cozy -and Canadian. -
Review from Catherine K.
1/14/2012
Fast, delicious, attentive - just three words I would use to describe the lovely Bannock, conveniently located near Toronto's bustling Eaton Centre.
With a Canadian-themed menu and a roomie, busy dining room (as well as pop-in cafe), Bannock is the nice restaurant harried shoppers have been waiting for. Most impressive is the service: even when it's at its busiest, friendly servers consistently check in, make suggestions, and pour refills. Also: it's really fast. Meals are served within fifteen minutes (maximum) of being ordered.
My only complaint - and it's tiny - is the lack of non-heavy stuff on the menu. With items like duck poutine pizza, fritters, mac and cheese, and venison chili, finding good lighter fare can be a challenge, even with the PEI mussels and salad selections. Crudites come with lobster roll and artisanal bread (which is admittedly delicious) - but how about offering said items a la carte? Sometimes a woman just wants a glass of champagne and a few good, naked oysters (hold the back bacon, please). Alas, it's not at Bannock.
Still, if kitschy Canadian-themed comfort food is what you're after, Bannock is a good bet. The service is tops, the food is fast, and the price point is just right. After spending a pushing hour or two at the Eatons Center or in the hustle-bustle of Yonge Street, plunk yourself onto one of Bannock's comfy chairs; they'll take good care of you. -
Review from Vivian W.
12/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Another O&B restaurant in town !
It's half cafeteria style and half sit down. Menu option is kind of simple, so definitely for lunch but maybe a bit dry for dinner.
Another O&B restaurant in town !
It's half cafeteria style and half sit down. Menu option is kind of simple, so definitely for lunch but maybe a bit dry for dinner.
I came here with a group of six, they have one round table in the corner, which is awesome for groups because no one will be isolated unlike spots at the two end of a long table. They don't have too many tables , so may have to wait if u come with big groups.
Food-wise, we ordered their poutine duck meat"bannock" to share (yah it's not listed under starter, but we saw other people ordering and it looks awesome!) it's basically poutine on a piece of flat bread! For main, I got their pasta of the day which is a boglonese fettuccine. Some of my friends got their famous Mac & Cheese, the lamb, the fish cake and the fish cake looks good. My pasta was pretty nice but not wow. I used to like O&B a lot back like 7 years ago when there were not so many little chic , chef owned creative restaurants in downtown Toronto. -
Review from Ryan G. S.
1/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Bannock was the perfect place to go for our first night in Canada. Their tag line of "Canadian comfort food" doesn't really tell the whole story: what we ate was more like Canadian haute cuisine. Sure, we started with an order of poutine (which was great), but it all got fancier from there.
The seared B.C. albacore tuna teriyaki was the most surprising dish. Usually seared tuna is done with ahi, while albacore is left for canned tuna salad. The seared albacore was incredible, though: much more flavorful and tender than ahi, with a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Our server told us that the fishery that catches these albacore waits until the the time of year when the fish are feeding on the proper stuff, which is what elevates them from canning grade to sushi grade.
The lamb rump was also fantastic. I don't think lamb butt is a cut I've had before, but here is was perfectly prepared: a bit charred on the outside, and medium inside, with great lamb flavor. It was served on a bed of grain pilaf, swimming in a dense lamb stock with lots of garlic and rosemary. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
The restaurant's namesake dish is pretty good too. The house bannock is smoked salmon with cream cheese and cumin, which is basically what would happen if you ordered a lox gyro.
Our server was friendly, and even full of good advice about where to explore north of Toronto.
The other surprise: red wine from Niagara can be pretty good! In Michigan, they can't really make good red wine at all, and I assumed Ontario would be similar. The house wine, Biff's red, was surprisingly good. The local beer, Mill St., was great, too. Go Canada! -
Review from Maheen M.
12/8/2011
***3.5 Stars***
I visited Bannock with friends last night, I made reservations just in case it would be packed on a Wednesday. I am glad I did, the place was bustling at 6:30pm! We were immediately seated to our table. The dining area was cozy and modern, I love how it looked out into the Bay store where you could people watch folks shopping!
Food
Appetizer
Bannock Bread basket - it came with the special house dip of the day, it took us a few minutes to realize that the dip was in the bottom of the dish which was covered by the bread. It would have been nice to have the dip on the side. Bread was fresh, I did try a bannock, it is kinda like a flat bread.
Entree
Pickerel Taco - soo good, portion size way too small. They were like baby tacos as my friends described them. I could have eaten a few more of them. The steamed bun is similar to the Korean pork buns. If you want something light to eat and are not that hungry, this is the perfect entree!
Vegetable Cobb - my SO was expecting a bigger portion for a salad but it came in a dandy plate. It was interesting because there were different parts of the Cobb salad. Overall, my SO gave the dish an ok.
Duck Poutine Pizza - over the top gluttonous, it was good but way too heavy. My friend and I could not even finish half of the pizza. I would recommend sharing this dish with 4 others. I felt sluggish after eating it.
Service
Great service, our waitress kept on filling up our waters and checking in with us. Our food was brought to our table quickly.
Overall - 3.5 stars
Food - 3.5 stars
Service - 4 stars
I will definitely be back at Bannock to try out their other menu items. Check it out yourself if you are in the Eaton Centre area! -
Review from Justine H.
Toronto, ON
12/4/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Restaurant: bannockCuisine: Canadian
Location: Entertainment District
Address: 401 Bay Street
Price Range: $15-25
1: Poor 2: OK 3: Good 4: Very Good 5: Excellent
Food: 5
Service: 4
Ambiance: 4
Overall: 4.5
Extra information:
*Dine in or Take Out
*Part of Oliver & Bonacini Group
*Canadian comfort food
*Located inside of the Bay
I tried bannock in October and that was already after all the woo'ing and ahh'ing has died down a bit after their grand opening. This post is way too old and I am sure there are so many posts on bannock already but I am still going to do a post on it just because I want to personally talk about how much I love this restaurant.
When I first walked in, we were told they didn't have liquor license for the day so all beverages would be on the house, YAY! Inside of the restaurant is not very big but they laid out the tables really well with nice touches of interior here and there.
Ordered: CLEARWATER LOBSTER ROLL + ROOT VEG CRUDITES 5/5
*Lobster roll served with root vegetable salad for $16.00
*This was absolutely delicious in every way possible
*It looks small but it's quite filling
*The bread is very soft (potato bread texture) which went well with the chunky lobster pieces
*There wasn't too much sauce for the lobster fillings which I appreciated because that over-rides the lobster pieces and will make your bread soggy
*Root vegetables sald was SO good! I loved the light and refreshing dressing it really complimented the lobster roll
*There were big chunky lobster pieces as well as bits of cucumber
*It had nice presentation plus sandwich was light and perfect for lunch
*I would absolutely get this again
Ordered: MAC & CHEESE 4/5
*Bowl of Mac & Cheese with Great Canadian Cheese and Crunchy flax granola toppings for $14.00
*Plate comes super hot and it's a big portion for lunch
*Because it was so hot, I burnt the top of my mouth when I took a bite...but so worth it!
*It's drenched in rich creamy white cheese sauce and some more cheese melted on top
*There were lots of spinach in it which was really delicious with the pasta
*This dish would be good if you shared with someone since it is a very heavy dish
*Luxurious version of your everyday Mac & Cheese
Ordered: ROASTED DUCK POUTINE PIZZA 3/5
*Fries, Curds and Duck on Pizza for $15.00
*This was that one dish everyone talked about from bannock
*I love poutine, but wasn't sure if I liked it on my Pizza
*As I was trying to make up my mind, our waiter recommended it to me once I sat down so I decided to give it a try
*This is a huge pizza, probably enought for 2 girls
*It looks absolutely amazing and smells fabulous
*There weren't much duck on the pizza but it was covered in so much fries
*I liked the poutine part, but didn't really like it as pizza
*It just became a giant dough in my mouth as I was chewing it
*I am glad I tried it but probably wouldn't get it again
Ordered: PICKEREL TACO + CUCUMBER APPLE SALAD 4/5
*Pickerel Taco on steamed bun with Caviar Tartar for $11.00
*This reminds me of the pork buns served at many asian restaurants
*It was very tasty but so small in portion (not enough even for a girl)
*Pickerel pieces were juicy and bursting with flavor
*Everything went really well together in the steamed bun
*Cucumber apple salad was light and refreshing
*Would be good as an appetizer
Ordered: ONTARIO VENISON CHUCK CHILI N/A
*Venison Chuck Chili with Great northern beans and bannock for $15.00
*My friend ordered this and I just had a bite of it
*I am not a big fan of chili (I've finally decided) so I didn't really like it
*But it was very hearty, rich and bursting with flavor
Ordered: ST-CANUT PULLED PORK TOURTIERE 3/5
*Pulled pork pie with honeyed roots and heinz ketchup for $16.00
*Pie crust was flaky and done just right
*Inside is filled with so much pulled pork pieces
*Honeyed Roots didn't need any sauce it was sweet and soft on it's own
*It was served with Heinz ketchup for a reason, everything tastes good with ketchup (personal preferance)
Summary: Bannock is always busy, and I guess people can depend on this restaurant to be at certain level (food & service wise) because it's owned by Oliver & Bonaccini. And they def did not disappoint! I've been back to bannock at least 3 times after my first visit and it just keeps on getting better. I always leave the restaurant satisfied with the delicious food they offer. Did I mention they have the friendliest staff ever? I officially love bannock. If you haven't been there, you are missing out.Listed in: foodigatorJ TOP LIST
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Review from Sabrina P.
Toronto, ON
12/4/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Loved this place!
I was skeptical at first because I'm not a big Canadian cuisine foodie, but the food is really great. Their menu offers a great variety of salads, burgers and standard comfort food. It is an O&B establishment and their reputation has held up with this place.
The restaurant is nicely decorated and it offers a comfortable atmosphere.
Prices are reasonable. And the staff is friendly and helpful with menu selections.
Reserved a table via Yelp which worked out great! -
Review from Justin B.
Etobicoke, ON
1/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Canadian comfort food in Canada's most district department store has proven to be a home run. We have been lagging behind international retailers in the food service options and bannock fills the void.
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Review from Megan H.
Oakville, ON
1/30/2012
I went to Bannock a few weeks after it opened and sadly I was disappointed. I have always had wonderful experiences with Oliver and Bonacini restaurants, so this was somewhat surprising.
A co-worker and I went for a quick business lunch. We arrived around 12:30 and were greeted and seated promptly. Unfortunately things went downhill from there. The server seemed confused and was unable to answer questions we had about the menu.
Specifically, we asked for descriptions of the signature smoked salmon bannock and the steak lunch entree. The bannock was described as "like a pizza" by the server and the steak was described as a NY strip cut in a smaller lunch portion.
Neither of these descriptions were accurate. When the smoked salmon bannock arrived it was a flat bread sandwich. The bannock was similar to a naan bread and was folded around a filling of salmon, cumin cream, pickled onions and a substantial amount of greens and vegetables that were not on the menu, nor were they in the server's description. Also, it was certainly not "like a pizza".
My co-workers steak was....a nightmare. It was not a NY strip cut, but rather a flank steak cut. It was not cut against the grain, therefore it was quite tough and it tasted sour. So not only was the description misleading, the product itself was sub-par.
When we requested a manager he did nothing to resolve the issues. In fact, he told us that we were mistaken in our complaints. And that we were confusing him as to "what we wanted out of this".
We left, hungry, out $70 and without so much as an apology for our poor experience. We will not be returning. -
Review from Kimberly M.
11/17/2011
I took a client here for lunch and was blown away! Such beautiful decor and rustic feel. If you are from out of the country, it's fun to try the local comfort food, like Poutine, which was amazing here. I have to say, of everything we tried, hands down the best thing on the menu we had, and perhaps one of the best dishes of my life was simply the beets (a side dish) with pink salt, olive oil, and creme fraiche. $8.00 and truly the most wonderful beets I have ever had in my life, cooked and seasoned to perfection. Not that I didn't love my entree, but I could have just ordered 2-3 orders of the beets and been perfectly content with life.
I got the salmon and lima beans which were also amazingly seasoned. My hats off to the chef, thank you for making my stay here in Canada that much more wonderful. -
Review from howard d.
York, ON
1/27/2012
The service was great, however the food was so so
Ordered the Alberta lamb rump which was cooked to perfection but the pilaf was overwhelmed with herbs, which I found to the point of a bitter taste
Seating is extremely tight as we had to walk like a crab to leave our table without interrupting the other diners
Will not be going back anytime soon -
Review from Coy W.
11/24/2011
I'll start by saying Bannock I'll be back!
The only thing that I can guarantee 100% is that I will not be getting the burger next time. It was an ok burger at best and that makes me sad to say as I decided on the burger after talking about getting a burger all day due to a craving.
We started with the poutine which was surprisingly and blasphemously good. Seriously, poutine = cheese curds (ALWAYS) and spiced gravy! It was very tasty, not to salty, the cheese curds melted in perfectly and the fries were good.
I had a chance to try the pot pie and it was amazing. It was definitely the best pot pie I've ever tasted. The pie was perfectly flaky on the outside and the inside had a perfect filling that was rich and creamy. I've had some that were runny but this was fantastic.
I have no doubt my rating will go up the next time I'm here and honestly it is somewhere between a 3 and a 4. I was just pretty disappointed with my burger and the root chips. The root chips were really oily as well. -
Review from Martin W.
Loved it here. Everything on the menu sounds delicious and I had a tough time deciding. I ended up getting the poutine for the table and the chicken pot pie.
The poutine was really great if not a tad too salty. It filled me up pretty good and by the time my pot pie came I was already satiated. That didn't stop me from devouring the pie, though, because it was THAT good. It was just so piping hot, rich and creamy. Definitely the best chicken pot pie I've ever had.
The space itself looked very modern and clean, with a pleasant Canadian feel to it. Although I normally discount the decor and base my experience mostly on the food, I couldn't help but admire my surroundings and I think they did a great job with the design. I definitely look forward to my next visit to Bannock and hope it is sooner rather than later. -
Review from Mel C.
Updated - 10/31/2011
Came here a second time and I still love this place! I ordered the Bannock Bannock again which is still delicious but I feel like this time they made it fatter. Also, the first time they didn't fold it so I had to guess how to eat the thing and I guess right because the second time I went, they folded it in half.
Also had the mac and cheese which I really enjoyed. Would I order it again? Probably not but it's something worth trying.
I tried their parsnip soup which was good. The main reason why I ordered it was because of the pumpkin seeds in the soup. I was disappointed with the pumpkin seed because I thought they were going to make the seed crispy but it was too soft for my liking. The soup itself was delicious.
The sweet potato fries here are good but they added too much salt. I enjoy my sweet potato fries with a bit of salt and pepper because I think it enhances the sweet taste but they went a bit overboard with the salt.
The roast duck poutine pizza was a disaster in my opinion. I never really enjoy poutine pizza but with that aside, the duck was way to dry. The fries reminded me of KFC fries (nothing wrong with that for those who like KFC fries but I don't like KFC fries). I guess I'm not the kind of girl that enjoys just putting anything on her pizza.
For dessert, I tried the smore's and it's not that great. The graham cracker was a bit soggy and there wasn't enough of it. It reminded me of a lava cake. Go for the tart if you're craving dessert.
Another highlight of the meal was the Mighty Canuck. I absolutely love that drink! The glass is sugar rimmed and there's a sugared orange chocolate candy on top of the drink. I also tried the Back Forty (I think that's what it's called) and there's too much cucumber taste in that.
Service was still great, they refilled our water whenever it was half full and took away empty plates. Also, they didn't charge me for the Back Forty and kindly replaced it with the Mighty Canuck.Listed in: 30-Day Yelp Challenge, Failproof Restaurants
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/15/2011
I ordered the bannock bannock since the restaurant is call Bannock. It had smoked salmon, onion and… Read more »
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
Bannock has a great location, right at the corner of Bay and Queen, serving Canadian Comfort Food.
What would be consider as Canadian National Food? According to Wikipedia: Poutine and Butter Tarts.
Does Bannock's menu reflect that theme? Certainly!
I ended up ordering:
Roast Duck Poutine Pizza ($15)
I got to have a taste of:
Boneless Back Rib Burger ($15)
BLT Bannock ($13)
Mac n Cheese ($13)
Peppered Flatiron Steak ($25)
I got to share:
Canoe Firweed Butter Tart ($8)
Warm S'mores Pie ($8)
Sour Cream Donuts ($8)
I found most of the entrees were really salty and nothing good enough to make me feel like I need to come back again!
Desserts though a little overpriced for what we got, but are quite solid. Dumbing sweetness, heavy and creamy.... these are the comforting factors!
Service was excellent and the space is cool...
I cannot say I experienced better...nor I am a fan of Bannock! So I found the experience A-OK! -
Review from Tony F.
10/21/2011 3 photos
Bannock!
I'm not the biggest O&B chain fan. I find them a tad overrated and over priced. But I was very pleasantly surprised at Bannock. It's a very casual place located at the side of the Bay flagship store downtown. Bannock is very similar to their Canteen in a modern coffee diner-esque kind of way.
I was a bit under the weather while heading in, and got one of the better servers I've ever had. As soon as she heard my voice, she said she'll keep the questions to me to a minimum and brought me some honey lemon and water without me asking for anything. She was extremely pleasant without being overbearing/pretentious like some of the other staff I've experienced at O&Bs.
The now famous Duck Poutine Pizza was the star, and why I went out of my way to go there. I had been seeing everyone post a picture of this on facebook so much that I felt like I've already sampled it. It is as good as it looks.
I didn't have much else this night as I wasn't feeling all that well, but I did have a side of Chowder which I found a bit too rich and creamy. My friends had the Pork Shoulder and the Lobster Sandwich which was quickly devoured and enjoyed.
Very much looking forward to sampling other things on their menu as soon as I kick this cold.Listed in: Omnomeriffic Yum! (TM), Date night
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Review from John Paul T.
Montréal, QC
1/7/2012
I love anything and everything Canadiana. I'm known in my friend group as loving all things kitschy Canadian--maple leaf napkins, mountie paintings, birch bark candle holders, Aboriginal carvings, etc.--but in a really ultra modern setting. Industrial chic with a Canadian twist. Well along comes Bannock! What a perfect match for little ol' me! I have to tell you I eagerly awaited this restaurant. I saw that Timothy's closed down and that the space was being vacated. When I heard that the Bay--and that brilliant Bonnie Brooks--had partnered up with Oliver and Bonacini (whose other great restaurants Auberge du Pommier, and Canoe have always been fan favorites) I was like ok, gurrrrl, we have a winner and I was not not not disappointed! My boyfriend and I have been twice in three weeks, both times for lunch. I love the menu, I think its really well 'curated.' There is a nice selection with a variety of options if you're not hellbent on bannock or some of the more irregular foodie options. I loved the poutine pizza: it's a must try. While my hips were groaning at the sight of such a gluttonous concoction, I was really impressed in the end. As a Montrealer I thought 'Toronto cannot do poutine,' but I was wrong. The cheese curds were fresh, the gravy was flavourful, and the placement of poutine on pizza dough was definitely something creatively adventurous. I lovedddddd it. Fab. On my second visit I had the chicken pot pie which was rich, scrumptious, and a sensical addition to the menu of a restaurant that prides itself on 'Canadian comfort food.' Not to mention the mashed potatoes were like really really really good; I loved the little gravy pool they created. The waitstaff on both occasions (the one waitress who was a Kiwi/New Zealander was really cute and helpful) and our other waiter was Shawn, he was pleasant and more than attentive with water, bringing the bill, clearing, etc. They have a small-ish wine selection but all the standards are there; the Oliver and Bonancini house wine collection is also available including their good VQA-certified 'Canoe' riesling, a nice fruity (ha!) wine for lunch.
All in all a wonderful respite from shopping at the increasingly more glamourous Bay flagship store and/or the clusterfuck that is the Eaton Centre. The dining space is not overly large but big enough that we did not have to wait for a table. The 'take-out' area has maybe 7-8 tables where you can snack on baked goods and their coffee. I noticed that a small coffee from the take-out bar was $1.70 and a large was $2, pretty good prices. Also: if you are a HBC Rewards collector you can earn points for your meal (I'm not sure if it is the standard 50 points for every dollar you spend but they 'credited' me for it at the end of my meal). They do not, however, accept the HBC/The Bay credit card if you were interested (I'm such an ol' lady that way and I still use my Bay card to collect those points, don't judge!). Also one thing that is hella silly is that there is no direct connection to this restaurant from the Bay department store!!! You have to walk outside the store and along Queen Street or up Bay Street and then across to the main entrance. The first time my boyfriend and I went there we were sure that there would be a direct connection and we ended up going through the service entrance. Classy. -
Review from Joe C.
1/9/2012 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
my first time here but this place is def a repeat place for me. the menu is small and simple comprised of canadian inspired dishes. it's a damn damn good pot pie. it's creamy but not thick. it comes out scotching hot the way i like it but watch urself it will burn your mouth. The duck poutine pizza is perfect for sharing with your fellow dinning partners. sharing the crumbs that is.If you're going to order the poutine make sure to order the large one you get more bang for the buck.
service was good here but not exceptional. Forgot the first round of drinks we ordered and found a chicken bone in my pot pie and all i got was a "sorry it happens sometimes"
Pot pie and poutine was so satisfying i gave it 4 stars
Make sure to book reservations during dinner service -
Review from Andrew M.
11/14/2011
I have been to this place 2 times so far, and I will return to it if I make it back to Toronto.
The roasted duck poutine pizza is great, and the butter tart is absolutely delicious.
The wait-staff was very friendly, and service was prompt. The food did not take long after it was ordered.
Biff's bologna and eggs was also delicious - they were served with potatoes roasted with duck fat.
The s'mores pie was also delicious.
Beers on tap include Mill St. Good stuff. -
Review from Jiao S.
11/16/2011
Definitely above 3,but really hesitate to give a four. But I can be bias,since I only had one dish.
As a fan of OB chain, and a person work downtown with limited lunch choice, I was sooo looking forward Bannock's opening. However, I didn't have a chance to try it until there is a big ttc delay.
I read about their pickle taco on Toronto life, so I went in, sit down just order that.
During the time waiting, I enjoy the inner deco very much. It was already after dark, feels like some place you can hold on to a drink for a bit, either chat with friends, or enjoy some time alone, or recover from shopping or cramming for LSAT like me,..
Taco was served, as mentioned in the magazine, on some kind of Chinese steam buns, very cute idea. Chicken is a little bit spicy and tender and juicy with this taco, gives a very sore texture. Pickle add up a lot to the flavor, called pickle taco for a reason lol. However, I don't see there is a need to put caviar on top of it. -
Review from Leslie-anne W.
Toronto, ON
10/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am skeptical of the O&B chain of restaurants, but ended up at Bannock needing a pre-Opera place to eat. The interior was simple and welcoming, although after looking into the Bay during my meal, I did feel an overwhelming urge to purchase a Hudson's Bay blanket afterwards...
The service was intense, very cordial to the extreme. Friendly, but a few too many servers for our one little table. That said, the alternative is much much worse.
The menu had a great mix of items, it's the kind of place anyone could find something to eat at. We decided on the daily soup, the bannock caesar, the burger + root crisps and the boneless back burger + smokey tomato jam. The burger was tasty, not a top 10-burger, but a good one, the root crisps were a nice change from boring old fries, and the boneless back burger was a McRib done right! (or so says my husband!)
The prices were just right, and the quality of ingredients, with many from local purveyors, was fantastic. Worth a meal for lunch or a quick casual dinner.
Way to go O&B. -
Review from William T.
Scarborough, ON
10/17/2011
Me & Yvonne T. shared three dishes. The Roast Duck Poutine Pizza, was the best item hands down even though there was not much duck the gravy made this pizza extremely good!
Side Ribs Burger was very savory even though the pork was not as tender as I liked. Came with Yam chips of sorts.
The Pork Shoulder was tender & its saltiness infused well with the sweet pear present in the dish.
We were well satiated by our meal, the service here was excellent & most attentive! -
Review from John M.
Toronto, ON
11/22/2011
Bannock has the right combination of comfort food and modern cooking and has become my family's go-to restaurant for meals downtown. I've been to Bannock three times since they've opened, and with at least 4 at the table every time have managed to sample a good chuck of their menu.
The tourtiere, the venison chili and the pork shoulder are stand-outs on the menu. And so is the bannock itself. All of the entrees are filling but sensible and not giant American-style portions. The only dish that was disappointing were the pickerel tacos which were more sandwich wraps and only vaguely resembled tacos. The chicken pot pie and the lobster roll were executed just fine but nothing stood out. The duck poutine pizza is an interesting jest but would have been a much better meal done separately instead of combined.
As mentioned in other reviews the service is a little too intense at times. It's a better option than not being able to flag a waiter at all but the busser with the water seemed like a permanent fixture at my elbow and over my shoulder.
So many restaurants around the financial district seem to be closed for lunch on weekends. This cements Bannock as the place to bring weekend visitors to the Eaton Centre, the Canadian Opera Company, or anything else in the area. -
Review from Anabel L.
Toronto, ON
9/20/2011
O Bannock!
grilled alberta lamb rump...shake that rump...
"Truthfully, I think the city is saturated with Oliver & Bonacini restaurants..." Déjà vu? That's because it is...remember Canteen.
Last night I went to number eight. It's been open for about 3 weeks. It's "Canadian comfort food". And they called it Bannock.
...
My guess is that somewhere in the O&B hierarchy, someone thought using the Old English word for flat bread was truly Canadian because it was "brought to Canada through Scottish explorers and traders...". I must have skipped that lesson during social studies. That's right, in West Coast Canada, "history" is "social studies". Gawd I don't miss high school at all.
The reviews for Bannock so far are so bad...although not here. Yelpers seem to like it. I don't disagree. The food was good and flavourful.
Yes, there is a BUT in there.
Regardless of the bad reviews when my friend Aerie suggested Bannock, I was down. I get down with anything, at least once. And I'm always down for meeting with Aerie. Always.
We bantered over cocktails (mighty canuck tastier than hbc) and ban-uhk. Not literally, because they didn't sound appealing.
There were many things I liked (and many things I could have done without). I'll start with the good. I like the concept: easy to-go counter cafe meets casual dining. I also appreciate that they use Canadian ingredients, like PEI mussels, BC albacore tuna, etc.
Now on to the stuff that could lead a bad review, if this were one, which it's not...quite. Not everything on the menu sounds good. And in my opinion, a lot of things are just set up to fail. Take the lobster roll - Aerie and I both wondered why they would do one. Good lobster rolls are few and far between and I doubt that Toronto is the best place place to throw one down. Other things just sound wholly unappetizing. For example, the table next to us ordered the roast duck poutine pizza. Now don't get me wrong, I love duck. I love poutine. I love pizza. I love duck poutine and I love duck pizza. But duck poutine piza? I'll pass. Too too much isn't always so very very good.
Service was great - friendly and attentive. Kitchen was not. Open concept means I can see where the hold up is. Our food took a long time. There were extended delays. Not sure what was going on because the tables weren't full. I will let it go. They knew it. They apologized for it. I'm over it.
Overall, the food shows promise. Aerie and I shared a poutine. Just poutine, because we love poutine. It wasn't Top 10 material, but it was still very good, even with chicken gravy.
Then we shared the grilled Alberta lamp rump and St. Canut pulled pork tourtière. While lamb is self-explanatory, tourtière may not be. Allow me, it's a meat pie from Quebec and is traditionally minced. Why then does Bannock call it pulled pork. Misleading but good. The honeyed root veggies too. As for the packet of Heinz ketchup; I think it was intended to be fun and whimsical. I thought it was lame.
The lamb was really delicious. I could have skipped the prairie grain pilaf, only because it tasted so very healthy. I wanted mashed potatoes or risotto. I don't do well with whole grains.
Aerie and I got some sugar to go. I had the sour cream donuts. Shocker. Y'all know I have a problem with donuts.
Aerie liked her butter tart. She said the puff pastry crust was an nice surprise from the usual shortcut pastry. She also liked the flavour. I trust Aerie. So should you.
How were my donuts you ask? They tasted better than they look.
Overpriced at $8 and definitely won't make Toronto Life's best donut list, but I would like the sauce. Anyday, everyday, everywhere. I think it was dulce de leche. So heavenly.
Well this was definitely one of my longer reviews. I needed to take it all in and sleep on it. This is what came out. My final answer? I would go again. But not for dinner.
I would go again for lunch. Final answer. -
Review from Mitch S.
Toronto, ON
11/10/2011
Fantastic, reasonably priced food right across from the Eaton Centre, what's not to love? This place is a great alternative to the super packed urban eatery and would highly recommend.
If you need a quick fast lunch and it's cold outside, try out the chili...there's a nice sweet tinge to it!
Enjoy! -
Review from Eric L.
I'm a huge fan of this place. The ambiance, the furniture, the open kitchen, the deli style counter, the huge seating areas, and most important, the unique, Canadian like menu.
I came here with a part of about 6 and they gave us a huge table in the back. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful. Checking in on us more than often.
The menu was the funnest part. I ordered a rib burger which was made of a real slab of ribs. However the delight of the night was ordered by a friend. A roasted duck poutine pizza. Not a friend to the arteries, but a friend to my tastebuds.
It's slightly more expensive than a typical restaurant, but not as high end as others. In any case, it's a great place to have a fun time with friends. -
Review from WaYnE c.
Maple, ON
10/6/2011
I've had my Canadian citizenship for quite some time.
If you ask me what Canadian food is, I'll tell you to Wiki it.
Bannock looks to be no doubt Comfort Food.
The kind that we all see at minimum once a week.
Would you like Fries with that?
967-11-11 Pizza(x2)
Timmies Coffee and Donuts
Breakfast Bacon and Eggs
Kraft Dinner: Mac Cheeses
Canadian factors can be seen, but from a half outsider it's still Western.
The Genre is somewhat difficult to differentiate from American cuisine.
Define Canadian Cuisine how you like, but Comfort Food can't go wrong.
Can it? 2.5'd
BLT Bannock(Bacon, Rocket, Tomatoes, Horseymayo $13.00) - Meh
Roast Duck Poutine Pizza(Curds, Fries, Duck $15.00) - A-OK
Canoe Fireweed Butter Tart($8.00) - Meh
Warm S'mores pie($8.00) - A-OK
Sour Cream Donuts($8.00) - Meh
No doubt the location dictates the price-point of the Meals here.
Easily doubled what I really wish to pay for but that's life.
Think along the lines of Momofuku at least the BLT Bannock vs PB Bun.
There's a comfort level the Food brings I agree.
I wish the space had more warmth and coziness to match.
Did I just pay $8.00 for a Butter Tart?
I wish I knew what Butter Tart was to start with.Listed in: 2.5 **Stars**, In Search for Canadiana
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Review from Yvonne T.
I have dined at almost every single one of the restaurants in the O&B chain and its a hit and miss. Bannock is bang on!
Nestled into The Bay at Queen and Bay - Bannock offers up delicious food at more than reasonable prices!
I brought William T. here for dinner prior to catching the opera, Rigoletto, at the Four Seasons Centre.
I love the wooden interior and the shelves, lined with pickled vegetables. When you first enter you will see the take-out counter but just a few steps further will take you into the dine-in area.
We ordered a Caesar and an H&B cocktail. The best part of the Caesar is the piece of bacon at the end... Yes ladies and gentleman - bacon! However I found the spiced rim was heavy on the salt! The H&B was by far my favorite - it was a
peachy cocktail.
We ordered 3 entrees to share. The Roast Duck Poutine was amazingly good! If you order nothing else order this! The flavor was so intense that I think it sort of numbed my taste buds and decreased enjoyment of the other 2 dishes. The duck was a bit scant but the gravy made this pizza delicioso! The crust was nice and thin and the pizza came out piping hot.
The Side Ribs Burger was also very savory though the pork was not as tender. It was served with yam crisps.
The Pork Shoulder braised in onions and topped with a pear comport was tender and the pork just came off the fork. It was served atop a bed of spaetzle and spinach. The sweetness from the pears married well with the saltiness of the pork.
Unfortunately after having shared 3 mains we didn't have any room for dessert but after having experienced such great food I will definitely be back for some dessert!
The service here was excellent. The servers and wait staff were all very attentive and a "so uppity it's scary" kind of nice.
The bill at the end of the day came to about $95 for 3 cocktails and 3 mains with tax and tip. It was money well-spent. Definite must-try and highly recommended! -
Review from Fern H.
10/17/2011
My friend chose Bannock for a ladies dinner on a Monday night. Reservations were made with ease and a table for four was waiting for us when we arrived.
We started with the poutine to share - fries, curds and chicken gravy. It was piping hot and satisfying. For mains, I had considered the Lobster Roll ($16) but ordered the Chicken Pot Pie ($16) after seeing it arrive to several tables around us. We also ordered the Flatiron Steak ($23), Whitefish and Shrimp Cake ($15), and the Boneless Back Rib Burger ($15).
Food arrived hot and fresh. The pot pie was a soothing warm entree with a lovely flakey top. The steak was grilled to perfection and the rib burger had a nice smokey flavour. The whitefish cake was a bit on the saltier side and possibly the weakest of the entree choices. We also ordered a few glasses of wine all priced between $10-$14.
And then came dessert - butter tart, s'mores pie and sour cream doughnuts ($8/each). The s'mores pie was amazing with the butter tart coming in at a close second. I wasn't too keen about the sour cream doughnuts but that didn't stop me from shoving it down my gullet too. This gave me a serious case of the dessert sweats.
Service was friendly and attentive. We loved the decor of the room but it was a bit loud in there with tables placed quite closely together.
Bannock has got Canadian comfort food done right. The meal made me want to come home, put on a Beaver Canoe sweatshirt and watch some re-runs of The Littlest Hobo or Beachcombers. -
Review from Tong J.
Lunch at Bannock was amazing!
Everything about this place is outstanding. The modern and clean lines of the space makes it feel airy while the rustic wood panels and solid wooden chairs make the space feel homey. The dining area is perfect for large groups of friends and family. Exceptional food and good variety (burgers & sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes, couple of vegetarian options, bannocks & pizzas, fish, meat & poultry). Friendly and attentive staff.
If you are looking for a hearty lunch, I highly recommend the Onion Glazed Pork Shoulder ($18). It was melt-in-your-mounth good. Pork shoulder was smokey and tender. It sat on a bed of delicious spaetzle which was rich in flavor on its own. I love, love the lightly pickled and roasted apple cubes, the sweetness complimented the pork so beautifully.
Boneless Back Rib Burger + Smokey Tomato Jam ($15) was succulent and flavorful. The maple mustard BBQ made this burger a finger-licking-good heaven on a bun.
Do save room for Sour Cream Donuts ($8). I wouldn't share the donuts with anyone. They were perfectly fried. Golden on the outside and super moist on the inside. Sprinkle them with thyme and scoop the sauce all over it. OMG, I want more of them.Listed in: Top Notch TO
