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- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
16 reviews for Blu Ristorante and Lounge
16 reviews in English
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Review from Hina Q.
5/22/2012
I had my wife's birthday dinner here and it was definitely a great experience. From the beginning when we contacted this restaurant a month in advance to reserve seats and get information, they were professional and courteous to the end. I contacted the owner on the phone and spoke to him throughout. This place just made us feel so accommodating.
My wife was given a chance to look over the different party menus they had and she was given the time to change it around to her preferences. I was surprised to see a place so accommodating. The price was fixed and it was a 3-course meal. For large gatherings we found this so helpful. We know what our friends like and what they want and with this place being so helpful we got to provide everything right to our friends.
It just so happened that 3 of our friends were running behind and had us waiting for them for about an hour after the reservation time...in which time the owner still had an extra table available for us reserved even though the restaurant was packed and had people waiting for seats. I finally told the owner to take the table as I didn't care for people showing up so late. But that I won't go into.
All in all, the food was exceptional and the portions were great. The desserts were loved by every single person in our party. They were absolutely delicious. This place did not ask us to put down a down payment or even a minimum that we had to spend or buy bottles, like other places I contacted. This is what I loved most about this place. We needed a great menu, a beautiful restaurant, great staff, no bottle service...and that is exactly what this place offered. GREAT JOB!! -
Review from Charles S.
5/9/2012
DONT BE LATE!
I had a 9:30 reservation on a Tuesday night. I called to say that I was 10 minutes late, to which they said no problem. When I arrived with my girlfriend at 9:40 to dine, we were approached and told that the kitchen had closed! We drove 45 minutes to dine at Blu on a friends recommendation, WITH A RESERVATION, and we were turned away! It looked nice and it sounds like the food is good as well. If it weren't for the blatant unprofessional acts of the staff, I'd be writing a positive review. I'm the type of person that orders many apps, entrees and lots of high end wine. I will never attempt to dine at Blu again.
STAFF FAIL. -
Review from Shiv G.
Toronto, ON
4/26/2012
Rating: 3.5
I really love the ambiance here; it is modern, cozy and there is something sexy about it.
Here is what we ate:
- Veal scallopini with sweet potato gnochi: The flavors were good but it was just too rich, I could taste the butter and an unpleasant way. (3/5)
- Smoked salmon penne: Salmon was dead on delicious but pasta need some more zing (3.5)
I would definitely give this place another chance or maybe grab a drink. -
Review from Martin S.
Toronto, ON
2/11/2012 1 photo
We had a fantastic Winterlicious dining experience at Blu that made our visit a night to remember. The Italian decor was gorgeous with all the rich colours which made arriving inviting and alluring. The bar looked beatiful. The seating design in the restaurant along with the stone walls made for a pleasant din that all but covered up the music provided by a solo guitarist at the back end of the room. The seating included some cozy tables for two along the side walls with sheer curtains for some privacy. A comfortable layout design. The service was perfect with our every need (and then some) well taken care of. Each dish gave me the feeling that it was made for me personally. The lamb shank I had was outstanding, tender and delicious. Highly recommended!
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Review from Lizzy B.
Toronto, ON
1/6/2012
My parents and I came back here we liked it so much.
The food was all delicious, a great spectrum, no surprises when the food came, and the service was spectacular. The owner talked to us one night he's very lovely, for a Yorkville restaurant its wonderfully intimate.
I'd recommend this place to anyone for a nice night out or a date. -
Review from Xi Y.
Toronto, ON
2/5/2012
I do like their main courses, the salmon and lamb shank are both delicious, the source for the salmon was too sour for me and I like my salmon without the source.
I am a bigger fan on the salmon but my partner loves his lamb shank, so I guess the food was good.
Starters, on the other hand, was not that satisfying, I ordered Roasted Beet Salad with Beet Vinaigrette, Beet Pearls, and Buffalo Mozzarella. I love the mozzarella cheese and I guess I am not a fan for beet...
My partner liked his soup....as always...
Tiramisu was delicious, it's not too sweet, and this is hard; desserts in Canada, they always seem to be too sweet for me.
My partner hated his dessert, he ordered Crisp of the Day and he thinks Tartufo would be a better choice.
The service was nice and the decoration was not bad. The table we had is a bit small. Other than that, this is a good restaurant. -
Review from Tori T.
8/11/2011
Blu is a classy, somewhat swanky place. Very appropriate for a business dinner, such as the one I attended. I can see it being a great date night spot, as well. The lighting is low, the color palette rich and luxurious, with a little urban vibe throw in for good measure. Not too quite, not too loud. The worst part about Blu is not being able to decide what to order.
The table started with a carchuterie plate, which went around pretty quickly but was right-sized for the table of 8. Lots of bread and butter was consumed. I wanna say the butter had some kind of unique flavor. I would have preferred regular, good old fashioned butter but this is just a minor detail! Lots of cocktails and wine were consumed before our plates came out.
Most people ordered something different. I don't exactly recall (after a few drinks) what I ordered but I remember it being delicious! Everyone was very happy with their selections. The service was particularly good, keeping our drinks full and having the little bit of extra charm that waiters seems to have at nice restaurants. The prices were $20-35 per person excluding drinks. The overall experience was not mind-blowing but pretty darn good! -
Review from Mark F.
3 visits in 2 weeks with guests. Yes, you will want to be here too.
Opentable reservations prompt and courteous.
Live smooth jazz guitar and awesome vocals coming from the piano man.
I'll sum up the three visits:
Uno
Special included a (me) squid ink pasta with based octopus paperdelli and a chipono. The pasta was fantastic with a black, leather look and buttery taste. Outstanding.
Risotto of the day with sausage but not offered in 1/2. Only full orders as entries. Sad this is not an option
Her: wrapped Veal scaloppini that rocked.
Beat salad with buffalo materella and homemade beat pearls with a beat vinaigrette was devoured by me. Who makes their own beet pears? Blu does and they rock.
Due
Steamed mussels in white wine. Pow!
Had to try the Ossobuco. HUGE! Nice flavor and big enough to share
Tre
Crab cakes (balls) rolled off the tongue good.
Grilled Tiger Shrimp, heck yeah.
Margaux and Tanya were excellent servers with recommendations based on our likes and dislikes. They really know the menu. I was never disappointed at Blu and will return. While on business in Toronto, I send two other parties over and all had rave reviews.
Blu, you're doing it right. Don't go changing. -
Review from Theresa W.
Vancouver, BC
12/24/2010
Came here with a group of friends to celebrate a birthday. The restaurant is really nice, it's a lot bigger than it looks from the outside. And the best part was the prices were reasonable! On Thursday and Fridays they have a pianist performer named John Campbell come in and play some fantastic tunes, I would go back just for the music!
I ordered the smoked salmon penne and it was delicious! The portion looked small, but I was so stuffed by the end! The waiters were attentive with the water, and did a decent job servicing our large party. The pianist also played a happy birthday tune for our birthday girl!
All in all, a really good dinner choice for a special evening! -
Review from sarah c.
Toronto, ON
2/3/2011
I love Blu! We've been going there regularly for the last few months since I found it last summer. I love getting the table by the front window - it's really pretty and great for people watching as well. The food is very good, well portioned and with quality ingredients.
It's a very cozy atmosphere and the decor is nicely understated.
The owner, Alfredo, is usually on site and makes an effort to get to know regular customers. He will always stop by the table and say hello and ask how you are. The staff is also very personable and friendly.
There is usually live music Thursday onwards and they always take requests. -
Review from Frank L.
Toronto, ON
10/19/2010
We go to the restaurant on Monday, usually a quiet day. Once I go into the restaurant, it gives you a high end restaurant feel. The décor is nice and cozy. We sit down on one end and as soon as someone sit nearby, a separate soft curtain is lowered.
On Monday & Tuesday, it has a set menu. I ordered Caprese Salad that is very good even for me that is not a cheese person. The Cream of Broccoli soup is excellent, not like other restaurants with lots of corn starch. My Veal Medaglione is juicy and the sauce is delicious. The Steak special is tender and the meat quality is very good. Although the dessert Tiramisu Blu is a bit creamy, I still like the taste. Espresso is very well blew as well.
With the price, the atmosphere and the food quality, highly recommended -
Review from Kevin F.
Toronto, ON
6/16/2010
Blu Ristorante is a consistently great restaurant. I've sampled a majority of the dishes and haven't had one bad experience. It's located in Yorkville but doesn't have the price tag associated with the area. Dishes are fairly priced and the cost of wine & alcohol is comparable to any other nice restaurant. On Monday's they have a 'bring your own wine' night and wave the corkage fee.
Another reason this place is great is the live music they offer every Wednesday through Saturday. On one occasion I celebrated a friend's birthday here and the piano player sang happy birthday and took numerous song requests.
The atmosphere, the food, the service - all great. Highly recommend! -
Review from Lina L.
Mississauga, ON
12/26/2011
Went there for a bday and it was nice. Spent two bills for two people. Not sure if it's worth that much but it was nice to try. The food was pretty great and the service was relaxing and mellow.
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Review from Sean H.
Toronto, ON
10/6/2010
I was hoping for some inspiration from Blu, but found none.
I was pretty excited to check this place out. All of the reviews I have read are very positive. Plus, Massimo is 'famous'. So I think my expectations were a little bit inflated, which has probably tainted the following review to a certain degree.
The restaurant is in a very nice space and they have done a very good job of decorating. Blu has an atmosphere that can be intimate, comfortable, and hip all at the same time. The warm, rich tones of Blu were very welcoming on a wet and cold Tuesday night.
The serving staff were welcoming and did a good job of taking care of us and providing suggestions.
Now the food, was good. But not good enough to justify $50 dollars a head however. The Mediterranean Blu salad is outrageously over priced at $10 (the only appetizer cheaper is the soup at $8). Don't get me wrong the salad is pretty good. But it is just some mixed greens, a nice dressing, and 1 roma tomato sliced on the side. There isn't even any cheese. Now if you were to add thin slices of some really good aged pecorino or parmesan than maybe I would pay $5 for it.
I had the baked Atlantic salmon ($24) for my main. This is much more reasonable pricing when compared to the $10 salad. Everything on the plate was wonderfully cooked and the flavours were nice. Nothing on my plate was bland. However, overall the dish was boring. It was very run of the mill. I am pretty sure I have made this dish almost exactly at home before (and it was just as good). I could say this about every other dish that our group ordered as well.
For dessert I had the raspberry sorbet. It was really good, but again very standard.
So, I would say that if you are looking for the same-old Italian cuisine and you want to go somewhere nice, give Blu a shot. But if like me you think that a meal isn't worth spending more than $50 per person on unless it is something you couldn't do at home (if you are reasonable good in a kitchen) then I would say skip it. There are a lot of other places to try. -
Review from Michael S.
Toronto, ON
11/10/2010
If I had it to do over again, I would've made a meal of the appies. Inventive, fulfilling and delicious. Our main courses fell a bit short. My companion had the beef and found it tough & sinewy. I had the pasta special and found it cold & tough. On the decor/ambience front - I took issue with the abundance of plastic moulded faux brick that is everywhere and makes the place feel like a theme park more than a historic Victorian house.
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Review from Geoff M.
Toronto, ON
5/18/2010
Went to Blu for my mother's birthday on a recommedation from a friend of mine. I'm glad I took the advice. The atmosphere and decor is fantastic. The service from hostess to server was outstanding. We went on a Saturday night and there was live music acoustic guitar and a wonderful singer.
We had appetizers, entrees and drinks and all were perfect. The drinks are priced at what you expect from Yorkville but the food was very affordable and well worth the price.
I haven't been but on Mondays they have no corkage fee which is a great deal.
