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Boulevard Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Latin American Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Latin American, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
161 Harbord StToronto, ON M5S 1H1
(416) 961-7676
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:30 am - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
24 reviews for Boulevard Cafe
Review Highlights
"...I mentioned the fresh baked corn bread that comes to every..."
(in 4 reviews)
"They specialize in Peruvian fare and make the best..."
(in 6 reviews)
"What more do you want plus it has a great patio."
(in 8 reviews)
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24 reviews in English
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Review from Michael B.
Toronto, ON
11/26/2011
The boulevard cafe can be summed up as questionable. The food was great, but the service was..... leaving something to be desired.
I made a reservation a few days before, which didn't seem to be a problem. I arrived there, and our table was waiting for us. We were given menus, but on the menu board there was a prix fixe menu for $25 which included a starter, main course and dessert. Myself and 3 other people went for the prix fixe. The waiter suggested we start with a vegetable appetizer platter which consisted of steamed potatoes, asparagus, green beans, carrots and hard boiled eggs with a creamy dip. It was okay, but I would have preferred the vegetables to be roasted; they just seemed so ordinary being steamed. We also ordered a 1/2 litre pitcher of sangria (even though it was cold out) and it was very good! Our first course (for most of us) was lentil soup, which was amazing, especially on a cold day. Then we were served our main courses. I had the steak that was made in some sort of tomato sauce, which was served with rice and yukon gold fries (I forget what it was called, it had some sort of Portuguese name to it) It was all very good, and presented very nicely. We had a choice of a few desserts, which we shared, and were good too.
The only issue I had with the restaurant is that our waiter, even though he had extensive knowledge of the menu was being overly friendly. While serving us, he would put his hand on our shoulders, which made some of us uncomfortable. As well, he would refer to my 78 year old grandmother as "hun," which was really uncalled for and not appropriate.
Overall this restaurant was great. Just cross your fingers when you go that you don't have the same waiter that I had! -
Review from Sunny N.
Toronto, ON
7/26/2011
I went to Boulevard Cafe with a friend for Summerlicious ($25 dinner). While I thought the food was stellar, the service left much to be desired, to the point that I'm pretty sure I wouldn't return.
When we arrived to the restaurant, we had already made a reservation, and we were told to wait, which itself isn't a bad thing, but we were rudely pushed aside by the waiter during the wait, as if we were preventing more important customers from coming in.
Once we got seated, our waiter told us about his recommendation of wine and asked us if we were in the mood of any. My friend doesn't drink wine, so I asked for a cocktail menu. He literally threw the menu on the table and left without saying a word... and this was before they knew we were there for Summerlicious! When the waiter came back, we had to ask for the Summerlicious menu, of which he asked if we specified it in our reservation.
For the appetizer, I got the ceviche. While tasty, I barely got anything beyond the seabass. There was barely any calamari or shrimp. Must have been the *licious treatment.
As for the main, I had the fish of the day, which happened to be tilapia with mango salsa, and it was delicious. The fish was cooked to perfection and came with a side of fried yucca.
The time between each course was considerably long and not much attention was given to us. After our entrées were finished, the waiter came back and asked us what we wanted for dessert. We asked about the choices, because the menu didn't specify what was available. He said there was a strawberry rhubarb pie... and that's it. So why did he ask then? Rather odd.
The dessert was scrumptious. Again, the meal tasted very good. And it's a shame, because the poor service just ruined the experience and I would not return to this establishment. -
Review from Molloy J.
Toronto, ON
11/29/2011
We went with a large group (about a dozen) and everyone enjoyed themselves. The food was great, the server was friendly and knew her stuff. We ordered various cocktails and different meals (starter/main/dessert) and everyone enjoyed everything. The only negative was the fact that they had run out of a few things so we had to change our orders, but we enjoyed it all the same. A really nice local restaurant.
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Review from Liora I.
Toronto, ON
6/11/2010
I have been lusting after this beautiful terrace for some time now.
The food was some sort of generic/pan-latin variety which wasn't exactly what i expected from a place with a French name -but worse still was the service or lack there of. Apparently you have to be a regular to get any acknowledgement - although mostly i just witnessed a lot of obnoxious air kisses and a whole lot of chatting sans serving.
Sadly unimpressed. -
Review from Jen K.
Toronto, ON
8/6/2010
Ah Boulevard Cafe, te amo.
Perfect sangria, even more perfect sauteed shrimp and savoury corn bread to boot.
I've run by this Peruvian Annex favourite many a time to see crowds flock and it's oh-so-evident why.
Oh and to our latin waiter, thank you so much for being easy on the eyes. As if the delicious food wasn't enough! -
Review from Jeremy P.
Toronto, ON
6/18/2010
Last night was a special occassion. It was my girlfriend's birthday. As a result, she requested that we visit the Boulevard Cafe for dinner. I had been there on two prior occassions and did not have anything negative to say about the place, so I accommodated her request. I did take note to check Yelp before making the reservation (it was Thursday night, so I would suggest making one...I'm not sure how busy they are Sunday-Wednesday).
I thought it was interesting that a few previous posts had some pretty negative things to say about their dining experience, especially regarding the service. Given those comments, I took special note of the table service last night. I did not note anything out of the ordinary. We were promptly met by a host when we arrived and were seated rather quickly. We only sat for a few minutes before someone came to ask us for drinks. Throughout the evening our water glasses were filled multiple times. Our food arrived rather promptly, despite the restaurant being rather packed. Even when I had a question about the corn bread, the waiter promptly answered my question in a polite manner.
Regarding the food, I did not have any complaints. I ordered the burger and it was delivered as asked (medium/well). I asked to substitute the fries with sweet potato. The waiter accomodated my request, and did not charge me extra for the sweet potato as often happens in other establishments. The burger also came with a small side salad. The portion was a fair size and left me feeling quite full by the end of the meal.
My girlfriend ordered one of the specials. I think it was a chicken breast marinated in a spicy orange sauce. It came with sides of sweet potatos and sliced beets. I had a taste of the chicken and sauce and again had no complaints.
Also, as an appetizer, we ordered the quesidilla, which came with crab and chicken salad. Personally, I'm not a big fan of chicken salad, so it was not for me, but I wouldn't give the restaurant bad marks for that.
We took a glance at the dessert menu, however nothing really jumped out at us.
Now, given what I've just said, you may be wondering why I'm only giving 4 rather than 5 stars. Here are the reasons why:
- Unstable table: our table was not level on its footing. It was quite annoying as it bounced back and forth as we ate. This is something that the wait staff should have noticed and remedied. We should not have had to ask for that to be fixed.
- Value: At a price point of $14.95 for my burger, and $18.95 for my girlfriend's entree, I'd say that it's a bit on the expensive side. The value for what you get is not quite there. We would have ordered a glass of sangria, however it cost $9/glass. My favorite drink, a mohito, cost $11.
- Noise level: Even though we were sitting on the patio, the noise level was quite high (due to the close proximity of the tables). Thus, this is not a place you would be able to take your grand parents.
- Authenticity: The restaurant bills itself as Peruvian/Latin American. I would guess that many people may go there expecting to get something truly authentic. I'm afraid that the menu is quite North Americanized. For example, one of the specials on the menu was Arctic Char. I rather doubt that one would be able to find that kind of fish in Peru.
On the whole, I'd say that we had a fairly decent meal and would recommend the Boulevard Cafe to others. -
Review from Ariel G.
9/29/2009
Recently went in to have a quick lunch with the ladies in the family. We sat in a nice large outdoor terrace.
The menu has a strong "south/central American" orientation, with a smattering of Spanish dishes.
The service was prompt and pleasant. I had the Gazpacho, which was not the Andalous version, but a Central American interpretation. It was very good.
I followed that with a Tamale. This again, was an interpreted Tamale, not the Mexican variety. It did come wrapped in a Banana leaf, but was too "crumbly". It had been probably overcooked. The taste was OK.
They did feature tasty salads with a dressing that enhanced the flavours of the greens. Unfortunately the greens were a bit too cold. They should have been served at room temperature.
The ladies had a good time, and enjoyed the moment. The patio, in my case added to the enjoyment. If I could award 1/2 stars I would add one here. -
Review from Jamie W.
Toronto, ON
7/10/2011
It was my first time this evening at the Boulevard Cafe. I didn't have a reservation and arrived at approximately 7 p.m. My mother and I were seated at a lovely table on the patio near the back. We shared a half litre of sangria and the ceviche. It was exquisite. I later had the B.C. wild salmon which was wonderful. My mom had the flank steak which she loved but found a touch spicy due to the heat outside today. I tried it and loved it. We would have stayed for dessert but had to leave so I will definitely be returning. Very nice to find a lovely restaurant such as this. The servers were all friendly and polite.
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Review from Linda M.
3/16/2011
I hesitated about whether or not I should write this review, considering I didn't actually eat at the restaurant. I was supposed to, and was really looking forward to it based on some of the reviews here...but unfortunately I let the 4 stars influence me and didn't read enough. Specifically all the comments on the bad service, because it was that service that turned my friend and I off so much that we left.
I had made a reservation earlier that day for 2 people at 7:30. My friend arrived at 7:20 and was told she shouldn't come back for at least 20 minutes. There was nowhere for her to wait apparently, but the hostess suggested she go for drinks at "a place" across the way. Leaving the restaurant, the only thing across the street is a Laundromat. When I got to the area, she told me what had happened, so we wandered around for a bit and got back at 7:45. On the front door, there is a sign asking that you use the side door. When you get to the side door, there's another sign asking you to go to the next door down. When we opened that door, I felt like we were coming in the staff entrance, but my friend who had already been there earlier assured me it was the right door (although she shared my apprehension). It seemed like we were right smack dab in the kitchen area. Let me paint a picture...we walked in and were in a hall. To the left was a staircase, to the right was a wall with coat hooks. Past the wall on the right was the kitchen. Past the stairs and the wall on the left was the prep area. Apparently that was where my friend had found the hostess the first time. So we asked one of the prep guys for the hostess. Apprehension was growing...
She came out of the front area and recognized my friend with a slightly uneasy "Oh, you're back". She then disappeared upstairs to see if our table was ready, leaving us to wait in the entry hall. And wait we did. For about 15 minutes we waited, pressing ourselves against the walls as other patrons came in, and as servers came out of the kitchen to take dishes upstairs. If you're claustrophobic, stay away. When she finally came back, she told us that it looked like one table was just about ready for their bill. At this point it was after 8, and our reservation had been for 7:30. She left us there again, and by that point we were so shocked that we decided to just leave.
I would be willing to try this place again because of all the positive reviews about the food, but I really hope they improve their service - and develop a place to wait!! Hopefully they'll also learn how to handle reservations, and not overbook themselves. -
Review from Rj P.
7/17/2009
Having lived in the area for a few years and never been I decided to check out Boulevard Cafe.
I'm an avid fan of South-Central American food and I was very excited to try this restaurant's menu.
The ceviche appetizer was great and the fish-stew was very flavorful with a wonderful combination of spices. The Spanish beer they have (Ambur) was also very good. I tried a chicken with pineapple dish and it too was great. Overall it was a great and tasty meal.
The service at this restaurant is lacking. The crammed me and my guest into a corner near a busy door by splitting table of 6 into a 4 and a 2 (leaving only 3" between us and the other of table). I don't mind tight seating but don't sit me at a table with other people when half of the restaurant is open. The waitress was nice but was not very attentive (had to ask for bread, didn't bring bill, etc.).
The food deserved 4 stars and the service deserved 2. 3 stars is the average and that is what Boulevard will get. -
Review from Francis R.
Toronto, ON
6/9/2010
Never had a bad meal here so far. The grilled meats are most excellent, far better than any Greek joint in town, and far tastier. Portions are large and the place has a good atmosphere.
What more do you want plus it has a great patio !! -
Review from Igor F.
Toronto, ON
6/17/2009
Perhaps the caption of this review should be: "I have never fingered Roland Barthes..." (see an earlier review for clarification (points down)).
The name says it all. It's a boulevard cafe. I should clarify my rating. I would give the food a 4, but the service I would give a single star. Since there are no partial ratings, I chose to round down.
My main reason for rounding down? The help. You can call them help, if you wish, but if I had control over the English language, I would rename this kind of "help" to "hinder".
I don't want to list the numerous ways in which i was snubbed by the wait staff. From forgetting appetizers I ordered, to looking past me as I waited for my order to be taken, or my bill to be tabulated.
I do admit that the food was good, but the staff definitely ruined my experience.
Also, their house wine sucks. -
Review from Maxim N.
Toronto, ON
5/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Food is sub par. I had chicken that was dry in a sauce that tasted like it's been on the stove 2 days too long. The service is slow. For the prices on their menu you'd expect a better dinning experience though they have a great patio and make an amazing key-lime pie.
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Review from Alek L.
Toronto, ON
5/9/2010
Atrocious service. Was there twice and perhaps never again.
It's enough to say, that after 45 min of waiting (and starving) we finally asked the server politely, "hey, where is our food?", to which he nonchalantly replied that he totally forgot about the order.
Oh, did I mention that it's overpriced as well? -
Review from Hailey E.
Toronto, ON
2/22/2009
The Boulevard Cafe is easily one of my favourite restaurants in this city for breakfast, lunch and dinner! They specialize in Peruvian fare and make the best cornbread I've ever tasted!!! Their shaded side patio is always bustling in the spring and summer and offers the perfect respite on a hot day!
For breakfast Huevos Rancheros are a huge hit! Seafood for dinner is always fresh and they make amazing sandwiches and salads for lunch. On a street that is certainly known for its culinary gems, Boulevard Cafe always stands out and lures me back in time and again!
Currently their website seems to be out of commission, but reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.Listed in: Best Brunch
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Review from Lauren M.
Nice Sunday Brunch here!
Took mom and pops for Father's Day. It was a beautiful day and they have a lovely, well shaded patio.
Brunch was reasonably priced - they have a special Sunday brunch menu with about 15 items - most between $10-$12.
The service was absolutely fantastic when we were there. There was only one waiter out on the patio, but he was quick, friendly and attentive, juggling 5-6 tables with ease. Kept our waters topped off and was prompt with taking orders, bringing bread, food and the bill.
I tried the eggs florentine (Huevos Florentina) and my parents had Tortilla Rellena (some kind of folded over tortilla with baked beans and greyere cheese). Food was tasty and we were brought a big basket of fresh, thick bread and butter.
I would go back for brunch again. Dinner menu appeared a bit pricier but nothing ridiculous. -
Review from Greg D.
Toronto, ON
7/5/2009
Easily one of my top 5 places to eat in the area, if not the top. Awesome for meat eaters worried about skimpy portions.
There is a veggie sampler appetizer that is awesome to share with 2-3 people and they always have daily/weekly specials (mains).
Just don't get the apple pie dessert (it sucks), stick with the Peruvian fare on that one. -
Review from Erin H.
Toronto, ON
8/29/2008 1 photo
Okay, I admit it I once was a nerdy chick who fingered, with one hand, the pages of a Charlotte Bronte novel, while highlighting, with the other hand, the cultural studies scriptures of Roland Barthes. For this past avoiding reason, I rarely frequent the street that stinks of the kind of student I once was, Harbord.
But on special occasion (like my boyfriend's parents are in town), I will steal out on to that Collegian street to visit a wonderful Peruvian treasure and a neighborhood favorite, the Boulevard Café. The restaurant's décor is a bit shabby and out of date but it is cozy and it has two floors, which make it seem like you're dining in a nice big house for a couple hours. Speaking of which, last time I was there the waitress fell down the stairs, so be careful kids, they're kind of steep.
By the way, the food is fabulous. Anything grilled is their specialty, but I suggest the seafood choices. Oh and have I mentioned the fresh baked corn bread that comes to every table...you might want to try that... -
Review from Angela N.
Toronto, ON
8/28/2010
The patio at the Boulevard Cafe is lovely and would probably be my number one reason for returning. The food and service were both good enough, but not enough to make me rush back.
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Review from Jason K.
Toronto, ON
1/19/2010
Many people list this as their favourite Latin American restaurant in the city, and you can count me among them. The delicious, aromatic Peruvian cuisine is unique, leans slightly towards seafood, and is served by outstanding staff. I can't say enough about this place.
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Review from Carola P.
Toronto, ON
4/29/2009
Wow! We just got back from Boulevard Cafe.. what a wonderful experience. Everything we ordered was great! One of our favorite restaurants in Toronto.. for sure.
Highly recommend it!! -
Review from Aaron B.
Wilberforce, ON
4/5/2010
Great food. Great atmosphere. Save room for dessert!
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Review from Diane R.
Toronto, ON
12/26/2010
My favourite place in town. There is a reason it survived for so long in the same spot: you can't go wrong ordering in this place!!! Yucca fries!!! Corn bread!!! Sangria! And the martinis have been excellent every time with one single exception (the regular bartender must have been off or sick...) And of course extra points scored by the awesome patio. Yes, I will be back. Again. And again. And again.
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Review from jessica b.
12/14/2008
This has consistently been my favourite restaurant for years. The staff are helpful, and the food is always amazing. If they don't have what you want on the menu, they're always willing to do something special for you. But everything is good. The chocolate kaluha cheesecake is fantastic. It is the only restaurant that I go to where I always make sure I leave room for desert.
