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Canoe Restaurant & Bar
Category: Restaurants Canadian (New) Canadian (New) [Edit]
Toronto Dominion Bank Towers66 Wellington St W
54th Fl
Toronto, ON M5K 1H6
Neighbourhoods: Financial District, Downtown Core
(416) 364-0054
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 12 pm - 2:30 pm
Mon-Fri 5 pm - 10:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
104 reviews for Canoe Restaurant & Bar
Review Highlights
"We did the tasting menu with the wine options SPECTACULAR."
(in 13 reviews)
"I am sucker for foie gras and it is superb at Canoe."
(in 10 reviews)
"...I ended with the sticky toffee date pudding and strawberry..."
(in 2 reviews)
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104 reviews in English
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Review from Joanne S.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 2/5/2012 12 photos
Just an update. Had another opportunity to visit Canoe for dinner during Winterlicious 2012. My experience was great, from the time I called in to make reservation to the time I left (and of course the time in between). The staff were very accommodating and suggest I make a reservation for an inconvenient hour and then call to change later, as they do have last minute cancellations. The service was superb as were both our meals. The view would've been better in the afternoon, but you're allowed to walk closer to a window and enjoy the view (or at least nobody said anything to us).
There was something good on every plate! The starting bread was interesting but nothing greatly appealing. The cauliflower foam on the mushroom rillette (although the plate was missing the gribiche, I think) was delicious. My date's salmon was "alright" but many of the sauces adorning the plate were quite remarkable. Both our plates of duo of beef were fantastic, but lost a few "points" with salty parts. The brisket and flank were phenomenal and cooked to perfection, which is medium rare. Lastly, we got to try all three desserts thanks to our waiter! The cheeses were fantastic (but not worth it when you have the other options). My date loved his pana cotta, I found it meh. I loved my birch syrup cake but I think the bacon caramel might've been a tad too burnt, my date found it meh.
Wine pairing was a bargain. Total date was $160 (including drinks and a generous tip), what a freaking deal! Sorry no pictures this time :(Listed in: Delicious 'licious'
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/10/2011
4 guests, 1:45 pm for Winterlicious lunch. FANTASTIC view, we watched planes take off and land and… Read more »
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Review from Jen S.
1/30/2012
4 stars for the food
5 stars for the view
5 stars for the service
we came here for lunch with my girlfriends. we probably looked a bit out of place in jeans and casual clothes.. as everyone was probably there for a business lunch. but the service was great. the sommelier helped us pick a glass of wine and then even suggested wineries for us to go to! great guy. we were seated right between the window and the kitchen which is probably one of the best spots. you can chose between watching the chefs and the beautiful views! here's what we ordered..
riesling
CALF LIVER
whitefish
tourtiere
braised rabbit
chocolate cake -
Review from Wendy Erica L.
North York, ON
1/29/2012
I went here for Winterlicious 2011 during lunch. It was my first time here and my expectations were definitely not met.
At the doors, the front desk was very helpful and warm. However, after we settled down, the server was slow. It took a long period of time for us just to receive water. It felt unprofessional.
It was much louder than I thought it would be. My boyfriend and I both hate noise, so it was not pleasant at all. Although we came at 2 p.m., the loudness lasted until 3:30 p.m. The meal was served slowly, we finished at just a quarter after 4.
We ordered beluga lentil soup and clover roads duck rillette for appetizers. They were both very tasty, but the portions were small. The duck rillette tasted kind of like tuna though.
For main course, we had slow cooked heritage salmon and braised alberta lamb pappardelle. The salmon tasted a bit plain, it seemed like any normal cooked salmon.
For dessert, we had birch syrup pudding and niagara pear panna cotta. Both of us did not like the panna cotta and did not even finish it. I enjoyed the birch syrup pudding, but it was not the best.
All in all, the atmosphere was a tad too loud and the food was decently tasty. I expected better, next time I'll probably come here for dinner but not for Winterlicious! -
Review from Melissa a.
Toronto, ON
2/8/2012
Honestly I was really looking forward to eating here. There's such a reputation and brand behind the restaurant - the only way I can describe it is its like buying knock off designer goods - looks the part but to the trained eye or in the case the palate its not. We spent alot of money at this place and I can honestly say everything ranged from weird but edible to good but same old.
I really dont get why people are so drawn to this place. You can get more flavourful cuts of beef at the Keg and the appetizers were weird for he sake of being weird rather than being game changing.
I wouldnt go back here - if you want good fine dining I recommend Centro, Mistura etc. -
Review from Courtney B.
Pickering, ON
1/27/2012
I have wanted to try Canoe for a while, but since I don't have an expense account, I got my friend (and Amex holder) to call for reservations the first day possible for Winterlicious.
We went for lunch but hadn't come from work, so we weren't as dressed up as most of the rest of the clientele. No one batted an eye. (Granted, it's not like we were wearing jogging pants! We were just not in business wear.) The service, from start to finish, was exceptional. Everyone was warm, and more importantly, genuine -- these people actually like their jobs and clearly take pleasure in making people feel welcome.
However, I am sure you are wondering...how was the food? The only menu option was the Winterlicious menu, with three options for each course. My dining companion had the salad to start, and I had the lentil soup. She described hers as "AMAZING." My soup was good, but I am definitely not going to go to bed dreaming about it.
For mains, she had the pork and I had the lamb. The pappardelle pasta was incredible. It was clearly handmade and perfectly cooked. My companion might be dreaming about her pork schnitzel tonight. The combination of flavours was exceptional.
The desserts were also yummy: for me, the birch syrup cake and for her, the panna cotta. The cake had a fantastic ginger foam, and not ginger ale ginger: real, tangy, zesty ginger. Mmmmm.
As I said above, the service was just exceptional. I am not sure if they are just doing this for Winterlicious, but they gave each of us a package of spice rub (the one they used on their salmon main) to take home. And then they helped us on with our coats! -
Review from Fay X.
Toronto, ON
1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here for dinner. Lemme just first start out saying. Gorgeous view of the lake, airport and Rogers center. It was so pretty, like Oh My Gawddddd. The venue is small, but intimate, dark lighting romantic vibe. The service was great. Loved our server, too bad I didn't catch the name after he said it twice, terrible memory. We were sitting right by the windows across Rogers Centre around 10pm. The city lights looked so nice.
We stared at the menu for a bit. Didn't know what to get for dinner. Started out with few mixed drinks. French Martinis and Vodka Crans with 2 Lemon Waters. We finally picked the Great Lakes Pickeral with iron fist potatoes, seaweed or some dark green vegetable along with a tangerine sauce and another mustard dressing too. Loved the tangerine sauce. Tasted so good, I almost dipped my fish in it too often, finished so quickly :( lol They also bring 2 types of bread options on the table with orangey cheese sauce. It tasted sweet. The potatoes were cooked perfectly, I didn't really like the dark green Vegs. That came with it after tasting so I left it again. The fish itself, I haven't eaten fish for years and years, almost 17 except for that thin slice of snapper on my sushi few weeks ago. This was my first legit fish dish, glad I took my long awaited fish virginity at Canoe. It tasted so good, flaky, buttery, soft, I can't think of any more words. It was amazing. For whatever dish you choose,,ask your server to recommend the best wine for it. I don't know the name of the white wine we got paired with, but it worked well.
For dessert, we got toffee custard pudding and "something panna cotta" (forgot the real menu names) Toffee one was amazing, tasted way better then the other one, side note, on my dessert plate, they wrote my name with Happy New Years! How adorable.
Lovely dining experience, prolly one of my best:) -
Review from Magdalena R.
Toronto, ON
12/14/2011
Do you like to cut your steak with a butter knife and have it melt in your mouth? I sure do. And that is exactly what you will get here if you order your steak medium rare. Hmm, so full of flavour, so amazing. The memory makes it hard for me to concentrate on writing the rest of this review, but here I go.
The others I dined with had other delicious looking and smelling meals. I barely noticed because I was so absorbed with own. A general silence feel over our table when everything arrived because of the presentation and aroma, and it continued as everyone enjoyed their food.
Before and after the meal, we were also impressed with the view of the city. I recommend going in the evening when the city is lit up. Very pretty.
What added the little extra to make this place a 5++ stars, was the service. They were there when needed, and unnoticeable when they weren't.
The whole experience was memorable and worthy of repeating...many many times. -
Review from Wendel P.
Toronto, ON
1/21/2012
Looks like a fancy beige cafeteria from the 70s. Seems to think it doesn't have to try to impress you. Food almost great but not quite there in the details. Skin on the fish was not crispy. 3 different waiters who all looked harried. For the amount of money you spend it should all be just better.
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Review from Danthanh L.
Toronto, ON
12/25/2011
I have to say the best restaurant I have been to so far is Canoe and it continually has been so for the past few years. Canoe has great service, friendly staff and "foodie goodness" food. Haha. It is a place where you can pick anything off the menu, no matter what foreign names they use and still know the food will be good. With an exception to the watermelon soup - I am not a fan of that at all.
I highly recommend it because the restaurant itself is very nice and provides a scenic view of the C.N. Tower and lake. It is a good place for dates, lunches/dinners with your boss or coworkers. To get the maximum experience, I suggest when making reservations to ask for a table next to the window, preferably facing either the C.N. Tower or lake. Optimum times to eat should be in the afternoon/evening, during the sunset. -
Review from Love T.
Toronto, ON
1/23/2012
Very tasty and portions were not extremely big, just enough. Great place for friends and couples.Good cocktails, too :)))
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Review from Bill M.
Toronto, ON
2/2/2012
A terrific upscale restaurant, I've enjoyed it every time I've been there. Excellent food, a terrific wine list, and impeccable service make this one of the best places in town.
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Review from Karen G.
This is one of my favorite high-end restaurants. It is a foodie`s paradise. The view from the 54th Floor of the TD Bank tower can`t be beat. The service is always exceptional and the food is very good.
I am sucker for foie gras and it is superb at Canoe. The presentation is beautiful - the plate looks like a work of art - almost too pretty to disturb.
The wild mushroom soup is incredible. It has been on the menu for years and for good reason. It is creamy and rich tasting but has not butter or cream in it. I`ve also had the steak tartare, gravlax and oysters during other visits and all were good but the foie gras and the mushroom soup are my favorite by a mile.
The lobster clubhouse is, surprising, not one of my favorite dishes. It is just so so for me but it seems to be a popular dish. I have had the brisket and the sea bass but I tend to order one of the daily specials.
We shared the sticky toffee date date pudding which was good but not great - mostly because I am not a fan of passion fruit as I find it to be overpowering.
The service is second to none and I always leave feeling well taken care of. -
Review from Sean D.
Updated - 10/31/2011
On my latest trip to Toronto I was heading out in jeans and a sports jacket...went up to canoe for a drink and left. Now I remember...if you're not in a suit, don't bother going! I will stand by my review on the food, service, and atmosphere, as long as you are dressed up! Very few no-tie's even.
3 stars this time only because I didn't feel welcome and left before a drink.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/23/2011
Great service and food. Worth the high price! The chef is fantastic. Presentation and atmosphere… Read more »
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Review from Bill W.
North York, ON
1/15/2012
Great Atmosphere, fantastic service, and most importantly amazing food. If you are a foodie, then this is your place. Some people have complained that it is too stuffy for their liking. I disagree. You always know what to expect when you go to Canoe. I have dined here on at least 20 occasions and the experience is always a notch above most high-end restaurants.
Canoe is a great Toronto dining experience. -
Review from Laura S.
11/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
As a food-loving, enthusiastic tourist, I love places like Canoe. The menu highlights local ingredients, the view is phenomenal, and the service is wonderfully friendly and attentive. Although the price is a bit high for the quality of the food, the overall quality of the experience more than justified the cost.
The service is top notch. I ended up dining alone, as an hour's worth of fog in Philadelphia had managed to snarl air traffic on the eastern seaboard for days - stranding my intended dining companion outside of Canada. Alas. Everyone I encountered, from the hostess to the bussers to my waiter, was incredibly friendly and attentive. My waiter, hearing that I was visiting Toronto for the first time, even gave me a crash course in Canadian geography - using the stunning view as a visual aide. Bonus!
The food was very good - classic offerings, but often with a local twist. I started my meal with one of the day's specials, a lobster bisque. It had a very different flavor from a standard lobster bisque - almost pumpkin-y. It was definitely seasonal! There was a generous portion of lovely, sweet lobster meat. For my entree I had the beef brisket, which was very tender and had excellent flavor. The serving size was very generous. My waiter suggested that I try the rolled butter tart for dessert, describing it as something that "every Canadian kid eats." It was lovely! A little messy to eat (I really should have ditched the fork and picked it up with my hands), but delicious. I am jealous of these Canadian kids.
In addition to the service, the real standout at Canoe is the ambiance. The restaurant is located on the 54th floor of the TD building and has great views of the city of Toronto and Lake Ontario. For someone visiting from out of town, this is a definite highlight (honestly I thought the view was better than that from the CN Tower!). If you're a native to Toronto, I imagine you'd only come here for something you could put on an expense account - I was surrounded by very professional-looking people in very nice suits, so my guess is that this is where they get most of their business. But if you're in Toronto for a visit, a lunch at Canoe and a chance to eat while overlooking the city would definitely not go amiss! -
Review from Susanna S.
11/4/2011
What an amazing experience!
I was dining alone on a Thursday night and was ready for everthing I'd heard about this place.
At first I was sat in what was maybe not the best seat, with the water pitchers and register by my head and was starting fill with dread about the evening when no one came to bring water or explain the menu.
The Sommelier wisked into action and found me the most wonderful table in the center of the room with a view, and gave me a glass of champagne for my wait.
From there I went forth into the tasting menu with wine parings and was truly thrilled by each course. The scallop ceviche was astounding and felt as if it was just scooped from perfect waters.
Before the intermezzo the Sommelier toldme they were bringing me something special, again...for my wait.
They brought an entire extra course of their mouth-watering Fois Gras with a special wine pairing, which was something on the regular menu I was eyeing.
The Venison was cooked to perfection without any sharp flavours.
All in all, a prefect meal with a wonderful Sommelier, a talented and stunning waiter....and just a wonderful memory! -
Review from David D.
10/19/2011 9 photos
Due to the hype to one of the most sought out restaurants during these 'licious events, it has been a year or so before I was able to land myself a reservation.
With a table of 8 during a Sunday lunch, we were seated by the window side. Woot! Though the weather was cloudy, it was a spectacular view of the city, especially by the Harbourfront. I can just imagine how it must look during sunset.
Appetizers:
Chilled Holland Marsh Leek & Potato Soup, marinated with chive oil and baby shellfish - This appetizer won me over right from the start. It was a cold preparation, with a smooth, creamy, and rich texture. The baby shellfood added a seafood element to it, which made it was one of the most delicious soups I've ever tried.
Wellington County Flatiron Steak - Beautifully presented. Medium rare, tender, and melts in your mouth. Definitely top notch.
Dessert:
Canoe Pecan Tart - Probably the most disappointing dish of the afternoon. It was served with a scoop of Vanilla icecream, but I couldn't distinguish the pecan tart from the ones I can buy at a store.
The waiter consistently made his presence known, but also knew when to come in at the right time when we needed something.
Overall, fantastic service, beautiful ambience, top-of-the-line quality food. It definitely does live up to its hype. Will definitely be back for another 'licious round. -
Review from Cindy H.
Toronto, ON
10/14/2011
Every food connoisseur's dream! As a Birthday present, my friend took me to Canoe and it was everything we expected.
Upon arrival, a host checked our coats before we were seated. The table gave us a great view of the CN Tower. Since it was after 8:00pm, we were really impressed with the city lights.
For a Tuesday evening, Canoe was quite busy with 2 large tables of businessmen and several couples celebrating a romantic occasion.
Service is above standard (you would expect it to be at those prices). An explanation of the menu was given, but we already knew that we wanted the Tasting Menu, which included:
- Amuse Bouche (the prosciutto melted in my mouth)
- Scallop Ceviche (refreshing and zesty)
- Artichoke Soup (perfect cream texture)
- Intermezzo (to cleanse the pallet)
- Main course - I selected the Char (crispy and savoury seared top was amazing)
- and a Dessert, Caramel Poached Niagara Pears (a bit sweet for my liking but satisfying).
A wine from Ontario or Quebec was paired with each of the courses.
Presentation of each course was beautiful, dainty and flowed kind of like scrolled penmanship!
Even more impressive then the view was the timing of each course. Completed to perfection. Each time I set down my empty wine glass, a server was there to take it away, give us a slight pause/breather, and bring us the next glass before the next dish.
I am a big fan of small plates and trying different items, which is probably why I loved the tasting menu. Not sure how often they change it but if my wallet allowed, I would return for the next version.
We left Canoe feeling satisfied and in a blissful state! -
Review from Eva W.
9/29/2011
They forgot the petit fours (how do you forget?!).
Canoe isn't open on weekends. Or at least that's what the concierge told us, so we had a reservation for late Monday night. Nabbed a seat with a spectacular view of the CN tower. Good food but not spectacular, but really great view and good service. There is an open view of the kitchen in the back. And the chairs are fuzzy.
Had the tasting menu paired with cocktails (I don't think I've seen a pairing with cocktails before). Started off with ham for the amuse bouche with a rather mild but good nama nama sake. The cold poached hen was okay, but I'm not the biggest fan of that style of cooking. The fire roasted lobster was surprisingly sweet from the corn accompaniment, and I can't say I've ever eaten cattail before. I questioned the waiter where the lobsters were sourced from, but neither he nor anyone else in the kitchen was able to answer.
The pickerel was decent, and I really liked the mustard sauce. The dessert was rather underwhelming -- too much marshmallow! Like I mentioned before, the waiter forgot to bring us the petit fours.
I'd probably return if I were in the area, but the view accounts for a good chunk of that decision.Listed in: Toronto, eh?
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Review from J J.
Toronto, ON
1/17/2012
I had the pleasure of dining here in July for Summerlicious. This restaurant is exquisite. Definitely my favorite in the city. The food is masterfully prepared and will haunt you for years to come. The panoramic view of the city is spectacular. This is a great first-date place. This is a great place to have dinner and drinks with family and friends. This is a great place to take a client out to dinner. Canoe never disappoints. The service is excellent as well. Well done. Superb.
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Review from F D.
Richmond Hill, ON
10/21/2011
Overpriced lunch, pretentious menu, dissatisfying, subpar.
Thankful went for lunch only!
Get:
Watermelon cooler
Table by window
Don't get:
Caesar salad
Lobster clubhouse
Sea bass -
Review from Kathy H.
Mississauga, ON
9/19/2011
Summary...
Service, 5 A+ stars
Food, 4 stars, nothing special though. Fancy and beautifully presented.
Atmosphere, 5 stars, was 4 tables full when we went in (Thursday 6:45pm) and very busy when we left (9:00pm)
I like :) Definitely a good place to impress someone. Will return if I am employed and wealthy.
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Introduction...
My friend, employed and wealthy, took me here for dinner. Pricey-est place I've ever been too! Ever ever!
View was magnificent. Better than the 360 restaurant! Food was presented beautifully. Service was amaaaazing. The waiters come out to explain each dish and drink we ordered. Our waiter was so courteous. Our napkin was folded each and every time we return to our table. At the end of the night, the girl who took us to our table remembered that I had a job interview before the dinner, and she wished me luck. I appreciate that too.
My friend said that their menu changes all the time so that is pretty cool.
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The Menu...
For Starters, we had the froie gras, my first time. My friend, a lover of them, enjoyed them a looooot. The waiter knew to split them for us, which was SO nice of him. Anyways, so the froie gras... mmm, not for me! Glad I tried though. I liked the peanuts on this dish, but not so much the peaches from Niagara... My friend liked and ate everything on his plate, and on mine haha.
We shared a plate of beets, which I didn't really eat because I don't like beets.. We also shared the Northern Woods Mushrooms. This came in a little pot, and it was soooooo adorable. Absolutely delicious but I think my mommy can also make this... minus the spice, which I wasn't a fan of anyway.
I had the Sturgeon on Truffled Potato. The fish was great, no doubt. The potato was yummy too, but together with the fish, it was... different.
My wealthy friend had the Ribeye & Marrow Tortellini. He loved the tortellini, and the steak was nice.
For drinks, I had the Greektown cocktail and I didn't like it, so my friend sent it back for me and our waiter took it off our bill. Awww :)
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Conclusion...
Beautiful place, spectacular food presentation, very caring waiters, and expensive. For incomeless people like me... expensive is the key word unfortunately. -
Review from Greg B.
7/27/2011
Canoe is an amazing dining experience, easily five stars on an absolute scale. But, Canoe is also about as expensive as it gets - the tasting menu with wine is $150, and my friends and I spent about $200 each total, so relative to other restaurants in that price range, I have to bump it down to four stars.
View was beautiful, ambiance was very nice (classy, a bit romantic). Service was impeccable, albeit a bit pretentious. Our server was nice enough to offer us a personal tour of the kitchen, which was a unique experience.
Be sure to make reservations and explicitly request a table by the window.
I didn't enjoy the Beef Tartar, but that's not to say it wasn't well done. I personally found it to have too much pickled taste and too much horseradish.
For mains, we shared an "oatmeal" venison and dry-aged ribeye; both cuts of meat were good, but not what I expected, but the 'dressing' and presentation was spectacular.
Dessert was the best part! The sticky toffee date pudding was truly spectacular, easily five stars, and the only t hing our stubborn waiter would actually recommend. We also had the strawberry pave with almond foam (it's in this season, it seems) which was very light and a perfect way to end the night.
Ate with @Jess C. so check out her review as well. She's a bit harder to please than I am tho. I'd definitely be back! -
Review from Nancy H.
9/7/2011
1 star for each dollar sign + 1 star for putting us as high up as the CN tower!
My cousin had her wedding here and it was truly fabulous fancy experience! You know the food is unique, when the table was mesmerized by the SALAD. Wellington beef was delish. Try their trademark pink lychee drink (u can ask them to spike it for u!) which all the relatives (even the aunties) loved.
May have been all the romance in the air, the breathtaking view...spending 7 hours up in Canoe, the world looked so much more beautiful than when we had to finally come down to Earth (sappy, I know!). -
Review from m n.
7/25/2011
Yes it was really five star good! We came here for the Summerlicious menu not knowing how truly popular the restaurant is (hey we're from Chicago) and were lucky enough to snag a table.
We had walked around the financial district for about half an hour before we found the restaurant, and by the time we arrived we were all hot, sweaty and a bit out of sorts.For some reason we thought the restaurant was going to be ground level. A nice Torontonian finally clued us into the fact that it was in an office building on the 54th floor.
We shot up a bank of elevators and into a dimly lit hallway ready for the Canoe experience. Imagine our chagrin when the hostess, all smiles, asked for our reservations. Thankfully some poor soul had canceled their table and within minutes we were ushered into a beautiful mossy green and chocolate brown dining room surrounded by windows overlooking the lake and Toronto. As soon as were seated our drink order was taken and we were soon enjoying a very light and refreshing sangria with green apple. We were given a small bread plate with a dish of fresh hummus. I'm used to having a spicier hummus, so to me it tasted bland and I would have much preferred a bit of olive oil or a knob of butter.
For the appetizer my friend and I ordered the Holland Marsh Leek & Potato soup with marinated baby shellfish and chive oil. It was a cold preparation, extremely creamy, smooth and utterly delicious. The chive oil delivered an important depth -- but the shellfish was the star. (As I'm writing this, my mouth is literally drooling.) I definitely won the appetizer wars, as my husband ordered the New Farm Green salad with Nam Prik cucumbers, toasted sesame seeds and avocado dressing, and although it was very tasty, it could not compare. I think the bread stick in his salad was the star.
We each chose a different entree and each was truly scrumptious. My Wellington County Flatiron steak with smashed Cookstown fingerling potatoes garnished with corn and wild leek aioli, was beautifully presented and again -- delicious. The meat was extremely tender and so flavorful. My friend ordered the potato gnocchi which was also amazing, and my husband the Lake Walleye with crisp skin. There was no talking at the table as we were too busy eating, Our water glasses were always being refilled, and our server was unobtrusive but vigilant.
We all ordered the Bitter Sweet Chocolate Terrine with vanilla marshmallow and strawberries for the last course and it did not disappoint. Seriously, if I could have picked up the plate and licked it, I would have. We savored our dessert, sipped our tea and coffee, and watched the fog roll in over the lake. Truly a spectacular meal and all for $25.00 each (not including drinks or tip) -- could you ask for anything more?
Our server saw us perusing a map after coffee and was kind enough to give us directions to the subway (which is conveniently located in the lower bowels of the building itself) to our next destination. -
Review from Dishan W.
7/13/2011
Canoe is one of the most coveted "licious" venues, so I was very glad to have been able to get a lunch reservation for Winterlicious of 2011. Now I realise that a lot of people say this is not worth the hype, and that might be true if you lay down a lot of money and not end up with a seat next to a
window etc.
While my group did not get a window table, our meal was still very nicely done with very attentive and friendly service. Even though this is a 3 star review, I was not unhappy with my overall dining experience, the food however was not as amazing as I expected.
My heart was broken a little when my rabbit entrée came out looking very "rabbit-leg" like and matters were not made better when it didn't have a lot of flavour in it either, served with a rather measly portion of veggies.
But my appetizer and dessert dishes were very well done.
Unfortunately the weather was not being nice to us and all we could see out the window were low hanging clouds and the occasional glimpse of neighbouring buildings. My sense of direction was totally blown when the side I thought was North turned out a view of the City Centre Airport during a break in the clouds. Would very much like to return on a nice clear day.
Our server was friendly and did not at all give us a rushed feeling despite it being the peak lunch time.
Depending on what's on the menu I would most definitely give Canoe a return visit! -
Review from jocelyn l.
8/10/2011
I've been here for lunch and dinner and i have to say...i preferred lunch...the views were amazing and the prices very reasonable, especially for a biz lunch
I had the rack of lamb, and that was probably one of the best i've ever had. The lamb was done medium rare and very tender and flavorful. Portion size was just perfect as well.
I also had the date pudding with passionfruit sorbet and it was delish!
Great service; server heard me telling my lunch companion (visitor from SF) that the Niagara region was known for ice wine...and he poured 2 tasting glasses for us to sample- So nice!
Great view of the city...it was a perfect lunchListed in: Faves in TO
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Review from Robin D.
7/22/2011
Canoe, I hear many things about this place. Coveted, overly hyped, and ... how they sell moose. I would like to know if the third one is true.
I like the concept they are Canadian and I like the idea of them selling moose (unverified).
So I made a reservation after two attempts. Went for summerlicious on the first day and it was perfect. Amazing, their buffala mozzarella and the semialfredo.Listed in: Summer & Summerlicious
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Review from Jess C.
6/28/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
APPETIZER:
The deconstructed beef tartare was like a grab bag of random pickled vegetables and strange jellies. Maybe it's just too fancy for me.
ENTREE:
For the main, I split a chocolate oatmeal venison and dry aged ribeye. The oatmeal actually went really well with the venison because it was soaked in this delicious sauce. The venison on its own was well cooked but the sauce/oatmeal mixtured needed to be more well integrated. The chocolate sauce didn't work with the venison.
I've had much better ribeyes in the past, but I preferred this over the venison because of the sauce flavor.
WINE:
I ordered an Argentina Mendoza wine, and it was pretty affordable - only $60! I thought the wine choices (in general for Toronto) are extremely overpriced and lacking in variety. While I had plenty of choices, I typically find a much more extensive wine menu at fancy restaurants like this.
DESSERT:
Finally, I ended with the sticky toffee date pudding and strawberry pave. The toffee date pudding was actually the highlight of the evening. It was delicious, not too sweet. I was surprised to like this because I typically hate toffee puddings; it is made and presented in a whole new way. I would recommend.
The strawberry pave reminded me of a strawberry sorbet popsicle. Pretty but wouldn't get it again. It's topped with a ton of almond flavored foam too - not a fan.
Beautiful view, beautiful food presentation, and very well cooked. But the flavors didn't wow me and I wouldn't return given the steep price tag. If you are coming, make a reservation and call ahead to request a table by the window so you can enjoy the view. -
Review from Nunya B.
Toronto, ON
6/2/2011
Just okay...very pricey and showy but felt the food could have been better.
I think it's more of a tourist destination so people go for the view. -
Review from Reina L.
Mississauga, ON
7/14/2011
4.5 stars
My husband and I celebrated my birthday at this restaurant. We went for dinner on a weekday so it was somewhat packed with the "business types". I suggest booking a reservation ahead of time. After being ushered to our table, our waiter politely asked if we were celebrating it for a special occasion. I quietly whispered we were celebrating my birthday. That was after I realized I shouldn't have since I didn't want the "birthday troupe" coming to our table. But more on that later since this is first and foremost, a food review.
We started off with the Ingersoll Bufala Mozzarella for myself and Seared La Ferme Foie Gras for my husband. I thought my appetizer was good but when I tried the foie gras, I was blown away by the taste and texture. It tasted like butter, well, more like seared butter. I know about the controversy over foie gras but I honestly forgot about it after I tried the dish. Sad to say but I will definitely have this dish again (I will gladly give up shark's fin soup for this!).
My main course was the Acadian Sturgeon with braised ribs, cabbage and potato on the side. If I'm not mistaken, the fish was cooked in such a way that it was neither pan-fried nor grilled. It may have been slow-cooked in something just like how the Iron Chefs do it. The dish was a new experience for me and I loved it. My husband ordered the Dry Aged Ontario Rib eye. He wasn't as impressed with it as how I was with my dish but he did like it.
My dessert, which was the Rolled Butter Tart, was presented with a birthday candle on top and a discreet birthday greeting on the plate. I thought that was a nice gesture without being overdone. Like a true upscale restaurant, no birthday troupe came our way. This was a big relief.
Dining at Canoe is expensive but worth the experience. We will come back to celebrate other special occassions. -
Review from Joy K.
4/30/2011
Just your average new American restaurant.
It's more for the after work business place to eat given its location than dinner for fine dining. That said, the view is really amazing so maybe a better date location on a weekend.
While the concept behind Canoe in trying to have "local" Canadian ingredients is novel, its execution could be better if Canoe is trying to actually stand out as being different.
The elk was an interesting menu item and probably was the best tasting out of the three entrees we ordered. The pork was just average, nothing memorable. Dessert was also unremarkable.
The food was enjoyable, but nothing extraordinary that would warrant another visit. -
Review from Antonio A.
Toronto, ON
11/2/2011
Gets better as the evening rolls on and the business suits vacate. Elegant setting, great view and excellent food. Notable for being the people who introduced us to Cuvee Catherine!
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Review from Mitch S.
Toronto, ON
4/29/2011
AMAZING date spot! The top of the TD at night (ask for a window-side table) has beautiful view of the city. We each ordered the tasting menu with wine pairings. The food was great, but what really made the meL in our opinion were the pairings. Most done with small output Canadian vintners you'd rarely find at the LCBO. Also, although not cheap, the price for set menu and wine pairings is definitely fair and not over-priced when compared to similar quality places. Also, just as others mentioned, the cheese plate was wonderful :)
If you're looking to impress the date, you can count on Canoe! -
Review from Kelsey P.
3/8/2011
Canoe is another Toronto favorite and definitely one of the top restaurants in the city.
I've come here for a date, a business dinner and with my family - it is that versatile. You can always rely on the service, food and the incredible view of the Toronto skyline / waterfront.
TIP: If you're on a more casual date, grab seats at the kitchen and watch the chefs prepare the food - amazing experience.
FOOD:
- The raw bar is sublime and a specialty of the restaurant. If you can handle it, eat this.
- ** the menu changes but there is usually a foie gras option and you should have it **
- Have something truly Canadian as a main: Venison or Sturgeon for instance. There is usually something with maple also - do that!
- Have a sweet Canadian wine with dessert (Inniskilin is a personal favorite) - and opt for one sweet and one cheese platter. You won't be disappointed.
WINE: No words needed; this is one of the best wine lists around and you'll find what you want. Sommelier is also always helpful with choices and I'd leverage him/her if needed. -
Review from Tina H.
Updated - 2/12/2011
The difference of going for lunch vs. going for dinner is night and day, literally.
The only reason we were able to get a table is because others cancelled. Seems to be fully booked on weekends.
The view is amazing, especially at night.
The duck was about a 4-star dish. I tried foie gras for the first time because it came with the duck and that was the dish I wanted, and if all foie gras tastes like this I'm never eating it again. I thought it was supposed to be this amazing stuff that was worth torturing ducks for. Not so much.
Their sweet cherry bourbon cocktail was AMAZING. I had three. I could've drank that all night non-stop. It was delicious! Fresh house-made sour mix (with fresh lemon and lime), simple syrup, cherry bourbon... It was perfect in every way.
The salmon appetizer was also very delicious.
The chocolate dessert also was amazing. So delicious.
This restaurant is really great for dinner. It's a very romantic setting. The view is amazing. Service is professional, attentive but somewhat robotic. A couple of times I had to ask for my drink or more water but usually they were great.
Overall, awesome experience. Great place. I'm glad I gave it another try.Listed in: My Favourite Food & Drink…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/24/2010
The view is crazy, being on the top floor of some billion-storey office building. Service is… Read more »
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Review from Tina L.
5/3/2011
This is one of those rare times when the taste and presentation of almost every single item we ordered far exceeded the already-fantastic description on the menu as well as our expectations.
Now, this was over a year ago, so I don't know if they still have this same dish, but the foie gras dish we had was paired with pumpkin-seed muffin (among other things). Best pairing I've tasted for foie gras to date, tied with the cotton candy foie gras at The Bazaar in Los Angeles.
From our waiter's suggestion, I went with the caribou. Great choice, as it turns out to be some of the most tender meat I've ever had.
Ohhh, and the bread. It came with a hummus and olive oil dip that my boyfriend just could not get enough of.
Maybe just we got really lucky with what we ordered... in which case, thank you waiter for the wonderful suggestions.
To top it all off, what a fantastic view! -
Review from helen y.
Toronto, ON
12/12/2010
I wanted to give them a better rating so i took couple weeks to really think about this place... but..... my conclusion...is this..
canoe was good
i don't think it lives up to it's hype tho
service was excellent, martini was good, food was good..
nothing to complain, but nothing really stood out i don't think.... i wasn't doing back flips nor having crazy desire to go back ..
The view was good, but i think the view from my condo in vancouver is far more breath taking... i wouldn't make this a regular spot.. -
Review from Thomas W.
Burlington, ON
2/12/2011
Took advantage of Winterlicous to go here for a prix-fixe lunch on a Sunday with friends.
The staff are super-friendly and very attentive so top marks for service.
We were seated at a table by the south-facing windows. The view of the downtown and lake from the 54th floor is fantastic! We watched planes take off from and land at the island airport.
Most of us had the Butternut Squash Soup for the appetizer. It was delicious and the sunflower seeds that were mixed in complemented the squash. The flavour wasn't too strong so it was some of the best soup I've had.
For the main course I decided to try the Vanilla Braised Rabbit with polenta and mushrooms. I can't recall the last time I had rabbit so I wanted to be a bit adventurous. I found that the rabbit tasted not unlike chicken (why do so many things taste like chicken, btw?) but a wee bit gamey. Now to be fair to the chef I'm certain it was prepared perfectly but I guess rabbit is not my thing. Perhaps I should have had the salmon instead, which some of the my friends had and said was wonderful.
I really enjoyed my dessert which was the Pear & Rosemary Bread Pudding with Maple Anglaise. The serving size was appropriate but to be honest it was so good I wished I could have had seconds.
Highly recommended! Note that Canoe is not normally open on weekends; check their website for the hours. -
Review from Cat L.
4/6/2011
If you needed to know the Banker Bar of Toronto, look no further. Canoe has a captive audience in the TD Towers and the crowd is definitely the suited and booted finance set.
Their specialty cocktail list is a little short and a little too traditional for me. The menu features only-in-Canada ingredients like Arctic char, raw/unpasteurized cheese, venison, elk, and shellfish from the Maritimes. Vegetarians beware: there wasn't a single veggie entree on the menu.
Make sure to order the All-Canadian cheese platter!
I think their view is the best part of the experience as you can see the lake, islands, landing/departing planes, CN tower, ACC, and the rest of Toronto from your seat. Canoe could use this to trap tourists but has avoided that fate for now.
