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Centro Restaurant & Lounge
Categories: Nightlife Bars Wine Bars Restaurants Seafood Restaurants Steakhouses Wine Bars, Seafood, Steakhouses [Edit]
2472 Yonge StToronto, ON M4P 2H5
Neighbourhoods: Mount Pleasant and Davisville, Yonge and Eglinton
(416) 483-2211
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Fri, Thu
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
17 reviews for Centro Restaurant & Lounge
17 reviews in English
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Review from Johnny H.
Toronto, ON
5/9/2012
Centro is the center of excellence in service, food and atmosphere midtown Toronto.
I had tuna crudo for appetizer and lamb for entree. Quite intricate balance between spices and other ingredients. Quite zesty and soothing at the same time. I could definitely feel the freshness. While none was too strong or overwhelming, there was too much going on in one dish that was supposed to be simple and minimalistic. Tuna was slightly buried under all the surges of flavors. But I won't argue with the fact that I was very impressed with the dish. It looks and tastes overdone (as in overkill), but the exquisite combination of ingredients was impressive. And considering all the preparation, effort and skill that went into the dish, it is a food cooked with passion.
I had the lamb for entree. I loved the simple concept. It just let the lamb take the center stage without anything interfering it. Very artful in its appearance. The lamb had plenty of meat. And I do mean real meat, not some chunks of fat. It was packed with distinctive lamb flavors. Yummy! It was very tender and juicy. All the juices flooded my mouth with taste of high quality meat. I know lambs can leave some smelly aftertaste, but it felt very clean. There was subtle herb/fruity fragrance on the lamb. It was perfectly seasoned as well. Many restaurants tend to make lamb salty, but it wasn't the case at Centro. The veggies were nicely cooked, and offered a nice balance to the meat.
The service was excellent. The servers were attentive and had refined manners. The tables are large and there is enough privacy between tables. The chairs are very comfortable. Just like its appearance outside, it has a very open spacious feel inside as well. It is brightly lit. Noise level is on the low side. Foods came out a bit slower than I hoped. But then, my table had 7 more people. All the foods came out at the same time. It has an inviting cozy decor. Very modern with sharp lines, but ultimately its simplistic design concept is very easy to swallow.
Don't bother with North 44. Go to Centro instead. -
Review from Rene L.
East York, ON
2/12/2012
Took my wife for Valentine's Day as she's always wanted to go. I had been once years ago for a work function in the private space upstairs. It was a preset menu but I remember it being excellent.
The high-ceilinged room with the huge mirrors create an amazing space to have a meal. The room was packed and the noise level high but not so high that we couldn't hear each other. We had a cozy booth in the corner that was perfect for the occasion - it also gave us a peek into the very busy kitchen, which was interesting.
We started with some malpeque oysters which were a perfect bite size and nice and salty. My wife had the deconstructed caesar salad and I had the smoked salmon appetizer. Deconstructed appetizers and desserts are all the rage but I think it actually makes it easier on the kitchen not to combine the ingredients, no? The salmon covered the medium-sized plate and was topped with cream cheese, chopped egg, capers, diced green onion and dill. Very tasty and a unique presentation - I would describe it like a pancake.
For mains my wife had the scallops and I had the lamb. Both were excellent. The scallops were big and juicy and perfectly cooked. The lamb was also cooked as ordered and was very tasty. Sharing a creme brulee capped things off nicely.
Service was professional but not particularly friendly - kinda what you would expect for a restaurant with this reputation. Our waiter must have noticed my face turn sour after tasting my espresso because he brought a new one before I could request it.
Overall I recommend for a special occasion, or more often if you're so inclined! -
Review from Erin B.
1/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was lucky enough to go to a pharmaceutical dinner (read: free wine, free booze, free lecture!) at Centro this week. They have a pretty good little set up for presentations, with long banquet style tables surrounded by deep, soft chairs and a few screens so that everyone can see the presentation. The staff clearly know the drill; they got the orders in pre-presentation, kept the wine coming, and set and served all the tables smoothly and silently.
The food was really good! I had a buffalo mozzarella salad with persimmons, tomatoes and a spicy chili relish that was out of this world. Not sure who supplies their cheese, but the little individual mozzarella rounds were smooth and tangy and a perfect match for the relish and persimmon. The tomatoes were less than brilliant, but it's January in Toronto, so no surprise there. My beef tenderloin was perfectly cooked (bright pink in the middle. Mmm) and my dessert of seasonal sorbets (one of which was pear and cactus - is cactus ever seasonal in Ontario?) was yummy.
They were also very happy to accommodate both my gluten-free needs and those of my vegan colleague. No fuss, no screw ups. -
Review from Y L.
North York, ON
3/31/2012
We went there on a cool February evening for a date night out
We dressed well but casual because we decided to go to centro on a whim
It was very cold and snowy so we got a same night reservation
When we got there, they put us near the kitchen and there were many tables around
We thought thy may be they were expecting other reservations to arrive
We ordered our food (onion soup that the server recommended, lamb chops, chicken etc) but no wine because we just don't feel like drinking that night (we are casual drinkers)
The server was courteous but did not really try to explain much
The soup came and we were surprised that there was about 5 tablespoon of soup in this huge bowl and the taste was passable
.
The lamb was good but the chicken was average
What we found surprising was the lack of service
The manager never came around to find out how our food was
He went to the tables with wine and "better dressed" people and may be their white couples
Another couple came in after wards and again they put them near the kitchen
They asked to be moved To a better table
They happened to be African decent and yes we are not white either
Our overall experience was ok but for it did not meet its reputation
I rather spent my 200 somewhere else like auberge du pommier or mitsura -
Review from Wendy C.
11/30/2010
I think of Centro as an always-reliable choice for a nice dinner; predictably good services and dependable food quality (even though it may not blow you away in innovation / creativity department).
Went to a large birthday party/dinner recently. The menu has just been revised so it was interesting to try something new.
Apps: Oysters on the shell are wonderfully fresh. Malpeque, the best variety this side of Atlantic IMO. I had a taste of Olive Oil poached tuna, not bad flavour wise but the cut of tuna had white connective tissues running through so it destroyed the melt-in-your-mouth texture it is supposed to have. Parents liked their chicken liver pate and seared scallop apps. Too bad they did not have beef tartare on the menu this time, was my favourite.
Main: Wild striped bass with leeks was nicely executed. Liked it but was not blown away. I heard from other members in the party that Grouper stuffed with artichoke was the better fish of the night. Veal chop in pancetta cream was a gigantic piece, tender and full-flavour, really liked the rapini and polenta sides.
Excellent services, there when you need them but not too intrusive. -
Review from Phillip S.
10/23/2011
The good: Good looking restaurant! Food was excellent. The wine fantastic. The Bad: This night Service was mediocre. It took way too long to get service at every point. Noise was deafening during dinning hours on Sat night. Menu was too small in selection. Atmosphere is great for lovers in a corner but forget hearing the people across from you. Overall, I would say we were disappointed and would not go back unless during the week when less crowded. Not enough attention is the problem. Maybe this was an off nite as this is an extremely popular dinner house. One more thing: most classy restaurants ope the door for you when you leave, and have parking attendants that do the same. We did not experience either. This was the general consensus of 9 that went there that are experienced restaurant people. I hope they do better next time. We will try them again, maybe.
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Review from Karl R.
2/22/2010 14 photos
Attempt #2 to wine and dine a keeper. We went to Centro for a passive aggressive attempt on my part to celebrate Valentines day by cleverly celebrating it a week after the fact. I was surprised they still had their Winterlicious menu on. So we both opted for that. We both had the scallop appetizer, the black cod, but changed up on the dessert end.
The scallop appetizer came with a few hunks of lobster in a cream sauce and some caramelized bacon on top. My lobster still had some shell on and I cleverly directed my date's attention to what appeared to be the start of the zombie apocalypse out on mid-town Yonge street while I picked some shell out of my teeth. I apologized then for thinking a passing humvee was a zombie apocalypse and we continued dining. The bacon was a little dry, too caramelized. My (name dropping) good friend Michael Goudeau noted once on the Penn Jillette Radio show that in some ways adding bacon to a dish is a kind of tacit apology.
The black cod main however more than made up for the 6/10 I'd give the appetizer. It was soft and buttery and just mmmm. My long shot future Mrs Karl R. pronounced it the best fish she's ever had outside of a Chinese restaurant.
For dessert, the long shot future Mrs. Karl R had an apple and cinnamon ice cream concoction on what looked like a Korean hodduk. I had the chocolate cake that came with a side of ice cream and a wafer. Both were quite good. The thing I love about the long shot future Mrs Karl R besides her kissable lips (see photo) is half her meals always end up on my plate. Sigh.
Anyway, service was in full agreement with Tara G's review. Attentive, personable, the waiters take time to explain the intricacies of the dish.
Centro has been a long serving war horse in Toronto for upscale, romantic dining and I think it still hits those marks. -
Review from Jason P.
Toronto, ON
2/14/2012
Great ambiance and service. The food was of great quality yet shockingly bland.
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Review from Heather B.
Scarborough, ON
9/8/2009
Spoil me rotten!!
My lovely bf took me here for Valentine's Day 2 years ago and it was DIVINE!
We arrived early so they offered us to go downstairs to the bar to have a drink and relax while our table was being made up. Now we thought those drinks would be added to our tab but we ended up getting them free. So Im assuming we should have settled at the bar :P
The waiter took us to the table and did the whole lady courtesy thing but pulling out my chair, tucking me in and putting my napkin on my lap. The staff were very pleasant and friendly, plus attentive.
My bf and I ordered our main entree and we order sides were we could share (I think that was their style).
I had the lamb which was so juicy and cooked perfectly, and the bf had venison which was also a good choice.
All the food came hot and perfect I have nothing to complain about.
During out dinner unfortunately a fight broke out in the kitchen which they dealt with ASAP because everyone in the restaurant was turning around to take a look at what was going on. Our table happened to be right infront of the kitchen so we heard and saw it all.
To smooth things over, the waiters offered their guests (who were sitting near the kitchen) complimentary champagne as a gesture of inconvenience. I found that very nice move as a way to celebrate the special day.
If you have that little bit of extra cash and want to go alittle out for a nice dinner I'd definitely recommend here.
I think with drinks (alcoholic), dinner, and dessert our bill was $150 and then tip.
In regards to the atmosphere it's dark, soft lighting...nice for those dates, with table clothes and candles. Very posh :P
Oh...and make sure you dress nicely.
I wish I had that kinda money to eat like that all the time :) -
Review from Mitch S.
Toronto, ON
2/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
Stop number two on my WInterlicious road and equally as lovely as the last! I've been waiting for a while to go to Centro and I was lucky enough to be taken here on a surprise date! I was blown away by the quality of the food at these prices! Outside of Winterlicious the menu is fairly expensive, but the deals are great for this event.
In addition to the great food, the atmosphere here just screams class. The restaurant has super high ceilings and makes the place feel spacious even if its packed. Also, apparently on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays they have live music in the downstairs lounge...definitely something to check out! -
Review from Emily T.
Toronto, ON
11/19/2008
Ok, so this is the kind of place where you gotta put on your Sunday best, kids. It's very fancy shmancy and a place I don't usually find myself in. Let's face it, I'm happy with a burrito from my local diner any day. However, I must say that my experience here was very pleasant and if you have the dough and want to really wine and dine someone, it's a very smart choice.
The service was exceptional, classy and ultra professional. The server was very nice and reminded me of a Parisian garcon; very polite and charming. The food was pure divinity. I ordered a squash soup as an appetizer and steak for my entree, and hands down, it was one of the best meals I've had in a Toronto restaurant.
Centro is an ultra classy dining experience! -
Review from Ms. J.
Toronto, ON
1/29/2010
Winterlicious 2010: Jan 29th, 2010.
Their menu was simple and good enough for Winterlicious. The Black Cod was a winner, grilled, flaky, delicious, moist, and very tasty. The beef dish tasted like English beef brisket in a dark sauce. The appetizers of yam puree and chickpea soup was boring, and so was the single scallop with the standard bacon strip. A dessert winner was the apple tart with cinnamon ice cream. The other dessert of chocolate with raspberry sorbet was not a successful pairing. -
Review from Rockie E.
Scarborough, ON
12/1/2010
Went here for my birthday. It was new years and they had a set menu. The food was great. The waiter seemed a bit pretentious however service was good over all.
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Review from Sean H.
Toronto, ON
9/30/2010
I was given the task of making a reservation for dinner for my Mom's birthday not so long ago. Centro had been on my list to try for a while now, but I had been dreading footing the bill. So this seemed like a perfect occasion to give it a try...when someone else is paying.
Overall, we had a very lovely evening, the service was spot on and the food was outstanding.
I had the tuna crudo for an entree. The flavours in this dish were very delicate. This highlighted the wonderful freshness of the tuna. However, (this is more my fault then theirs) this would have been a much more appropriate starter on a hot summers day rather than a cool fall evening. Everyone one else in my family had the soup of the day which was a butternut squash. I have to admit I was envious. The flavour profile of the soup was exactly what you expect from a butternut squash: sweet and rich. What really made this soup envy worthy however, was the texture. The soup was a smooth as silk.
I made a much more appropriate choice for my main course, the roasted lamb rake. This was absolutely outstanding. They cook the lamb without trimming any fat and leave it on the bone. This result is a heavenly piece of meat rich in flavour and perfectly tender. The sides of zuchini and mushrooms were equally good and lend their earthy flavours to the meat making a very lovely combination.
I also tried some of my fiancees scallops. These were also cooked to perfection. The sauce that accompanied the scallops was so good that it got my fiancee to eat brussels sprouts, which is a feat. However, the potatoes seemed more like a second thought rather than a integral part of the meal.
Finally, I shared the cheese cake with the table along with a bowl of barries for dessert. Again both dishes were lovely.
Now that I have been and had such a good experience I would definitely return again and foot my own bill and not think twice about it. -
Review from Tavis C.
Toronto, ON
10/12/2009
The service never disappoints, while the food is always top-shelf. For me, the preparations are always approachable and based on the highest quality meat, fish and produce. Centro is also one of the best restaurants in the city for a special celebration. I've been here for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. When the room is buzzing, the kitchen and wait staff deliver a superb experience for patrons. However, where I think the restaurant hits its stride is when you walk in on a random Tuesday when there are 12 people in the dining room. All I can say is that at that point you've made a wise choice leaving the cooking to the professionals for an evening.
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Review from ness y.
Toronto, ON
12/9/2008
It's 11:55pm when my companion calls Centro to ask if it's not too late to come in for a quick glass of champagne, and the answer is "of course not, come in!!"
I'm surprised, since the website says they close at midnight on Wednesday. To which my companion says, "closing hours depend on who you are".
I'm not one of those people, but this review could reflect who apparently my companion is... but judging from previous reviews, it seems they treat everyone well at Centro.
When I arrive at 12:20am (b/c I was looking on the wrong side of the street), the restaurant is empty and quiet. It's glorious. The open space on the main floor is vast, yet intimately lit and feels warm and comfortable despite starched and stark-white table cloths. In plain, view bottles and bottles and bottles are displayed against the far wall in a gigantic, clear-glass faced, wine "rack". In the front, on display (literally) are the private-yet-public displays of personal wine collections kept in dark wood cabinets complete with plaques engraved with names of Toronto IT listers. They remind me of the drawers at morgues.
The sommelier is no joke here. No rookie, off-the-back of the bottle synopsis. No sommelier snobbery either. He knows his stuff and has mastered the art of telling the stories of wines that keep you interested (re: won't put you to sleep, even nearing 1am on a weekday).
The downstairs is a bit gaudy in my opinion (though my companion raved about the artwork). It's reminiscent of a small hotel's bar/piano room. You should check it out - you sort of have to since the bathrooms are downstairs too.
I'd like to go back for a meal, during regular business hours. But I'll be sure not to be seated downstairs. I recommend the same. -
Review from Ramanan S.
Toronto, ON
8/22/2008 1 Check-in Here
Centro was amazing. Everything about the place was excellent. The lobster spaghetti which I had was top-notch. My friends enjoyed their food as well. The deserts came in sets of 3 for $12, and the three we picked were particularly good. The ambiance of the place was great. We were seated downstairs in the lounge, which was a nice venue in its own right. The upstairs looked great, but were told we would have had to make reservations earlier than we did -- 15 minutes before we showed up. Finally the service was amazing. I don't recall going to a place where they pamper you as much as they do at Centro.
