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Epicure Cafe & Grill
Categories: Restaurants Canadian (New) Restaurants Italian Canadian (New), Italian [Edit]
502 Queen St WToronto, ON M5V 2B3
Neighbourhoods: Alexandra Park, Queen Street West
(416) 504-8942
- Hours:
Mon-Wed, Sun 11 am - 1 am
Thu-Sat 11 am - 2 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
36 reviews for Epicure Cafe & Grill
Review Highlights
"...wait to come back to have a drink on their Roof Top Patio."
(in 3 reviews)
"Sure the Pecan Chicken was $18, but I was feeling a bit..."
(in 3 reviews)
"I definitely recommend their mussels."
(in 4 reviews)
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36 reviews in English
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
10/21/2011 4 photos
3.5 star
Yelp didn't bring me to Epicure. I just walk into Epicure randomly without looking at any reviews or menus.. so I just got lucky....
Brunch serves Saturday and Sunday till 5:00 pm has quite a few selections of Egg Benedicts and Omelettes... not easy to make decisions.
Milano (East Coast crab, green onion and Asiago cheese) Omelette ($9.95) and Egg Benedict Florentine ($9.95) were both nicely done. Especially that huge Omelette was so fluffy and soft.. one of the best I had..... I think I will get the Omelette for sure next time!
Epicure Cafe and Grill have just this unpretentious and friendly vibe, Though the food may not wow you, but everything is solid here!! I can't wait to come back to have a drink on their Roof Top Patio!! -
Review from Daniel R.
Toronto, ON
10/12/2011
Since moving to Queen and Bathurst, about two years ago, I have been to Epicure FIVE times, already. The location, prices and quality of service and food, keep me coming back.
The fifth time I visited was just this past Thursday for my mom's birthday, and there were five of us who went. We were seated on the second floor, which ended up working perfectly, since there's a large TV up there and it was the Leafs season opener :-).
The first thing you notice about the menu is how huge it is. There is something for everyone, pasta dishes, chicken, seafood, beef and even lamb! This was perfect, since everyone who came out had different tastes and we all ended up ordering different plates. I'm a big fan of their steak, so I ordered that, medium. It was cooked perfectly and finished it before the Leafs could score the second goal against the Habs. My mom ordered the Shrimp skewers and she was pleased with her order as well. We ordered two cheesecake slices to be shared among four of us and we devoured it in seconds. Our server was prompt and attentive, and by the end of the meal, everyone was full and pleased with the meal.
As long as I continue to live in the neighbourhood, Epicure will continue to be my go-to restaurant for well-priced, delicious meals. -
Review from Madelaine D.
Toronto, ON
9/28/2011 1 photo
Roof. Top. Patio.!!!
Do I have your attention now? That is definitely the big selling feature here.
The menu is extensive, like novel extensive. You really have to go in with a plan of what type of meal you want if you expect to make any sort of decision.
The pastas are good, not phenomenal and although I've never tried them the burgers are another one to consider apparently. I guess you could say they do a great job at comfort food.
The roof top patio is dimly lit, the service is very relaxed and there are little nooks to tuck yourself into if you're into that sort of thing. Over all, pretty cool little local spot.Listed in: Queen West
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Review from Justin T.
Toronto, ON
2/9/2012
Food was great but service sucked. Took 20 minutes for a waiter to take our order. Starter was delivered to our table with no cutlery, plates or napkins. Also, a 15 minute wait for a glass of water is not acceptable. Maybe we caught them on a bad night but won't be going back any time soon.
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Review from Linda M.
7/11/2011
I've been to this restaurant twice now, and don't have anything negative to say. It's a nice place with a LOT of options at a decent price point. The food is good, but not fantastic. I love that you can get half fries and half salad with your meal, because although I do like feeling like I'm being healthy by getting a salad...I really love fries. And very good portions too!
My first time there I had a coupon, and the friend I was with was getting a tattoo a couple of doors down so it worked out just perfectly to stop in for lunch. I had a wrap (with half fries and half salad) and he had a pasta. Both were very tasty, and I really enjoyed their fries so I was glad I'd had the chance to try them. It did seem like I had a much larger portion than my DC though, since his didn't come with sides, and they were about the same price.
Last week I returned to meet a friend who had just moved into the city, and was living in the neighbourhood - she hasn't quite mastered the TTC yet and begged for something easy to find. So I decided to give Epicure another try! This time we both ordered burgers, me the Orleans and her the California. Again, very good portions and good food. I enjoyed the mango chutney and the unexpected kick it brought my burger. I was a little disappointed that we realized at the end of our meal that there was a rooftop patio where we could have been sitting and enjoying the summer air. Oh well, maybe next time!
All in all, decent food at decent prices in a decent neighbourhood - a solid choice when you're looking for something cheaper but still tasty!Listed in: Danger, Group Coupons!
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Review from Martin W.
7/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had an average experience here. I came with my buddy for a late lunch just randomly as we were hungry and couldn't pick where to go. I think what made us decide on Epicure was the lunch special on the chalk board, it was a decent price point.
The inside of this cafe is pretty cool in an old school, classical sort of way. Dimly light with rickety spiral stairs that lead up to an awesome outdoor patio, which is where we ate. The server wasn't rude by any means, but it did seem like she didn't want to be there.
The food comes in at a decent price and the portions are big. Your salad, for example, tastes like a regular standard bar salad. The fries the same. Nothing really outstanding, but at least you get a lot of it! -
Review from Brian Y.
6/21/2011 1 photo
Was stumbling along Queen Street and wasn't exactly sure what to eat. We wanted a quick bite too and somehow we found Epicure Cafe & Grill. It was purely by chance and we have never heard of the place. The patrons that were leaving was what really sold us in giving Epicure a chance. The restaurant very much had a classic local feel to the place. It's not pretentious at all and I liked how it felt like a neighborhood favourite... a place that people go to simply relax and enjoy good food.
We were seated quite quickly and the waitress was very friendly. We were told that the burgers were a favourite amongst regulars and that the pastas were good. So with that.. who better to try out their burgers than yours truly, Brian Yee of the burger blog right? =P. So I ordered the California burger with traditional garnish and fries. My friend got the Shrimp Carbonara and we ordered it as a a rush order. And mann they didn't make us wait long. From ordering to getting the food was all about 10 mins or less. We got our drinks, a coke and an icea tea 5 mins into dinner with a basket of bread with cold butter... that might be my only complaint.
So the verdict on the food, the burger wasn't bad at all. It was a pretty solid all around burger. They claim to be made from freshly ground beef everyday, and yes tho I can taste it they did overcook the burger from my standpoint. Cooked it where the outside of the patty might have been a little burnt. But if it wasn't for that, it's a solid burger. And if I'm back, I'm tempted to either try a very traditional cheeseburger to finalize my verdict butttt... the pasta is quite good so I'm caught in the middle, continue reading. My friend's shrimp carbonara was definitely tasty. I mean the sauce was a little watery, so maybe they need to cook the sauce longer so it'll thicken.. but the flavour was definitely there. It was well balanced, not too creamy or anything, just needed to simmer longer to thicken. Shrimp was a little on the low side, but the taste was all there.
Overall, I liked Epicure Cafe and Grill. Seriously, no real complaints here. I liked the atmosphere quite a bit, it's quaint, friendly and a classy place to be in. To be honest, a comfortable spot that I can imagine coming quite frequently if I lived in the neighbourhood. The food wasn't amazing, but it was definitely better than average and at prices like this where it's less or about the same as Jack Astor's, etc.. I would rather come here. I don't necessarily like being in the crowds too much.. my only concern is the extensive menu must be hard to maintain. So I hope it doesn't affect their freshness or anything cause I like Epicure Cafe & Grill.Listed in: the burger blog
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Review from Raj B.
Toronto, ON
2/27/2011
Here's a place I've passed by a thousand times but finally tried for a dinner. I loved it!
Relaxed, cozy atmosphere (the back of the restaurant has a bit more character though, with its exposed brick walls and art posters). Light classic jazz in the background makes it conversation- (and eavesdropping-) friendly.
The food was amazing. We had the pumpkin ravioli,which seems to be a favourite. It's unique, and refreshingly not swimming in oil. The seafood pizza sounds outlandish but was also delicious, with quality ingredients. Solid dessert and coffee too. Can't wait to try more of the large menu here.
Unlike some other Yelpers, I think the prices here are perfectly reasonable (and I'm cheaper than your grandmother!)
The negatives: mediocre bread, and the service was exceptionally slow and neglectful (and I usually give restaurants *a lot* of leeway in this department, so you know it's bad!). Excellent food made the absent service easier to overook, though. -
Review from Anna C.
Toronto, ON
4/8/2011
It's amazing that I haven't written a review for Epicure before seeing as it's one of my neighborhood favorites!
I have never had a bad experience at this place with either the food or the staff and neither has anyone that I've ever brought there. It's excellent for a romantic meal, a night out for dinner with friends, lunch (to go or to stay in), or for cocktails.
For those with food sensitivities may I just say that the staff is VERY wonderful at accommodating all diets. As a vegan who has very high food sensitivities to animal products (both of the meat and dairy variety) I have never been ill here which means no contamination from any of the things that make me feel ick. Yay, kitchen staff. You rock my socks! I have also heard that they are great for gluten-free options too for all you gluten intolerants out there. One thing I should mention though, is that if you are sensitive to MSG avoid the soup. Other than that you should be fine.
My favorite things on the menu are as follows:
The Milano Vegetable Wrap (my mouth is watering). If you're vegan, they will use a balsamic vinaigrette to season the wrap instead of pesto, and will also give you a vegan friendly dressing for your salad. I also love that I can do "half and half" because although I love my salads sometimes those fries are just calling your name (and they are quite yummy here).
The Gnocchi Primavera: ask them to leave the cheese off. Soooo good.
The Portebellini Mushrooms: ask for the cheese to be left off.
Oh, and they make some darn good martinis.
The lighting is perfectly set; not glaring bright, but not so dark that you can't see your food. The music is always jazz; so soothing and relaxing (it really is the perfect dinner music). The seating isn't cramped so you don't have to worry about bumping elbows with your neighbors. The decor is charming and everything you would expect from a Queen West restaurant. I would recommend trying to sit in the upstairs of the place as the main level can get rather loud during busy periods. The patio is great in the summer. And if you're getting take-out, in my experience the longest I've ever waited is 15 minutes and I get lunch from there A LOT.
Definitely recommend this spot if you're in the hood and haven't tried it out yet! -
Review from KL M.
Toronto, ON
10/7/2010
I've been here a couple times and will continue to come back, because it's just one of those fallback places. When I can't decide where to go, this one's always on the shortlist due to its charming atmosphere and good price-quality ratio.
The pumpkin ravioli is indeed good, but very rich and heavy. I would reserve it for a cold, cozy night in. The pizza isn't bad either. I have heard raves about the pecan chicken but have yet to try it.
I am also indebted to the wait staff at this place, as my last outing here was a bit of a rowdy one with my drink-happy girlfriends. Good thing this isn't the type of place that frowns upon such unladylike behaviour. -
Review from R A.
Toronto, ON
9/2/2010
Great cozy place thats larger than it appears from the street, has nice private tables in the back or an upstairs area & patio. Although the patio has super high walls that sort of defeats the purpose of being outside.
I am a huuuge fan of the Pumpkin Ravioli, hands down the best pasta Ive had, and thats saying something. Its deceptively large and Ive even ended up taking some home with me. Rich creamy sauce with corn in it, pumpkin filling is soft and sweet and lightly spicy.
The lamb is my runner-up, fall apart soft with an amazing sauce, sides of potato & veggies fill it out.
The chocolate mousse for dessert is so rich and delicious. The owner actually gave it to us for free because he had extras in the back (?) or maybe he was just feeling nice.
Service is excellent, attentive without being smothering, and the bartender even knew my obscure drink request without having to be told the ingredients.
Definitly recommended. -
Review from Caroline Z.
Toronto, ON
8/12/2010
Well this was a surprise. I've been living near Epicure for more than a year but haven't paid it much attention as I'm pretty picky with my pasta and Terroni is not far from home.
Epicure, however, totally came through on fulfilling my pasta cravings on this hungry evening. I ordered the gnocchi bolognese with spicy sausage and it was absolutely delicious.
((Truth be told, I've only ever had gnocchi once before and according to friends, I was exposed to some of the best gnocchi out there -- Make sure to visit Nica Trattoria in NYC if you have the chance!! http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
Anyway, this dish was sumptuous -- they don't cut back on the sausage and meat. I had the gnocchi al dente, not at all like that melt-in-my-mouth first time but still good. They could've put a bit more gnocchi but it's not worth complaining about.. My friends were similarly pleased with their pumpkin ravioli, grilled veggie and goat cheese salad and gnocchi primavera.
I really liked the service here, too. The girl looking after us was very sweet and good-natured. The kitchen was accommodating with all the random substitutions we requested in our dishes, unlike the Soup Nazi-like Terroni chefs. The Epicure patio was nicely lit and private, much like that of Tequila Bookworm but somehow.. better. -
Review from Alfio A.
Toronto, ON
2/2/2011
We have enjoyed ourselves every time we've been to Epicure, whether it was dropping in for a pint or a meal.
The service, food and atmosphere is excellent for the price and I'd recommend it to anyone. -
Review from geraldine g.
Toronto, ON
12/11/2010
I had wondered about this place since I've walked by it so many times. It definitely has this `sneaky big` thing going on another Yelper had wrote. One of those in the know bits of info that is certainly a make or break in choosing a place. ``What? It has a patio? An upstairs patio? And it's got more space than the few tables I just see?` In that way, this has some perks.
I have to give this place a solid 3.0
It's clear after going that the meat dishes may not have been the right choice. Another reviewer seems to have found the same problem. From all the reviews, the pastas and pizzas maybe the lists I should have chosen from. Oh, well. If it's offered it should be fabulous but instead the Osso Bucco I had was slightly over cooked while the red wine jus was passable but necessarily memorable.
I always find it problematic when a restaurant has so much variety. I wonder how the chef can stay focused on making the best if the best means pages and pages to cook from everyday.
That being said I would go here for several reasons. Groups! Epicure definitely caters to a large variety of people (except the gluten free folk). Brunch. If it serves brunch why not? One of the biggest things this place has going for it is the vibe. It's a very comfortable space. If you can get a table past the bar, you'll have a better experience.
Actually, one of the reasons I had such a strange time was the crazy conversations going on around me. A couple was talking to no end about her pap smear. The table behind was talking about attractiveness and acne. All in all quite the conversation to enjoy over dinner. -
Review from Dennis L.
Toronto, ON
8/11/2010
First, the rooftop patio on the second floor is great. Second, the food here is AMAZING. I literally worked within a few blocks of this place for years and always passed it up, but what a loss!
I tried the Pecan Chicken entree the first time- the chicken was huge and the pecan crust was like nothing I had ever had before. You get these crispy potato frite-things that are incredible and everything is fresh and tasty. Went back again and tried the pizza- absolutely amazing. Haven't had pizza that good since I was actually IN Italy. Apparently the chef was trained in Naples!
Great servers too, but the best thing is that it isn't as expensive as you'd expect- $13 for the pizza there is a killer price for what you get. Sure the Pecan Chicken was $18, but I was feeling a bit fancy that day. The regular selections are reasonable priced, incredibly well-made and the service is fast and good! Of course, bonus points for the killer patio! -
Review from Kat F.
5/19/2009
When I walked into Epicure Cafe today it was like bizarroland - like when you come home from vacation and sense that everything isn't in its right place. You know you're at home, but someone's moved something, rearranged the furniture, or otherwise changed things ever so slightly but just enough to make you suspicious. This wasn't the Epicure Cafe that I remember from three or four years ago.
I learned from Jackie, our cutesy server who was a total dupe for actress Clea DuVall, that a few years ago Epicure changed locations. To a few doors down farther east on Queen, on the same side of the street. Which explains the slightly-different-but-not-quite layout, decor and seating. It was a pleasant surprise. I didn't venture upstairs but I was told there's an outdoor eating area that will have to be explored on my next visit.
The menu options are, like others have said, a bit overwhelming. But for the fussy eater (I was with one of them) there was no lack of choice - Epicure has everything from pasta (17 choices, including different sauces and shapes), burgers, pizza, wraps and another full page of duck/veal/lamb/chicken options. I appreciate the selection but it could stand to be honed a little! Luckily Jackie was able to recommend favourites when we showed indecision.
My eyes went straight for the Pumpkin Ravioi ($14), which I was assured was "not a mistake". And it wasn't. I barely looked up my from my plate as I feasted my eyes on the glorious, pillowy ravioli on my plate. They were seasoned with ginger and nutmeg, tossed in parmesan cream sauce with grilled corn, wilted spinach and mushrooms. The mushrooms were perfectly sauteed, the spinach was wilted just right and the corn was fresh and added the exact amount of crunch that the dish needed. The portion wasn't skimpy either - at some restaurants when you order jumbo ravioli you get 3-4 pieces, but this was more than double the size. Good value for the money.
I was more than tempted by the dessert board (tartufo, ice cream, tiramisu, Grand Marnier cheesecake or crème caramel, Belgian chocolate mousse, apple crumble) but unfortunately dinner left me positively STUFFED. After seeing that Epicure is now open until 1 or 2am every night I know where I'll be heading for late night dessert!Listed in: Best Toronto Restaurants For…
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Review from yyz a.
Toronto, ON
10/20/2010
Totally amazing place to go for brunch with something on the menu for every palette.
The place is cozy, staff is great, prices are good. -
Review from Bijan V.
1/14/2009
I wasn't too impressed with what Epicure had to offer. They have a menu that's too large for their own good (ranging from Pasta, to Pizza, to burgers, to Entree's etc, etc) but their prices aren't too cheap (pasta's around $15-16, entree's around $19, appetizers around $9-10, Pizza's at $13-15).
Their food was definitely nothing to write home about but it was different and interesting so I didn't mind. Their Pizza's are almost like deep pan Chicago style but not really.. it's just not thin crust so if you're expecting that then don't bother, they really skimped out on the ingredients too. The pesto chicken pizza barely had ANY pesto on it.
However I was surprised when the waitress seated us in a table that had exposed piping running up the wall right beside my head when there were clearly other tables that didn't have this issue. This is something they should have also covered up anyways!
Anyways, to sum up this is okkkaayyy food for too expensive a price. -
Review from Melissa J.
Toronto, ON
11/26/2008
I've always thought this restaurant was in a weird place. I mean, as much as people want to love Queen Street and all it's trendiness, this strip has always been sketchy to me (the presence of Michael's sure isn't helping).
Because of its surroundings, I was shocked when I walked into Epicure and was in a whole other world. It's so cute! And clean! And nice! The first time I came here I was fresh out of high school, and I remember glancing at the dinner menu and my jaw dropped at all of the $25 and $30 entrees. Luckily, we were there for lunch, and they had a huge selection of sandwiches, soups and salads that all looked amazing. I had a burger and it was absolutely delicious, and everything was moderately priced.
Epicure doesn't do anything out of the ordinary for fine dining restaurants (they stick to the French and Italian-style foods) but it does sit on the line between fine dining and casual dining, allowing us common folk to have the privilege of eating delicious food made with fresh ingredients without spending an absolute fortune.
If you're on Queen Street and walking east of Bathurst starts to scare you a little, then you see the congregation around Michael's and want to run screaming, you should just run towards Epicure and you'll have one of the best dining experiences in the neighbourhood. -
Review from melissa s.
Toronto, ON
7/10/2010
Went for brunch and it started well.
Ordered the eggs benny with their "east coast crab" and was quite excited to try my fave breaky in a new way.
Low and behold it arrives with imitation crab. I asked the server who insisted again, its real crab. So I asked her to inquire with the chef, who apparently said the crab has simply been vacuum sealed.
I was quite offended -- you can not pass fake crab as real crab, ever. you should never lie to your patrons. Imitation crab has a different texture, consistency, make up, colour (fake has the red colouring) and taste (fake is sweeter).
Im never going there again. -
Review from Rita M.
8/6/2010
"Rooftop Patio" caught my eye... such a great atmosphere. We were there at an awkward time, around 4pm, but the server was very attentive and pleasant.
I definitely recommend their mussels! We got the mussels with garlic butter, etc but the Mexican and Indian style mussels sounded delicious! Also their escargot stuffed mushrooms were delicious. -
Review from Eric M.
2/3/2010 1 Check-in Here
I've been going here off and on for years now and this site has given me the chance to go back and rediscover some old favourites. I just got home from a heaping bowl of gnocchi a la bolognese. Delicious.
I love the dining area on the second floor. It's cozy and personal and I find there's a slight difference in the attitudes of the servers there. Not that the serving staff is any better or worse down stairs, it just feels like they're more laid back on the second floor.
Our orders came quickly, drinks were refreshed frequently without need to catch any eyes at the bar and not once were we made to feel rushed. In all, it was a great show case for my friend's first time there. -
Review from Nicole B.
Toronto, ON
12/11/2009
Epicure was stop three on the French Fry crawl, riding high off the success of Hero Burger. We entered & were told to head upstairs. The view of the staircase made my mind utter "uh oh" as it looked like the creepy old stairs in a haunted house; but when we got to the 2nd level, I was surprised. Upstairs was really nice. It gave that air of a club in a 40s movie, lead actor & his buddy sitting at some table shrouded in smoke with maybe Ella singing with her band. They played some great jazz (Dave O. was so excited to hear Coltrane & rightfully so!) & we all eased our coats off and got down to business.
I truly enjoyed our server. She seemed slightly stumped when Sarah asked her about beers on tap vs beers on the menu but she recovered nicely, I thought. She also asked if we wanted mayo with your fries which most places I'm left asking for.
The fries were delicious. They didn't taste like McD's (obvious 3 stars there!). They were perfectly cooked and I LOVED the extra touch of spoons in both the ketchup & mayo cup for us to spoon on our plates. The pile of fries went down pretty quickly. Mel D. was great enough to bring us some fries from Oh Boy to compare, and the Epicure Cafe fries were definitely better than Oh Boy. Also, maybe the waitress didn't see, but she was nice enough not to say anything or give the covert snotty attitude at seeing us bring in & consume outside food.
Epicure serves up a great locale to chat with friends, get good service and enjoy some really good food. I'll definitely be back again. -
Review from Todd V.
Toronto, ON
10/3/2008
My first run-in with the Epicure Café came when I was a subscriber at Theatre Passe Muraille (http://www.yelp.ca/sea...) some 15 or so years ago. My theatre partner and I, as part of our subscription package from the theatre, received a coupon for a coffee and dessert to follow our first performance. We got there and ordered not regular coffees but cappuccinos. The desserts took the form of chocolate mousse and a carrot cake, both of you've-got-to-be-kidding-that's-huge proportions. At this point we assumed that because we seemed to have upgraded from what we assumed would be a straight-coffee-and-rice-pudding kind of offer, we were informed that the table bill, including upgrades, was zero.
We suddenly had money for single malt Scotch.
The Epicure has since moved from its original location...to right next-door from the original location. Don't ask me why. May have something to do with the landlord. Whatever. Suffice to say that the place still dishes out some great food. The entrees are tasty and goodly portioned and the bar servers up some decent local beers as well. I've since gone back and ordered the carrot cake. It's still mammoth and still good. -
Review from Kat K.
2/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
First came here for brunch, which was filling and decent. Service is friendly, try their spicy Mayo with their burgers or fries. Their french onion soup is middling, but not the best I have had.
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Review from eric g.
Toronto, ON
1/26/2011
The Epicure is a neighbourhood institution, and I've had some decent meals there in the past. Plus, the staff are friendly. But based strictly on the lunch I had there the other day, this is a (rare for me) one-star review.
Hard to choose from a huge menu of sandwiches, wraps, burgers, pastas, pizzas and mains - at least seven in each category. Hmmm... well, it's been a long time since I've had calf's liver, and I kind of remember liking this dish at Epicure in the past (maybe 8-10 years ago - mistake #1: most restaurants change completely in that time). "How would you like that done, sir?" asks the sweet and charming server. "Medium rare, please," say I.
When the dish finally arrives, I can see right away that I'm in trouble. The liver is absolutely drenched in some kind of balsamic reduction with onions -- did someone in the kitchen have shaky hands and spill a whole pan of sauce on my plate? Once I locate the meat with my fork and knife, my worst fears are confirmed: I could re-sole my winter boots with this liver, and probably get through at least the month of February. The chef has stacked three thin layers of liver one on top of the other, and all of them are of course carbonized. Medium rare? When you have so little control and skill in the kitchen, why even ask? Had I not been having lunch with my elderly mother, and had I not been in a rush to get back to work, I would have sent the dish back. Instead, I chewed through it while making small talk with Mom, who at least seemed to be enjoying her pecan chicken. I tasted it - weird aftertaste. And the block-shaped "almond potato" croquette that came with it was deep-fried within an inch of its little Dutch life. (What's it going to be: pecans or almonds? Another bonehead move, chef.)
Oh, and the menu. That pecan chicken is described as "Boneless chicken baked in a pecan crust with an apple calvados au jus." "With an au jus"?? That translates as "with a with juice." There's no such thing as an "au jus" -- in French "au jus" means the meat is served with its own juice. Sorry, pet peeve. I expect this kind of illiteracy from American roadhouses, but not from a restaurant in a cosmopolitan neighbourhood of the largest city in bilingual Canada. (And I'm sorry, "apple calvados"? As opposed to what? Raspberry calvados?)
Anyway, the espresso afterward was watery and bitter. Should have gone to Lit down the street.
Bye-bye, Epicure. -
Review from Tom J.
Toronto, ON
10/24/2010
Great place. Nice beers, lovely staff. Mussels are some of the best in town. Unpretencious relaxed and worth a visit.
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Review from Randy G.
Toronto, ON
12/31/2009
As the penultimate stop on the Frencch Fry Crawl the Second, Epicure could scarcely have been better. Wonderful fries, good selection of beer, great atmosphere and cool staff. I feel this is entirely accurate despite the whole "Oh, no, you can't eat here" tone that much of the evening took.
My only complaint is the initial confusion as to whether we were to go upstairs or downstairs. That obviously won't keep me from coming back. -
Review from Earl H.
11/6/2010
Awesome atmosphere -- cosy, quiet and sophisticated on a Friday night when other West Queen places were packed to the gills. My meal (steak) was only average, but reading other reviews, I'll readily admit that I may have ordered the wrong thing -- I probably should have gone for the mussels, which others around me were definitely enjoying.
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Review from sarah d.
7/22/2009 2 photos
delish and more delish. Came here for lunch and i'm from California, so i didn't know they had such good food in Toronto until i ate here. We had the Italian Pizza, fries, pistachio crusted cheese salad, curry mussels and bread. We, two small girls, ate almost all of that! we took home two slices of pizza but the food was soo good i couldn't stop eating. They were really nice and had great service too. We sat in the end most outer side of the patio and the place was empty since we came so late for lunch and the waitress didn't mind coming up to up for water, drinks and food, and she even came up a few more times to check on us to make sure everything was gravy... awhhhh i love this place. Wish they had something like this in the city, i would go all the time.
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Review from Keith B.
7/30/2009
I can't think about anything bad to say about this place, but on the other hand I can't think of anything particularily good to say either.
The place is nice enough, and the service is decent. Occasionally I have found the service to be slow during dead times, but otherwise it is acceptable.
Epicure's brunch menu is pretty decent, and if you are looking to try a new restaurant for brunch you may enjoy this. I have found their eggs benedict to be decent. They also have omelets that are pretty tasty. Alternatively, for dinner, they have a pretty wide menu that has something for everyone (pasta, pizza, burgers, wraps, sandwiches, meat dishes, etc). If you are looking for something cheap and tasty, I recommend their selection of burgers - they have a number of them each named after a city with corresponding toppings. Personally, the 'paris' burger is my favourite.
All in all, this place has decent value, and is a decent place to go to if you can't think of anywhere else to go... But in no way shape or form will it 'wow' you! -
Review from William H.
Toronto, ON
7/10/2009
I walk past Epicure every weekend. But it wasn't until the recommendation of my neighbour, I took a small group of friends - after a few glasses of wine - to grab a sit-down bite to eat. Being that Epicure was top of mind, and just around the corner, I was keen to give it a shot.
Being at street level is a bit deceiving, because this place is what my friend Mike likes to call, "sneaky big". Like one of those suburban townhouses that's narrow but has, like, 10 levels. We ascended two narrow, rickety staircases to the top floor where we discovered a massive roof-top patio! We didn't get a seat outside, but we were fine to sit next to the open doors for a taste of nature.
Every main was under $20! So it allowed me to save money for dessert - which, of course, I did.
The food was great. And the creme-brulee to top it all off: outstanding.
The lesson here: everything tastes good when you're half in the bag.
Next time I'll go back when I'm sober. -
Review from Chantal m.
Scarborough, ON
4/13/2010
I really like this place, just went this afternoon as I was downtown and read some yelp reviews that were positive. The fries were amazing, I had ordered the stinson and walnut salad and my friend ordered the burger and fries. I asked I could try one and I was hooked, I ordered a whole plate just for myself. The salad was good also but could have eaten more, it was a bit on the petite side. The oranges were yummy and fresh though and the vinagerette was light and great for summer. My friend said that the prices were great and she enjoyed her meal alot. The waitress was great too, very nice and played with my friend's daughter who is 10 months. The place is beautifully decorated, giving it a warm cozy feeling with all the exposed wood. Overall great experience and I would definately go back!!
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Review from Yvonne K.
1/30/2009
Yum! What a great spot of a burger or sandwich with the delicious fries! Don't forget to ask for the spicy mayo. Love the Duck Confit, desserts are sublime and the Escargots are to die for. A little Paris in Toronto.
Listed in: Yummy Tummy!
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Review from Mimi C.
4/4/2010
I so wanted to try the pumpkin ravioli (with ginger, grilled corn and spinach in a parmesan cream sauce - oh my!), but I was stuffed from my avocado & brie sandwich at Green Room. But I had the next best thing, a curry vegetable soup with coriander, I think. With a few vodkas and warm bread, I was fortified for what was next to come, Nouvelle Vague at the Opera House. Pity they weren't as good as the soup....
Listed in: Not New York
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Review from Keidi K.
3/30/2010
I am all for rooftop patios, and Epicure especially has a nice one. Love to go here when I find out about their mussel specials. I will not go out of my way to go here, but if I'm in the area I stop by.
