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Estiatorio VOLOS
Categories: Restaurants Seafood Restaurants Greek Restaurants Mediterranean Seafood, Greek, Mediterranean
133 Richmond Street WToronto, ON M5H 2L3
Neighbourhoods: Financial District, Downtown Core
(416) 861-1211
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11:30 am - 10 pm
Thu-Fri 11:30 am - 11 pm
Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
28 reviews for Estiatorio VOLOS
Review Highlights
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"The sesame crusted feta was an interesting choice." In 2 reviews -
"Andreas - you are the best." In 8 reviews -
"...each other extremely well and that phyllo pastry -- DAMN." In 4 reviews
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28 reviews in English
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Review from Zachary G.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 4/8/2012
The server mentioned in the review messaged me. His name is Adam G. and he is a fellow Yelper. Thanks Adam!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/1/2012
I picked this place based entirely on Yelp reviews to hold our school club's final get-together of… Read more »
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Review from Zoe C.
Toronto, ON
3/23/2012
Now, I love Greek food so I consider myself somewhat of an expert when it comes to Greek cuisine. Estiatorio VOLOS did not disappoint! Authentic Greek food in an atmosphere that brings you to the middle of Athens. Estiatorio VOLOS is located at York and Richmond, near the Hilton and Sheraton hotels. Estiatorio VOLOS is a great spot for those traveling for business and this place is a sure hit for out-of-towners as well as locals.
Reservations are recommended for dinner and may be for lunch, as well. I have heard that the place gets quite busy after shows and during peak periods. However, we were seated right away when we checked in with the hostess. The restaurant seemed to be well-staffed and we did not feel rushed or unattended at all during our visit.
The sesame-crusted feta was awesome and our grilled halibut flaked onto the plate when touched by the fork. Other individuals in our party tried some more adventurous appetizers and entrees, such as the soutzoukakia and the horiatiki salad, accompanied by the Moussaka. They were pleased with their meal.
We enjoyed a nice bottle of white wine, though my partner placed the order, so I am not sure what kind it was. But it was the perfect complement to our meal. I am admittedly not a wine connoisseur, but that night, the wine was extremely good and really added a special something to the meal.
For dessert, we enjoyed baklava all the way around. The baklava was so flaky and delicious, probably the absolute best I have ever had.
The atmosphere is a bit upscale so dress accordingly. No coat is required, but you will want to be dressed appropriately. No sneakers or sports attire. Though not as formal as many upscale restaurants, all patrons were presentable, most in business attire.
The waitstaff was attentive and made sure that we never had to wait for water refills or extras that we requested. The evening we visited the restaurant, they were not extremely busy. I have read other reviews that the service may suffer on busy nights, but we sure did not experience any of that. Services was great and our waiter was pleasant and engaging.
Great atmosphere and wonderful Greek food make this place a hit with us. We will definitely return to try a few of the more exotic Greek treats. For something other than standard Shish Kabobs or souvlaki, try some of the more elaborate dishes.
I'd give this 4 and a half stars if that was possible. On another note, why does Yelp not have HALF stars??? -
Review from eric g.
Toronto, ON
3/19/2012
We had high hopes for Volos, which promises high-end nouveau Greek cuisine, with a menu designed by Greek-cuisine maven Diane Kochilas.
Our verdict - meh. Yes, the room is beautiful and the service was excellent. But the food was just OK. In order to try more dishes, we decided to stick to appetizers, and none of the five we ordered hit it out of the park. The sesame-crusted feta was very good, but the octopus was kind of dry, the soutzoukakia (meatballs) had way too much of something (cumin?), the fried zucchini were heavier than they should be, and the horiatiki salad lacked flavour (OK, it's only March, and they're serving greenhouse tomatoes, but still - they're charging for it).
Dessert was better: house-made baklava with saffron ice cream, and a decadent chocolate mousse.
But overall, disappointing. So many better options in town, including one or two Greek joints on the Danforth. -
Review from Viviana M.
Toronto, ON
Dining Experience: Dinner
Specialty: Greek
Menu items: Kefalotyri Cheese, Giant Sea Scallops and Moussaka paired with a lovely Kastropolitia white wine
Greek food to me has always been about shish kebabs and Greek salads sprinkled with enormous amounts of feta cheese. Nothing wrong with that, until you try real authentic and well prepared Greek food. Visiting Volos, in a non-Greek location such as Toronto's financial district, gave me a new appreciation for the "Gods'" food.
Before I start off with the mains, let me open up your appetites with the greatest discovery I had at Volos...Kastropolitia white wine. Being a little bit reserved with my wine selection, and having never tried Greek wine, I admit I was not really holding my breath for it. I was very happy to realize I was wrong. This fantastic wine not only brought me joy, but also expanded my horizons that much more!
Dry with a pale golden colour and a fresh fruity flavour, the Kastropolitia reserve was tasty on the palate and smooth as you sipped through it. Needless to say, half a bottle later I was still enjoying this wine.
And what goes better with wine than cheese? The answer is, Greek cheese!
Kefalotyri cheese was the selection that night. And in case you are wondering, yes it did come with the flames entertainment followed by our waiter politely saying out loud "Opa!". It does not get more Greek than that.
The cheese was simply tasty. Mostly made from sheep's milk, bathed in some brandy and sprinkled with a bit of lemon, its texture was crusty on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. My food exercise that night consisted of sipping wine, then having some cheese, sipping wine, then more cheese, and so on and so forth.
As I was obviously just starting my meal, I decided on a small appie, the Gigantic Sea Scallops! You know what they say, go big or go home! And so we decided not to go home that night. These scallops, quite honestly, were the best thing I had at Volos. Only the Greeks would mix the Mediterranean way of eating eggplant (aka, grilled then pureed) with seafood. It looked like these huge scallops were Zeus and the pureed eggplant beneath them were the clouds representing the skies. OK, maybe too much wine drinking on my end, but you get the point. They were delicious, perfectly seasoned and cooked just right.
After indulging in quite the selection of wine, cheese and appetizers, I finally got to try, and for the first time I should say, the famous Moussaka.
The one ingredient that stood out - Kefalotyri Cheese Béchamel sauce. Throughout the entire dish, you tasted this delicious white sauce. Not too overpowering or bland, just done right.
Moussaka is an eggplant based dish from the Mediterranean. The Greeks have actually "own" this dish for quite some time and have made a delicacy of it. The Volos Moussaka is a layered dish containing thinly sliced pieces of eggplant, zucchini and Yukon gold potatoes, seasoned ground beef, Kasseri cheese and the very beautiful Kefalotyri Béchamel sauce I just described. Another one of Volos' hits. Opa!
Buen Provecho,
Viviana.Listed in: Best Restaurants in Toronto
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Review from Ian K.
Mississauga, ON
4/4/2012
Brilliant place to eat real greek food in the heart of downtown Toronto. I was surprised at the prices as I was expecting sky high prices, but the restaurant is very reasonable. The food seems very authentic and there is a quite a mix of meats, seafood etc. Definitely worth a try if you like Greek Food. We had the Lamb Shank, Zuccini Tower and the Philo Pastry thing in the mains and everything tastes delicious, good quantity and fresh !
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Review from Andre M.
Toronto, ON
4/2/2012
This is a great spot for a business lunch. We had a party of three and the staff were delightful and helpful. The food was fantastic. I had the Exohico, phyllo pastry stuffed with braised lam and feg with feta and kefalotyri cheeses and lamb au jus. Delicious, tender and done perfectly. My guests had the whole fish dinner (seabass) deboned and the other had the warm seafood salad with Pacific salmon, halibut, scallop, tiger prawn, quinoa and wild arugula. Both guys really enjoyed. We chose not to have wine but rather spring water. Very good.
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Review from Lauren M.
(3.5 star) A Greek restaurant outside of the Danforth? Sure, why not.
I took a VIP client for a holiday luncheon here. The place was hopping at 1pm on a Wednesday. Interior is quite spacious with lots of seating. Decor seemed very functionary - I would say great spot for business lunches, but not so good for a romantic dinner date.
The wine list is not too big, but I was pleased to see it consisted of mostly Greek wines (hard to find these in Canada!) Having recently traveled around Greece, we immediately spotted a wine on the menu from a winery we actually visited in Santorini.
The lunch menu consisted of about 10 appetizers ($10-$14 range) and maybe 10 mains ($18-$30). Thank God they did not have souvlaki on the menu, but they did have some of the regular boring options (moussaka, sigh)
I tend to gravitate towards seafood, so we ordered the grilled kalamari appetizer to share, and a seafood salad and the sea scallops for our mains.
The food was all absolutely delicious. Kalamari was perfectly grilled (not overcooked), served with tomatoes and capers and a balsamic reduction. DC's seafood salad looked beautiful. My sea scallops were served with melizanosalata (grilled eggplant dip, similar to baba ganouj) and sauteed wild mushrooms. Superb!
The service was a bit over the top. There was someone standing at the table every 90 seconds, removing plates, setting cutlery, asking how our meal was, etc etc. It was quite disruptive of our conversation and I kind of wish they would have backed off! Plus, our waitress was Asian. I wanted a Greek Dimitris!
Although food was completely 5 star, I thought the pricing on the lunch menu was quite exorbitant - 1 appetizer, 2 mains and 2 glasses of wine coming in at $120. Fine for dinner, but for lunch? Ahem.
If you are looking for a fine dining experience and really great food, you will love Volos. If you are looking for a more traditional Greek dining experience, find an ouzeri or taverna on the Danforth with real Greek waitstaff and more rustic fare (Pantheon, Mezes, Athens Restaurant).Listed in: Lauren M's BIG FAT GREEK LIST
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Review from Happybadfish S.
Toronto, ON
1/1/2012
I love that I don't have to go to the Danforth and I love that their menu has plenty of small sharing plates/appetizers.
Unfortunately I booked dinner at 10:00 pm, we were post Mary Poppins and starving! Since their website took late reservations I thought it would still be a fun place to have a late dinner. We were the only ones there, bummer. They were really trying to rush us to order and get us out so they could close up and leave. After a few minutes with the menu the waiter asked us to quickly order as the kitchen was about to close.
We ordered alot of food, since there would be no chance to order more. The waiter told us it was to much for us and to get rid of one item, so we did. I wasn't to much, we were pretty hungry, oh well. The food we had was delicious and I would definitely go back for dinner again. The octopus was amazing!
The server was pleasant, I just think that if they take reservations late, the kitchen should stay open long enough for us to have dessert. -
Review from Melanie C.
Oakville, ON
9/21/2011
Amazing service. Delicious food. Great cocktails and wine. Fantastic company. Nice ambience.
I was ecstatic to learn that Volos was participating in the Yelp Eats promotion. It was a great excuse to treat myself to a nice dinner and donate to charity at the same time. The staff at Volos are very attentive and friendly. Nothing was overlooked. Our server, Phil, individually addressed each one of us and checked up on us at just the right times (but not too much).
They have an extensive Greek wine list, as well as some creative cocktails. I enjoyed my randomly ordered glass of wine, but noticed Phil was very helpful with helping some sommeliers at our table choose a wine to match their meal. There were also many cocktails that looked appealing. I would love try the Med next time - skinos, lime juice and soda.
The menu is an interesting modern twist on Greek food. Lots of seafood options. We were informed that Volos tries to source locally to ensure the freshest ingredients. They are so particular on consistency and quality that they only introduce items on their menu once they've perfected it.
I was lucky to be part of a large party and we shared several appetizers. My favourites were the zucchini tower (served with tzatziki!) and the grilled octopus. The saganaki is always fun (flames and all) and delicious too. The sesame crusted feta was an interesting choice. It was good, but I loved the zucchini. We also enjoyed complimentary olive bread.
When I found out their fish was as fresh as could be, I ordered one of the specials of the day - the red snapper. They serve you a whole fish and you have a choice of bone-in, deboned, or filleted before cooking. Phil explained that the bone-in option kept the most juices and flavours in the fish, so I had to choose it. I thought it might be tricky to eat, but once you track down the main bone, you can easily work around it. It was definitely juicy and full of flavour. I was pleased that it wasn't too greasy or overcooked either. For those who don't eat fish regularly, prepare yourselves: the whole fish comes with head and tail!
My market price fish rang in at just over $30 for a huge portion. There are also several menu options that are very affordable, such as the moussaka ($19). I tried the eggplant dish on my last visit. Definitely the best moussaka I've ever had.
Sadly, I didn't have room for dessert. I tried a spoonful of the saffron ice cream. It was refreshing and strong in flavour. I don't think I could eat an entire serving, but I enjoyed the unique taste. I would love to try the baklava. (TOP SECRET: I heard rumours that they might introduce a baklava ice cream sandwich!!!)
Thanks to Andreas, the owner, who took the time to tell us a bit about the restaurant and their preparation methods. Volos definitely strives for excellence in all areas of the dining experience. This would be the perfect place to take someone to impress them! I'll be back soon to try more items on their menu. -
Review from Chris P.
Amazing! I came here with the Yelp crew for Yelp Eats and had a fantastic time.
First I'll get my one complaint out of the way. They've recently changed their menu and a couple old ones are still floating around. The wine I ordered was no longer available. However, Andreas the owner, personally came over to apologize and offer some suggestions based on what I liked. He was even willing to open a bottle of something they don't normally pour by the glass. No need though as he brought over a sample of one which I liked. Overall, a great wine list here. After that it was smooth sailing.
Before taking our order our waiter got our attention and explained a little bit of the history of the restaurant and then followed with the specials for the day.
The table ordered a bunch of different appetizers which we all shared. We almost didn't need dinner the apps were so good. For around $11-15 a plate you get a solid potion and great quality for the price.
For dinner I ordered the Moussaka. The waiter must have done a good job of selling it in as half the table ordered it as well. It melted in my mouth. It was so good I'm at a loss for words, you just need to go here and try it.
Thanks to Andreas for the round of shots of Skita (I think that's what it was called). First time trying it and it was awesome.Listed in: My Favourite Reviews, You & Me, ROTD's
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Review from Charlotte W.
North York, ON
10/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
So I finally made it to Volos after hearing so many great things about it (mostly from the Yelp Charity Week in September with one of the events being held here). Moreover, I have just come back from a very special place in Greece (any one heard of Mount Athos were no women are allowed...not even female animals?) and I knew I had to find a place that captured that essence of fresh and warm Greek food.
Intro. Reservations were for 7:30pm and I was originally brought to a table of people that were clearly not my friends. Apologetic faces were aplenty and the manager even came to help straighten things out. I was told that the table was not yet ready and was invited to have a seat by the bar and to enjoy some drinks. I had a glass of the Cuvee Prestige (white) $12/glass and it was recommended by the hostess as a very popular glass with citrus notes. I really enjoyed it. FYI. The hostess also mentioned that I could taste sampler's of different wines before committing which I thought was excellent.
Our table was ready and was originally for four, but we actually had 5 guests. I have to say that the restaurant was very accommodating and gave us a round table for 5 which the waitress had originally said was one of the most popular and booked tables/place. Very gracious.
Food. To my utter disappointment, the Mousaka was all sold out. That only attested to the popularity of the dish and I vowed I would return to have it. My second choice was the Cornish Hen which surprisingly was very tender and juicy. It came with a side of mashed potatoes and in no time, I had devoured the whole hen. I am not usually a white meat gal, but even that was so delish. For appetizers, I had the Dolmades (4 pieces) and it came with the most heavenly yoghurt sauce (Taziki) ever: thick, tasty, and cold as Greek Yoghurt should be.
Other dishes worth mentioning are the Exohico (lamb in Phyllo Pastry) which both my friends raved and ate in a flash and Saganaki as an app (the signature flamed cheese). For dessert, my boyfriend and I shared the very typical dessert Baklava which will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Service. Gracious. And very accommodating. Everyone was so nice and nothing was ever a problem. The owner of the restaurant (I believe Andreas) who looks like a real-life version of Fairy Godmother's son Prince Charming from Shrek...but minus the gold-Pantene-Pro-V-commericial-hairtoss-in-slow-mo -locks periodically would check up on our table. At the end of the evening, he asked how we heard of the restaurant and was very obliging in listing out all the events that could take place in Volos.
Our waitress handled our request for 5 individual bills with no smirk, eye-roll or sigh so don't be afraid to ask. At the end, she even told our table that she had to do 16 individual bills for a party beside us so clearly not an issue.
Conclusion. I think this restaurant is an absolute gem: food, service, and ambiance (earthy, rustic tones). There is absolutely no pretentious-ness here which makes the shining star, Greek Food, come out.Listed in: 30 Day Yelp Challenge -…
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Review from Ryan G. S.
1/1/2012
We must have gone to Estiatorio Volos on a really bad night. The first sign of trouble was when we arrived and were seated in the bar area because the dining room was supposedly booked up. But, it was less than half full, and was never more than 2/3 full throughout the course of our meal in the bar.
What we later realized is that we were probably seated in the bar because the restaurant was terribly understaffed that night: The bartender was serving all 4 tables in the bar, plus the bar itself. She mentioned something about 3 people not showing up for work that night. This was likely the cause of the disaster that unfolded.
Things went well enough at first: the grilled calamari was tender and the egg lemon soup was unusually tasty. Based on the success of the calamari appetizer, I considered ordering the Seafood Kritharoto, which was supposed to have salmon, shrimp, black cod, calamari, and mussels. I'm usually suspicious of mixed seafood dishes like this, because they often consist of just one little bite of each thing, supplemented by a mound of starch (in this case, saffron orzo). Our waitress/bartender assured me, though, that this dish bucked that trend and came with a pile of seafood.
After quite a wait--our entrees definitely sat in the kitchen for a while before they were delivered to us--the Kritharoto arrived as I feared it would: a small quantity of seafood and a large pile of orzo. Compounding the small quantity was the fact that the variety was lacking: the cod and mussels were missing. There were just two shrimp; three tiny, rubbery calamari tails (none of the tender calamari body that had been served in the appetizer), and a small (3 cm) chunk of salmon.
When the waitress returned, I asked what was up with the missing cod and mussels. She disappeared to check, and the manager or owner returned. He apologized, and said that their fishmonger had not delivered quality cod or mussels, so they substituted extra of the other seafood. (If what I got was extra quantities, I would hate to see the normal.) He said he would comp the dish, and hurried off before I could protest further. I was not happy, because I should have been told this when I ordered--I would have changed my order. I felt I had probably been delivered a dish of some seafood scraps the kitchen felt lucky to get rid of, which is why they gladly served it to me instead of saying something.
Things continued to go downhill. We had to ask two or three times to have our water refilled and have a salt shaker delivered to the table (for the disappointing cornish hen, which looked more like a regular chicken breast than a portion of a cornish hen).
At this point, the manager/owner could tell we were really not happy and came back to the table. He agreed it was unacceptable that I was not told about the substitution when I ordered, and also agreed that the rubbery calamari tails were lame. He brought another order of the calamari appetizer to compensate, but it seemed to little, too late. The whole experience had been thoroughly unpleasant.
In the end, he thankfully comped all our entrees. The bill was still $100 for three, for a drink (a pretty short martini for $12), a bottle of wine, and appetizers. -
Review from Eric L.
11/2/2011
Just amazing. This is by far the best Greek restaurant I have been to, and probably among the best in the city. The menu is apparently inspired by the home-cooked meals of the owners' roots in Greece. Although I did have a usually generic dish, Mousaka, this was the best I've ever had.
The server was top notch. Our waiter had a good knowledge of the wine selection and which wines go with which entrees and seemed very passionate each dish on the menu.
The place is great for groups, we were 10 and there was still a few big tables left over for other parties.
Appetizer, Entree, 1 bar rail, 1 glass of wine = $65, but worth every penny.Listed in: Yelp 30 Day Challenge - Nov…
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Review from Greg A.
11/15/2011
Wow! - What great ambiance, great service, and great food. The decor in this restaurant is elegant and welcoming but not overbearing. It is easy to feel comfortable. There is a real team spirit among all of the staff from the hostess, bartenders, and waitstaff.
I sat in the bar for dinner since I was dining alone. The bartenders were both engaging and knowledgeable. Knowledgeable not only about wine and drink offerings - but also about the menu and with recommendations about menu items.
While sitting at the bar - some others from the conference I was attending sat next to me. We all moved to a table in the bar - and the bar staff was helpful in moving us quickly in spite of the very busy setting.
For dinner I had the Seafood Kritharoto - a dish with salmon, halibut, tiger prawns, calamari, mussels, clams, and kefalotyri (sheep) cheese, on saffron orzo. This dish was exquisite - just great and I paired my meal with with a spirited Greek version of a sauvingon blanc.
For dessert I had the ouzo chocolate mousse - again - just fabulous. I think that there was enough ouzo that I was feeling it - so you may want to check with your server about this.
I was going to give a four star rating - but reading my review, I think I have to go with five stars.
In sum - a great place to eat if you are in Toronto and walkable distance from many downtown hotels including the Sheraton Centre, Hilton, and Fairmont Royal York. -
Review from Natalie T.
East York, ON
11/23/2011
VIBE
Volos is in the heart of downtown at York and Richmond right across from the Sheraton and beside the Hilton so this is definitely a great place for business travelers. But after my visit, I think it will be a hit with locals. As a Danforth veteran, the place I would compare this to is Ouzeri in terms of style and look (they also do a lamb/rosemary pie). Volos oozes rustic simplicity just like its native, Greece. There are really nice design touches like the glass balls hanging with rope over the main table; the gold plated but pictureless frames on the back of a white wall and the vases. It's also really well spaced out. Add a pelican and a beach nearby and you could very well be in Mykonos (minus the rain).
Our server was good. BUT there was one point where he got anti-social. I think he overheard us talking nonsense and he redeemed himself and conversing with us later. There was also a point where he wasn't able to find a proper tasting wine for my dining companion but he went back and again, was able to find a great red to accompany his dinner. Maybe it was a long day? Volos was the perfect place to chill and to our observation a great place for a solo diner as well.
Oh, and PS you don't have to dress up like a banker here. Just dress smart. I wore jeans with a smart top and heels and totally fine. I also saw a family at dinner with their baby so it's not totally financial central here unlike the Keg across the street. It's a good mix.
WE ATE
We ate well! We started off with some classics: saganaki (opa!) is perfect on the olive bread with olive oil (simple, rustic again); and the calamari. Calamari is my litmus test. And Volos is second in my Toronto books after the pesto version Lolita's Lust does. A little more kalamata olives would have made it nicer but the fish was griled perfectly. Nom Nom Nom.
For mains, I got the much talked about Exohico (lamb, feta, kefalotoryi cheese)
The flavours all complimented each other extremely well and that phyllo pastry -- DAMN! I'm pretty sure the folks make their own phyllo. It was the most flaky, tasty phyllo. Krinos better watch out!
My dining companion got the Aegean-style grilled Halibut. The fish was flaky, soft and moist but with the grilled char taste. DELICIOUS! I was looking forward to tasting his feta mashed potatoes (hello comfort food!) but they were flavourless. Dining Companion loved the swiss chard but he's a chard fan. Overall, good dish.
We didn't think we could eat anymore and I was almost tempted to get the mousse but we split the baklava and it was a nostalgic, pleasant surprise. It's made in house and the pastry, pistachio and sweet flavours were a decadent treat and nice pre-birthday touch (they added a strawberry and coulis).
A note on cocktails/mixed drinks: A do! They make a mean gin and tonic here.
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
I'm really glad to see Volos take a stab at upping the sophistication of Greek restaurants in Toronto. The central location, vibe/decor and delicious food are compelling me to come up with many Greek mythology puns. But I'll leave that for the Toronto Sun review.Listed in: 30 Day Challenge, Last Chance for Romance, Opa! Greek Eats
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Review from Vivek S.
8/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Until Volos Estiatorio, Richmond and York was a pretty sad intersection. There are the rear ends of the Four Seasons Centre and Sheraton Hotel and Little Anthony's, a mostly tourist-oriented Italian spot. The arrival of this new Greek resto, however will have you smashing their plates with glee. (Please don't actually do this.)
Though I was shamefully underdressed [1] and reservationless to boot, our hostess was kind enough to seat us at the bar while they prepared a table. In the meantime we helped ourselves to some Greek cocktails. The cocktail and wine menu takes care to feature Greek spirits and vintages. I am ignorant about Greek wine (I thought only Satyrs drank the stuff), so I ordered a gin cocktail called Eros' Passion, and it was good. Erotically so.
As we sat at the bar a Very Handsome Man (I assume the owner) came over and told us a bit about the the restaurant. Volos is a port city in Greece and Estiatorio means "restaurant that leans more to the upscale." The VHM explained their aim of serving Greek food in a dignified way (read: no souvlaki on a bun) while also offering contemporary dishes that allow them to feature local meats and fish.
We started with the Kefalotyri Cheese Saganaki ($11), which was brought to our table and promptly set on fire with brandy. The sheep's milk was soft and creamy, and a bit tart too. Great on olive bread. I liked it a lot. My DC got the moussaka ($19), which I didn't try since I don't eat eggplant, but it got a thumbs up. I ordered the Exohico ($22) which is lamb, spices and vegetables wrapped in phyllo pastry. There is a bit of a story with this one so sit back weary travelers, and sup at the generous teat of Grecian-food-intake-related tale-telling:
In short: when it was served there was a hole in the side. The waiter told me it was "banged up a bit" on delivery but from my eyes it looked edible. They offered to make me another one, but as someone not prone to waste (and let's face it, I'm impatient), I took the damaged portion and they were kind enough to take it off my bill.
But if the kind gesture didn't leave a great taste in my mouth, the exohico certainly did. So full of flavour and the feta and kefalotyri cheese were seriously drool-inducing. And what isn't better wrapped in phyllo? What? What! I ask you?
We shared two scoops of Greek yogurt for dessert. Be warned, it's very tart and way more filling than it looks, but if you spare the room it's worth ordering.
All in all I had an excellent experience here. I think it's a perfect spot for theatre goers or visitors to the nearby hotels. That is to say: you can skip The Keg.
Obligatory Title Pun: They aren't friVOLOus about Greek cuisine.
Menu Readability: Words every bride uses to describe her ideal wedding: elegant, classic, tasteful.
Need to mention: My date mentioned the VHM no less than five times. I'm not joking.
What this place teaches me about myself: It could be Ajax and bongwater -- if it's called Eros' Passion I'm slurping it up.
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[1] I was actually wearing a baseball tee with this on it. https://skitch.com/viv...Listed in: Spendy, Spendy, My Big Fat Greek List
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Review from Nathan T.
Toronto, ON
11/13/2011
Had one of the best Toronto dining experiences this Friday at Estiatorio Volos. The decor and atmosphere was very classy and extremely tastefully done, the open kitchen added an interesting element to our experience as well. Immediately upon entering we were impressed by the level of personalized service and genuine interest in our dining experience.
Of course, most importantly, the food was amazing. Hands down the best Greek food I've ever had. The Exohico main and Octopus appetizer are musts!
My first visit will definitely not be my last! Thanks for a memorable dining experience Volos. -
Review from Susan G.
After reading everyone else's reviews, I feel sad that I only had a 3.5 star experience!
My boyfriend chose this restaurant for our anniversary, and even checked it out on Yelp first (I'm so proud!). And it COULD be a five star place, but there were a few things that prevented me from giving it that rating!
First of all, I love the ambiance of the place. Perfect for a special occassion. Also, the service was amazing. The hostess was so friendly, and wished me a happy anniversary *aw* she told our server as well, who was very friendly and recommended tons of good food, as well as told us the history of the restaurant.
So, now for why this is a three star review - it comes down to the food. My food really was just mediocre! To start, I had the zuchini tower, which was fried in tempura-type batter. At first it was delicious, but after a few slices, and especially when it started to cool down, it became sort of greasy and unappealing. If you go for this app, I'd definitely split it. For my main, I had the giant grilled shrimp with quinoa (which had rasins in it! Bleh! Put a warning on your menu!) but really, it was just ok. The shrimp were kind of bland (could have used some seasoning) and the quinoa was nothing special. I did have the delicious greek yogurt dessert though - it was absolutely devine.
I'm definitely going to check this place out again (expect an update) because I can't believe that everyone else had a way better experience than me!! I would definitely recommend checking this place out either way - it's definitely a great spot for a date, AND I'm convinced the food must be amazing (the chef must have been having an off night). -
Review from Kiran S.
Toronto, ON
9/18/2011 2 photos
I was at Volos for a work dinner on a Monday evening. Its hard to say how busy the place usually as, as the group I was with was a part over 100 people...
1. Atmosphere: modern but with a touch of warmth. Cool lighting! The 'foyer'/bar area was a bit crowded for a group our size, we felt like we were in a club yelling to have a conversation with each other. But once we got to our tables, the ambience was terrific with candles at the table and a great view outside through large windows.
2. Food. AMAZING. For appetizer I had the grilled Calamari, done to perfection, not chewy served with delicious tomato based dressing. Dinner was Moussaka. My mouth is just watering writing about it! I would describe it as Mediterranean style lasagna with melt in your mouth (literally) creamy topping, and layers of flavour. For dessert I had ice cream for which the life of me cannot recall the flavour, but it was tasty. Other people at my table enjoyed the baklava for dessert-a very generous helping! (you could easily split it between two people).
3. Service: our waiter was polite and attentive. The bar staff was also very helpful.
Overall a surprisingly excellent restaurant in the financial district. I would definitely go back there for more Moussaka! I would recommend dressing 'up' for this place, you might feel a little out of place in your Sunday jeans and tshirt. -
Review from Genevieve L.
Ottawa, ON
9/23/2011
GOOD LOOKING EVERYTHING! From the venue, to the decor, to the food, and... the servers.
I'm glad I joined the group of Yelpers to attend Volos as part of Yelp Eats! event. This place ranks pretty high in my books in terms of having the best food and service in town.
THE VENUE:
I loved the look of the place. Interestingly, they somehow managed to make the place feel open, yet intimate at the same time. Also, the washrooms were nice, too. (I have a weird thing about washrooms - if I don't like the washroom, I find that it kind of ruins the overall experience.) So I liked the look and feel of the place altogether - including the washrooms.
FOOD:
All the food was amazing in taste and presentation.
For starters, I had the Octopus. It was perfectly cooked and very tasty. Usually Octopus is a little stringy, but this one wasn't in the least bit stringy or tough, rather it was perfectly tender. I also tried a couple pieces of the Zucchini Tower. As someone else has already said, it's basically like zucchini tempura. It's a huge dish an great for sharing! The zucchini is lightly breaded so that you can still taste the natural goodness of the zucchini.
I ordered the Exohico as suggested by many. It was really tasty and I was really happy with the perfect balance of all the flavours! Usually the lamb flavour overpowers the entire dish, but not this one. I liked that there were just enough veggies inside and the phyllo pastry is simply deliciously crispy! Definitely worth trying.
My husband wanted to order the rabbit, but unfortunately it is no longer offered. However, when I asked our server why they no longer serve it, he explained that they can't make the dish consistently because they have to prepare it differently if it's male or female. And I believe it when he said that they only want to prepare food that they can make consistently good. So my husband ordered the Black Angus New York Strip Loin (he was in the mood for meat). The strip loin was cooked to perfection! I would say it's comparable to The Keg (but without the excess butter). Thank goodness he was willing to share! Each piece was so savoury and obviously delicious.
By the time dessert came around, I was too full to try anything. I think next time I may have to make sure I save some room for dessert!
SERVICE:
To sum it up in one word: IMPECCABLE!
As Melanie C. already said, the staff was attentive and friendly without being intrusive or annoying. I also felt that they were personable; as in, I felt like I was talking to a friend when I spoke with them - you really feel like they care. And I have to say that they're easy on the eyes as well. Thank you Phil for delivering such amazing service to each and every one of us.
Also, closer to the end of the night, it was great to have Andreas sit down with us and talk about his restaurant. He seems very passionate about this restaurant and I think that he's done a really great job with the restaurant. I also appreciated the fact that he wanted to make sure that all the food went out to the other tables before he joined our party.
AND to top it off, after we had left, one of the staff noticed that someone had left their packed up leftovers on the table so he ran out to bring it to us. Great service indeed!
OVERALL:
I would definitely go back. I don't think it gets any better than great food and even better service. You can't beat that!
So what are you waiting for? Get going already to Volos Estiatorio!!! -
Review from Karen G.
I had lunch at this restaurant today with a friend. This restaurant was formerly named Mediterra but has been rebranded and refurbished inside such that it is much more elegant than before but still had the charm of the open kitchen. The menu is far more interesting than before and the food presentation is also much better. The owner, Andreas, came to our table to welcome us which was nice. His wait staff was very knowledgeable and attentive. All of that was great - but the standout was the food.
We shared the Tiger Shrimp Saganaki. It came with four large tiger shrimp in a fresh broth and without the typical firely cheese saganaki presentation. It was light and delicious.
We each ordered the warm seafood salad which comes with some arugula on top of warm quinoa surrounded by a piece of warm grilled salmon and a piece of halibut, as well as a large scallop and a large tiger shrimp. It doesn't sound like a lot but it was very filling (healthy and delicious too). I am not a big quinoa fan and I usually find it to be tough and tasteless but it was very flavourful. I ate every last bite.
The waiter recommended the Santorini wine which was a perfect accompaniment to our seafood feast.
I was going to avoid dessert but as soon as our watier said the words "dark chocolate mousse" it was over for me. It came in a martini glass and was just the right amount - topped with fresh cream and berries - I wish I could have licked the glass clean. It was very light and the perfect end to a very enjoyable lunch.
The only thing I would say is that the prices should really put the put the price range to $$$ instead of $$.
I will be back. -
Review from Lynn C.
9/25/2011
The short version:
Tasteful drinks, good looking food, elegant service, delicious ambiance, scrumptious people....I might have mixed up the adjectives for the nouns, but no matter how you unscramble this, you can't go wrong here. No wonder all the suits hang out here.
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The long version:
How befitting that my 300th review is for Volos--I'm glad it's a five-star review. Admittedly, I came here with a Yelp group, but any restaurant owner who takes as much care as Andreas does of his restaurant deserves a five-star.
As soon as I walked in, the "tall handsome man" in a crisp white shirt welcomed me and seated me at the bar with the rest of my group. At this point, I had no idea he was an owner. When we were ready to be seated at our table, he personally took us to the table and pulled the chair for me--I still thought he was the host at the front. It wasn't until half way through the meal was I told that the tall handsome man was a captain of the ship. During the meal, I noticed him in and out of the kitchen, around the restaurant talking to various tables, introducing and discussing the wine list, menu, and his restaurant philosophy, and talking to the servers. How can a restaurant not be "as good as it gets" when you have someone like him to ensure every aspect of his restaurant is up to standard?
The menu, as Andreas explained to us, is primarily Greek food with a modern twist and they try to introduce as much traditional Greek style seafood as they can, as Greece is a nation surrounded by seas. Since it is still quite a baby in the restaurant scene in Toronto, the restaurant is still experimenting with available local, fresh ingredient and the menu can still change. It does help though that this restaurant comes from a family that have been in the business for years, so not much can go wrong. I love the fact that I'm seeing all types of Greek food that I have never seen from the Danforth.
Our group ordered some appetizers and I tried the zucchini tower, which was a lot like tempura zucchinis, but more flavourful, and came with a garlic tzatziki on the side. Delicious. It was, however, not stacked like a tower. For entree, I ordered a moussaka, an eggplant based dish with a spiced beef filling, reminiscent of lasagna, that our server highly recommended. Unfortunately I have never had a moussaka before so I can't make a fair comparison, but I was told by others that it was one of the best ones they've had. I thought it was good and quite heavy, and definitely regretted that I couldn't finish it. For dessert, I had a taste of the saffron ice cream. Very saffron heavy and most aromatic dessert I've ever had.
Volos is also nicely stacked with all types of liquor and wine, as well as original and distinctive cocktails. I started with a a cocktail called Eros Passion, then a shot of greek (?) liquor, and was paired a sweet and smooth sauvignon blanc with my meal, again recommended by our server.
Speaking of our server, he was extremely knowledgeable w/ regard to all the dishes and all the wine on the list. Though not Greek, he has been drilled with everything you need to know as a server. Personable, charming, and informed--characteristics you generally wouldn't expect from an attractive guy--Andreas certainly knows how to cast them. In fact, a look around the restaurant and you'll find that all the servers on the floor look like models--where was I again?.
At approximately $20-$30 per entree, it's not unaffordable, and make for a perfect date night restaurant, or a night out after a hard day's work. I'll be back :)Listed in: Yelp-Led Happiness, GTA Five Stars
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Review from Maria D.
Toronto, ON
7/1/2011
I have long waited for the chance to go to a proper Fine Dining Greek contemporary restaurant in Toronto. The new Volos Estiatorio finally fits the bill. I am a happy woman. After two visits the new restaurant meets all of my expectations. Terrific service, fantastic food and comfort.
Andreas the owner, who is generous with his time, is also extremely charming (he **should** be part of the menu LOL). He has combined culinary originality, fresh quality ingredients and mediterranean and middle eastern ideas to craft an interesting and expressive menu.
The appetizers surprise us with their modern plating, unique flavor profiles, and an evident traditional foundation. A natural born Greek like me can definetely appreciate the effort that went into this. The sesame crusted feta, soutzoukakia meatballs and mediterranean octopus are to die for.
There are some interesting Greek varietals from small-run Greek wineries and you should take the opportunity to taste some Greek wine you are not likely to find on the Danforth.
The mains....do yourself a favour and order like a Greek not like a tourist. The signature dish, exohiko, is a phyllo-wrapped lamb pastry that not only melts in your mouth but also in your dinner companion's...it's that good.
Leave enough room for the Saffron pistachio ice cream. -
Review from Eric L.
Toronto, ON
3/29/2012
Loved it! Great glasses of wine, and a wonderful mousakka. It was just the right portion and tasted very bright and fresh. I ordered the grape leaves as a starter, and they were served with some fresh tzatziki, that really made these different and memorable. I will be back!
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Review from reyz a.
12/13/2011
It's as if a Greek family invited me over to their house for some home-cooked food. As a plus, the family has a classy place. It's in the financial district with easy access from the downtown hotels. Reminds me of that trip years ago to Santorini or Mykanos sans the big Pelican, without the windmills, without the rocky beaches, without backpackers and in fact without the whole country of Greece. I just like my Greek meal simple: Moussaka and ouzo. Maybe meatballs and ouzo. Maybe keftedakia me ouzo. Maybe kataifi, baklava and amygdalopita....OK, I'd give it that extra star only if this place was in the Aegean with me lying on some beach looking up at the *****.
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Review from Hugo R.
8/23/2011
I have been remiss in reviewing the many restaurants I have visited over the past several months. I am making an exception here however. WHAT A MEAL! Andreas - you are the best. The short primer on Greek wine was exceptional and I really enjoyed the wine pairing you recommended with dinner. Now the food. The highlight of my meal was the meatballs and the octopus. I highly recommend these two dishes.
I will be back (Toronto rocks). -
Review from Denice P.
7/15/2011
What a GEM - charming decor and fantastic cuisine.
I was in town for a quick business trip and was delighted to find this place by chance. Menu has diverse range, substantial to lighter options, something extremely important to me when dining clients.
Highly recommend, will be coming back next time I'm up here. -
Review from Rory E.
8/16/2011
I grew up in Toronto and I've been fortunate to have eaten at many of the city's best restaurants. I now live in NYC, (and I have developed a true New Yorkers pallet) so when I dine out I expect a lot...no matter the geographic location. Volos is a sensational restaurant...on par with any top NYC restaurant and in my opinion the best restaurant I have been to in Toronto. Scallops (melt in your mouth), Spetzofai (signature dish...lamb sausage was incredible), Exohico, Octopus, Hen and Halibut are all amazing.
Trust me...if you go to Volos the quality of food and ambiance will leave you very impressed. Service was impeccable and I look forward to heading back next time I am in Toronto.
