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Far Niente
Categories: Restaurants Canadian (New) Restaurants Seafood Canadian (New), Seafood [Edit]
187 Bay StToronto, ON M5J
Neighbourhoods: Financial District, Downtown Core
(416) 214-9922
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
14 reviews for Far Niente
14 reviews in English
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Review from Jonathan L.
Richmond Hill, ON
1/2/2012
The food here is terrific and the ambiance is very romantic at night. The crowd during the day is dominated by bay street bankers and other businessmen, but on weekends it is a little more down to earth. I love coming here for Birthdays and special occasions.
Their chicken pot pie (only offered at lunch) is to die for, and their lobster pot pie is amazing for dinner. Unlike other trendy upscale restaurants in the surrounding financial district, the portions here are very generous. -
Review from Pascal P.
Toronto, ON
2/10/2012
My boy friend and I have decided to go on a mission to try all of the top 50 restaurants in Toronto. We had already been to 8 of the restaurants. The first one we decided to try was Far Niente. I have very high standards when it comes to the food industry, especially fine dining. So when trying a restaurant that is in the top 50 in, I have extremely high standards.
The restaurant itself was quite nice, I liked the decor. The hostess was very friendly and they offer complimentary coat check. Before leaving the house I had called to enquire about a corkage fee which they do have $35. We brought our bottle of wine and had them chill it. I having worked in the food industry before have extremely high standards of service when it comes to my server at any restaurant. Our server(dont know his name) didn't even try to be friendly exchange pleasantries throughout the meal. Our wine came after our appetizers. My appetizer was missing the bread that was supposed to accompany it. I didn't say anything as I was bitter sweet(don't want the carbs). My appetizer was taken away with both fork and knife, leaving me with one fork and one butter knife. My main dish was served and my knife was never replaced leaving me to eat with my butter knife. The service was slow.
Food
Seared Sea Scallops-4/5
Citrus Cured Smoked Salmon-2/5 missing the warm rye croutons and the fennel salad had no taste
Seared Bluefin Tuna-4/5
Repeat- Definitely NOT. I am not one to complain at restaurants, I sit there silently stew and then report back here. -
Review from Teena D.
8/23/2011
I had lunch there yesterday with three colleagues.
I ordered the Tandoori Chicken (Jasmine rice, chickpea salad, cucumber mint yogurt). Our meals arrived about 5 minutes after we ordered them ... seriously. I guess that's the benefit of having a small menu.
My chicken and rice were okay ... not bad, not great. I would have expected something a little more exciting and tastier considering the restaurant and the price ($23).
The service was great ... there was always someone handy to ensure our glasses were filled with sparkling water. -
Review from Tony F.
7/25/2011
The end of summerlicious kinda marks the beginning of the end. Like Winter Solstice marks the middle of winter, the end of 'lish marks the dog days of summer and the thoughts of the fall starts to enter into the equation and is just over the horizon. This year Far Niente closes out a mediocre 'lish season.
Far Niente tries hard, and I'm sure wishes itself to be considered amongst the elite in Toronto fine dinning, but it's a bit "far" fetching. Don't get me wrong, there's no one thing that I can pinpoint that would make this place a bad experience, just the opposite, it's a nice experience, but just not very noteworthy. The service is good, food is good, its got the fine dinning feel to it, but it lacks a certain something that makes me think "far out" when it comes to a fine dining place. Maybe it's just because there are so many other better options in Toronto. It's like a pretty girl saddled in a room full of other hotties and she just doesn't stand out.
It's also hard to judge a place by it's summerlicious menu, but there was absolutely nothing wrong with my Seafood gazpacho, rare tuna, and quite enjoyed the Angel food cake. It was all nicely executed, but if I were not to document this right away, I won't remember what I had in another 3 or 4 hours.
Good experience? Yes? Most amazing meal of my life? A bit Far fetching.
http://app.toronto.ca/...Listed in: Meh!, Date night
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Review from Karl R.
2/7/2011 15 photos
ArtBabe never gets to wear heels. I'm always game for a night where a woman can wear heels, especially if it means a restaurant in the financial district on a Saturday night. It's been a long time since I've been to Far Niente. They changed their location, although they remain in the Financial District. The decor has changed too, from a lighter, urban California atmosphere to a darker, more romantic setting.
Not intending to make it a Winterlicious destination, they offered us the Winterlicious menu. There's always good value in that menu. ArtBabe and I both started with the Goat Cheese Croquette. We both agree we don't get enough goat cheese in our diets. It was quite perfect. For the mains I had the Angus steak and ArtBabe had the snapper (we had padded our selves at lunch on AYCE sushi and she was hesitant to have fish for dinner but the rest of the Winterlicious menu didn't appeal to her).
I found the steak just okay. The real surprise was the pot pie it came with. When do you really get pot pies these days? I even stopped buying them 10 years ago. It was a nice trip down memory lane and kind of retro-creative. ArtBabe thought her snapper was good.
For dessert I had the chocolate cake. Nothing to write home about although the whip cream was delightful. ArtBabe had the mango sorbet which was awesome. It was a creamy mango-y bowl of goodness.
Service is awesome.
ArtBabe thought the woman's washroom was amazing. Something about a glass sink. The men's didn't seem to have that design.
I do have to knock them down a star for trying to pat themselves on the back for "winning" a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. It's quite well known these things are simply bought by restaurants (http://www.drvino.com/...). It's like trying to pat yourself on the back for having a quarter panel ad in Toronto Life. -
Review from Jason C.
Toronto, ON
4/7/2011
Food is tasty and service is very good.
The crowd is yawwwwwwwwwn. Seriously I've never seen so many Bay Street lifeless people spend so much time rolling and unrolling their sleeves, adjusting their ties (and tie clips) and courtesy laughing QUIETLY at each others' comments. -
Review from Edwin A.
11/9/2010
The food I ordered here was excellent.
For appetizer to start I had the calamari with a tomato chorizo sausage sauce. Main was stuffed pork chops. Perfectly prepared and tasted well.
To drink a freshly squeezed fruit juice which was very refreshing and energizing.
Service was spot on and attentive. -
Review from Gizzie D.
7/4/2011
I made plans to dine at this place on a monday night. Walked in. Lights were on. There was no one at the hostess stand. After a minute or two this guy appeared and said "sorry no one showed up so we closed the restaurant." Moral of the story: call ahead cuz they open and close on a whim.
-
Review from Lauren M.
Ditto what Richie said - Good, yet not memorable.
This place is perfect for a business lunch, which is exactly what I was there for. Otherwise, the decor and ambiance is just very professional but pretty boring looking.
I disagree that this is a romantic date spot - please, no. Mike P, take your girlfriend/wife somewhere with a little personality.
I tried the Arctic Char, colleagues picked the salmon and the Cobb Salad. Everyone really enjoyed the food. It was tasty but didn't blow my mind or anything. Service was excellent.
It's pricey, it was about $50 each after tax and tip for lunch, and we didn't even have appetizers. Just coffee, a main, and one person had a glass of wine. -
Review from Rohan P.
Mississauga, ON
4/29/2011
this place is awesome ! i stuffed myself with only starters. pulled pork tacos, 4 cheese pizza bites, calamari and sirloin bites. The tiramisu dessert was simply delicious !
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Review from Richie S.
1/14/2010
***2.5 Star***
This place was...good? Just not memorable. Nice decor.
The beet salad was tasty. Strip Loin was mediocre. I wish I had more to say - just no wow-factor that would have me return other than a request made by friends/family.
Comme ci, comme ca. -
Review from Timothy W.
4/20/2011
I was traveling alone on business and ended up getting lost in the Toronto underground one evening and came upon this place. It was past the rush crowd (get a drink and take the train home crowd). So I walked in and sat at the bar. Service was really good, wine selection was excellent and they had hockey on TV. I had the pizza (pesta-arugula) which was good, not the best crust, but I am in Toronto and have lower expectations. I also had the chicken yakitori sliders which were excellent. I would return if I were stuck downtown again for business.
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Review from Wayne L.
5/5/2011
Modern Downtown Upscale Restaurant
Pros:
- Excellent Service (especially from Bibek)
- Beautiful Presentation (Food and Decour)
- Intense Balance Flavors
- Validated Parking
- Private Room available for events
Cons:
- Not a good place to go if avoiding sodium
Recommend
- Lobster Pot Pie (A good portion, whole lobster tail)
- Fries with Truffle Mayo
- Asking for a table in Bibek's Section -
Review from Mike P.
Brampton, ON
11/3/2009
I have been to Far Niente twice, once for lunch and another time for dinner. The atmosphere during the day is that of a classy professional setting, for dinner the mood is very mellow and relaxed - even romantic with the candle lights.
The food is out of this world with a great mix of flavours, styles, and stunning plate presentations. They definitely put a lot of emphasis on detail and taste.
I had the Dorset Lamb Hind (Rogan Josh Curry, Saffron Kalijira Rice & Mango Mint Chutney) - and it was out of this world.
Also, the service was top notch! The only reason I am giving them 4 stars and not 5 .. is because my date didn't enjoy the food as much as I did .. lol
