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Grazie Ristorante
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
2373 Yonge StToronto, ON M4P 2C8
Neighbourhoods: Mount Pleasant and Davisville, Yonge and Eglinton
(416) 488-0822
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 12 pm - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 12 pm - 12 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
66 reviews for Grazie Ristorante
Review Highlights
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"...night, and they don't take reservations so go expecting to..." In 4 reviews -
"tiramisu was FAB -- and i usually don't like tiramisu." In 6 reviews
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"They have a huge, delicious pasta menu, and great service." In 3 reviews
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66 reviews in English
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Review from Johnny H.
Toronto, ON
5/9/2012
Overhyped, but it is still an excellent pasta restaurant.
I normally have smoked salmon pasta or seafood linguini (linguini marinara). The smoked salmon pasta is served in a creamy tomato sauce. The taste is very exquisite with mix of earthy flavors, spices and herbs. It has a very nice lingering after-taste. It is a bit salty though. The homemade pasta is excellent as well.
The seafood linguini has sophisticated flavors. Very clean and minimalistic, and yet very deep melting feel of acidic and sweet notes. It is a very nice sauce. Seafoods are cooked very well (the fishes are very delicious). The pasta has the natural texture and taste. And the portion is huge! Share it with someone.
I've tasted some pizzas, and they were very tasty as well. I always have the mussel appetizer, and it is among the best I've had in Toronto.
Tables are quite small. Really small. And there is virtually no privacy between tables. The wood chair is a bit uncomfortable as well. It is always crowded and very noisy. Service is excellent. Foods come out at a bit slow pace, but servers are very attentive and courteous. -
Review from Targol K.
Thornhill, ON
4/1/2012
Great food, great service and nice atmosphere. The portions are quite big and most pastas I've tried were very good. The goat cheese salad is just awesome and so is the Varese salad. Very similar to the good food you can find in local restaurants of Florence.
They don't take reservations so go ahead of time. For lunch, you can usually find space. From what I remember, there was no private parking so I parked across the street but I may be wrong on this. -
Review from Baby P.
Toronto, ON
3/18/2012 2 photos
FOOD: top notch. I like that they are creative with their pasta dishes and offer a choice of four sauces accompanying different types of pasta.
I like tomato sauce so I ordered the Nonna Franca - spaghetti with sauteed broccoli, anchovy paste, pine nuts & raisins covered with bread crumbs & sesame seeds. It was delicious and very different. Never thought of adding raisins to my pasta, but the sweetness and texture blended surprisingly well with the sourness of the sauce and the pasta.
My bf ordered the Catrina - spinach linguini with grilled chicken, pancetta, onions and black peppercorns in extra virgin oil and garlic sauce. Also very good, with a subtle taste.
The portions were on a smaller scale, which is great for us, as we got to finish the entire plate. For those who are used to N.A. sized portions, you may want to get an appetizer as well.
SERVICE: really liked the hosts, bartender and the ones who brought water and cleared our dishes. Funny thing is, our waiter was probably the least helpful. He took our order and we never saw him again until he brought us the bill. I wish that our tip went to the others (incl. kitchen staff) instead of him. But, that is just one person from the number of people that serviced us, so overall, we were still content with the level of service.
AMBIANCE: casual, lively atmosphere. There's constant background noise of people in nearby tables chatting. Seemed like everyone by the bar was having a great time. I like that it's bright in the restaurant, enabling me to see my food.
VALUE: I was surprised by the prices. I always thought Grazie's was an expensive restaurant, since it was so popular and located at Yonge & Eglinton, but it's actually very reasonably priced, most dishes are around $15 and was tastier than some of the high end restaurants.
I definitely want to come back and try all their pastas. I wish they take reservations so that I don't have to wait 30-60mins for a table! -
Review from Garry P.
Mississauga, ON
5/24/2012
The pasta is Excellent! Creamy Tomato w Cured bacon. Penza ? For the price you really can't go wrong. Frequently visit the place for lunch. Love the service! Cool bartenders.
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Review from Lauren M.
3/6/2012
Had dinner here with 3 girlfriends.
I had a pizza and the other ladies had pasta. I think the pastas here are probably a better option. The pizza was OK too though.
Service was excellent. Food was slightly slow to come out but not too bad. Food quality is just okay - it's nothing special but everyone seemed satisfied with their meals.
Adequate wine list with bottles starting as low as $24 (very nice). Most mains are around $15.
This place is super busy, make reservations. Even on a Sunday at 8:00pm with a reservation, the place was packed. -
Review from jocelyn l.
1/15/2012
My friend promised a "Cheap and Cheerful" meal and that's exactly what Grazie is.
This restaurant is Always busy, with people spilling out of the restaurant, even in Winter.
Fortunately, we ventured in early on Saturday and managed to grab a table right by the window.
The restaurant is huge with seating stretching to the back.
It's energetic and busy but i wouldn't say it is loud. It looks exactly like a big, friendly Italian eatery.
Food:
Bruschetta: I don't know what they brush the bruschetta with prior to grilling but it was delish; not your usual olive oil. The tomato was tasty too.
I had the Capri- Linguine with shrimps and clams tossed in olive oil. The flavor had depth and was tasty; nothing i've tasted at an Italian restaurant. The shrimps and clams were pretty tiny, but i overlooked that because the entire dish was just tasty.
My friend had the Bosco and i had taste of it; rich, creamy and topped with mushroom- yum
The only thing that kinda annoyed us was our server. She initially asked if we wanted anything to drink but we'd just sat down :30 ago so we said just water and lemon. When she came back to take our orders, she hurriedly sped through the process, grabbed our menus w/o asking us again if we wanted something else to drink, before speeding off. We would have ordered wine but didn't bother asking her since she was in such a hurry. Additionally, when she came to check in with us, she didn't bother to wait for our reply, didn't look at us...pretty much just sped through us. She could have slowed down a little and made more money...we didn't bother ordering drinks or dessert.
Other than that, highly recommend for an efficient, tasty meal in Y&E -
Review from Esther W.
Toronto, ON
4/10/2012 3 photos
They don't take reservation. We were there waiting for an hour to be seated, but really, the food is worthy to wait this long. The seating space is a bit crowded that my chair was attached with another table's chair, so i wasn't feel comfortable. They have a wide range of pasta on their menu, but I only have one stomach, I will definitely return to the restaurant again.
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Review from M S.
North York, ON
1/30/2012 4 photos
I've been to Grazie countless times, and they never disappointed me, not a single time, never. If you are looking for a fancy Italian gourmet dinner, this restaurant is not a place for you. But Grazie reminds you of your grandma's kitchen you'd go every once in a while when you were a kid; little, homey, and warm toned vibe.
I haven't tried menus other than their pastas, because most of pastas on their menu are amazing. My favourite pasta in the house is Assisi (Fettucine with variety of mushrooms & sun dried tomatoes), and mushrooms in the pasta are fresh every time I visit. Moreover, the waiting staffs are really honest with the choices of menu. They recommend you what they personally enjoy, even if the pasta they recommend is cheaper than the one you choose to order.
I was never dissatisfied with the service. The waiting staffs are prompt upon your request, and kindly serve you with smiles on their faces.
If you are craving for homey pasta from your grandma's kitchen, this is the right place. -
Review from Mary D.
12/31/2011
I have been going here with my family for years. The food is consistent and delicious. I'm always a little surprised by the long line-up for a table, because it is good, but is it *that* good? But yes, I guess it really is!
I've almost always had their pasta, and I've tried many different variations (Torino, Paesana, Tortelini, Bianca, etc.) and loved them all. On our most recent visit, we all indulged in dessert (we don't always), and the creme brulee cheesecake was the biggest hit around the table.
The atmosphere is very casual and comfortable. The service is great (although they will likely move you through fairly quickly if the line-up is still long).
Grazie is sort of like a staple and a tradition in the city, and I will continue to be a loyal patron! -
Review from Anton K.
Toronto, ON
1/26/2012
I'm pretty sure everyone who lives in the Yonge and Eglinton area has tried Grazie at least once. It's hard to miss it, sitting prominently along Yonge Street in a heavily trafficked and well-lit area. I read somewhere that it was Mats Sundin's favourite restaurant in the city.
I can't count the number of business lunches and date nights I've had at this place. It's usually the first thing that comes to mind when I'm reluctant to experiment with a new establishment in the neighbourhood. When I'm hungry and looking to be satisfied, I usually go to Grazie because I know what to expect.
The restaurant is consistent in terms of food quality. Don't get me wrong, I've had some bad experiences with my selections in the past (mainly with appetizers). Also, on most occasions their bread seems like it's been out for awhile and you need a razor sharp knife to cut through it. Their pastas and pizzas are a decent portion. I ordered from their 'Secondi Piatti' menu a few times; I tried the Veal Striploin. It was not outstanding, especially not for the price. I would stick to the pastas. My favourite is the Penza (Rigatoni with vodka, pancetta (cured bacon), green onions & a touch of chili pepper) for $15.
The service is hit or miss. The last time I was there, they put us in a cramped area where you had to squeeze your butt against someone's back to get to your table. The waitress was very polite and courteous, but seemed to forget about us as soon as the evening rush came in. That wasn't the first time it's happened. The first time was a lot worse, where the waiter didn't even come back to our table to ask us about our food, didn't refill our glasses, and had to be hunted down to get the bill. The busboys are cool.
If you're looking for a solid place that won't absolutely break the bank, go to Grazie. -
Review from Emily M.
10/20/2011
I like this place more for the atmosphere and service than for the food. As a semi decent cook (tooting my own horn here....toot toot!) I find I can usually crank out some pretty decent pasta dishes on par with most mid-range Italian restaurants. I would say that what I cook is on par with this place. The food is decent and well priced.
What I like about this place:
A lot of vegetarian options!
Really great service!
Tons of seating that can accommodate almost any group size!
I would definitely go for dinner/drinks here with friends. -
Review from Billy K.
Markham, ON
3/19/2012
Always enjoy this place. Service is always good despite the restaurant always being busy. I really like the pasta here. The Gnoochi is my favourite. Nice sauces on the various pasta dishes. The apps are generally good as well. Prices are reasonable given the high quality of the dishes.
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Review from Emily H.
11/22/2011
I rarely trek out of my Downtown comfort circle for food experiences so Grazie must be a worthwhile restaurant for me to have made more than one trip. My friend raved and raved about this place for months before I set foot in it the first time that I think by then, I was already conditioned to drool at the thought of Grazie like Pavlov's dog.
The few times I've been, I did not have to wait long because it was always a party of 2 or 3 and my friend would be there before me waiting at the bar. I think I've always gone for earlier dinners though, which might be helpful. The store seats a lot of guests and is nicely lit and clean. The menu is extensive and well-organized: pasta by sauce. Service is attentive and kitchen is fast - the "How to" of an excellent restaurant business.
I have not tried their other entrees so I can only comment on their pastas, which I dearly approve of. The pasta is always cooked to perfection, sauce is always different. I am usually a fan for cream sauce but have also tried their tomato sauce items... I'm a fan of the Basta and for those that really like hearty comforting meals, the Bologna is distinct. I have to go back and try more and become the Grazie master!!
Atmosphere - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Food - 4/5
Price - 4/5 -
Review from Steve A.
12/11/2011
Pretty solid food. The waiter could have been better informed. The special was like 2x the price of any other entree, which was unpleasantly surprising.
Few notes:
- Server offered up that he was italian, and had some very strong opinions on things.
- Server didn't understand when I asked him for an affogato.
- When asking for a beer like an IPA, waiter had no idea what I was saying. He suggested that they have some light beers. I know it's not a beer place, but I lost all confidence that the server knew anything.
That said, the food is pretty solid. This place could easily be a 4 star, but I have to go by my experience. -
Review from Tricia Z.
Toronto, ON
4/20/2012
My roommate highly recommended Grazie and brought me and my bf to this place. The food was not bad, but it was not amazing either (even my roommate agreed this time). It was not expensive but still I expected something better than what we had. I think perhaps what we ordered wasn't their specialty dishes? Not sure. I would give this place another try though.
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Review from Behrouz M.
Toronto, ON
1/12/2012
Food: A
Service: A-
Food presentation: A
Atmosphere: A
Prices: B+
Recommended?: Yes
I've been going to Grazie for the past five years or so whenever I'm craving some good pasta. As expected from any Italian restaurant, the pastas are right on the money at Grazie (of course my Italian friend disagrees). I have tried many of the pasta dishes but Odessa (smoked salmon and vodka!) and Francesca (pine nuts, raisins and basil) are by far my favourites and I highly recommend them. I also love the Bruschetta Pizza as an appetizer. The only complaint I have about Grazie is that sometimes you'll have to wait more than 20 min to get service and that might kill the initial enthusiasm, if your impatient like me. But hey, thanks to great food, the business is always booming at Grazie and even on a Tuesday afternoon this place is packed. Bottom line, if you're not italian (because you can always make better pasta at home), and craving some good pasta and have a bit of patience, then I recommend this place. -
Review from Kiwi M.
Toronto, ON
9/8/2011
I have been going to this restaurant for 12 years.
This place has got to be one of the best pasta places in Toronto.
Many people argue that it's not authentic italian, but customers who come here do not expect to have authentic italian. They want authentic GRAZIE!
I must say after trying many different dishes I've narrowed it down to 3 favourites.
1. Basta - spinach fettuccine with cream sauce that's not overly creamy, with 1 spoon of parmesan cheese, it's heavenly
2. Penza - rigatoni in creamy tomato sauce with cure bacon is amazing. I'd recommend a glass of kim crawford with it.
3. Linguini Marinara - this dish is huge. it's seafood linguini with mussels, shrimp, fish, octopus.... fantastic (a bit pricey though)
They get a solid 4.5/5. -
Review from Isaac E.
North York, ON
9/28/2011
I would eat here every day of my life if i worked closer to here and made enough money to cover it.
I went here with my fiancee for our anniversary one year and I can't wait to find a reason to go back.
We went without a reservation made so we had to wait, but while we were in line we were given complimentary slices of pizza and were well taken care of until we were seated.
I got the Torino pasta and would HIGHLY recommend it. We also shared the Bruscetta which was fresh and delicious.
Service was slow but they were packed at the time so it didn't bother me as much.
I'd go there anytime given the chance. -
Review from Anabel L.
Toronto, ON
8/31/2011
Grazie is proof that you don't need an award winning, critically acclaimed chef to have a successful restaurant. It's a savvy business that understands its patrons. A lively place that serves delicious, rustic Italian food. I have recommended this place as a "first date" venue, but personally, I would never be caught dead here with anyone but my core: dear friends, family, committed lovers, etc.
While the company I eat with changes, my order does not. The only time I ever try something new is if I steal a bite of a friend's dish. What could possibly be so good that I order it every time? The answer: Tasca, fresh pasta stuffed with brie, porcini mushrooms and spinach in a creamy tomato sauce. I don't think I've ever had a more perfect plate of pasta.
My usual Grazie-eating partner also happens to be one of my favourite buddies, he ordered Elena - his favourite. But on our recent outing, he opted to try something new and had Stefania - pizza with a creamy porcini sauce, prosciutto, parmigiano and arugula. It was nice - nutty and salty.
But I still wouldn't give up my Tasca for anything. Isn't she lovely, isn't she wonderful...
Delizioso! -
Review from Steven M.
Welland, ON
11/11/2011
Went last night to Grazie, for my girlfriend's birthday. We have visited many times. The restaurant is busy! It took about 40 minutes to get a table. Unfortunately they do not take reservations. The wait staff were fun, and helpful. I had the mussels in white wine sauce and the penza for my meal. The mussels are always rich and delicious. I enjoyed the penza quite a bit too. The food was hot when it came to the table. The penza was cooked perfectly al dente. It is with vodka rose sauce, pancetta, and green onions.
The meals are always fantastic and reasonably priced. The menu is full of options. I've never had their pizza because I can't go without their pasta, maybe one day I'll try it. We'll keep returning there in the future.
Please note they do not accept debit. Only cash or credit card. -
Review from Madelaine D.
Toronto, ON
4/7/2011
Grazie has mass appeal. The flavours are simple, predictable, and fresh. It's huge inside, child friendly and just bustling with activity.
I came here with a group of girls last night and despite the fact it was a Wednesday, starting around 6:15 there was a 15-30 minute wait for a table (always a good sign).
The complimentary bread they offer to start was okay, but not particularly fresh. It is served with individual packets of butter rather than butter fresh from the kitchen.
We ordered a simple salad to start. All the leaves were fresh and crisp and the balsamic and oil dressing was just fine.
The pasta dish I ordered had a tomato cream sauce that was okay, though lacked any real flavour, a picky eaters heaven.
A friend ordered the pizza, which is easily big enough to split. It's not quite thin crusted pizza but it certainly isn't thick either. Again, keep those picky eaters happy.
Although Grazie wasn't anything special in terms of food or atmosphere, I get it, this place has chain restaurant potential written all over it, just perfect for the families and picky eaters of the world.
As for the rest of you, try La Vecchia. It's a much better Italian joint just down the street. Grazie is overrated. Big time. -
Review from sunnee s.
Toronto, ON
9/15/2011
If i came to grazie before having a taste of tappo and paganelli's, it couldve been one of the best pasta ive ever had. pasta is not plain or boring or bland here. but still, i know better now and it is not the best nor authentic ive ever had. Grazie is now my middleground of italian food. anywhere better than Grazie is amazing. anything less than Grazie.. well, i'd skip it.
be prepared to wait to be seated ! we had to wait for about a little over half an hr for dinner on a weekday evening.
i shared a calamari as an app with my DC and penza as my main. i forget what my DC had but it doesnt matter, i was too busy trying to decide if i really like my dish or not that i forgot to try a bite of his.
like any other italian place, they brought bread & olive oil & balsamic vinegar . bread was kind of chewy, but not bad chewy, good chewy, if that makes any sense. i really liked the balsamic vinegar they had here. not too vinegary.
calamari app was one of the specials of the day and it was HUGE. it came with a dipping sauce and a little side salad. salad did NOT look too fresh. :( dipping sauce was just meh. calamari itself was pretty good, not too greasy, not too much batter, not too chewy.. BUT it had some fishy smell to it. not too much, but just enough to be noticeable.
my main penza... pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. the creamy tomato sauce and bacon went really well together, however, the taste of bacon overwhelmed the sauce. i guess thats not necessarily a bad thing.. who doesnt like bacon, right? -
Review from Angel N.
1/8/2012
Yum, friendly service, delicious food, immense wine selection and reasonably priced. I usually vary which dish I get, but I've never been disappointed. Appetizer is usually the baked goat cheese salad (wrapped in phyllo dough) or a pizza. Must get the carrot cake for dessert! Bummer that they do not take reservations but the fresh pasta is worth it!
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Review from Wendy C.
5/4/2011
A very popular restaurant in Yonge-Eglington area. Be prepared to wait for your table (don't take reservations).
The food is always fresh and quality consistent. Nothing stands out as "wow" or totally unique / innovative, but nothing is terrible either -- the kind of place you feel safe to bring a group to, everyone can find something that's edible.
Well laid out menu, pastas are grouped by the sauce type: red, creamy red, white, and oil. Save room for dessert, Tiramisu is quite good.
Reasonable prices, good value. -
Review from Alireza F.
6/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
The food is tasty, well-priced, simple Italian fare. The restaurant always fills up with a friendly, vibrant crowd.
I love the crust of the pizza and I really can say it's one of the best that I ever tried, awesome, the salad and pastas are fab. -
Review from Laura T.
2/19/2011
Grazie receives a lot of praise, and I'm not ENTIRELY sure it's deserved.
We showed up at 6pm on a Saturday, practically for the early bird special, and we still had to wait for more than 30min. The host was very friendly, and the bar tender was great (he offered us drinks or water while we stood and waited for our table), and I was really hoping for some spectacular food to make it worth my while. And well, not so much.
It was sort of your average/SLIGHTLY better than average Italian food. I (of course) ordered the gnocchi that came in a tomato sauce with a dollop of ricotta. I've definitely had better (cough cough see Dimmi review), and my friend had a strange mix of pasta with mushrooms, brie, spinach, and ricotta. The mushroom flavour was a little overwhelming, and my tomato sauce was really subpar. Our dishes were both $14.50-$16 price range, which I found a little steep. The portions aren't huge either.
They had all the usuals, pizza, good salads, decent dessert menu. But even the wine by glass menu didn't wow me - a pinot for $, meh.
I was stumped for a drink, so the server (who was lovely, I have to give credit where credit is due - great staff), brought me a 'killer kool-aid'. Subpar, definitely not killer.
Kent P. nailed it... "a big pile of MEH"
ps. I like to be WOWED by the complementary bread. That's not even hard to do! And yet...they came up short. Meh meh mehhhh -
Review from Keith C.
9/15/2010
Well. My family used to go here quite a bit when it first opened. It is supposed to be a good Italian restaurant but for some reason, I've never really took to a liking of this place. I mean, the food is decent but not spectacular. We would usually get a couple appetizers to share (calamari most of the time) and a couple of pizza's to split between everyone who was there. The pizza's are not bad at all and are probably the best thing there that I like. However, the pasta's are nothing special. They are kind of like Olive Garden Pasta. Where you know what you're getting. The deserts are also good but they aren't spectacular. I've had better tiramisu and more places than Grazie's.
The wait staff is very friendly but the layout of the restaurant is really bad and needs to be improved. You walk in and there is not a lot of standing room. There are 2 dining areas to your right and left and a small bar with 2 walls in the middle. So if the restaurant is packed (which is usually is on a weekend night) then you'll end up having to wait outside. Doing this in the winter sucks. You can stand at the bar but they have at most 10 seats there and there is a wall less than a meter from the bar stools so there isn't much room to stand around if you want to grab a drink while you wait. Plus, the wait staff has to walk through this area to get to the other side of the restaurant.
The prices of the food aren't too bad. If you're gonna get some wine with the food, then you'll be paying more of course. On a quality vs price basis, I'd say it's pretty close to even with price maybe coming out a bit more but that's my own personal opinion. My family doesn't really like to go here anymore as we know better places to hit up in the city.
The type of atmosphere that they have at Grazie's is the kind of place you'd take a girl on a first date to to impress her. However, I know many more places in Toronto that are better. Overall, I try and avoid Grazie's but there is always someone who likes it and wants to go back there so I end up going there and coming out a little disappointed each time. -
Review from Imran N.
3/27/2011
I'm not a big fan of pasta, but they do it really well. And their stuffed chicken or veal isn't too bad either.
my favourite thing on their menu is silo insalata, kinda like a seafood ceviche on a fresh salad.
Good service and busy place.
Worth a visit, but not one of a kind.Listed in: Yonge and Egl
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Review from Mochi M.
3/15/2011
The salad is delicious (pear and proscuitto), and the pasta is filling. I liked it and the service is excellent.
I wouldn't say it's THE BEST Italian food in the world, but it's certainly better than what you can get in most generic Italian restaurants.
Give it a shot. -
Review from Kent P.
7/17/2010
This place suffers from "omg u have 2 go here its sooo good" syndrome by people who've only eaten italian from East Side Mario's.
Homemade pasta? sounds great! Did it taste great? No, it didn't. Whatever.
Big pile of MEH.
TWO pats and that's generous.
shit.
patpat
ttyn,
-PAT.Listed in: Worst Experiences @…
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Review from lisa c.
10/24/2011
My girlfriends and I shared 3 entrees: Nico, Catrina and Eligio. The Nico and Eligio were amazing, cooke to perfection! The atmosphere is fun and authentic but it is very busy and the tables are slightly cramped together. I didn't get to try their desserts but they looked so delicious. I definitely plan on going back here as soon as I can. The service was OK but the food, wine and environment were great! 4 stars! Oh, and they don't take reservations.
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Review from Vivek S.
9/29/2009
Being TWICE upsold by our waiter wasn't fun, but the top notch service and food made up for it. Try the bruschetta pizza for an excellent appetizer to share. Most of our group tried seafood: I enjoyed a delicious fettuccine with salmon and another got an enormous bowl full of mussels. Everyone left satisfied.
Obligatory Title Pun: You've GRAZIE be kidding me.
Menu Readability: Well laid out. Describes Antipasti, Zuppa, and Pizzas as the Italians are wont to do.
Need to mention: We got in early and were seated comfortably. But by the time we were done, there was a line up out the door. And they don't take reservations.
What this place teaches me about myself: "Zuppa" is fun to say. Try it!Listed in: That's Amore!, Eats on the TO Subway Line
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Review from Jay G.
Toronto, ON
1/1/2010
This place has won me over and it may be because it is deeply rooted in my childhood memories. As a young lad playing baseball my team was sponsored by Grazie Ristorante and my third base coach was the owner. But either way it's still a great place to eat and has some of the best pizzas in town.
This place is absolutely hopping! I came here at a time that should be way beyond the dinner rush and I still waited 20mins, it felt almost as if I was waiting to eat in New York. So my suggestion is to try and snag a reservation if you wanna eat a little earlier. Luckily for me I wasn't pressed for time and had the luxury of sitting back and taking in the sights and sounds.
Service is amazing as the servers are very attentive and charming in that Italian, no need to be so formal, kind of way. They are also ninjas as they were always around without knowing. As soon as I was about to perk up my head to look and ask for something the server was already there asking me what I needed. I think if I dropped a napkin, they would catch it and lay it across my lap before it touched the floor.
The pizza is crispy, slightly chewy, thin, and has a perfect balance of sauce to cheese. The only thing holding this pizza back is the lack of a flavorful crust. For some odd reason the crust just seems dull. That being said this place holds a solid spot in the top 5 places to have a pie. Deelicious! The pastas here are also very good and the sauce to pasta balance is great, not too much, not too little.
Overall, I say it is definitely worth the trek to Grazie as the prices are not bad and the food is great. Definitely more bang for your buck at this joint. If it is more than two of you definitely ring for a reservation before showing up or you may look forward to waiting quite a while. Also the atmosphere is fairly loud with all the people and conversing, so if you're looking for that nice quiet dinner venue you're gonna have to seek refuge elsewhere.Listed in: My Pizza List
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Review from Katrina L.
Richmond Hill, ON
11/29/2009
WOW, I came here at 8:30 and it was still a packed house with people waiting as well. We were greeted within a reasonable time, I say reasonable as it was a packed house and everyone was running around getting things done. We were informed that it would be a 5 minute wait, we were standing in front of the bar and the bartender asked if we wanted anything to drink and when we said "no" he then asked if we wanted some water while we waited. Perfect. This is the way it should be. I should not have to wait until I'm sitting down to get a water.
The instant I walked into this establishment, I noticed that it was very warm and friendly. There seems to be a lot of regulars that come in and the staff know them and act like they're family. It's a great feeling to be in an environment like that. Our server was great and friendly and just a big jolly kind of guy.
Service wasn't spectacular but it wasn't terrible. It was extremely busy and there were a couple of large parties there. Our server was friendly and was knowledgeable and didn't do the disappearing act, but I suppose he didn't check in often enough for my liking but seriously, I didn't really notice.
Now the good stuff, the food! It was amazing! I had the torino which is agnolotti pasta stuffed with ricotta and spinach in a creamy tomato sauce. But what the menu doesn't say is that the creamy tomato sauce has onions, tomatoes and pancetta in it! It enhances the taste so much! My s.o. had the eligio pizza and when it came to the table it looked as though the crust on the pizza was too thick but it turned out to be the perfect thickness.
Before our meal came, they gave us some bread. It turned out to be sourdough bread and it was perfect, it wasn't piping hot but it was the perfect temperature. The crust was crispy enough without being crunchy and the middle was soft and fluffy. I can't say how good my pasta dish was. It was exactly what I expected and exactly what I wanted. It was the perfect portion and tasted so good.
I didn't get a chance to have dessert but honestly I definitely think I'll be back again and will eventually be able to try it. The service might have been a little less than what I expect but the food more than made up for that fact. There is a closer location to where I live and will probably frequent that one more regularly but this place definitely has my business from now on. -
Review from Rob D.
5/8/2010
Surprising how busy this unassuming place was ... but we did go in normal ppl's primetime of 6pm on a Saturday.
I had the Giovanni pizza - spicy sausage and peppers on a thin crust. Good pizza, not off the charts, but worthy.
My friends had the gnocci and seafood linguini w spinnich. I tried the gnocci and it was very good.
The dessert won the best prize from our table. The creme brule cheesecake was superb, but tiramisu was a bit creamier than expected.
The only thing I found strange was serving wine in a rock glass? wtf? I asked and the waiter had an ample answer that the southern italians and especially at home drink it that way - so they serve it that way ... good enough! -
Review from Elaine Y.
11/22/2009
I always walk by Grazie and blatantly look into the huge glass walls and get jealous of the people eating there. I remember my first time there - it was like going on a first date with a ok-looking guy who had such a great personality i walked away smiling and giggling to myself.
Grazie definitely wowed me. The atmosphere is great, pasta is fresh, prices are very reasonable, and the waiters are helpful. I had the special of the day which was a seafood linguine, and OMG, i got SO MUCH SEAFOOD: mussels around the plate, one whole (yes, the whole) calamari, a bunch of shrimps, salmon and scallops. the pasta was so fresh and the dish was so hot - i literally gobbled down the whole thing just to realize afterwards that i ate way too much.
one downside: they serve wine in short crappy glasses that are normally used to serve well drinks like vodka tonic. that is my biggest pet-peeve. but that aside, everything else was perfect. -
Review from Lindsey S.
Toronto, ON
11/18/2009
I've walked by this place so many time, but never made my way through the front doors until a few nights ago. I realize that I should have walked through them earlier.
I went on a Monday, and one would think that the place would be dead, but it was packed when I arrived at 7:30pm. They don't take reservations for dinner, because they obviously don't need to. When you walk through the door you feel like you've been transported to a local restaurant in Italy. The staff are very warm, and the manager is your typical flirtatious older Italian man. Very sweet and it made me feel welcomed and all warm inside ;)
I was on a date, and decided to grab a table before he got there, as it was filling up pretty quickly. When I mentioned to the person who seated me that it was a first date, they made sure to put us near the back so we could chat and it was more intimate.
Our waiter, much like the manager greeted me with a "Can I get a beautiful lady something to drink while she waits for her dinner partner", very sweet and endearing. Once my date arrived, we decided to order a bottle of wine to split. Our waiter went through the whole opening and tasting process with us, and we were served in tumbler and not wine glasses just like in Italy. He was very kind and VERY informed of all of the dishes and specials. He also suggested what would go well with our wine.
Once our meal arrived, the food was very hot, and very tasty. We enjoyed the rest of the bottle of wine and our waiter left us alone until the meal was done. I have to say that this was very refreshing, I hate being bothered to often. We decided to split a desert of tartufo very yummy and a great way to end the meal.
For the bottle of wine, main and desert it was under $80.00, not bad I think.
The only thing I can complain about - it was HOT in there.... -
Review from Melissa B.
Toronto, ON
8/22/2008
Simply one of the best restaraunts located at Yonge & Eglinton.
Best Italian restaraunt in the neighbourhood.
Grazie has a great atmosphere, pleasant staff, great bar for not just alcohol but espresso drinks.
This restaraunt is almost always filled, if they're open, they're busy so reservations are highly recommended.
Reasonably priced for the quality & service. Almost every appitizer on the menu is great! -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
12/11/2008
I was 19 when I had my first dish of homemade tiramisu and, consequently became a full-fledged woman. Mowr.
Like most Italian restaurants in this city, I don't feel completely comfortable in here, but then again, I'm one of those cats who sometimes chews with her mouth open and sits with one leg propped on the seat. But it's not frou-frou or upper class BY ANY MEANS. It's just a lovely summery restaurant, clean and vibrant, full of conversation from the yonge + eligible, and good food on top of it all... maybe just exactly what Italy is all about? Its culinary offerings are homey, warm, and tasty, and the pasta dishes I've had were all solid.
But that tiramisu? Garf. I'd go back just for that alone. -
Review from rob T.
Markham, ON
6/18/2011
Big Win.
Brought my kids, the pizza was great. Pasta, 3 different styles, all tasted fresh and vibrant. Service was above par. Great atmosphere. Loved it, will be back.
