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Hanoi 3 Seasons
Category: Restaurants Vietnamese Vietnamese [Edit]
1135 Queen St EToronto, ON M4M 1K9
Neighbourhood: Leslieville
(416) 469-3010
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
17 reviews for Hanoi 3 Seasons
17 reviews in English
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Review from Shannon F.
Toronto, ON
This second location by the same owner (original on Gerrard that I've also been to) is lovely. A friend of mine who used to live in Toronto but now lives in Calgary always unites a group of us at Hanoi whenever she's in town.
My first (and honestly) only experience with North Vietnamese food is with Hanoi and it has been wonderful every time I've been there. My personal favourite is a #10 and most people at the table order it - a delicious dish served your choice as a soup or with vermicelli (I choose vermicelli) is a healthy serving of noodles, lightly coated and cooked white fish with carrots, cilantro, and I'm not sure what kind of sauce but it's delicious!!
Others have ordered the spicy chicken version of this dish and there are many variations, I've never seen anyone disappointed. We usually start with a couple of orders of the clam appetizer - also delicious served with rice cakes for getting a good spoonful.
The wine is fine and a couple of eclectic beers are on the menu. The service is always pleasant and efficient. And the price is unbelievably low - 9 of us had drinks, apps, dinner all for under $300 - including tax and 20% tip - about $35 per person. Amazing.
And the owner always remembers us and sometimes gives us a delicious complimentary dessert plate of green tea/white bean/ginger ice cream, fried bananas that is mouth wateringly tasty.
Decor is simple - there's no pomp and circumstance here - just nice people serving great food for great prices. Perfect for a group, a casual date or reuniting with great friends. -
Review from bold c.
Toronto, ON
Brilliant!
Try the grouper. Sweet and crispy!
Service outstanding. Go to the patio for a taste of north Vietnam! Serene and tranquil. Toronto hidden gem. Great for meeting clients who like a surprise. The shrimp rolls are tasty and fresh. Pho tai broth was wonderful. Price value was balanced considering the portions.
Recommendation: strong buy -
Review from Tracy P.
Toronto, ON
5/2/2011
If North Vietnamese Cooking is bland then Hanoi 3 Seasons has it down.
By far the most tasteless, boring, Vietnamese food I have eaten in Toronto.
I will not be returning and would not recommend it. -
Review from Nicole M.
Vancouver, BC
11/28/2010
Reasonably priced and delish!
Tonight, I had the chicken & bok choy with vermicelli noodles for $10.95 and added a spring roll for $1. The spring rolls are a must - crispy & not terribly greasy. The bok choy was perfectly cooked. They had run out of rice tonight (strange) but the noodles were a fine substitute.
My boyfriend had the rare beef pho and commented that it was good but that the rare meat wasn't all that rare.
They have Saigon beers and they're only $4 a pop. Domestics are $3.
Apparently they are moving to a cash only payment system. They accepted our credit cards tonight because we didn't know (which we appreciated).
Sit on the back patio in the summertime. -
Review from Ryan O.
Toronto, ON
12/15/2010
Having newly move to the neighbourhood we were eager to try all the new eats. And there's lots to choose from.
Unfortunately, having just finished takeout from there I can be sure there will be no future visit to the dining room.
I ordered the chicken with lemongrass and coconut milk (vermicelli), my wife the garlic beef with bok choy (rice) both with the $1 spring roll addition. The dishes were about the blandest Thai food I've ever eaten and the meat in both was overcooked and dry. Even the spring rolls were bland. And to top things off, both of us had the distinct texture of MSG tongue.
That said, I have to agree with other reviewers on one point; great decor. Perhaps they should sell nice Nothern Vietnamese furniture instead. -
Review from WaYnE c.
Maple, ON
9/13/2010
North Vietnamese is a cuisine I haven't come across before and it's nice to find a restaurant that features Hanoi popular dishes for all those people that hasn't made that trip to Southeast Asia like myself.
We stepped inside to this Vietnamese themed decor with a mood lamp lighting ambiance. It was unfortunate that there was quite a big group gathered here for their dinner and broke the sound barrier I couldn't hear myself think and just as a note it could have taken part in the meal prep as large group orders all at once are hard to handle and rush out unless reserved in advance.
Others already commented about the servers/owners, so I'll agreed with them as I had first hand experience of similar degree. The basement washroom had a nice waiting space as well however there's a dish of LYCHEE of some sort that you shouldn't touch or else let their Fruit Flies swarm you. 2.5 *Stars*
#6 Hen(Sautéed Spicy Baby Clams served with Crispy Rice Crackers$7.00). Crispy Rice Cracker was good to eat and strong Sesame flavour that is a nice change from Pita Breads and Nachos. The Baby Clams however I have to say is not for my palette. It might be authentic but something in my mind just didn't like this non-fresh Clams texture.
#10 Cha Ca(Hanoi-style Grouper with Dill & Shrimp Paste $12.00). The Rice Vermicelli, Shredded Lettuce, Cilantro, etc are standard as any Bun dish you'll have at Pho places. The Fried Grouper reminded me of Filet-o-Fish, I'm not against it but I imagined some Bread and Tartar Sauce as I ate.
#23 Ga Nuong Xa Sua Dua(Chicken with Lemon Grass & Coconut Milk $10.50). I believe the Chicken would have been better if grilled but if I'm correct, they fried it instead as I taste that slight Lemon Grass flavour but couldn't find the Coconut Milk.
The Oil from the Chicken was soaked into the Rice Vermicelli below and it was excessive almost like an Olive Oil tasting. I'm one that don't mind excessive Oil, but at least it has to have some flavour or be the healthy variety.Listed in: 2.5 **Stars**, Va Va Viet
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Review from Trang T D.
North York, ON
12/14/2010
I love northern Vietnamese food.....and there are not so many of them around. I love the bun cha ca here, it's so authentic.....
The only cons here is the pho is little pricey compare to other pho restaurant. But definitely the place is nice and clean....
Would love to come back any time for the bun cha ca...... -
Review from Christine C.
Etobicoke, ON
12/4/2009
We were at the MadMen themed Elite event at the Curzon and when it came up light on the eats we just couldn't go without sustenance any longer so we hit up Queen Street. My well intentioned plan of scarfing back a burger from Dangerous Dan's to add to my Decemb urger list got completely waylaid. I found myself teetering along Queen St. in my high heels with Melinda M. to join up with a couple of other Yelpers at Hanoi 3 Seasons.
The Hanoi Three Seasons came highly recommended by Neil "say cheese" Ta and his guest Mai. Joining in the dining goodness was Dave "Where's the 5th star" O. and Hans "I've got all my Yelp reviews written in my head" B. I'm not all that familiar with Vietnamese food so I basically sat back and took direction from Neil and Mai, both very familiar with this cuisine. Smart move on our part.
We started out with a couple of shared plates, some spring rolls which were hot, crispy and tasty. Along with that we had something called Hen, no this is not a chicken dish but rather it is shredded clams in some spicy sauce that you scooped up with these super cool rice & black sesame seed crackers. This was really delicious and I could have probably just made a meal out of that alone.
For mains we all heeded the sage advice of Neil & Mai and went with the Cha Ca which is basically pieces of fish, lightly breaded (not battered or panko'ed) atop a bed of vermicelli noodles and cilantro. There was some fish dipping sauce which was quite strong in flavour. I passed on the fish sauce and used the other dipping sauce they provided. The fish was moist and flaky with no fishy taste at all. I loved this dish!!!! I'm definitely putting Hanoi Three Seasons on a must return to try new things list.
Afterwards I teetered back along Queen St.atop those heels for our last call libation at the Curzon with the last of the Yelper's who were still controlling the playlist on the iPod. :)
Great meal. Thanks Neil for the lead. -
Review from Neil T.
Toronto, ON
12/6/2009
I'm a big fan of Northern Vietnamese cuisine. It isn't your typical pho joint that's for sure. This cute, dare I say 'classy' Leslieville location serves a much different clientele than the Gerrard and Broadview location. This is more of a dinner atmosphere.
+++PROS+++
1. Authentic Northern Vietnamese food, much different than the regular pho fare.
2. The one female Vietnamese server (don't know her name) is absolutely gorgeous. I love. She's a good server too!
3. The owner (Hai) stays true to his vision of the restaurant, which I dig.
4. Cha ca -- just get it. Ask for the purple stuff. This is the only place I've been to in Toronto that serves this dish. It is a lightly fried grouper with dill. Simple, fresh, and perfect.
5. Ample seating, better for larger groups.
6. Take credit cards.
7. Street parking is free after 6pm.
---CONS---
1. Another server is pretty much terrible (white male). He once poured fish sauce all over my hands and table and didn't even bother to get me napkins, or to clean it up.
2. A little expensive. Don't quote me on this, but I think the dishes are slightly more expensive than the Gerrard location.
3. Though the Gerrard location is much smaller, I find it more charming and authentic than this location. I prefer the other location. It feels like I'm eating at a dive in Hanoi.
4. A bit of inconsistency in the 'purple' sauce they serve. This is best served as potent as possible! They may dumb it down for those not in the know.
Overall, I love this place. If given the choice though, I'd go to the other location.Listed in: My Vietnamese Food Rankings
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
9/24/2010 7 photos
I am not Northern Vietnamese Food Expert.. my usual experience is Pho and Bun, so I was really excited to try out some authentic Northern Vietnamese food at Hanoi 3 Seasons... But after eating here I am confused and a little disappointed.
The good:
The restaurant is really nicely decorated and have a Spa like feel to it and I love that!
The owner is really nice and sincere when he takes out order and give us recommendation and I always love good services!
Good, Clean washrooms, I really like that.. hardly any vietnamese places I been to have washrooms that clean!
The bad:
The food here is just to greasy. Everything are deep fried.. Even the Lemongrass Chicken with Coconut Milk are deep fried until the chicken are so dried out! The Cha Ca tasted ok but did not Wow me. The Fish sauce they served here is really weak, taste more like coloured water.
Since the restaurant was full with a big group of 30 people ordering the same time, the kitchen might be stressed out and thus affect the quality of food?
I might give the other Hanoi 3 Seasons a try but for sure I am not coming back to Queen Street location anytime soon.
They accepts Visa and Mastercard. -
Review from Melinda M.
Toronto, ON
12/5/2009
Yum yum yum!! So glad Hans and Neil T convinced me to come here! Not that it took much dragging since I was starving and all I'd eaten was one of Kat's lemon bars (which were good!).
The staff here is seriously nice. I think we got special service as Neil and Mai were with us, but I still think they'd be nice. In fact, we were the last ones there, after 10 and they were trying to close and they were still so nice and patient. Hans wouldn't leave though, he just kept chatting away.
I loved loved loved the hen. I could devour a plate on my own easily. So good.
We all got the cha ca too, on Neil's reco, and again, so glad! It was good. They didn't give us the super-authentic purple sauce to dip the fish in, but I still loved it.
In a way, I am glad there wasn't enough food at the Elite event, because this way I got to have a delicious dinner at Hanoi 3 Seasons, at a very reasonable cost. Way to look on the bright side! -
Review from Ricky Z.
Toronto, ON
7/8/2010
Picture it: Hanoi 3 Seasons, 2010. Two people arrive within five minutes of each other; one tells the server he is waiting for a guest and sits outside, the other tells the server he is waiting for a guest and sits inside. After 20 minutes, both people feel as if they have been stood up, but it turns out they were mere steps away from each other. Somehow the server didn't put it all together. Somehow.
If any of you are confused by this Sofia from Golden Girls-style tale, this just happened to ME at Hanoi 3 Seasons tonight! I've been a server before and I feel like this is Sesame Street-level connecting the dots, but hey, I'm REALLY smart. It made me feel like the server was apathetic, and not really happy to be there. (I do recognize that is sweltering hot, blah, blah, blah.)
The food was--and always is--very nice, though. I usually order the #28 Thit Lon Nuong Seasoned Pork with Vermicelli and a Spring Roll. The ingredients seem very fresh--tons of cilantro! But the pork is really, really salty. I usually have to down several glasses of water when I get home. Lots of water.
Overall, Hanoi 3 Seasons is a great low-priced meal option in Leslieville; however, I don't think it's memorable food. I always think that I'm eating a tasty $10 meal, rather than just thinking it's amazing food. Know what I mean? -
Review from M. C. F.
Toronto, ON
6/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
It was a warm night in late spring and 5 of us wanted to find a nice patio to enjoy. Not being from Leslieville, we thought that it would be a nice change of scenery, so a quick look on Yelp resulted in this joint getting the nod.
It was nice to see a place that takes reservations for the patio, but it ended up being rather unnecessary at 8:30pm considering the lack of clientelle. The patio is small, seating only 16 or so, but it's in a nice garden enclave at the back of the store. Funny thing is that you have to pass right through the kitchen to get to it.
Two in our crew were late so we started off with some hot sake and Saigon beer coupled with spring rolls and crispy shrimp rolls. The quality was above average, but the bar selection was definitely weak. Gekkeikan was the only sake carried, whether served hot or cold, and the beer selection was small. This place could definitely do well with a more stocked bar.
Meal time wasn't challenging as most Asian restaurants tend to be. There are only a few dozen choices, not hundreds. Of course, Pho was on the menu, so I decided to try the well-done beef Pho while others tried a variety of chicken, shrimp, and beef dishes.
Overall, the level of satisfaction was middle of the road, with nothing spectacular to report. The Pho had a well spiced broth but rather bland noodles and subpar cuts of beef. I was expecting more from this dish and was let down.
The service by the pretty lady was great and the pricing was excellent for what we were given (the beers were $4, 2 spring rolls were $3, $25 / person including tax and tip in the end). A great night was had by all until the bugs began to have their dinner (us) after 10pm. -
Review from Jennifer P.
Toronto, ON
5/22/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Love this place! Deliciously simple...great service too.
Be warned they are no longer taking credit cards...so bring some cash.
Service with a smile! -
Review from Pierre R.
Toronto, ON
5/5/2011
Great decor, delicious and authentic Vietnamese food and great staff. Just wish they would start accepting Visa again!
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Review from Nate H.
Toronto, ON
5/25/2010
This Vietnamese restaurant is fantastic. The #10 (the fried grouper) is to die for and the menu, while small, is a venerable collection of the greatest hits in any Vietnamese establishment in Toronto. The sautéed clams appetizer is a great starter. The Saigon beer is a terrific pairing with the whole menu, but, if you want to drink beer don't sit in the back patio as the restaurant doesn't have a liquor license for it.
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Review from Regan B.
Toronto, ON
2/7/2011
Best Pho in the city!
