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Origin
Categories: Restaurants Tapas/Small Plates Restaurants Asian Fusion Tapas/Small Plates, Asian Fusion [Edit]
109 King Street EastSuite 107
Toronto, ON M5C 1G6
Neighbourhoods: St. Lawrence, Downtown Core
(416) 603-8009
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 3 pm
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 10:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
74 reviews for Origin
Review Highlights
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"Miso glazed black cod with soba: tender and supple cod..." In 3 reviews -
"The Deviled Eggs were lovely, bite sized morsels." In 5 reviews -
"Bufala mozzarella + pear + rosemary oil + pinenuts + honey." In 4 reviews
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74 reviews in English
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Review from Natalie T.
East York, ON
Updated - 5/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
VIBE
I came back here a year later for a UYE I hosted. It was originally to be somewhere else and due to a misunderstanding, didn't happen. Origin was Plan B and welcomed me with open arms at the last minute (well, they had some space available). Specifically, we were here for drinks as they have a bar on one side of the restaurant.
The crowd is mainly business people (on a Wednesday night). At the tapas bar on the other side, there were a number of dates going on. Good, buzzy vibe.
I actually really like the bathroom area. At the bottom of the stairs is a bench and it's a great place to have a conversation because upstairs is a bit loud.
WE DRANK
Our bartender was great (but should have told us he was done his shift before we paid). He offered me a drink on the menu and I forget its name but it was delish. It had gin and vanilla in it. The second drink that all of the ladies had was the French 75: lemon, champagne and gin. It was like a boozy lemonade and delicious.
P.S. it's not cheap here!
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
Not only are the drinks good, there is some serious eye candy on the staff. Just saying. See? I know how to get the ladies to a bar. :)
Kidding aside, great time with Mauricio, Jane, Eric and Crystal.
Thanks for coming out!Listed in: Libations, 30 Day Challenge, Last Chance for Romance, Sweets and Treats
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/13/2011
VIBE
A lot of couples or business groups come here. But it's also great to go with girlfriends.… Read more »
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Review from Johnny H.
Toronto, ON
5/17/2012
Ordered "smoked cod croquettes + saffron aioli", "Spicy Spanish fries + chorizo + manchego", "truffled popcorn" for appetizers, and "lobster + ginger + black bean sauce + shiitake + bok choy" and "jerk rock hen + fried rice + grapefruit + coconut + mango" for mains.
The cod croquettes were tasty with right balance between the sweetness of the fish and spice of the sauce. But that's pretty much it. It was ok. The fries looked like a mess, but they still tasted nice. The popcorns were amazing though. The portions were anywhere between appropriate (cod croquettes) to a lot (Spanish fries).
I had a lobster for entree. The lobster - tiny bits of the tail and claws - was served in a bowl with soup. The soup had a strong smell of spices and mixed fragrances. It actually smelled like perfume, not food. It had a very pungent smell instead of ambient smell. All the strong herbs mixed with each other didn't create unified flavor. It was a mess. The soup was unbelievably salty. Everything was salty. Lobster, mushrooms, etc. It was more like a salty soup with a touch a lobster. The lobster was cooked nicely though. The hen was moist and tender. And it actually smelled good. I didn't feel any ingredient was overpowering one another. But I tasted it after my tongue became dysfunctional from eating the salty soup. So my impression may not be accurate.
Overall, the food seemed good in its planning, but didn't work out in its execution. It's like a science experiment with unsatisfying results. Some dishes look amazing though. All the colors and positioning of ingredients are just elegant.
We sat in the patio. The table was barely big enough to put 3 appetizer dishes. There were enough space between tables to give privacy though. The noise level was rather average. -
Review from Mohammad A.
Toronto, ON
5/13/2012
Easily one of the best all-around restaurants in the city. Amazing vibe, great & innovative food. Great to watch the kitchen staff work if you are a small group by sitting at the observation bar.
Top dishes: Japanese tuna salad, mozzarella with pear rosemary & honey and the shrimp Thai curry with naan. -
Review from Yvonne T.
Origin, where do I start? I came here with a friend pre-opera to grab a bite. I've walked by it many times, and knew that this was chef Claudio Aprile's second triumph in Toronto (the first being Colborne Lane just across the street) and had heard good things about it.
The big windows let in a lot of natural light, and if you're lucky enough to nab a window seat you will have a great view of St. James Cathedral. The only downer is that all the window seats are reserved for parties of 4 or more which means that if you want a good view, go on a double date or bring your posse!
The restaurant itself houses an open-concept kitchen; back-to-back with the kitchen is the bar; a black and white mural of an old family spans the rear wall; there are many rustic elements in the restaurant including a leather press.
To start we ordered Deviled Eggs ($6) served with herbs and a crispy Pancetta and also Bufala Mozzarella ($17) with honey, pear, pine nuts and rosemary oil.
For mains we opted for the Lobster ($25) served Asian-style with bok choy, ginger, Shiitake and a black bean sauce and Chorizo ($19) served on a bed of hummus, pickled red onion, red peppers, black olives and fried chickpeas.
The lobster dish was amazing because of the taste-bud-tantalizing black bean sauce. It was sweet with hints of ginger, red chillies, scallions, and fragrant, toasted sesame seeds. The only unfortunate part of the dish is that lobster does not do a good job of soaking up the delicious sauce, and I was sad that all that extra was going to waste! The dish definitely appealed to my Chinese taste buds.
The Chorizo however, was the shining star of the evening as it had lots of textures and different ingredients coming together that made the dish yummy. Pairing a salty Chorizo with a tart and pickled red onion was great. The acidity no doubt cuts some of the fat of the sausage. The bed of creamy hummus was fresh and tied together well with the fried chickpeas.
For dessert, we opted for the Dulce de Leche ($10) with raspberry ice. The raspberry ice reminded me of Dippin' Dots and the tartness of the raspberries was a great way to tone down an otherwise too-rich and cavity-inducing dulce de leche.
V E R D I C T
If you like textural contrast, you will love Origin. Every dish is made to tease and tantalize your taste buds. Creamy, crunchy, pickled, salty, sweet - you will find it all here at Origin. This is a great spot to catch après work drinks, and even better if you come with a crowd so that you can feast upon a variety of menu offerings.Listed in: St. Lawrence Eats, Sharing is caring!
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Review from Alice T.
4/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'd heard amazing things about brunch at Origin so I was really excited to give it a try... unfortunately maybe it was too high expectations or maybe it was just an off day but the food didn't live up to the hype.
The atmosphere was nice and I liked decor, though at times the kitchen smells were a bit overwhelming... and this from a girl who regularly cooks curries in her home. While I love the smell of food, I don't want to carry it with me all day...
As for the food, I had the Ranchero and it was ok... the eggs were a bit cold, the salsa a bit acidic... the fried plantain was just a bit too hard... but the flavour was nice and the guac was fresh.
I can see the place has the potential to be great. Their menu takes a few risks which I like, and I'd still like to try their dinner sometime but as a first experience it was average so 3 stars it is. I may update this review if I ever make it to dinner. -
Review from Shradha A.
5/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
I certainly was a fan! The location, ambiance, decor, patio and indoor seating options, food selection and specialty beers! Loved my experience here and of course, it was sweetened by the company of my high school best friend who I saw after years!
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Review from Jenny C.
Toronto, ON
4/20/2012
I love Origin for it's food, atmosphere, service and layout.
This place caters to any occasion for the TO urbanite. On one side of the place is a upscale restaurant, in the middle is an open kitchen where you can sit right in front of the chefs as they work and you dine (a little more casual feeling dining experience). Then on the other side is the bar area which is a great upscale, yet unpretentious atmosphere. AND they have a casual feeling outdoor patio.
The only way you can go wrong at Origin is by taking a friend that's a brutally fussy eater (trust me, they don't like this place). Personally, I've tried most things on the menu and loved 70%, wasn't fond of 30% but it wasn't bad, it just wasn't my taste. My favourite dish is the tuna salad. -
Review from edwin h.
Famed chef, Claudio Aprile's casual dining lounge is a dark and boisterous place, perfect for a Friday night out with friends. The room is sophisticated and comfortable while still accommodating a large number of people. I would not recommend it if you are looking for a quiet intimate dinner as it does get quite loud with all the happy diners and the eclectic music.
All dishes are served "tapas" style and are meant for sharing. This gives everyone a chance to sample little bits of a wide selection. Origin does remarkably well at mixing Asian and contemporary European flavours representative of Toronto's multi-culti palate. Their take on Bangkok beef salad as well as miso glazed black cod were outstanding. Many of the sauces struck the perfect balance of sweet/sour/savoury and were worthy of lapping up with a spoon or straight from the drippings in your saucer. Plate lickingly delicious!
Burata mozzarella atop eggplant and sweet pepper puree drizzled with a bit of basil oil bursts in your mouth with flavour and creamy texture.
Spicy Spanish fries and truffled popcorn were absolutely snackingly delicious, we could have spent all night just snacking on these two things alone.
Tuna hand roll
Suffice it to say that everything that Origin does has so many interesting flavours going on but never strays too far in over-complicating the food. One bite of anything and you feel satisfied with every chew.
Our one only put off is the strict adherence to seating times. I understand that restaurants depend highly on turnover but sometimes it seems too abrupt to end a superb meal to make way for the next reservation if there are empty tables around.
Nevertheless, Origin is fully worthy of the praise and many repeat visits. -
Review from da d.
Scarborough, ON
5/6/2012
Sunday brunch at the patio, sounds good but what a mistake!
We ordered two coffees as well as a burger and a steak and egg. The food portion was surprisingly tiny for the price. That would of been ok if they were delicate and well-made.
The burger was a mini one at $17. It was so mushy with all the sauce. I asked for medium rare for the meat which was not what i got. The only thing good was the bun that they seem to make themselves.
My husband's dish however, was a disaster. The two bite size steak meat were not of good quality. The two eggs were drowned in a pool of way too much mushy cheese/ mashed potato and grease. I have not seen a plate with so much GREASE before, not even in a dirty diner. It was unedible really. This dish was $27.
The service was very inconsistent. It was good at the beginning when they greeted you and took the order. After that they basically ignored you.
I felt that the place was a shithole disguised with nice decor. -
Review from Evelyn W.
3/5/2012
Origin lived up to the hype! Don't you love it when that happens?
Went for brunch with 4 people including my hilarious mom, who holds no punches. Though individual items on the menu aren't overly pricey, brunch there is tapas-style and can easily add up... especially if you throw in cocktails.
Luckily, mom was picking up the tab so we pretty much got one of everything, and she had no problem pointing at people around us and telling the server "We'd like to know what that is." Our server was lovely, and he obliged and pointed (not-so-discretely) at the foods around us.
Decor is cozy-chique, and food and drink presentation is a thing of art.
Cocktails:
Mimosas with bubbly and fresh juice of the day, didn't taste, but they're ever changing and looked beautiful.
Caesars - made with chili vodka, and tequila? - I LOVE CAESARS and had never had one with tequila.. it was very flavorful and I enjoyed it. But, I'd likely just ask for vodka next time. They came with olives, though, which is a huge +++ in my mind.
Brunch:
I personally had/tasted:
Mac n Cheese with Chorizo - Not my fave in the city, but the portion size is perfect and the chorizo is a nice addition.
Duck french toast: AMAZING. Blueberries, maple syrup and duck confit harmonize well together.
Spanish fries: Addictive. Get them.
Watercress salad - Very nice, but the presentation makes you almost not want to eat it.. it's so pretty. I still don't know how they make radishes look like that.
Deviled eggs - can't go wrong. These things are adorable. Only comes with two eggs, though, and they are tricky to share.
I'll likely bump this review to a 5/5 once I've gone back and experienced dinner... we shall see. In the mean time, go try their brunch... after you've made a reservation. -
Review from Sarene L.
3/28/2012
Very, very impressed with our dining experience here. Since we were visiting from out of town and were not familiar with Toronto restaurants, we asked the concierges at our hotel to point us in the right direction.
I would definitely recommend Origin to anyone visiting (or living in!) Toronto as the staff were very friendly and accommodating, and the food was absolutely delicious!
Recommended dishes:
Brussels sprouts with sherry vinegar and smoked bacon
Tostones and guacamole
Chorizo with manchego rice, poached egg, salsa verde and dried black olive
Lobster with ginger, black bean sauce, shiitake and bok choy
Wild blueberries with ginger crunch and a soft serve cone
Dulce de leche with lemon sponge, raspberry ice, caramel and sea salt
The open kitchen right in the middle of the restaurant was really cool too! -
Review from Tanya N.
2/19/2012
*3.5 stars*
I came here on a Friday night without reservations so while the restaurant was packed we were able to get a seat by the bar/open kitchen. It was nice because you can see the chefs hustling and bustling in the kitchen.
Atmosphere is typical of downtown restaurants - dim lighting, dark toned decor, loud enough music where you can't really hear the party next to you but can hear your dinner party just fine. Our waitress was friendly throughout our time there.
I had:
Spicy Spanish fries with chorizo & manchego cheese. It was a bit poutine-like and tasty. There was also some olive bits in it which was surprisingly pretty good since I'm not a fan of olives.
Jerk hen with fried rice, grapefruit, coconut & mango - tasty, just a very small hint of heat and the coconut and mango puree was refreshing alongside the hen.
It was good but in general I find that Toronto restaurants are jumping on the "tapas" bandwagon as an excuse to shrink the portions but keep prices at almost "full plate" prices. -
Review from Keeley-Ann H.
Mississauga, ON
3/27/2012
Origin ambiance reminds me of The bowery when i mean the whole not pretentious place that pretentious people go to. its not cheap cheap but its worth trying. The food is tapas style...I wold for sure suggest eating the SUSHI CONE! its the best cone ive had, better then my works (shhh dont tell lol) there are 2 side to this place, the resto side and the lounge side +bar. I like the lounge side better, its just a bit more relaxed and there is a tv screen above the bar that they place old movies on and stuff. the decor is really nice and the bartenders know how to make goooood drinks! they have a fairly large patio for a place down town with big comfy chairs! for sure going this summer and sitting out there !
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Review from omar k.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 5/4/2012
had my first dinner inside origin. the food is pretty good, but it is SOOOO LOUDDDDD that i was unable to really enjoy the experience. stick to the patio.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/26/2011
some say that anything you do with good pork or good burata is hard to mess up, but i disagree. i've… Read more »
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Review from Kerstin B.
Toronto, ON
11/18/2011
First of all, the food here is spectacular - it's not the reason for the bad review. If you do find yourself in Origin, try the chorizo fries and the blackened cod in a miso broth - they're both delectable.
I ate lunch here with my colleagues on November 14th. The service was slow, but the food was fantastic. About halfway through, we started to see some activity on the floor. A mouse was casually sauntering along the base board, and we weren't the only table to notice. When we alerted the staff, they shrugged it off and said it happened all the time; "even the best five star restaurants have mice". No apology from the waiter, although the manager (who came up with the same story) eventually offered a limp apology. We got the bill, no adjustments, no acknowledgement of the issue.
The service was poor and the excuses they offered up didn't address the issue - they had a rodent in the restaurant and the first thing I would do would be to apologize profusely. I won't go back, which is a shame because the food is really quite good. -
Review from Maheen M.
12/16/2011
I went to Origin last night based on a friend's recommendation. Origin has been a hot spot since opening earlier this year. When I got there I was intrigued by the atmosphere, it almost had a lounge feel to it.
Being a tapas oriented menu, my friend and I decided to sample as many dishes as we could consume.
Cod Croquettes - absolutely lovely, fried to perfect, not greasy at all. The sauce that is accompanied was delish!
Spanish fries - a play on poutine perhaps, they had a bit of kick to them. They were addictive, once I started, I could not stop.
Chinios Duck tacos - a bit of kick to them but very refresh, a blend of sweet and spicy at the same time. It was unfortunate that I had to share the dish.
Barata from the Mozzellera bar - the best dish of the night, the cheese just melted in your mouth. It was the perfectly balanced with the pesto. Again, it was unfortunate that I had to share.
Service was ok, we had to wait to get our drinks and when we wanted to order again. For the price point, I was expecting better service. The food however came out quickly as soon as we ordered.
Overall - food - 4 stars, the portion sizes could have been bigger but I guess this is what you get for pretty food
service - 2, I was just not impressed
This place is worth checking out for the food if you are in the King/Church area. Reservations are a must! -
Review from Monica S.
1/18/2012
What a sexy restaurant! The food was pretty fantab as well.
Must have are the following:
Deviled eggs - so good, different, not mayonnaisey either!
Brussel sprouts - one of the best versions I've had.. these were amazing
Bufala mozzarella + pear + rosemary oil + pinenuts + honey - soo delicious!!
Lobster + ginger + black bean sauce + shiitake + bok choy - such an interesting dish.. soo good
Beef sizzling hot plate + mushrooms + onions + truffle butter + ponzu sauce - Beef was cooked perfectly!!! SOOOOOOO good!!
I loved this PLACE!! -
Review from Brian T.
12/23/2011 2 photos
The new hot spot for dates, nights out with friends, and foodies eager to try something of-the-moment and unique.
The decor and atmosphere, while clearly striving for coolness, strikes me as tawdry. The service is friendly, however, and the menu full of interesting offerings, apparently filling a hole in the Toronto dining scene.
The Mozzarella Bar is a particularly interesting concept. These are basically crostini with a towering composition centering around a very nice glob of decent mozzarella. I found them hard to eat (the tower fell apart as I tried to bite into it), but no matter, it tasted great.
The Deviled Eggs, which seem very popular, are not really deviled at all, are they? (Their yokes are not removed and whipped; these are just nicely boiled eggs topped with some tasty and textural garnishes.) Again, hard to eat, as the beautiful composition fell apart into its individual components once the fork meets the plate.
Overall, I think the concept trumps the result with the food here. But some creativity and talent is on display, and certainly if you're looking for a place where the food is the star of the show, and the atmosphere is dimly lit and romantic, this should be on your list. -
Review from KL M.
Toronto, ON
11/20/2011
Origin provided one of the best and most interesting meals I have had in Toronto. Being tapas style, I only wish the dishes didn't add up so quickly and I could afford to come here more!
Every dish we ordered was truly delicious and interesting. I appreciate the fact they deliver on something a little different here. And, hello, a fresh mozzarella bar? I could subsist on this alone.
Standout dishes: chorizo poutine, beet and goat cheese salad, pear and mozza crostini, and the chinoise duck fajitas. All exceptionally well done! -
Review from Deepika T.
12/8/2011
Yes, I'm a total fan. This place came highly recommended by the concierge at Le Meridien a few blocks over, where we were staying for a couple of nights. And it was completely worth it. What makes Origin a great experience? The food, the vibe, the decor, and the people-watching, of course.
We tried 4 dishes, and they were all A+. The star of the night - the deviled eggs. Great flavor, especially those crispy souffletines on the plate (psst, can I have a giant bag of those to take home?) The Fior di latte + mushrooms + truffle oil + spinach was a revelation. The Indian lentil soup w/ coconut was hearty and perfect for a cold night. The beet and goat cheese salad was nice; except for the fact that there is this giant whole beet sitting on your plate, as opposed to slices that we're used to in other tapas places. If you can get past that, this is a good dish as well.
In all, worth heading out here if you'd like to impress. -
Review from Munis T.
Toronto, ON
10/12/2011
I went here for dinner this past Saturday. The decor was nice, and service was very friendly and accommodating.
The food:
Brussels sprouts with bacon: good balance of flavors; the correct ratio of brussels sprouts to bacon. However, texture-wise, was a little too mushy (i.e. brussels sprouts were overcooked, and bacon had lost its texture from, perhaps, sitting too long).
Japanese-style tuna salad: very nice sculptural visual presentation, and a variety of complementary textures. However, the sweet ginger dressing tasted generic, like what you might find at any japanese restaurant.
Miso glazed black cod with soba: tender and supple cod, with appropriately subtle miso glaze (i.e not too sweet or overpowering). Soba were firm. The flavorful broth seemed to have some sort of citrus in it, which made the dish a little more interesting. This was probably the best thing I had here.
Chinois Duck: this had a lot going on, up to and including crunchy (I think sesame-covered) peanuts. But the result was muddled. They went overboard with some sort of ranch-like white sauce which caused the whole thing to evoke a cafeteria chicken wrap. It wasn't horrible, but it could have been much better; this was definitely lousy execution of a good idea.
Dulce de leche + lemon sponge + raspberry ice + caramel + sea salt: frozen raspberry kernels with puffed rice and a bit of fleur de sel sat on top of a dulce de leche parfait with the sponge cake at the bottom. I quite enjoyed the spoonfuls where I managed to combine all the ingredients in the right amounts; however, this did not happen all the time. Nevertheless, this was an ambitious, visually attractive, and interesting dessert, and was better than my other dessert (see below).
Citrus + curd + meringue + coconut + mint: curd was a little too sour, citrus fruit made it even more sour; combined with the meringue, it was all too sweet. In greater quantities, mint might have saved it a little; coconut cream was also too subtle and lost in the sweet-and-sourness. I would say this was the worst thing I had here.
Drinks:
(I don't usually drink, but they had some interesting-sounding cocktails.)
"Spearman Sipper": bourbon, some local microbrewed beer involving grapefruit, cinnamon, cardamom, pineapple juice. Pleasant, flavors meld nicely, though I could not actually detect the cardamom (which I would have liked to!)
"Seafarer's Sanctum": Rum, orange pekoe, blueberry syrup, spruce. Very sprucey; probably too sprucey. With my nose several inches above my glass, I can close my eyes and imagine myself in the middle of a vast spruce forest. Ultimately, it was drinkable, as the spruce seemed to taste natural (rather than synthetic), which made the idea of imbibing a liquefied spruce-tree seem okay. I can imagine some people would send this drink back though.
Overall, it was interesting, however, there were too many howevers. I was disappointed since their menu has potential, but in practice they seem unable to really pull together and successfully execute anything ambitious. -
Review from Juliana H.
Toronto, ON
11/9/2011
Everyone has already written such thorough amazing reviews of this place, but here it goes anyway... my two cents worth.
I, too, have been really curious to check this place out for a while now. Last night I got my chance. Though it was the day-of, we still managed to secure a reservation, maybe because it was a Tuesday night. On the phone, we got a very similar speech to the one we got when making reservations at Lee. They will only holding the table for 15 minutes and you can only stay for two hours. Okay fine.
We got there five minutes early and were quickly shown to our table for four. The rest of the party arrived late, but we had ordered drinks, so no one seemed too concerned. I ordered the apple cider and took a minute to take in the sights. I liked the quirky interior... Victorian family portrait with one family member wearing a Stormtrooper mask - I'm feeling it. Watching the chefs working away was fairly interesting too, though it really didn't help with the noise factor. Even the trip to the loo was a little bit of an adventure what with all the corner turning and so on.
The food was a hit and a little miss though I really appreciated the eclectic menu. I was lucky enough that everyone was both really hungry hence ordering a lot but also very willing to share! The truffle oil popcorn was incredible, the tuna salad was meh, the calamari a bit disappointing, the curried shrimp and naan very decent, the croquettes passable though I wouldn't order them again, the Fior di latte + mushrooms + truffle oil + spinach was amazing, the Burrata + pesto + eggplant + roasted red peppers was alright, and the beef hotplate was just okay.
This was not a cheap meal, but I must confess, in addition to the many dishes we tried, we also have two bottles of wine on the bill. Will I return? I think I'll wait until summer so I can enjoy their lovely patio, but yes, I think I will. -
Review from Tara E.
8/17/2011
3.5 stars
I arrived at Origin on a Monday night to take a friend who was staying with me from Paris out for dinner on their last night in the city. We were not able to secure a table on the patio, but were seated promptly in the restaurant with a good view of the kitchen. We decided to order a number of dishes for sharing. The waiter served us our (tap) water. He poured for the gentlemen first. My french friend pointed out that the waiter would have been fired on the spot in a nice French restaurant for not serving the water to the lady first. Harsh. There were a number of instances my friend pointed out where a number of the staff would have been fired (some of them a number of times) but apparently I am not used to such top tier service meaning I didn't really notice anything different from the usual. Maybe I need to spend more time in fine Parisian dining rooms? Probably.
Meal highlights-
The Deviled Eggs were lovely, bite sized morsels. Salty panchetta was a lovely topping.
The Bufala Mozzerella with pear crostini was a treat. The cheese was soft and beautiful, and the sweetness of the honey was a lovely compliment.
Meal lowlights-
The Hamachi Ceviche was over spiced. You couldn't taste the fish for all the creamy spicy sauce. (Made me think of spicy sauce used in spicy tuna rolls) When I order ceviche is expect it to be fresh. This felt weighed down.
We also ordered the Tostones with guacamole, which were fine, the Beet and Goat Cheese salad (biggest beet I have ever seen? served whole) and the Miso Glazed Black Cod. The cod was alright, but I've had better miso glazed cod at Guu.
Overall there were a couple of good bites, but I don't think the price was justified for the overall quality, taste and portion size. Not a bad place to take a date if you're trying to impress them, but I don't think I would go back for dinner if I was paying.
Dinner for 3 came to $225 with tax and tip (2 drinks each + shared 2 'sides', 1 raw bar, 1 crostini/mozzerella, 1 salad, 1 main, 1 dessert) -
Review from Valerie C.
Toronto, ON
1/16/2012 Seated via OpenTable
My friend and I came here for dinner on New Year's Eve. When we walked in, it seemed like a cool space. Open kitchen, moody lighting, interesting art work (what looked like a bunch of metal legs stuck together on the wall?). The music on rotation for the night seemed a combination of Eminem circa early 2000's and Drake.
Having perused some of the reviews here before, we decided to order the following:
-Tostones + guacamole - the tostones were perfectly crisp and went well with the guac. The tostones themselves could have used a bit more flavour.
-Spicy spanish fries - the tastiest dish that we shared, although the toppings far outshone the fries themselves, which seemed a bit lacklustre in comparison (also for the price point)
-Bufala mozzarella + pear, pinenuts & honey - the mozzarella was delightfully creamy and quite refreshing combined with the honey and pinenuts, and they did not skimp on the mozzarella. Neither of us could eat too much of this dish.
-Chinois duck - by far, the most disappointing of all the dishes. The duck was dry and worst of all extremely salty, to the point where it was nearly inedible (my friend didn't finish hers). The dish was also over-sauced to the point where it overpowered our tastebuds. It could have been an off night, but we both agreed that the dish upon which this dish was inspired, would be vastly better in an asian restaurant at half the price.
That being said, the portion sizes were decent for a tapas-style menu, the waitress was very friendly and accommodating, and cocktails were delicious.
Back for drinks here? Yes. To eat? Probably not. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
10/7/2011 6 photos
4 star for deco/services/vibe
Patio! Patio! Patio! with loungers!
The decor inside is also really nice..look like a great place to hang and have a drink or 2 with friends.....The Yo Man Margarita ($12) I ordered was quite good.. nicely balanced and delicious!
Services was attentive and professional.
If I have not ordered their food, my experience at Origin would have be a 4 stars!
1.5 star for food
Tostones+guacamole ($8)/Smoked cod croquettes+saffron aioli ($8) were both Meh. Should have skip the appetizers but I was hungry as usual and needed some snacks to go with the drinks.
I am not really sure about Origin's food.. Maybe I am not into Fusion. I might have to give Origin a pass for lunch/dinner/brunch. -
Review from The Vong Choice I.
Toronto, ON
8/21/2011
I love when I can get reservations easily online on Open Table however there seemed to be limited availability on ideal dining times, either very early around 6:15 or very late pass 9pm. Since it was a week night and we are working ladies, we opted for the earlier option.
What I didn't know about this restaurant was that it was a mozzarella bar... LOVE! We tried the fior di latte, a soft and creamy type of mozzarella made from cow's milk. The heaping puffs of fior di latte came on crostini drizzled with truffle oil and mushrooms. It was so good. I would've ordered more mozza but felt like we needed to try other things on the menu.
The devilled eggs are a huge must have and were excellent and came with a bacon chip on top. Loved the taste as well as the presentation.
Our mains included the miso broth cod fish which is my personal favourite in any restaurant I go to, it was served with soba noodles and chinese vegetables which was a bonus and I made sure to lap up the broth. Soupy noodles is one of my very favourite comfort foods.
We also ordered the duck chinois, which is a play on peking duck. I was less than impressed as the duck was a little on the tough side. The scallops were our final main and they came topped with big pearls of florescent orange caviar. The caviar was fishy which made the entire dish fishy and not appetizing. All in all, I would stick to more tapas and less of the mains
The dessert we had was the molten hot chocolate cake that was paired with very cold soft serve ice cream. Be prepared to wait 10 minutes for them to prepare the dessert for you which is worth it! -
Review from Eleni D.
Toronto, ON
7/28/2011 4 photos
From the first time I stepped foot in this place, I knew it would become one of my favourite Toronto spots. Friendly hipster staff roam about the restaurant greeting patrons and serving food, a communal table under a freaky-yet-fabulous Godzilla chandelier houses parties that roar with laughter, bright fuschia walls scream of a restaurant that is confident and oh-so-cool. A large outdoor patio means the fun continues outside when the weather is good.
I've now dined here for both brunch and dinner, and have never been disappointed. Plus, it's fun to see the Top Chef Canada reject in the open kitchen, as you wonder "What went wrong on the show?" and taste some of the most original and scrumptious flavour combinations the city has to offer.
Here is what I recommend:
BRUNCH
*Ranchero eggs - ole! Beans, guacamole, sour cream, sunny side up eggs, all piled on top of a crispy fried plantain.
*French toast - made with brioche and topped with a basic cream to balance the sweetness. Yum.
*Champagne cocktails - try one or try them all. Fantastic.
DINNER (most plates are meant to be shared, tapas style)
*Mozzarella with truffle oil on toasted bread - sea salt brings out the flavour of the cheese and truffle oil.
*Pear, pine nut, honey and fresh mozzarella on toast
*Sizzling beef plate with caramelized veggies - I shared this, but could easily have made it my dinner. Next time I will.
*Tostones (fried plantain discs) and guacamole
*Da Brazillian - a milk jug of filled with a tropical rum punch that had my gang of cheap drunks giggling through dessert
*Dolce de leche covered lemon poundcake with crumbled rasberries - yes, crumbled raspberries. They must freeze them in liquid nitrogen and smash them to create a candy like consistency, packed with fresh fruit flavour. Genius. -
Review from Sugary G.
Toronto, ON
8/29/2011
Although rated among TO Life mags' 'Top 10 of 2010', I wasn't expecting much from this place, given the mixed reviews I'd read re: both food and service. But curiosity trumped hesitation and my DC's are the food-sharing types, so...
Overall, the tapas we chose (9 items, plus 2 desserts) from the extensive menu were mostly good, but that's probably because I'd been alerted by other foodists to stay away from the specific, supposed 'misses', of which there are many, apparently (e.g. tostones/guac, miso-glazed cod, curry shrimp, hamchi ceviche, etc. - and most of the desserts). That said, Origin loses points for innovation and subtlety -- *everything* was loaded w/ inordinate amounts of butter, cream, salt and -- in many of the items -- some form of pork, so...how can it NOT be tasty?
And sure, it might be over-priced, but tapas isn't code for 'value' is it, especially when an established chef is at the helm. So best to accept that before you decide to dine there.
The server recommended we start by ordering 2 per person (we were a group of 4) and, even though the portions are small, that felt about right, given the degree of richness of it all.
- Burrata w/ a pesto/eggplant/roasted peppers combo ($16):scrumptious
- Spicy fries w/ chorizo and cheese ($9): incredible!
- Devilled eggs w/ pancetta ($5): mediocre, but fun presentation (pancetta 'disc' placed into eggs'
- Creamed corn w/ peaches and - of course! - smoked bacon ($): very tasty
- Spicy tuna handroll w/ apple, shiso and miso-mayo ($9): tasty enough but not special
- Calamari w/ peanut sauce and pineapple $15): hardly novel, but very tasty
- Chinois duck tortilla w/ cucumber, hot sauce, hoisin and sour cream ($17): sooo rich, therefore, delish - a highlight
- Chorizo w/ manchego rice and poached egg ($15): again, very rich...and very tasty - a highlight
DESSERTS ($10): i should've known from the server's lacklustre tone while describing them all that they'd be forgettable. Still I needed my dose of sugar, so we sampled these 2;
- Dulce de leche with lemon cake and raspberry: this was a hit, beautiful layers of lemon cake, yogourt and caramel, beneath frozen, nitrogened raspberry bits for a flavourful crunchy topping.
- Hot chocolate cake w/ citrus and ice cream: how does a high-end restaurant mess up a classic like molten lava cake? Dr Oetker's from the box is loads better than this version, which was thoroughly devoid of chocolate flavour, barely citrus-y and with tasteless - though homemade - vanilla ice cream
THE SERVICE: initially attentive, server enthusiastically shared her tapas recommendations, and staggered them to the table appropriately. but then was AWOL for the most part.. One item was forgotten about, and then it took forever to get the bill.
Would I return? It was a pleasant dining experience (and a beautiful- weather eve on their patio) but that may have had more to do with my fab companions and the sharing concept inherent in tapas. They'd have to change up their menu before I'd consider going back.
P.S. interior design note: one impressive decor item was the unusual, beautifully-textured light fixture hanging from the ceiling in the stairwell to the bathrooms (I need that!).
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Review from Marc G.
Calgary, AB
2/12/2012
5/5, Food that delivers, great service, and unpretentious environment!
I have been eying this place for awhile and finally got a chance to go on a busy Friday night. This is what we ordered:
4/5 Bufala mozzarella + confit tomato + basil + preserved lemon
My friend really wanted this dish so we went with it despite tomatoes being out of season. It was great! The sweetness of the tomatoes worked perfectly with everything else.
5/5 Chinois duck + flour tortilla + cucumber + hoisin + sriracha + sour cream
Mouth watering just thinking about it, order this. It has a nice spicy sweet taste. Highly recommended. I would order this over the Chorizo dish.
5/5 Chorizo + manchego rice + poached egg + salsa verde + dried black olive
Rice was amazing with manchego in it. This dish was excellent.
5/5 Banana cream pie + chocolate sherbert + mango
Delicious, its a simple flavor combination executed perfectly.
5/5 Dulce de leche + lemon sponge + raspberry ice + caramel + sea salt
My friend preferred this dessert, it has a great texture due to the frozen raspberry.
5/5 service. Our server(Alana?) was incredible. She gave us great recommendations, spoke candidly, made sure our food arrived in a reasonable time, and always checked to see how we were enjoying each dish(while the resto was packed!). She truly elevated our dining experience, and single handled restored my faith in servers. It is great to be around people who are professional and passionate about their job! -
Review from Sara K. P.
Toronto, ON
6/5/2011
Ended up taking the hubs here for his birthday dinner. We got seated at the Chef's prep table which was great for theatrics no Benihana style choppery, but entertaining watching meals be prepared by chefs flirting with each other nonetheless.
The smoked cod croquettes were more like balls of re-fried pureed tuna salad, not a fan...but the rest of what we ate was golden. The bufala mozzarella with pear and rosemary oil was the perfect infusion of dairy creaminess meeting savory fruitiness, I wanted to order all the mozzarella bars but alas lactose intolerance can only allow so much. The Bangkok salad was refreshingly piquant and the Origin beef burger was equally hearty yet refined in taste.
At first glance it seems the servings are small and pricey, but we discovered that the items do fill you up fast as they are so well flavored.
It can be tempting however to order everything , so I'd suggest just ordering a few tapas to start then building gradually to accomodate the appetite.
Overall service was prompt without being pushy, food (except mushy fish balls) was tasty and the pricing was reasonable for the quality of the food. The only complaint was from my husband that we got seated at the Chef's table but I think he was jealous that he didn't get to wear an apron too. -
Review from Charlotte W.
North York, ON
4/9/2011
According to Toronto Life's more recent edition, Origin was rated as the number 1 Best New restaurant in the city...needless to say, I was very excited to eat there for a friend's birthday party.
Intro to the restaurant. I bumped into another friend on the street and we entered the restaurant together and mentioned our friend's name and the 8:00pm reservation. One of the hostess responded that our table was not ready until 9pm and proceeded to show us the lounge area and mumbled something about please sit and have drinks...and who was going to take my coat for coat check? So far, not the best start.
Food. Origin serves dishes tapas style and I came HUNGRY in preparation for the event so perhaps I was a bit biased when I say the food was not enough. The selection of foods is another matter entirely. I felt there was no rhyme or reason to the flow of courses...one dish contains Asian snap peas, another beef cooked in Thai style (SALTY), another sushi, another fried chips with guacamole, another bruschetta and then fries. If the intention was to showcase various cuisines of the world, then each dish was done at a level called mediocre. All in all, I was disappointed in the food. To be fair, we had a menu specially prepared for the birthday event so I am not sure if the regular menu is any different...I will not be going back to find out however.
Ambiance. What can I say...it was a windy night and as I entered the restaurant, I was swallowed by two heavy purple curtains right at the entrance. Beware! Once inside, the decor is the usual kit-shy historical items that have some significance to the building/area/period of time, Godzilla chandeliers, modern photography that looks like a cup to one person but really is an upside down tree to another blah, blah, blah...nothing special. Towards the end of the night, it appeared a certain area of the restaurant turned into a dance floor so its a two in one place.
To conclude, this is not number 1 in my books, although there must be a reason why it is? Beats me. -
Review from Steph L.
5/25/2011
Italian? Spanish? Mexican? Japanese? Can't make up your mind?
Origin's solution is a global menu with small items for sharing.
Located near St. Lawrence market, this popular venue is buzzing on a Friday night.
They have a great patio, so if you want a table outside, make sure you reserve one.
I liked the open concept kitchen. You can sit near the action and check out the food. We didn't order the truffle popcorn...but everyone one else seemed to be getting it.
We ordered a bunch of items which I am listing in order of preference.
* Smoked Cod Croquettes and Saffron aioli ($6)
Salty and a bit dry, I wasn't very impressed by our first snack.
* Spicy Spanish Fries with Chorizo and Manchego ($9)
Chop up chorizo, and throw the little bits on some not-crispy enough fries.
* Bufala Mozzarella, confit tomato, lemon, basil ($16)
I'm glad we ordered this. The mozz was smooth and light. The tomato was refreshing and they didn't use too much lemon.
* Beef sizzling hot plate, mushrooms, truffle butter ($27)
The beef was tender and juicy. Onions overpowered any flavour from the truffle butter. Not worth the money.
* Miso Glazed Black Cod, soba noodles and miso broth ($19)
This item was the highlight of the evening. The cod was fall apart soft and perfect, the sweet glaze worked well with the miso broth. This dish was great!
We decided to not stay for dessert.
Origin may take you around the world with their menu, but I don't think it's a trip I'll repeat anytime soon. -
Review from Ryan F.
Updated - 4/12/2011 22 photos
Whoop I figured out how to update the pictures if you want to see our courses last time we went!
Just an update as I saw the pictures that the wine actually wasn't bad. I didn't ask but hoping they have Stella and Becks and Leffe available (would actually make some of the dishes more appealing). Their flaming Zambucca was awesome though!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/3/2011
They say that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. In the case of Origin, I'd… Read more »
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Review from TOFoodReviews n.
Toronto, ON
11/7/2011
I have been itching to get to Origin for months now after a friend of mine had gone and raved about the food. I dug the concept: tapas with a twist. This is definitely not your traditional, Spanish tapas. At Origin, you'll sample small plates with Asian, Italian and Latin influences. I didn't find the menu overwhelming, but our server was more than happy to help steer the meal so that similar and complimentary flavours were eaten together.
It was tough to narrow it down, as we would have been happy with just about anything on the menu. We started with the tostones: smashed, flattened and deep-fried plantains with guacamole on the side. The plantains were very well seasoned, with generous use of kosher salt and a light dusting of curry powder.
Next up were the deviled eggs with smoked bacon and gremolata and the smoked cod croquettes with saffron aioli. Both were a big hit at the table, disappearing in a flash. I preferred the croquettes of the two, but I didn't exactly NOT eat my share of the deviled eggs either.
Those scrumptious bites devoured, we ordered another bottle of wine (three cheers for Monday night dinners with lots of wine!) and anticipated the arrival of more delectable plates. While we waited, we marveled at the strangeness of the cutlery provided. The only way to balance your knife was blade up. That seemed...dangerous. Especially after the third glass of cabernet sauvignon.
Our next dish appeared and we dove right back in (carefully, so as not to cut ourselves on our upturned knives). A gorgeously-presented order from the Mozzarella Bar: bufala mozzarella with pear, rosemary oil, pine nuts that was drizzled with honey and placed on a crunchy, toasted slice of calabrese bread.
Next up was the Bangkok beef salad with peanuts, mint, mango, fried shallots and a sweet and sour dressing. There was a moment of hesitation while we all tried to dance around the fact that splitting this thing among the three of us might get violent. In the end however, we shared well (our kindergarten teachers would be so proud!). This wasn't an exceptionally complicated dish, but it was done to perfection: the beef was tender and pink; the mangoes were ripe and slippery; the shallots and peanuts added the crunch the dish needed; and the cilantro added the wonderful, bright note at the end. It should be noted that my friend said it was the third time she'd had this particular dish, and it was exactly the same every time. THAT is a sign of a great restaurant.
Our final round of food was to arrive, and we were practically giddy with excitement. We had decided on the Chinois duck with pickled cucumber, hoisin and sriracha sauce on a chive pancake, the curried shrimp with naan and the miso-glazed black cod with soba noodles and a ginger vinaigrette. We knew each dish would be good, but didn't know HOW good. We had spent the first half of the meal happily eating away and we were by no means disappointed with our choices. But these last three dishes absolutely blew them all out of the water. The duck was crispy and, I must say, substantial. The kitchen does not scrimp on the portions at all with this dish! The sweet hoisin sauce was a great compliment to the duck and the heat of the sriracha. A definite must-order at Origin.
Next up, we attacked the curried shrimp, which was intensely flavoured and perfectly spicy. The soft, aromatic naan bread sopped up the spicy broth that was left after devouring the plump, juicy shrimp. Another dish that hit its mark!
Finally (and kind of sadly), we came to our last dish: the black cod. Black cod is one my favourite fish and I have it a fair bit. When I was out in Vancouver earlier this year, I had it almost once a day. but this black cod might be the best I've had...ever. It was flaky, tender and moist. The miso glaze was pleasantly salty and the skin, most importantly, was nice and crispy. The soba noodles were served with the ginger vinaigrette and by the time we were done, there was literally nothing left on the plate. In all likelihood, the best dish of the night though the three of us never could decide on a clear winner in that category.
All in all, I would definitely recommend Origin to anyone who has some reasonably adventurous taste buds and who is willing to share. There is one composed plate that makes a meal - a burger combo with Spanish fries and a float. I have no doubt it's delicious, but it seems kind of beside the point of a restaurant like this. Go with friends, go on a date, go with family. It's not a cheap night out, but it is most definitely money well spent. -
Review from Jess W.
Toronto, ON
Came here for brunch today and was really impressed! They have a pretty big patio and today was the perfect day to take advantage of it.
I ordered the smoked chicken salad (sandwich) - scallion, asian pear, dill, house mustard, and served with a large spoonful of creme fraiche on it ($13). It was served on a small brioche bun. The serving size wasn't very big and doesn't come with any sides - you can add plain fries to it for $3. After taking a bite out of this sandwich I was in love! It was so delicious. Had a great flavour, loved the dill and mustard in it. I'm still thinking about it... simply amazing!
Instead of adding plain fries to it, I ordered the spicy spanish fries - with chorizo + manchego ($9). I thought the price was pretty steep for fries, but I really wanted to try them. The fries were topped with a chipotle mayo, which didn't have as much flavour as I would've liked. The fries themself were delicious. The fries were perfectly cooked and crispy. I didn't really notice much chorizo in the dish though. At $9, I thought this was a little pricey.
My friend ordered the Ranchero eggs - with black beans, salsa, bacon, guacamole, all sitting on top of a fried plantain ($17). I noticed that the egg wasn't at all runny (not sure if it was supposed to be or not). However, she really enjoyed the dish.
I also ordered a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice ($5). I didn't like that they had put ice in it though since we were sitting outside in the sun, it melted pretty quickly and made the juice a little watery.
Overall, a fantastic brunch! I'll definitely be back!Listed in: My favourite brunch spots!
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Review from Magdalena R.
Toronto, ON
7/13/2011
I have tried a little bit of a lot of things off this restaurant's ever changing menu and, so far, it has been all smiles in my belly. Aside from the amazing flavours, I found the presentation of the food interesting and pretty, the service very friendly and attentive, and the ambiance very cool.
Now, the really fun part about the place is the open kitchen in the center of the restaurant. You can watch the staff work in an impressive, speedy, organised way while you eat. Very entertaining. You also have a choice of sitting outside on their large, comfy patio. Perfect for those nice warm days.
If you go once, you will likely want to go again. -
Review from Nicole M.
Vancouver, BC
12/21/2010
We made a reservation for a group of 6 and were told they had a great table for us - the "chef's table." Unfortunately, the "chef's table" is apparently the one right beside the drafty front door. Not off to a great start and unfortunately, it didn't get a whole lot better.
Our server told us that it was a 'sharing plates' concept and so we ordered a few to share and a one to have as a 'main' each.
If soft mozzarella cheese is your thing, try just about everything on the 'mozzarella bar' list - best part of our meal.
Spanish fries - also good, but not the best fries I've ever had.
Sweet potato soup had a great consistency and had a kick to it.
I ordered the (and I checked the menu for the correct description...afterward) "Pan seared scallop + Jerusalem artichoke puree + bacon + rapini"-13. Scallop (singular). It was literally one scallop with some puree smeared on the plate. I'm not sure how this can possibly be described as a 'share plate'.
I tried the calamari (recommended) and the arugula salad (pretty much just arugula with shaved parm on it- probably the largest dish we ordered).
Overall, although the food was good, I thought it was overpriced and the inconsistency in the size of 'share plates' made it difficult to know how much to order. I was there about 2 hours ago and my stomach is growling. -
Review from U U.
Toronto, ON
7/24/2011
Came here for brunch. Ended up ordering fries with cheese (manchego?) and a cold coffee. I don't consider myself a french fry vegetarian, but this place gave me no choice!
Pros:
-Great patio
-Cold coffee was delicious - but this isn't a hard thing to pull off, maybe I'm being generous?
-The servers were really nice.
Cons:
-WORST selection of brunch food for vegetarians/vegans. I think vegans would have to stick with juice, honestly. Even the fries had chorizo on it - I asked if they could replace it with something, which didn't happen, they just took it off. -
Review from Maddy K.
Toronto, ON
10/31/2011
waited for a couple of weeks to get a reservation here and so wel worth the wait!
The ambience is fantastic! With the kitchen right in the centre and the seating built around it really forces the food to be the star of the night and it sure was!
Tapas style - gave is a chance to taste a few different dishes which we wouldnt have otherwise. We found ourselves chatting about the textures and the flavours of each dish as we looked over at the kitchen and the guests seated next to us to see what to order next. In fact a few times we found ourselves chatting to people around us about what they were going to order next. I really wish the seating directly around the kitchen was a little higher so you could watch the preparation clearly.
The food:
(a) Cod Croquettes - a hit! They were fantastic - everything about them and the sauce they came with.
(b) pear + mozarella + pine nuts - i cannot remember what it was called exactly. It was good - personally i wasn't a huge fan - i found it a little too sweet for my taste but my husband absolutely loved it with the different textures and flavours in every bite - he liked the sweetness as well
(c)Orign burger - a tall handsome burger with a great array of toppings and sauce. The beef was perfectly pink on the inside and wel seasoned - tasted fab!
(d) Duck tortillas - they had a kick to them - they were delicious. The first bite was a little disapointing but the second bit that captured the cucumber slice on the top with the sauce was incredible.
(e) Calamari carmelized in peanut sauce - i wasn't a big fan. This was nothing extraordinary - i felt like i've had ot before at a thai or asian fusion restaurant.
Dessert:
We opted for the chocolate dessert with their in-house soft serve. A chocolate fan, i was hugely disapointed. It was kind of like a molten lava cake but not a realy great one.
The food was good. The ambience was good. For me, a great date night with great service makes this a 4* -
Review from Andy A.
Toronto, ON
5/27/2011
A great spot to go for a couple of tasty dishes and some fancy drinks. I really like the design of the place and the service was great, very friendly and welcoming. Going on an empty stomach could probably get a bit pricey but if you're in for 2-3 dishes per person, you will leave very satisfied and without breaking the bank. Only complaint is that they don't update the menu online so I was looking forward to something that I actually didn't get to try.
I recommend: Calamari, black cod, any bourbon cocktails
