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Relish Bar & Grill
Categories: Restaurants Modern European Restaurants Gluten-Free Restaurants Tapas/Small Plates Modern European, Gluten-Free, Tapas/Small Plates [Edit]
2152 Danforth AvenueToronto, ON M4C 1K3
Neighbourhood: The Danforth
(416) 425-4664
- Hours:
Tue-Wed 11:30 am - 12 am
Thu-Sat 11:30 am - 2 am
Sun 10:30 am - 2 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
13 reviews for Relish Bar & Grill
13 reviews in English
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Review from Sara and Harold S.
Toronto, ON
4/9/2011
We've been to Relish a number of times as it is within walking distance from our house, and are always impressed.
We've dined with our family which includes, vegetarian, non-fish eaters, non-seafood eaters, gluten-free, and meat-seafood lovers, and we always have no trouble ordering many dishes so everyone is pleased in the end.
The staff are fun, nice and helpful, and the ambiance nice. There is a cool little lounge which used to be in the back, but now in the front window. It's small, and sometimes a bit squishy. Cozy I say!
Our favourite dish is definitely the wild mushroom risotto, and I also really love the grilled calamri. The gluten free desserts are to die for.Listed in: Restaurants/Takeout
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Review from Sheila B.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 3/3/2012
WTF happened to Relish!! the food was always predictable but good. it's now a sad place with inedible bad food. The bartender when asked why they were so slow on friday night responded "people just don't love us anymore". wonder why the food has gone down hill so far they are serving frozen fish that is off, spareribs that were obviously in the freezer for reheating, the once glorious foccaccia with tomatos made in house is now a pathetic dose of stale bread with a smattering of rosemary. The bartender said they don't make that anymore because no one is ordering it. The grilled calamari was completely off with about 7 tablespoons of mayo and frozen cherry tomatoes. Why?
Friday night & Joanne Clayton chef and owner no where to be seen. There was two guys working kitchen that looked about 20 they were certainly reheating some prep left for them.
The indian tandori grilled chicken skewers tasted of nothing, they were overcooked dry and flavourless. The asian coleslaw sat on a bed of water, bland boring.
Our bartender was friendly at first but became non chalent after we complained and returned some of the food. He should know better then us that this place is past it's prime in fun and food. It's depressing to see bands fill the restaurant at 9pm to bring in business. 5 years ago if you didn't have a reservation you couldn't get into the place.
68$ + tip. not worth it.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/17/2011
I really always want to love Relish but the food is just ok! I try to love it when eating it over… Read more »
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Review from Patio M.
Toronto, ON
1/8/2012
Brunch review
We went today for brunch with my friends and their kids.
The bunch wasn't that exciting which is too bad, there aren't many nice spots in that area to pick from.
The menu was predominantly lunch items. We ordered the Eggs Benedict (muffin not toasted) which came with a large boring salad. My friend ordered the breakfast burrito and said it was bland. The side of roasted potatoes saved the day!
The server was a very nice and they were very attentive. They didn't seem to mind when the girls kept dropping their forks.
Maybe the dinner is better....? -
Review from Laura P.
Toronto, ON
2/8/2011
I had a friend visiting this past weekend who happens to be celiac. Where we're from, there aren't a lot of options for those on a gluten-free diet, so I thought it would be fun to take her somewhere with plenty of choices. While Relish came recommended by another friend, and had an extensive gluten-free menu, their food was definitely lacking something (besides the gluten).
To start, the place has possibly the worst decor I've ever seen in a restaurant. The chairs are pretty much the exact same ones my mum had in her kitchen all through the 90s. And the black (plastic? vinyl?) tables weren't much better. We sat next to the ugliest tree-style floor lamp, and across from a wall hanging that had once been stuck to the wall with duct tape. Now, however, the hanging is peeling off the wall, exposing the half-circles of duct tape that were once sticky. But the funniest part of the decor was the Valentines decorations. There were hideous cutout hearts everywhere. Even dangling from the ceiling over our table. Although, I have to admit the horribly bad decor did make for some good laughs over dinner.
Appearance aside, nothing we had from the kitchen was very impressive. The garlic shrimp were properly cooked, but not very flavourful. The white bean, ricotta and artichoke spread with rice crackers was fine, but a tiny portion, and not the kind of dish I would ever expect in a restaurant. It tasted very much like the pre-packaged dips you find near the hummus in a Loblaws. The tandoori chicken "sticks" (really, skewers) were the worst dish of the evening. Flabby chicken, a touch dry, and unfortunately no dipping sauce. My favourite was probably the polenta, in a tomato sauce with pesto and goat cheese. Funny enough, it's the dish others here have rated as a least favourite. Everything was very average. We both commented that it seemed like a dinner we would have made ourselves, at home. Maybe we ordered all the wrong things?
While our server was pleasant, she didn't seem to know much about the menu. I would never fault someone for having a shellfish allergy (she couldn't comment on the shrimp), but she hadn't tried anything else we wanted to order either. She simply said she hadn't tried it, but it was "good" (whatever that means).
All in all, not the worst dining experience I've ever had. But certainly not worth the trip, if you don't live in the area. Maybe the gluten-filled menu is better? I doubt I'll be back to find out.
(four tapas, one martini and a beer = ~$70, tax and tip included) -
Review from Mark P.
Toronto, ON
4/1/2011
I'm on the fence to give this place four stars. My wife and I ate here just some three weeks ago to treat ourselves after a long work week. The location is quite easy to reach and stands at a corner of a side street just east of Woodbine and Danforth. Tapas is a rare find in Toronto and therefore our expectations were reasonably high. The menu has all sorts of nice stuff - squids, stuffed olives, sauteed fish bits and neat fusions of spices, marinades and bits and bites of meats. The highlight was squid with a tangy sauce and the garlic stuffed seared olives were roasted just right. A selected wine list complements the food, but some wines are north of $40 which I personally find rather pricey. This does however almost seem traditional if you view tapas in its original sense of free eats accompanying a drink or two in a tapas bar.
The reason the four stars rating was nearly missed is a) the rather expensive dishes and wine picks b) the ambience is a bit dark and depressing inside which contradicts the fresh, young and open feel to authentic tapas bars. Service was swift and the open kitchen area is a big plus for an experience worth remembering. We'd go again, once we saved up some dough :-) -
Review from Mike C.
Toronto, ON
2/20/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Yum. Not everything was stellar, but the sage crepe mentioned by eh B is not to be missed. Also had a special which was a beef tenderloin my girlfriend described as a meaty dessert, it was just so delicious and was served last. The order is which things arrived was a little random, but mostly worked.
I've been three times now, other reviews are bang on, just a rare gem of a place for this end of town. If you live around here, you'll want to try it. -
Review from a k.
Toronto, ON
9/26/2011
We were had an excellent Dinner with friends and our 4 year old Daughter. Pretty much all our selections was well done and very tasty.
We would definitely come back again and bring friends. -
Review from Michelle V.
Toronto, ON
4/25/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Not entirely sure what I was expecting when I went into Relish. I have passed it many times and disregarded it as another dive along that strip just east of Woodbine/Danforth.
The decor is something to be desired with tables and chairs you'd be pressed to find in a diner that serves both Canadian and Chinese food. In the far back of this narrow space was a cute little lounging area I didn't venture. Perhaps I claim that spot in my next visit (yes, the four stars and its close proximity to my home warrants its anther visit... and I haven't even gotten to the food yet!)
The tapas they served are just fantastic! A couple of those and I'm a satisfied-no-longer-hungry little person. It was very hard to decide which dishes to try especially when I limited myself to two.... I ordered three (tee-hee). And the staff was super friendly - the type you wish every establishment in your neighbourhood would have.
I shall return to conquer the rest of the menu... possibly on Open Mic Night, you don't know...Listed in: Woodbine and Danforth - Yup,…
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Review from eh B.
Toronto, ON
9/4/2009
Good reliable food. Tapas sized portions, meant for sharing. We tend to get 2 - 3 orders per person, so with 4 people we usually end up with 10 small plates over a couple of hours. I have to order the "Sage Crepe stuffed w/ butternut squash, mascarpone & sage butter" for myself, as I c.a.n.n.o.t. bring myself to share it. Tooooo good. I could try to replicate it at home, but for $6, why bother. Toothy awesomeness for not much more than the cost of a Happy Meal - nothing to think about there.
The crowd can be a bit uppity if there are too many people from the south of the Danny enclaves, but overall nice group of customers.
The wait staff occasionally seem a bit too pleased with themselves, but I'm not going for their preciousness, I am there for the food and the good company I'm bringing with me.
The place is quite receptive to kids, though screaming isn't appreciated by anyone. -
Review from Harold E.
Toronto, ON
4/3/2009
I live around this area, and was happy to stumble upon this bar... and subsequently to stumble out. They have a small selection (5 taps) of high quality beer, and they seem to make a kickin Ceasar as well. Decor is excellent for the area, possibly the best I've seen on East Danforth; ambiance and music is a fusion of old and new. As for food, this isn't the place to go for dinner unless you have a fat wallet, or somewhere that you can expect bar food. Relish is what I believe is called a tapas bar: smaller servings of niche foods, that are almost samples.
You will not find a burger on the menu here.
As I'm around the block, and this is the nicest bar I've seen on the eastern half of the Danforth, I can envision myself growing old at their taps... Relish is a good place, if you want a local watering hole, with respectable spirits. -
Review from Ken M.
Toronto, ON
4/9/2010 3 Check-ins Here
One of the few nice restaurants in this area of the Danforth.
Overall the plates have all been very good, on occasion have had one less then stellar out of the 7 or so we typically order.
But as another reviewer mentioned, the menu does need to change a little more frequently, really the only reason they're not getting 5 stars
You do know that you like a place when you are there often enough for the staff to recognize you and remember some of your favorites... -
Review from Bill C.
East York, ON
11/5/2011
Been here quite a few times and it's always been good, not spectacular, but good. However, the menu hasn't changed in a while. Last time was a bit ho-hum, seems like relish is getting somewhat complacent
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Review from SNACKe R.
Toronto, ON
4/20/2009 1 Check-in Here
This is a nice tapas place at a really reasonable price point. I usually order about 5 dishes to share. I have been here many times and always enjoy eating here. The staff are really competent and friendly, service is fast.
My only complaint would be that the menu should change more frequently - if it did, I would return more often. There are always a few daily specials but when you are ordering so many dishes, it is nice to have more churn on the menu.
They usually play pretty funky music, and there is a nice buzz to the place on the weekend.
