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Safari Bar & Grill
Categories: Nightlife Bars Restaurants Canadian (Traditional) Bars, Canadian (Traditional) [Edit]
1749 Ave RdToronto, ON M5M 3Y8
(416) 787-6584
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:30 am - 2 am
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
7 reviews for Safari Bar & Grill
7 reviews in English
-
Review from Charlotte S.
Toronto, ON
2/14/2011
My review is going to seem really different from the others, I think.
Safari holds a certain amount of nostalgia with me, it's where my Husband and I had our first date and where we celebrated our wedding anniversary last night.
I think the food is great- you have to keep in mind that this restaurant has the sometimes difficult task of satisfying the food needs of an interesting and somewhat diverse cultural/religious group. As a result, their menu is a mish-mash of different things, with no real direction. But everything on it is pretty good.
When you are seated, they provide you with fresh bread and roasted red pepper hummus. That's pretty different, I think.
They're also family friendly and have a second floor that houses televised events, pool tables, etc. And the bar is stocked, of course.
The servers leave a bit to be desired. I think their laissez-faire attitudes stem from the fact that Safari is one of the few family-friendly, well-priced eateries in this neighbourhood and people will come despite poor service.
There's not a ton of parking in the neighbourhood (all street parking or Green P) so you've gotta snatch something if you find it.
There are many, many restaurants which are much, much better, but this place holds a special place in my heart and the food is pretty good. And I think they know that. -
Review from Keith C.
1/6/2011
What a dump. I need to stop going to awful places with my friends who think these dive bars are the place to be. Seriously, you are making money now. Stop going to places like this. And I know it's not for the food. Because I know better places that serve pub food than here. The only reason why they are probably still open is because there are a ton of residential places in the area and not a lot of bars to go to. Plus, parking is awful because it's on Avenue Rd and getting a spot on the side street near the restaurant can be very hard.
But anyways, the wings were terribly overcooked and extremely hard to bite into. It almost seemed as if they had been deep fried, left out to cool for too long and then thrown back in again. I had 3 of these before stopping myself. And the hot wings were not hot at all.
So I figured I'd try something else and something that isn't served in most pubs. The lamb burger. What a disappointment. Once again, it was way overcooked even though I asked for it cooked medium. It came out well done. Now I'm not a fan of sending food back but I had to on this time and when I do, I get a sneer for my waitress. Seriously, do you want to see the back of my fist?
Will not come back. -
Review from Dishan W.
7/21/2010
Went in for a Sunday brunch and didn't really do any drinking or billiards which is what I assume most people do there on evenings. We spent all the time in the patio which was very nice albeit slightly cramped if you have a seat lined next to the building.
Service was definitely friendly, although a little slow but I can look past that. The main reason this place is getting a 2 star review is that the food quality was not that great. I got the Egg's Benedict and did not enjoy it too much. It was cooked all right and everything but just tasted unhealthy and like no real care was put in to it, comparing it to breakfast in places like Fran's or Over Easy. Hmm that does sound harsh, maybe I should just say not to get the Egg's Benedict and go for something like the apple french toast which was good and a must get if you like apples and french toast.
A couple of other reason for the 2 star is that I believe it's over priced (close to $3 for a regular cup of coffee? No thanks) and my friends coffee came with 2 lipstick stains on it, and a pitcher of water had some sort of floating leaf/moss type thing. Again I would revert back to my "not caring" outlook.
I'm not a fan of writing low star reviews, and I'm fairly certain that if I am made to go again, the experience would probably be better if we refrained from eating and just went on a night out.
In terms of parking, ample space all around on Avenue and the side street. Parking is free on the north side of that side street next to the restaurant while the south side is paid parking (on the weekends at least!) so that was a small plus. -
Review from Caroline P.
Alliston, ON
6/19/2009
First arriving at this restaurant I found the parking to be difficult unless you luck out with parking on Avenue Road.
They have a large outdoor patio which is partially covered which is nice. Lots of flowers placed around the boarder of the patio and they had music playing. A very relaxed atmosphere.
Their menu is not extensive, primarily pizza, pasta and few appetizers. We ordered chicken goat cheese pizza which was satisfactory and the penne which was awful, dry and not pleasing! Service was decent but nothing to take note of. Walking inside the first floor had more of atmosphere with people seated enjoying drinks and dinner then the second level where it seemed a few stragglers were enjoying a beer and watching hockey on blurry large screen TVs. Low ceilings on second floor with booths and a pool table.
Overall I would return for a patio visit for a drink and that's about it. -
Review from Scott G.
North York, ON
11/14/2009
I have seldom experienced restaurants with worse service or a more unappealing menu. Upon arrival at this restaurant the first thing I noticed is that it is LOUD, I know it says bar but the lack of local watering holes in this area most mean that too many locals crowd into this cramped overrated lack luster establishment.
Although I wanted to leave immediately, with the moeny I already spent on parking I was already "in the hole". The menu is basic, with odd exceptions that one would never consider ordering from a bar. Its busy dark, loud and insult to injury is that you have to wait long for everything, its unbelievable how long my girlfriend and I were left sitting around before we were asked for our drink orders or even giver menus.
If you are on Avenue Road look elsewhere for your dining need unless its early and you have time to kill, and my last piece of advice would be....Bring a book
Cheer, -
Review from Andre D.
Edmonton, AB
5/10/2010
I hadn't been to this restaurant in probably 5 years or more. Unlike the previous reviewer, we found a parking spot right out front.
My gf and I decided to try something simple and out of the norm for our one year anniversary. So we had a very cheery server, which he happened to mention was the manager of the place. So we ordered a couple of alcoholic bevvies to start. Then we had the goat cheese spinach dip. Same as pretty much any other dip. The baked pita bread was good but the very salty tortilla chips probably tostitos were MEH!
Then we ordered goat cheese chicken and cheese burger and fries. My goat cheese chicken wasn't too bad. I wouldn't say to die for but the side items were pretty delicious although one piece of the ravioli was burned, unless it was charred. My gf liked her burger and fries.
The place changed a little bit from the last time I went there where you are in plain view of the cooks, which they seemed a bit young.But hey. They've gotta start somewhere right?
Maybe I'll go back, if they pick my name out of their contest. LOL -
Review from Alon G.
Toronto, ON
4/19/2010
although i've eaten at this restaurant several times, i definitely don't return because of the service.
the food is great. the spinach dip appetizer is delicious, and it's consistently good. the dinner menu is sophisticated pub food, but i have yet to find a single item on the menu that i don't like. overall, i really enjoy the food, and eating on the patio makes the experience much better.
the part i really don't like is the service. i find the hostesses are always quick to have you seated, but it takes forever to get the order in, let alone deliver the food. i always have to remind the waiter/waitress to bring the humus dip, which is complimentary and really good. when the weather is nice and the patio is full, service is even slower and the kitchen is overrun.
i would still recommend this restaurant to anyone. i find that the good food and nice restaurant environment surpasses the pour service.
