- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Swan Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Diners Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Diners, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
892 Queen St WToronto, ON M6J 1G3
Neighbourhoods: Niagara, West Queen West, Trinity Bellwoods
(416) 532-0452
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 12 pm - 10 pm
Sat-Sun 10 am - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Brunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
48 reviews for Swan Restaurant
Review Highlights
"...where else could you get fresh shucked oysters and a Caesar..."
(in 3 reviews)
"my DC's beer-braised beef shortribs were incredible, as was..."
(in 3 reviews)
"...lighting, and its own vintage Coca-Cola industrial fridge."
(in 3 reviews)
Loading...
48 reviews in English
-
Review from Kiran S.
Toronto, ON
12/21/2011
Swan, I love you.
Just went there for lunch. Easy to get a booth (although did pick up quite a bit by the time we left). Great casual atmosphere. Great friendly service.
I had a chicken club. BEST club sandwich I've ever had, with bits of bacon everywhere tossed in with the chicken, some type of yummy dressing, and green. Ugh..so darn tasty. The sandwich was huge, only ate half and was stuffed.
Cost? $10. I am so coming back here. I was looking at what other people ordered, the salads look awesome! So excited to find another favourite place in Toronto! -
Review from jenna m.
10/17/2011
I would like to consider myself a brunch aficionado. I take the brunch experience very seriously. I attempt to hit up new spots every weekend and find hidden gastronomic treasures around the city.
My brunch experience at Swan
Location and accessibility: found street parking right in front of the restaurant. Booyah.
Service: We were seated at the bar and attended to promptly. Our server was pleasant and attentive.
Atmosphere: the contemporary funky dining room area was reminiscent of a 50s diner; fitted with leather booths, arborite tables, painted exposed ductwork, throw back retro bar stools, a retro fridge a vintage coca cola cooler full of oysters! I felt like Billy Holiday should be playing and I should be defending Marty Mcfly's honour against Biff.
Value: excellent value and reasonably prices. brunch dishes ranging from $9-14 a plate.
Menu: not a huge selection of items, however, interesting combinations, some with oysters.
I selected the eggs benedict and it was very tasty. The hollandaise sauce was a little thick for my liking, but it was still creamy and smooth.
Overall, it was a very lovely experience. Another gastronomic treasure in west queen west=) bonus=it is right by one of my new favorite boutiques (Bicyclette)
Thanks so much for your time!
JennaListed in: best brunch joints in Toronto
-
Review from Brandon D.
Toronto, ON
10/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I seem to be coming here more and more for brunch. My girlfriend and I have made this place our go to brunch spot since anything we really like always has an insane line up.
While the dinner menu can be pricey, the brunch menu is actually one of the cheaper places to go to in the city. I've ordered the heuvos countless times (5) and getting the eggs scrambled is the way to go! Lots of good and the hot sauce is really good!
Coffee can be hit and miss, a few times it's been really good but lately it's been a touch bitter.
The wait staff are pretty friendly and it's a nice change from all the "hip" brunch spots we go to. 4 stars for the staff! -
Review from Jeff A.
Toronto, ON
1/27/2012
A very solid local joint. Don't go out of your way for it but if you already there you can't go wrong.
-
Review from Dana R.
Toronto, ON
9/2/2011
I always have and I always will love Swan Restaurant.
Swan makes a sunglasses-and-Advil-hangover bearable. The diner vibe is comfy cozy. The Americanos are strong, piping hot. The Eggs Benny, without exaggeration, is the best this city has to offer if you order it with peameal bacon (it's not on the menu ooooo!)
The long waits and hipster-style anti-service can be annoying, but hey, if this place is good enough for Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake to reconcile at, it's good enough for me. -
Review from Anthony L.
1/30/2012
it's been around half a year since i was at swan (as a sort of celebratory dinner with my then-newly-minted wife), but it was such a pleasurable experience, i felt it merited a short little thumbs up here. tight, focused menu with an obvious knowledge of their stengths; intimate atmosphere with some nice, quirky decorative touches; & located on a beautiful stretch of queen st. west that offers plenty of sights for strolling if the wait for a table is lengthy (which it was for us). we went all out here -- bottle of wine, appetizers, entrees, dessert, the whole shebang -- & everything was superb & gorgeously presented. service was excellent & enthusiastic, & our waitress even bought our dessert (which we could not finish) as her own little congrats to us. if we have as wonderful a time on our next visit, they may deserve a full 5 stars (which i save for repeated superlative experiences). definitely check this place out.
-
Review from Jennifer L.
Toronto, ON
8/14/2011
I went to Swan a couple of weeks ago with my sister when she was in town. It's a small diner with a small menu but their food is pretty tasty.
We had really good service and the prices were completely reasonable. We didn't have to wait to get seated.
I and the eggs benedict with spinach and smoked trout, which was very good, not the best I've had but definitely above average.
Definitely worth a try!! -
Review from Patricia S.
Toronto, ON
7/15/2011
Swan is casual, cozy and intimate. The food is always good and it's well priced.
I've been going for a few years and it doesn't disappoint. But I tend to forget about it and maybe don't go as much as I should!
I like the yummy salads and soups. -
Review from Jackie P.
Toronto, ON
Stop looking at me SWAN! - Adam Sandler
I've tried to resist using this quote, but every-time I've walked by SWAN I couldn't help but imagine Adam Sandler sitting in a tub filled with bubbles, contemplating the importance of shampoo vs. conditioner. Thankfully the moment I stepped into SWAN, Adam Sandler bathing, became an afterthought.
SWAN boast three qualities: Large portions, creative diner/bistro eats and efficient service. Plus you can't help but love the roaring 1950s decor. Literally, everything is from the 1950s including the bartenders glasses...or maybe they are the ray ban's new generation. You'll never know with the hipster fashions.
Back to the decor and ambiance. Walking into Swan is a real treat (besides the crazy line ups and lack of room to stand). The peach & brown cozy booths with personalized hooks, the aging but proud varnished wood bar, the large coca cola cooler and the rickety silver vintage fan in the corner of the room, are tributes to the golden era with a contemporary punch. Before the current owners took over the space over a decade ago, she wasn't quite the white swan...but oh, how times have changed. It's a great place to come with friends to get cozy, by squeezing into their booths and enjoying a vibe of the 50s.
The Food. If you're hungry go to SWAN. Not only because the portions are massive but because you won't be disappointed by the flavor. The chef really likes to get creative with his dishes. Hence the oyster, pancetta omelet (SIDE NOTE: I've heard mixed reviews. My friend tried it and it wasn't for her).
I always go for the daily omelet and have yet to be disappointed. (I've also tried the Huevos and The Swan Breakfast which are stellar choices)
The best omelet I had:
Mixed mushrooms with spinach and brie cheese. I didn't want to share, which is a big thing for me...I'm usually asking the whole table to try what I've ordered, including the people sitting next to us. This one though, was just too good too share. The chef doesn't stop there. You have a choice of home-fries or salad. The salad is a mixed greens with a savory balsamic and the home-fries taste char grilled with a sidekick or charred onions. They also include a charred tomato with most of their dishes. For $10 it's a steal.
SIDENOTES:
1. Get there early. By 12:30P this place is jammed and you'll be waiting 30 minutes to eat. They're first turn around is usually around 12PM.
2. Service is incredibly efficient. Before you can even ask for something they've already brought it to you.
3. The servers seem a bit apathetic but thats just their thing, don't take it personally.
As its been said, I'm a bit of a brunch whore and it takes a lot to impress me. SWAN has rustled this hussies feathers and she'll definitely be back for more.Listed in: Breakfast + Lunch = Brunch.
-
Review from Niall K.
Toronto, ON
10/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Maybe my favorite restaurant in the city. Great brunch and great dinners. By far the best eggs Benny in the city. Small menu but the specials are always outstanding. I had a phylo wrapped halibut once that pretty much blew my mind. They always play great tunes; Wilco, American Analog Set, Sea and Cake, etc. and the staff are great. Caesars at brunch are outstanding. Coffee is amazing. I could go on. But I wont. I've already said too much.
-
Review from Sugary G.
Toronto, ON
4/17/2011
I'd gone to Swan a couple of times back when they first opened ('98? '99?) and remembered really enjoying their food. I'd not returned until last Thursday night (so many other dining options, so little time), so I was dubious that the quality would still be there given that, sometimes, with the passage of time -- and with the associated initial popularity well-established, chef turnover, etc. -- decent places go downhill.
But I was very happy to find that this was not the case w/ Swan.
Firstly, the ambience is just as cozy and intimately-charming as it always was -- which isn't easy to pull off for a retro 50's diner. The service was great: genuinely- friendly, attentive but not intrusive. When we first arrived and were considering the wine options, our server was extra-busy so the less-busy bartender helpfully approached us with his suggestions, and he was spot on, a very tasty tuscan red (sorry, can't remember the name!).
Everything ordered was good to very good:
-the mussels app ($11) was exceptional (and a fair portion), the broth was so tasty we went through the first batch of fresh white portuguese-style bread (re: sopping) within minutes, not un-noticed by our server who brought more, unsolicited.
- my generously-portioned, perfectly-cooked and really flavourful salmon entree (fish special-$22) arrived beneath a scrumptious pesto-tomato coulis, with a side of a risotto cake beneath rapini in a fresh-tasting, tomato-based sauce.
-my DC's beer-braised beef shortribs were incredible, as was the side of velvety, buttermilk mashed.
I have one minor complaint - the low-lighting makes reading the menu difficult -- an irritation that I'm finding is more common now. one votive candle on the table does not provide enough light -- if a restaurant insists on that degree of darkness, this can be easy resolved by putting a couple more votive candles on the tables, ya?
Overall, very good value and a very pleasant dining experience. -
Review from elffie t.
Toronto, ON
1/17/2011
i went to Swan Restaurant for Saturday brunch after reviewing it on this website! Jackie P's review made me laugh out loud and it seemed like a pretty cool place.
We showed up around 11am and were really lucky to score the last available table at the very back, right beside the kitchen the stairs leading to the bathroom. The place has a very retro feel to it, like its a 50's diner. I loved that they had coat racks at every booth.
I expected the service to be unfriendly, but our server was actually really nice, and had a big smile on her face the whole time we were there. Service is fast and efficient.
As for the food, there are a lot of standard "eggs and bacon" options, and some interesting options such as oysters, arugula salad, etc.
The coffee was americano, you could tell that they had just brewed it individually.... pretty strong! Unfortunately, this means no free refills.
My 'benedicts' came with lots of hash browns, a roasted tomato, a slice of orange and a slice of cantalope.. the servings are pretty big. The poached eggs were perfectly cooked. The hash browns were nice and onion-y. The only negative things i noticed were everything was slightly cold, and the hollandaise sauce was sweet and tangy, rather than creamy and delicious. This really sticks out because hollandaise sauce, makes an eggs benedict in my opinion, but this sauce just tasted weird. I wouldn't order it again.
My friends 'special omlette of the day' had roasted pears, orange peppers and cheese. Also served with potatoes and fruit. The omlette was humongous, and very tasty. I would order this again, but i would split it between two people, as even my very hungry friend and i couldn't finish it!
All in all, it was very delicious, satisfying breakfast. A bit pricey (10-12$ for a breakfast entree), excellent service and good food.
Oh! and as a final note, the washrooms (non-accessible, in the basement) are lovely! pretty and clean. -
Review from Andrea R.
8/12/2010
There wasn't much on this menu that was pregnancy friendly (lots of goat cheese and deli meats) so I opted for the grilled cheese with pear. It turned out to be a very good option because I'm pretty sure it was the best grilled cheese I've eaten...yes, ever.
We were served at a very nice pace and I liked the diner atmosphere. We scored a table easily on a Thursday morning, although I can imagine this place gets pretty packed on the weekends. I confirmed this with my dining companions, 2 Toronto experts. The experts ordered the goat cheese omelette, which I'll have to get once the baby arrives. Then again not sure how I could not order the best grilled cheese ever?Listed in: My visit to Toronto
-
Review from Fishee F.
Toronto, ON
11/16/2010
Hit and miss... but more hit than miss!
I would say that for the most part, dinner at swan is pretty good! I would avoid the lamb burger (overcooked and too lamby, too much dijon), but the pork chop and beef rib are both insanely delish.
Breakfast on the other hand is always wicked and tasty.
The coffee is super, but who wouldn't love refills with breakfast on a sunday? (hint hint swan).
Wait staff are great.
Resto management on the other hand... a little indifferent and superior. I complained about the lack lustre lamb burg, and the manager couldn't really care any less.
Highly recommend! -
Review from Peter M.
Toronto, ON
7/17/2010
Been in for both Dinner and Brunch.
Dinner was pretty wonderful. I had the braised short-ribs and they were definitely falling off of the bone. A very healthy portion as well. Some friends of mine had the lamb burger and the Capon (castrated chicken, yum!) which they both liked quite a bit. Another friend had the fish of the day which I believe was trout but I might be wrong but it was definitely in cornmeal (that was the worst and least useful review sentence ever, I know). Anywho, he was happy with it but was envying our short-ribs.
For appetizers, we had the trout stack and the oysters wrapped in bacon and fried. Excellent choices and I encourage them to all of you. Bacon+Oysters, expectedly great.
Unexpectedly, the cocktails were pretty wonderfuil. There is no cocktail menu per se but the bartender said that they have all the "normal ingredients." I played it safe and ordered a gin gimlet and was very impressed. Fresh lime juice, plenty of gin, no soda water....the way a proper gimlet should be. Although one might quibble with the no Rose's Lime Juice, I would tell that person to chill the f out.
Excellent and not crowded at all. Aside from the excellent bar tender, the waitress was very sweet although we did not catch her name.
Went for brunch a while ago. Excellent. Oyster scramble which was expectedly wonderful. Oysters+eggs, what could go wrong?
Very happy, will be heading back, and so should you. -
Review from andrew a.
5/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Although the atmosphere (for dinner) leaves alot to be desired, the food was pretty good. Enjoyed the short ribs (house special), they were perfectly braised, fall of the bone, and served alongside mash potatoes, and some veggies. Definite repeat but probably just for brunch
-
Review from Alex P.
Saanichton, BC
8/19/2011
This place is great. Great wines, oysters, menu, servers and atmosphere for a hip lunch or dinner of solid quality with loads of substance. The classy retro feel make you feel at home. Classy, down home and hip all at once. I have enjoyed fifty odd meals here and have NEVER been disappointed.
-
Review from Linda M.
3/25/2011
Swan is a restaurant that I've passed countless times on my way downtown via the Queen streetcar. When I saw it on a list of top brunch places in the city, I knew I had to try it. And last Saturday, my BCo (Brunch Companion) and I did just that. The restaurant opens at 10am, so of course we were there to watch the sign flip. We were seated immediately by a friendly server and given short menus. I should say at this point that I enjoy trying things that are a little different than the norm - variety is the spice of life after all! Seeing fresh shucked oysters on a brunch menu was surprising, but seemed a bit much for first thing in the morning. Instead, I opted for the Hangtown Fry - scrambled eggs with oysters and pancetta. Still different, but in keeping with breakfast. My BCo had a coffee and the omelette of the day, which had sundried tomatoes, basil, and parmesan cheese. Both orders came with a side of fruit and potatoes.
My eggs were nothing short of fabulous. It looked more like an omelette to me, but I sure wasn't complaining. Flavourful, good portion, lots of oysters and pancetta. My friends actual-omelette was apparently delicious as well - we both suggested sharing, but got so consumed in, well, consuming that both meals were gone before that could happen. I'm not the breakfast-potato aficionado that some people are, so I can't really judge the potatoes except to say that they were cooked well and had some seasonings. But I always need ketchup on my taters, so I'm not the right person to ask on the subject! Also, you should be aware that they don't brew their coffee by the pot. It's actually Americano so they brew each cup on it's own - this means no free refills, and no small top-ups. You either get a whole cup or none.
I almost forgot the best part. How could I possibly forget - the hot sauce. Oh, this hot sauce. I wanted to take it home with me and put it on everything I ever eat. A cross between salsa and regular hot sauce, it was the perfect addition to both of our egg dishes. Hell, I'd almost put the stuff on French toast - that's how good it was. Mmm...I'm having hot sauce flashbacks.
Service was friendly and prompt, and due to the small size of the restaurant, we could always get ahold of a server if we needed something. I didn't notice too much about the décor, but I did see and love the old fashioned ice box they had behind the counter. No idea if it actually works or what they use it for...but the mere fact that they had it was enough for me.
All in all, I really liked this restaurant for brunch. I'd give it 4.5 stars. Small menu, friendly service, daily specials, and AMAZING hot sauce.Listed in: Brunch!
-
Review from Tara A.
9/6/2010
Since moving to the Bellwoods area I have been trying out my new local food options. While I miss the likes of Chinatown, I have to admit, Swan has really compensated well.
I went there for brunch a few weeks ago and their menu was to die for. The Hangtown Fry was amazing. It consisted of smoked oyster and pancetta egg scramble. I never thought of Oyster to be a breakfast item but it blended well with the whole brunching experience.
The servers were super sweet and wonderful and although it was incredibly busy, we didn't feel the service lacked at all.
This place is definitely a worthy contender as a local. -
Review from Mohammad G.
10/25/2011
got the job done. fresh juice, good vibe, good benedict. nothing more nothing less.
-
Review from Farheen K.
Toronto, ON
4/7/2010
Up until a month ago, I had never been to Swan for brunch. In the past month, I've been there 3 times. hmmm? Love at first bite you say?
Swan's take on huevos rancheros will kick anyone's ass out of mexican water. Generous/sizeable/ample portions at a great price. This is not one of those "let me charge you extra $2 for taking the yolks out of your eggs" type of places. This is the real deal! Infact, when I annoyingly inquired whether I will pay extra for trying to keep it healthy with egg whites only, our uber cool waiter replied "definetely not, I dont get why places do that".. ME neither Mr.ubercoolwaiter, me neither!
No drip coffee here. Straight up Americano all the way slightly burnt just the way I like it.
Seating is limited but I have never waited past the 10 minute mark. Service is great! Not one smirk, not one eye-roll in sight. Eggcellent!Listed in: Farheen K. Brunches Toronto
-
Review from Vivek S.
Great service, excellent ambiance, hooks for coats (I love these), and a breakfast that just won't quit. Located at Trinity Bellwoods Park it's a good place to stop for some fuel when hipping it up on Queen West. I've only been for brunch, but they have a good selection at reasonable prices. I oughta head back for dinner or Oysters (courtesy Oyster Boy next door) sometime.
Obligatory Title Pun: You'll be TRUMPETING about this SWAN.
Menu Readability: Typewriter font, centred. Two thumbs up.
Need to mention: Did I mention they serve fresh orange and apple juice?
What this place teaches me about myself: I'm a sucker for anything freshly squeezed. (IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN) -
Review from Leslie W.
5/10/2010
BOTTOM LINE: Easily my favourite resto on West Queen West (and competition *is* stiff!) that has maintained the same quality over the past few years: friendly service, cozy atmosphere, and tasty, tasty duck!
Cost:
-$15-20 for brunch; $25-50 for dinner (tax and tip included)
Atmosphere/Decor:
-Cozy (read cramped) diner with wooden booths, intimate lighting, and its own vintage Coca-Cola industrial fridge.
-Always aromatically a pleasure to walk into from off the street.
Ordered:
-I eat here semi-regularly and generally find all their offerings delicious! Here are a few highlights:
1. Duck! This dish has gone through a few re-inventions each time I've order it, but at it's core, it's the same delicious duck cooked to juicy perfection. It's hard to find places that do it right (let alone doing it yourself), and that's probably why I order this dish for dinner almost every time.
2. Huevos rancheros: After three years, I finally had brunch here! Be sure to be hungy because the portions are big. Fried eggs in a tasty salsa black bean sauce with a good amount of kick is the true breakfast for champions.
Service:
-Staff are always cheerful, friendly, and good-humoured.
Conclusion:
-Eat. Here. Now. Or maybe you should try the rest of this strip first and save the best for last. :) -
Review from Renata R.
8/18/2010
This place was on my list for reviewing for a long long time.
We got a brunch there. Husband asked for a default omelette. It was AMAZING and HUGE, everything you would expect from a omelette, and MORE. It must have been made with SWAN EGGS - ha.
I decided to eat something lighter, otherwise I would fall asleep instantly, and asked for a salad. The salad was supposed to be spinach, nuts, goat cheese and a vinaigrette. They TOTALLY FORGOT about the nuts, and it only had traces of goat cheese, and the serving was so ridiculously small - I wouldn't even call it a side dish. So disappointing, specially compared with the amazing omelette my husband was having. I felt unloved.
If you go there, never, ever, ask for a salad. Go for proper diner food. -
Review from Jonathan W.
Calgary, AB
8/16/2009
Your standard hipsters, slightly divey brunch diner. Went with the standard Swan breakfast for comparison.
Eggs your way, a well tossed slightly browned hash, interestingly accented with cumin seeds makes for a nice accompaniment. The toast is crisp and thin, and the half roasted tomato and honey dew slice round out a great plate. The pancetta was a slight bit salty and limp.
Overall, this place is a great small diner for brunch but not outstanding. The servers are great and attentive but limited seating makes the wait longer. No real tables for groups bigger than four.
They also serve fresh shucked oysters but I wasn't brave enough to partake. A couple patrons seemed to really enjoy a few fresh shucked plates with a crisp glass of white wine....maybe that's the ticket. -
Review from Kat T.
1/17/2010
As my 2nd meal out on P90X- ie low carb, low fat, high protein, I agreed to go out for brunch with a friend for her birthday. At 11am, there was a short wait, and when my friends ended up showing up later than expected, the waitress actually asked if it would be OK if I sat another party ahead of me! How nice is that? I said yes, but once my friends showed up, we were sat immediately.
I ordered the omelet of the day - egg white only. I should have asked for something other than that huge pile of potatoes, which reportedly has fennel in it. In 90 days, I'm coming back and going straight for Huevos rancheros, with home-made salsa, black beans and tortillas looks to-die-for! -
Review from Alejandro A.
Toronto, ON
11/17/2008
A friend recommended I go to the Swan for their weekend brunch, and I really enjoyed myself there. The staff was very friendly, and their Swan Breakfast is a real winner. They add many nice touches to their dishes that not only makes their food delicious - a definite must for a guy like me - but it also makes it stand out. Instead of bacon, they offer pancetta, and a healthy portion, at that. They marinate and grill tomatoes, probably the best part of an already great breakfast.
The place feels like an authentic, old time diner, with the circle stools in front of the bar, and wooden booths along the wall. I would almost go as far as to say that it's a mom & pop type of shop, except that it's run by a group of late 20's, early 30's crowd.
Its location in West Queen West means it will automatically draw upon a certain amount of the gentrified masses, but luckily this didn't seem to matter. My only real worry about Swan Restaurant before I went there was that I wouldn't be "cool" enough, but my silly fears were very quickly dashed. Swan Restaurant is very much so a place to chill out and eat some good food. -
Review from E C.
12/23/2009
My husband and I used to religiously frequent the Swan for brunch. The customer service was exceptional and the food was great.
However, we haven't been there in a while.
We really want to stay in love with the Swan but the place needs to shake up its menu. They need to get their portion sizes down; the dinners are ridiculous.
And they need to get rid of the cook that burns the potatoes and undercooks the omelette fillings on the weekends. -
Review from Tanya N.
1/31/2010
This has been on my brunch list for awhile so I was excited to finally go. I was craving pancakes but since they didn't have any I opted for the french toast. My french toast arrived half brown/black. Though it didn't taste burnt, I picked off most of the blacken egg that coated the bread. The maple syrup saved the dish.
My sister had the Green Eggs (chiffonade of kale & some other green that I forgot, hash browns & 2 fried eggs). The chiffonade was fresh, making it a good compliment to the fried eggs. The hash browns were good but like the french toast about a quarter of it was burnt black. The cumin made the hash browns different (in a good way) but in certain bites it was a bit too much.
The freshly squeezed grapefruit and apple juice were delicious.
I'm glad I went to check it out but I wouldn't go back anytime soon. -
Review from Erin H.
Toronto, ON
9/10/2008
This place has every reason to have the pretentious gag factor of about 100%; its location (Queen and Ossington), its trendy decor, and its nouveau food all seem to point in that nausea inducing direction.
But Swan is different. Like many Toronto restaurants that stink of trying too hard, Swan's balance appears like it works without being tenuously held up by some greasy haired manager biting his nails in the basement crapper.
Swan is a very small place (so make reservations) filled with antique booths and a charming bar to match. If you are up for only snacks I suggest grabbing some oysters at the bar and try their famous bloody Caesar - they put fresh horseradish in them. Otherwise they have a fine selection of mains -- which I believe changes often and their weekend brunches are to die for. -
Review from Andy I.
Toronto, ON
10/6/2011
Decent.Good vibe.Food and pricing were good,just not a huge selection.Went Saturday brunch and waited 20 mins..worth checking out
-
Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
10/8/2008
The Swan seems like old school West Queen West joint that's gotten a really good facelift without any of that Burt Reynolds puckering you see all over town.
It's tiny, like maybe ten booths and a bar. The food is great for dinner ad brunch. They always have a lot of papers to read during brunch (which is key when you have a hangover).
It looks like a crappy little spot that serves greasy eggs, and that's the total beauty of it.
I also heard that it's the best place in town to break up with someone.
So keep that in mind when you check it out. -
Review from Rob B.
4/23/2009
Generally a great brunch, but order orange juice and you get it from a carton.. & in the winter, if you are unlucky enough to get the seat by the front door, better keep your coat on...curtain? or double door? .a choice the owner makes between his aesthetic and customer comfort?..
So five stars for the brunch, minus one for the cheap orange juice,
& one for the freezing your ass off by the door. -
Review from Dardana M.
ON
1/15/2009
A friend of mine had been raving with love for this place for as long as I'd known her (though I hadn't known her that long), and during the summer I finally got to see what all the fuss was about. I had heard grand things about their burgers, but sadly, 'twas nowhere to be found on the dinner menu.
No matter. The aesthetics of the place are really cool (said friend, who happens to be a photographer used it as a location for one of her recent shoots), an old-school diner that serves much newer, lovelier food. I was very pleased with my spinach and feta risotto, as well as the watermelon and feta (and arugula, I believe. That or some potent, leafy cousin) salad- though, in contrast to the rest of my party, the bizarre combo had already been sprung on me at the Film Festival party last year. Old news, I say. Still very tasty, I also say.
I also got to witness- the first time, for such an act- another friend choose wine like a pro, tasting, sniffing, swirling them about in his glass and deciding on what we would drink. The results were very satisfying, though pretty much over my head. The point: a little swankier than I'm used to, which is a good thing, except for the fact that nights like that can't be repeated all that often (even in a lesser restaurant, it's usually appetizer, entree *or* wine, rarely all three). But I'm sure that when I finally move into those Candy Lofts, I will go there all the time. -
Review from Richie S.
1/13/2010
Hipsters, eh?
I've witnessed the opposite: lesss hipster, more family. I was up to twice a month here for Sunday brunch for a year or so...god I'm lazy.
I have to agree with EC re: burnt potats and runny egg. But the addition of fennel in the aforementioned potats make them so tasty. I often end up with the huevos rancheros or Swan breakfast as nothing else jumps out.
Coffee is good. Great service. -
Review from Kat F.
My visit to Swan for brunch on Saturday was incredibly overdue in addition to being highly anticipated. Our server, Katie, had a wonderful smile and showed it often. She was attentive and friendly and the moment she rhymed off the day's specials I closed my menu and nodded quickly to indicate that that's what I'd be getting: a sweet potato, goat cheese and wilted spinach omelette (see pics!). YUM.
Our food took a while to arrive but Katie explained the reason for the delay and moments later, we were gorging ourselves on eggs and potatoes. The roasted potatoes are to die for - they're somehow boiled and then fried up with whole cumin seeds so they're sort of curried. The texture is incredible. There's also a whole grilled tomato on the plate that's really yummy. Would love to come back soon! -
Review from kai s.
Toronto, ON
11/1/2008
Swan is consistently one of the best dining spots in Toronto.
During the weekends, the place is packed for brunch with line-up out the door. The place was and still looks/feels like an old school greasy diner. But the food is anything but just plain grease. Good service and where else could you get fresh shucked oysters and a Caesar (topped with freshly grated horseradish) at 10am?
At night, the dining service is casual, hip-enough-for-Queen-West, and tasty. My favourite Swan dining experience is a 7:30pm summer seating when the sun is still out. You get that diner vibe until the sun sets, the candles are lit and the restaurant transforms into an intimate spot.
Must go for both brunch and that casual (not trying too hard) dinner. -
Review from Noemi W.
Halifax, NS
1/7/2011
I love love love the french toast here for brunch with the raspberry coulis. I love sitting in the big front window overlooking the street. I think this place is great. My boyfriend thinks it's a bit expensive, but I think it's just fine. YUM!
-
Review from Clizz M.
Toronto, ON
What a perfect spot for a Monday brunch. Had the burger with sunny side egg ontop. Delicious coffee as well!!
-
Review from Casey A.
Toronto, ON
3/3/2011
Amazing food. It look forever for the food to arrive but we all enjoyed the atmosphere
