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The Banknote Bar & Supergrill
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Live
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
13 reviews for The Banknote Bar & Supergrill
13 reviews in English
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Review from Meagan T.
Toronto, ON
2/8/2012
I now LOVE this place.
Went here a while ago with friends. I've always sort of wanted to go inside because I like old buildings etc. and we were out wandering in that neighbourhood and decided to give it a shot. The ambiance didnt disappoint. Cozy and casual.
I'll echo the comment that the food was quite good for pub grub. Four of us split a plate of nachos and there was enough to go around. Everything seemed pretty reasonably priced for downtown. The service was not spectacularly fast, but they were friendly and obliging. I forget what night of the week it was, but they had a live band in that evening. I enjoy live music, and it was mostly covers of songs that we all knew, so it was a welcome addition to the festivities.
All in all, it was a nice place to go for a beer with some friends, away from the pretence that literally hangs in the air in that part of town. Generally positive experience. I would go back.
Here's what took them to 5-star rating: When I got home later that night, I noticed one of my (real) earrings had fallen out. After crying my eyes out, I called the bar (after close, no less) to see if they had found anything. It was a shot in the dark. The sympathetic fellow on the phone took a look, and told me to try back in a couple days, after the cleaners had gone through. I was just ILL about it for days. When I did call back, after describing the earring over the phone, I was informed that they did have it, and I picked it up that evening. I know its kind of a pain and they didnt have to help me or even be nice, but the staff were so great. Amazing kindness and honesty. I was just floored. Thanks again :) -
Review from Elvis A.
11/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
The setup is kinda nice and reminds me if my other fav pub (Irish Embassy).
The place started to fill up 5 ish as it was a Friday. I just wanted a beer so I sat at the bar. they have a somewhat decent beer selection for draft beers. Leffe Blonde was my choice it was brought out nicely in the signature Leffe glass.
There seems to be a lot of regulars here as the bar tender seemed to know most of them. The prices are a bit on the higher side.
I can't comment much about the food as I didn't have any. Service was OK as I was checked on regularly by the bartender.
I wouldn't mind coming here if I am in the area.
They had CP24 and a sports channel on so one can pass time if that's needed. -
Review from Anthony K.
Toronto, ON
11/18/2011
The Banknote Bar & Super "Meh~~"
We went to this place as a team. I've never been here before so didn't have much expectation. First of all, they grouped different size tables together to form a large table to accommodate us, result is some people were sitting at extremely small tables. Anyways, the lady took our order without writing anything done. "Good for her, she must be very good at her job" WRONG! the order came and it was all over the place, wrong salad, confused about who ordered what. I have read on Yelp Pizza at this place is safe to order, so I did just that. My pizza was extremely bland and warm, felt like I was eating leftover from the night before. Other people's burger felt very fatty and bacon was not cooked well. Also, did I mention they served our water in plastic cups!! seriously??
Overall, you can definitely do better than this place, there are a couple choices in terms of pub nearby and this is for sure not the top 5 in terms of food. -
Review from Pascal P.
Toronto, ON
1/29/2012
considering that its a pub I was extremely impressed with the food....I walked in the door and almost walked out. it seemed like such a dive bar. we were the only people in the restaurant. Our server killed time eating and playing on her phone... i cant blame her though I would be extremely bored too. I usually get eggs Benedict but decided against that for fear of disappointment, so I went with french toast. When ordering the french toast I asked our server how it was...her response" ya its actually not bad"... I was terrified. I thought that I was going to get the worst french toast. When it was served I was extremely pleasantly surprised, it was amazing and the presentation was fabulous
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Review from Karen G.
Toronto, ON
3/2/2011
I gave this place a 4 star rating based 60/40 on the Thursday night $5 pints (and not limited to the crap domestic beers like Canadian and Coors like most places - thumbs up for that) the Saturday night $5 glasses of wine, and the ambiance - I'm a nerd and like old architecture, so the fact that it's the inside of an old bank is pretty neat.
It's a cozy place, relatively good service, and there's some live music going on on the weekends. I don't understand people who have called this place "a dive". Not sure what establishments you usually frequent, but dive this is not. It's nicely furnished and clean. I only ate there once and the food was alright, but I really wouldn't recommend it as a spot to plan to eat a meal. Really just a perfect place to go for cheap drinks with your good company. -
Review from Bijan V.
11/17/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I've somehow managed to find my way to banknote three weeks in a row now and every time I've been a little disappointed. As for location, it's in a great spot and it's got tons of space if you have a big group coming in. The whole notion of the pub is pretty interesting with the safe door still being there and it's nice, clean place to have a drink. They also have live jazz music on Friday nights but that's pretty much where it ends.
The food is one of the worst pub foods I've had (one bite chicken wings anyone? tasteless nachos?) but I give them brownie points for having Weihenstephan. On the other hand they don't do pitchers (god knows why when they have all this space and they know big groups are going to be coming in) so it's a bit of a let down.
Prices are decent and the washrooms clean but hopefully I can make this my final week of ending up here and head over to many of the better options on King street instead. -
Review from Nick R.
St Catherines, ON
2/10/2011
Looks good and "pubby" from the outside, and an absolute dive on the inside. From past experience I would assume that would make for stellar food and service. Not exactly.
I was walking home from work in a snowstorm and was lured in by the promise of a place to warm up and Thursday night $5 pints. When I entered on my own I was literally greeted with an eye roll and told to sit wherever I'd like. I ordered teh fish and chips and a Guiness. I saw three other tables get served before I even got my beer. Both my fish AND my fries were burnt and even though I was one of only four tables in the place I nearly had to beg to have my drink replaced.
After trying to get my cheque for close to 20 mins (and nearly walkingout out of fustration) I was informed they didnt accept debit, when I asked if there was an ATM nearby I was informed there was one in the basement (information that might have been offered when they refused my debit?) Never having been there before I wasnt really sure which direction to head to find the basement. When i asked, i was told"down the stairs" with no indication as to where those stairs might be, and then he walked away from me.
I'm a pretty easy going guy, but there were numerous instances when I should have given up and walked out. And everytime I chose to stay things got worse.
Not a chance I'll be returning
Even for $5 pints of Guiness -
Review from Melissa A.
Toronto, ON
3/10/2011
Despite the so-so reviews for this pub, I'm giving it a 4 out of 5 for my one-time visit on a Sunday night, no less.
I used to live in London (Jolly Old, not Ontario) and love pubs that remind me of some of the haunts I used to frequent across the pond. They have weekly night specials, Sundays happen to be martinis, and I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, clientelle and staff alike. I also ordered a pizza which was absolutely rocking! I'd even go back just to try a few other pizzas out, actually.
Anyways because this place is so close to home for me, this is going to become a regular of mine. -
Review from Brian Y.
8/25/2011
Looks promising from the outside. But was largely disappointed by the overall experience. Beer was good and cold - best thing about the night.
Got the nachos since they were on special. Bland at best - even with the jalapenos. Little flavor. That was followed by probably the worst Caesar salad I've had (wasn't sure if it was just lettuce and cheese without dressing). And I tried the french onion soup which was at best average.
Service was OK (a little slow, but he was nice enough). Beer was cold. And good beer selection. But doubtful I make it back there. Plenty of other pubs to try out nearby. Which is too bad, I was expecting better. I probably should have read the other reviews first... -
Review from angela k.
Toronto, ON
10/1/2009
Overall somewhat disappointing food, even for a pub. It's partially saved by the great beer selection.
I've found the service to be hit or miss but mostly decent. Oh, and I should have realized before I sat down but that is one loud corner with the street car running over various tracks there.
Don't go here expecting great food and you'll probably enjoy yourself! -
Review from Todd V.
Toronto, ON
9/9/2008 1 photo
Bank Note is interesting in that the gimmick of it being a former bank is used sparingly. They retain the safe door at the back of the restaurant and have teller windows that separate the booths, but that's it. Thankfully we don't have to deal with menu items like the "Big Deposit Burger" or the "Appetisers of High Interest". It begins and ends there. It's a decent place for drinks and nightly dinner specials. (all-you-can-eat pasta, mussels, half-price apps all depending upon the night).
It purports to be a 'Supergrill', strong claim, and there is some good food to be had. On Blue Jays game days, they have a baseball special which is a steak supper and a beer for $20. They've got one of the tastier calzones that you'll have outside of Little Italy, and their ribs are surprisingly good. Not an expectation for a pub of this nature.
I would suggest that you avoid brunches unless you like scrambled eggs only. It appears they use ready-made whipped eggs or similar product, so a sunny-side up option (my brunch go-to) will not be found here.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from conor g.
Toronto, ON
1/16/2009
The bank note is a decent pub, and is a good option for some drinks and pub food.
The food is not great, but its not bad. They offer half-price app's on wednesdays, and that is their best deal.
I like to sit at the bar here, mainly because of its shape, and old-school feel. It is a good place to meet someone for a date, or even just going for a few pints with a friend or two. Last time I was here, which was just last week, the bartender, dan, was very friendly, and helpful with food and drink recommendations.
I give it 3 stars as I really feel it could be alot better. It is in a great location to take the opportunity of being the best pub in its neighbourhood. The service was 4 stars, and the ambience was 4 stars. However, the food and lost potential bring back down to 3 stars.
slainte -
Review from Robert L.
Toronto, ON
1/20/2011
I don't expect wait staff to automatically hop to attention when I enter their establishment, but this place is something else. I live nearby, so I've often compromised my principles and returned, for the convenience, but certainly not the service. One night, when the place was utterly barren, I was refused seating near the windows (I wanted to read) and was told I had to sit in one of the dark, tiny two-seater booths (I was alone--BAD idea in the King/Bathurst area). When I insisted on the window so I could read (every other table was empty), I was still refused. So I left, and they were fine with that. Well, I've gone back a few times (I live minutes away, remember?) and each visit's been a trying experience, I'll tell you. If you're a guy or gal on your own, don't even bother--you'll sit there 10-15 minutes before someone even acknowledges your existence. I walked out tonight and they were seemingly fine with that. Too bad--the menu doesn't change much but the food is good, drink selection more than fine, and the decor (an old bank) spacious and otherwise pleasant. Too bad about the service...or utter lack of...
