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- Hours:
Mon-Wed 5 pm - 1 am
Thu-Fri 5 pm - 2 am
Sat 12 pm - 2 am
Sun 12 pm - 11 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Music:
- Live, Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
38 reviews for The Ceili Cottage
Review Highlights
"Sticky toffee pudding great."
(in 4 reviews)
"I've tried the kettle chips (crispy), oysters (fresh and..."
(in 6 reviews)
"Cask ale that is hand pumped and incredible."
(in 2 reviews)
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38 reviews in English
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Review from Cheri d.
1/5/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I really liked Ceili Cottage both times i went.
The first time was just for drinks and chats with a friend. A glass of house red sitting at the bar was awesome! I loved the atmosphere, so cozy inside with exposed brick and vaulted ceilings, books and neat trinkets on little shelves, and a HUGE wall o' whiskey. We chatted away until closing time without even noticing the place was emptying out. The bartender was really nice, not rushing us at all. "You can stay if you don't mind us cleanin' up a bit!" Sure thing.
The second time I returned was for a bite to eat. I had heard the mac & cheese was somethin' special so i thought i'd try it. I did enjoy it, but i think i'd give it a 3 star. I prefer my macaroni and cheese saucy. But again the service and atmosphere was awesome. I can't wait to come back and have a few drinks on the patio in the spring.
p.s. free wifi! Just ask the server for the password. -
Review from Brandon D.
Toronto, ON
10/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
My girlfriend and I wanted to head to the east side for a nice dinner since we had a car for the day. We ended up heading here on friends recommendation.
When we arrived around 8ish on a saturday night, we were able to grab a seat inside because it was a little too cool for us on the giant patio. We both ordered a bear (she-harp's, me-barley). It was nice to see a different selection of beer than we were used to.
Next we ordered the small cheese plate which was really good! Lots of people recommended it and it delivered! Rather filling for 2 people as well. Would recommend sharing it with 3.
As my main, I ordered the Braised lamb shank with champ and seasonal vegetables (which was asparagus) and my girlfriend ordered the Peat smoked organic Irish salmon, sour cream, lemon, pickled onions. While mine was out of this world good, her's was way too smokey tasting for mine and her palette. Extremely intense and either I or her could finish it. I would suggest staying away from that option. If you're looking for a good Lamb Shank, this place has it!
Great service overall. Not sure if the girlfriend would come back though. -
Review from Lawrence H.
Toronto, ON
9/9/2011
I live near the Queen and Coxwell area and have walked/driven by The Ceili Cottage several times and was attracted by the patio and what seemed like a majority of locals having a good time, especially when the sun is out.
Food (4/5): The chalkboard annouces the soup of the day and 2 specials (daily roast + catch of the day). There is a daily roast item, Friday was steak night. I ordered and shared kettle chips, a half-dozen Maritime oysters, the cheese plate, the mac & cheese, and a salad. Given the reputation of the owner, you will be happy to learn that the oysters were the highlight. They come with 3 delicious sauces: one is chopped shallots marinated in a sparkling wine, another a very hot hot sauce (even hot by ethnic standards), and a nice cocktail sauce - all home made. The mac & cheese was very good. Must be a popular item since everyone at the table next to us ordered it (3 ppl). The menu is simple and fits with the casual feel of Ceili Cottage.
Drinks (5/5): They had my favorite beer - the McAuslan Apricot Wheat Ale on tap. Had 10 different beers on tap with a good variety of local brews, seasonal varieties, and major brands. Good selection of wine and whiskey as well. Pints were reasonable at $6-7. For the serious drinkers, there was even a Cask Ale.
Ambiance (4/5): The patio seats about 60 people. Mixed crowd, with more locals I would say. The patio is a good size, so it's not super loud even though all seats were taken. Only problem is that there seems to be a fair bit of smokers on the patio at any given time, so if that bothers you then there's not much you can do... you can't feel too annoyed b/c the patrons here are quite polite, one smoker even asked if we minded before he puffed away. The inside had a cottage feel, but I think the patio is the better of the 2 spots to be.
Service (4/5): We came around 630pm on a beautiful Friday and managed to get one of the last tables for 2. I don't think reservations are taken so it's nice to know that you don't have to show up at 430pm to get a seat here. Service was friendly and no fuss. Just the right amount of trips to our table and we were not rushed.
Value (4/5): with 2 pints of beer each and 4-5 menu items to share, all inclusive total was $80. We were stuffed, had enough to drink, and enjoyed the night.
Definitely a place that I would visit again, but next time I will order more oysters and less of the other food. -
Review from Mimi C.
Toronto, ON
1/12/2012
Very authentic Irish feel in the pub. The designs, music, and food was all consistent with the Irish cultural theme. I thought the food was ok, it's very simple. Though according to my irish boyfriend this is also very consistent with the irish culture. Food isn't heavily seasoned, use of sauces were limited. The environment is generally quite lively. Its quite popular, I always see tons of people at the patio in the summer.
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Review from Dimitrios D.
7/26/2011
Rude Irish lady sat us after first expressing her distaste for my country of origin (I'm American).
Turns out though, she's just one of a plethora of rude staff members here. Truly, everyone was rude and did their best to ignore our table and if they did have to acknowledge us, did so with a 'tude (particularly me).
Oh, and the mac 'n' cheese blows. How do you mess up something so simple? Well do as Ceili Cottage does and make it dry and fill it with black pepper. -
Review from Alex P.
Saanichton, BC
11/29/2011
Sticky toffee pudding great!! Service so-so only. Grit in my soup... Was hoping for better. Great atmosphere .... Oysters were... Fine. Great atmos to drink.
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Review from Jessica W.
Toronto, ON
7/5/2011
Had a great, late-Sunday lunch on the patio. It was a beautiful day and there were just a few people there when we arrived (more came later, but two outside servers seemed to handle everyone just fine).
Had been meaning to try this place for awhile b/c of Patrick McMurray's great reputation. The food didn't disappoint: simple but well executed all around. We split a soup of the day (vegetable puree), mushrooms on toast and a corned beef on scone, with homemade pickles. They didn't have the cider I picked, but no sweat. We had a cream ale and an iced tea.
The food at the other tables seemed to go down well -- from the cottage pie and bangers and mash the two Irish guys next to us enjoyed to the oysters and chips another table put away.
Some might figure the prices as a bit high for this east-end area, but for the quality of the food and the good service we received, I thought it was fair, especially when you consider the below-par food for the same prices at your typical downtown pub. Plus, way nicer bathrooms.
Want to head back on a Sunday for the roast night.
Definitely a great place for a summer meal on the patio, but the inside looked like it'd be quite cramped if the weather turned for the worse or during wintertime. -
Review from Maddie R.
Toronto, ON
6/30/2011
Went here today. It was a beautiful afternoon and we happened to be in the East end of town. The patio was in the sun and I've been wanting to try out Ceili for awhile! I was sure my boyfriend would love it- bangers and mash and beer are right up his ally.
Service was good.
Food was disappointing. I thought the mussels sounded good, and ordered some of their homemade bread and butter to sop up the broth. The bread was very dry and did not seem fresh at all. The mussels didn't taste the freshest and the broth was waaaay too salty. I only ate about half of my meal (very rare for me). Even my boyfriend- who is very easy to please generally, thought it was sub par (although the mashed potatoes were tasty!) the banger was too chewy and tough. All this and one Guinness set me back $54 (tip included). Will not return. -
Review from Michael N.
Toronto, ON
6/4/2011
I really enjoy going to this place - the beer selection is fantastic, and they get points in my book for the sheer originality of their pub grub. The servers are really friendly, and I love the atmosphere.
The aesthetic of the place is wonderful, and while it is a bit dark, it adds to the charm. You absolutely feel you're in Ireland when you walk in the door. The beer selection is extensive and ever-changing, and if you're feeling daring, try out their cask ales.
There are two definite downsides, however: the first is that it isn't cheap, the prices are a bit high for the area (esp. the food). The other, and this may be a dealbreaker for many, is how hard it can be to get in sometimes, never mind getting a table. The place is just too small for the amount of people who want to go here; on the positive side, they're so busy because they are such a leap up from the other bars and pubs in the area. But due to the crowds, occasionally the servers get distinctly harried. But to their credit, they handle it well. -
Review from Jamie B.
Toronto, ON
8/31/2011
Been to the Ceili Cottage a few times now and have never been disappointed. The service has always been great, as well as the food.
I have had the Oysters, Mac & Cheese, Wild Boar Burger, Lamb Curry, Corned Beef, and Roasted Pig. All delicious.
They have some great beers on tap and a great patio.
i have noticed some hatred for the waitstaff on many sites, but i just don't get it. Never had any issues! -
Review from Sheila B.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 8/19/2010
If i could give this place a big fat 0 for customer service i would give it a negative 10, was just there about and hour ago. Patio was full with a line-up so we decided we would eat in the dank cellar of a bar/restaurant they have. There were two tables in the interior with people. So we sat at the high top that had four chairs. Well F**k you if that's were you would like to sit and spend your money. A waiter approached us and ask how many would be sitting there DUH there are two of us.
We were told we could sit there but if four people happen to come in we would have to move. We left. We were going to have a bottle of wine or two some appetizers and a full dinner. I guess they don't really care about the business they have just the business they might have later. Will never go back.
note: this is an edit after reading my review i thought i sounded a bit like a complainer...if the waiter was nice to us and had approached us more kindly when that "table for four" came in and asked us to move for say a free drink or anything else i would have obliged but to be put us on the spot at the beginning just was a turn off... had to get that off my chest1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/5/2010
Been meaning to stop for a drink and something to eat for a loongg time, when a couple of thursdays… Read more »
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Review from Greg C.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 6/21/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Have been here time and time again since the first review and I have to say it's never let me down. I'm not getting the hate.
Cask ale that is hand pumped and incredible. Oysters expertly shucked. Bread that is outta this world. 5 mins from home? Ceili, for ye I award an extra star!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/13/2009
Went to the cottage last week and was really impressed. This is taking into account the slack I'm… Read more »
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Review from Thom H.
3/1/2010
2nd Update: I'm subtracting yet another star for being out of my first three beer choices.
1st Update: I'm subtracting two stars from my earlier Ceili rating. I was there again last night and experienced some of the surly and inflexible service that others mention in their reviews. We were one person too many for the table we had gatherer around, and the staff seemed to determined to ensure that we would remain short one chair. A piano bench sat empty and within arms reach, but we were admonished when we tried to claim it for our use - because someone may want to play piano.
I tried to explain that we could swap a chair for the stool so that the piano would remain playable, but they were determined to ignore that logic. Within a few minutes, someone else was sitting at the piano and using it only as a beer rest.
I give the food a four, the bar a five and the overall experience a three. It's funny how one moment of bad service is all it takes to cause a reviewer to subtract two stars and entirely delete their earlier, unabashedly glowing review. -
Review from Kat F.
I know I'll be back to The Ceili Cottage many, many times (after all, I'll shortly be sharing a postal code with it) but I can only rightfully award it three stars at the moment. They're clearly suffering from new business growing pains and don't know what to do with their sudden-found popularity.
At 6pm the patio was at capacity - three members of our party were forced to hover over our table like a less glamourous version of a hummingbird because there weren't enough chairs. They finally got fed up and enjoyed most of the rest of the night indoors at the bar. Annoying, to say the least.
Service was good but I was rather unimpressed when a request for a "Sex On The Beach" was met with "We don't have that button on our machine." Button?? Um, it's vodka, peach schnapps and juice. Dump 'em in a glass, stir a bit and you're done. No button to press.
The menu was creative and interesting, with options like "boiled egg with sea salt" and "peanut butter and jam", and roast beef made a different way every day of the week. Plus the "matchmaking services of Paddy", which I didn't even get to ask about because he was too busy in the back shucking oysters at a feverish pace.
Despite the creativity of the food, my mac & cheese ($8) was terribly bland. I wouldn't order it again. There was hardly any flavour to it at all and it wasn't even half as cheesy as I would have expected. The portion size was good and it was baked with breadcrumbs on top, but with barely any cheese to speak of there was nothing holding it together and it merely crumbled off to the side. Honestly, I've had better Lipton Sidekicks and those are $1.09 at No Frills.
The english sticky toffee pudding ($6), on the other hand, was decadent and delicious. I would return to The Ceili Cottage just for the pudding. My slice was a huge square, moist, delicate and dripping with toffee and caramel sauce. It was perfectly spiced with ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Decor is beautiful, inside and out. Out on the front patio there are white lacquered patio furniture with umbrellas (though not enough to shade all patio dwellers from the sun's harmful rays - yes, I said harmful) and whole seashells etched into the concrete flooring. The interior is made up of two rooms, both with a rustic cabin feel, exposed beams and wood and really "cozy". -
Review from Deanna W.
7/3/2009 ROTD 7/9/2009
Quant and cozy are two words that come to mind when one steps into the Ceili Cottage.
Owned by the same folks at Starfish, the Ceili Cottage aims to win over a different crowd with it's industrial-rustic decor, modestly priced menu and it's diverse selection of draft beers. Whereas Starfish can be considered fancy high end dining, Ceili Cottage is more for the folks who want a comforting meal at their local watering hole.
The menu features many items that are locally sourced and there are several modestly priced snacks for those looking for some sustenance with their booze. I've tried the kettle chips (crispy), oysters (fresh and earthy) and the peat salmon. All were well flavoured and nothing is a lick above $20 on the menu. Looking forward to future visits perhaps when this pub really gets a rockin. -
Review from Christine C.
Etobicoke, ON
7/10/2009 11 photos
The Ceili Cottage is the kind of place I want to love. Unfortunately there is also a lot not to love about it as well. I was thrilled to hear that there was finally someone shucking oysters in Leslieville because to the best of my knowledge there is no one offering them up on the eastern side of Queen Street. I was so looking forward to checking out this quaint, charming new alcove for libations. They've only been open 14 days and the hiccups and the road bumps are showing big time.
I arrived only to discover that I couldn't sit out on the patio since it was only licensed for 40 even though the patio can accommodate much more than that. So I sat inside waiting until someone left the patio before I could join the Yelpers outside. That is where I got a first hand look at the chaos that is plaguing this brand new establishment. The owner, Paddy, who cut his chops shucking oysters over at Rodney's and is also the owner of Starfish, is the only person shucking which means that oyster orders are backed up big time. I sat at the bar near him to watch him do his thing but moved after I'd had enough oyster water sprayed at me.
Moving to the other end of the bar I sat next to a really lovely couple who complained about the curry mutton of the day which literally had two small pieces of mutton in it. She said they should have called it "Hint 'o Mutton" curry stew. It was primarily chick peas with curry and rice. She dolloped out a sample on to her bread plate for me and it was bland with a capital B. As well they tried the Mushrooms & Blue Cheese on toast and said it was ok, lots of bread, little cheese and fewer mushrooms. Servers were wandering around trying to find out where food orders belonged and at one point Paddy just yelled out "who ordered bread and butter!" Most of the staff are inexperienced and it showed. Many were the girls from the Irish Dance School next door.
I found the menu to be chaotic. Is this pub food? Is this snack food? Is this comfort food? Hard boiled egg with salt or an order of bread and butter? A PB&J at a pub? What the hell is up with that. This is actually listed on the menu. The mains in my opinion don't come close to being mains at all. The mac & cheese looked really disappointing. I didn't taste it at all but it sure looked dull and average.
By the way, my oysters which finally did show up were ok. But my first comment after sucking back the first oyster was "oh, this tastes fishy", that is never good with fresh oysters. A couple oysters were just downright gritty and I just plain old hate that. Three sauces accompanying the oysters were all average and one of them was so acidic that they just made the back of my throat burn. Paddy should do himself and the bar a favour and hire another shucker and that'll free him up to actually run the establishment properly.
I tried the house drink, the Ceili Cottage Punch. It was some red liquor concoction with some sparking wine served in a flute glass. That took me 20 minutes of sitting at the bar to get. I ordered a half dozen oysters and some pub chips (homemade kettle chips with roasted rosemary on them) while sitting there. Neither showed up before I finally got moved to the patio, the bill, however did show up. It billed me for the food that I hadn't been served yet. That order took another half hour to show up after my long awaited seat on the patio became available.
That being said my kind words about the Ceili Cottage are this. The setting, both inside and out, is charming. The bare brick and exposed patina walls inside create a very special atmosphere. It is so minimal yet there is something so authentic about it. They have a great taps menu so if you like to drink beer this is your kind of place. I think if they slim down their menu it'll simplify the kitchen chaos. They need to give their chef a big kick in the pants to get his cooking Mojo going and put some flavour into the food. Paddy needs to leave the match making to the Zaidy's get another shucker showman much like himself and the Caili Cottage will become a benchmark spot in Leslieville for oysters and beer. That'll be its saving grace. -
Review from sarah l.
11/15/2009
Why is this place so busy?
I'm going to cut straight to the chase with this review.
The good:
- Our Waitress was stellar. She moved us to a bigger table as soon as it opened up, even shoo'ing newly arriving patrons away as it emptied. She was super friendly, brought me great surprise beers and was a solid 5 star waitress.
- They have a lot of good beers on tap. A lot. And they're good. And fresh.
- I like the ambiance/decor.
- Very reasonably priced pints - most are $6.05 and there are no shitty beers here.
The bad:
- There is nothing on the extremely limited menu that I wanted to eat and they were out of the chips, which is what I really wanted. I pretty much hate their menu. This is mostly seafood and 'stupid junk' like a 2$ hard boiled egg.
- It's always fricking packed. There were way too many people here yesterday. And everyday. It's so cramped you have to go outside and walk around to the other doors to get to the restrooms (seriously).
- It's hard to tell which door to go into.
The summary is that I had a lot of fun, mostly because of good company in Greg C & his buddies and Kat F, and I would meet them again there anytime. I would eat somewhere else first and enjoy the beer & the company at Ceili Cottage. If it were my turn to pick where we went, I wouldn't pick this place. But there is limited selection in this area. The restrooms and clean and nice. -
Review from Wendy H.
Toronto, ON
7/23/2009
What is to be loved about Ceili Cottage is apparent as soon as you walk in the door - exposed brick walls, cozy and cottage-y with a nostalgic cabin fire smell. I liked it right away, it made me feel at home and I instantly devised a list of people to bring back.
The beer selection looks to be formidable, but I don't drink beer and I'm just speculating, so don't listen to me. Ok, let's say that their LIQUOR selection is quite formidable. You can definitely get your drank on and enjoy The Ceili Cottage as a lush.
But as an eater? Maybe not so much. At first glance, the menu is a snacker's dream. I got very excited by all the nibbley options and sampled a pickled egg (ehn) and the oysters (satisfied head nod). Kettle chips with thyme I've been told are decent, and it looks like I'm the only person so far who was quite tickled by the idea of ordering a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. HOWEVER, the menu noted that my beloved PB&J wasn't available that day. Really? The EASIEST thing in the world to make isn't available? Boo to you, menu.
The meal options weren't great for a non red meat eater like meself. I tried the smoked salmon, which I didn't love. I think I furrowed my brow the entire time I spent eating, which is never a good sign. Otherwise, there's a selection of meaty things for the Irish in you.
Anyhoods, I'll totally come back to drink and feel cozy - but maybe not for dinner. -
Review from Sam C.
3/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
So a couple of friends recommended meeting up in this Irish Pub at the edge of Leslieville. Upon arrival there was quite a bit of wait for a table but the owner of the establishment was fairly quick in taking our drink orders and ensured we were able to keep warm inside the bar. The cl*sterf*ck was we were sitting, 4 of us, against some ledge and the owner basically told us we should just stay here for dinner cause this is the best it will get for the night in terms of getting a table. We almost walked out and were tempted to go across the street to Edward Levesque's Kitchen but got lucky and found a spot at the corner of the bar.
I'm glad we stayed, cause we were able to try the food which was very appealing when looking at the menu. However (yah I know), by the time we were properly seated to order dinner, the bartender informed us that most of the dishes we were going to try were sold out, I personally was looking forward to trying the Mutton Stew but had to settle on the Bangers on Mash. Disappointed but was rejoiced by the dish I did have, the Bangers (sausage) seems to be homemade and had the perfect texture over a warm mountain of mash swimming with gravy at the bottom of the dish, A+ in my books. Great beer selection, our whole party finally settled on their cask beer which was fantastic. I would literally trek to this spot just for this beer and from what the bartender told us, they're one of few places in the city who serve it.
My advice, it's worth the trek along with a few good friends but be flexible with the menu as it seems they will consistently run out of certain items on some nights. And also be prepared to fight for seats. -
Review from James K.
Toronto, ON
11/18/2009
This is my 2nd favourite bar in the whole world. My first favourite bar is in Northern Ireland and they only serve Guiness. They have 4 stools. The Guiness is kinda warm. It was Irish as fuck.
The Ceili Cottage is as close to that fine 'Irish local' as I've ever seen. It's not one of those Firkin bullshit chains that serves a world of beer, potato skins, wings and Thai salads. This is a real bar. The staff are friendly, the food is good (no, not great) and the whole place smells like Ireland (they've got a peat burning stove/fish smoker on the bar.)
Spirits:
They've got all the good Irish whisky, some good scotch and I think a few bourbons. You're going to pay prices on par with the other 'Irish' bars around town, but sure as shit they won't feel like this one.
Beer:
They serve the four Irish taps, and around 10 other Ontario craft brews as well as some excellent Unibroue (like Chambly Noir) offerings. I've had some severe hangovers due to what I would associate with dirty taps, but we were assure the taps were clean and sure enough the next time I felt ok (but I did stick to Guiness.) Perhaps we just can't stomach the cask ales. Who knows.
Oysters:
Served with some excellent saucing options in tiny mason jars these puppies are stellar. They serve all kinds (seasonally) and the common ones year round. 'Shucker Paddy' as he calls himself, also owns Starfish and knows his stuff. I've yet to get the chance to speak to him directly, but I admire him for his attention to detail and love of his work. The luminary of Leslieville? Maybe.
Food:
Lamb shank in Guiness w/mash. Very good.
Peanuts (good luck getting your hands on these!) Very good.
Potato chips. Hit and miss. Last time they were excellent.
Lamb burger. Good.
Pickled egg. Try one at least once in your life. It's the place to do it.
Cheeses & Bread. Excellent.
Staff:
Aces. You won't be disappointed.
And it's busy. So, so busy. Maybe I should have given it a shit review... -
Review from Angela L.
2/25/2010
With a fresh, thick blanket of snow covering up all the decorative curling paraphernalia out front, The Ceili Cottage was temporarily disguised as The Ceili Cabin on this wintery night. At the least, entering the warmly lit and bustling bar invoked the fuzzy feelings of apres ski.
A packed midweek room seemed a promising sign. In one corner, a trio of unassuming musicians plucked merrily away to provide a soundtrack for the clusters of revelers. The narrow, bar featured an impressively tall liquor display while a brighter back room is set up with larger tables and chalkboards listing daily food and draft specials.
To accompany our tall pints of Irish drafts, we ordered nibbles with quite opposing flavours. The tracing paper thin kettle chips ($2) were unbearably salty and unfinishable while the sticky toffee pudding ($6) was perfectly sweetened and incredibly moist. The bangers and mash that were simultaneously ordered by several surrounding tables looked simply tasty.
The service from our very knowledgeable server was most efficient and friendly. Despite the full room, it didn't seem like anyone's glasses were left empty too long.
Until we are graced with the wonderfully warm weather of summer again when we can laze out on the patio, the smokey smell inviting us to come inside will ensure that things are kept lively throughout the year in this quaint little nook. -
Review from Stephen B.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 7/18/2010
I have been there 3 times now. The food is hit and miss. The service is more miss than hit.
I hope they find their stride soon because it has the makings of a really good place. Until then I'm still happy with my spot on the patio at the Curzon.1 Previous Review:
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7/30/2009
Nice location and interior. Bar's a little cramped. Could turn into a really nice place.
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Review from Jane T.
Toronto, ON
6/17/2010
This place has all the ingredients for a five star rating. It looks good, it smells good ( the peat), the food is solid and the patio is lovely. But it doesn't have any heart. Servers seem indifferent and impatient, and the bartenders, who should possess at least one star's worth of charm, aren't much more lively than the staff at the fake pubs in the airport. Customers want to feel like they're welcome, not just another mouth to feed.
Also, why not offer some bread when serving the mussels. Or at the very least, mention that the overpriced bivalves are served without bread, so the customer won't have to wait another 15 minutes for something with which they can enjoy the sauce.
Someone wrote that the Cottage is 'Bipolar' , which is extremely apt.
I've had a good brunch there, but there were nights where I wished that I was somewhere else. The macaroni and cheese is indeed excellent, but then there was a night in the bar when an angry waitress almost pushed us of our stools. I will go back of course, but only if we're strolling by in need of a drink, or if one of my West end friends insists on seeing for themselves why Ceili Cottage gets so much hype. -
Review from Chris P.
7/9/2009
Another not so impressive place. For $12 you get a small bowl of macaroni and cheese with half a sausage. The sausage was dry and the pasta was something I could have made at home. But I wouldn't make it at home because it was so flavourless. I'm not sure what the saw dust was either that they had baked on top of it.
Our waitress was on the ball. She smiled and was friendly all evening. The interior is very quaint and really hold true to their name with a cottage decor.
The uber downer tonight was that we couldn't have the whole Yelp group on the patio to start. They were being really strict that they're only licensed for 40 people to be on the patio. So we had to wait for people to leave in order to get more chairs.
Being new, they obviously need to work out some kinks. Maybe I'll come back in a few months once they've gotten things down. But probably not. -
Review from Maria R.
East York, ON
6/5/2011
Myself and my boyfriend, along with a couple of friends, decided to check their brunch menu out one Sunday afternoon on a BEAUTIFUL day in Toronto!!
We sat out on the patio, first scoring a table for four out in full view of the sun, but thankfully re-locating to a recently vacated table in the shade. The patio was full so the service wasn't as attentive as in other places, but it was good nonetheless. We ordered pints and the Irish Breakfast ($15).
The layout of the menu was a bit messy and confusing to follow, with the brunch menu stuck near the bottom of the page overpowered by the snack selections printed over top them.
While waiting for our meals, I ventured inside the empty cottage (as everyone was sitting out on the patio). Myself having spent several years living in Ireland and my boyfriend being from there, we felt that it really pulled off the old rustic cottage look and feel to the place very well, very similar to what you would find in the rural parts of Ireland. This was achieved by the thick wooden tables and log cabin ambiance. The bar was massive and from what I could tell, had a fair bit to choose from. The washrooms were also very nice and clean.
Our meals took over 45 minutes to come out. Even though we were reassured by our waitress that it was being plated 20 minutes into waiting, when we asked another waitress at the 30 minute mark how much longer it would be, she revealed to our surprise that the Irish Breakfast always takes a minimum of 20 minutes from the time of ordering to be prepared. Funnily enough, this little tin bit of information was nowhere divulged beside the dish on the menu, or verbally once ordered. Frankly, we had no idea why it took so long, as it was the worst Irish Breakfast we have ever eaten, and we've lived in Ireland!! Oh, and it doesn't come with toast, if you want a side of it, it'll cost you $3! My boyfriend was not impressed hearing this after he asked the waitress for a side.
Where do I begin, the rashers, if you want to call them that, were like min steaks, way too thick and quite chewy. The beans were just that, beans, probably dumped out of tin can. My Irish boyfriend commented that their potato farl were definitely not made fresh as he's had so many back home, he knew the difference. Small portion sizes were also a voiced complaint among us. The black pudding was quite dry and so tasted like sawdust. I found the banger to be a bit too greasy, whereas my boyfriend found it edible, although he found it to be leathery on the outside. The fried egg was good, but really overall, nothing special here. There are better versions out there, trust me!!
Overall, the service was good, the food horrible, however, the beautiful weather and patio seating made up for it. Total bill for the two of us $65.
My Irish boyfriend refuses to go back! -
Review from Kelly A.
Toronto, ON
2/1/2010 10 Check-ins Here
Too bad you can't give a bipolar rating, since the Ceili Cottage is decidely bipolar. While it presumes to be an "Irish" bar, it certainly isn't representative of any over there. That said, it's a great spot to grab a few pints, and the staff behind the bar are terrific. Great oysters, too.
However, they fall down on the food. We have had several (about 10) so-so dinners at the cottage. What really sealed the deal was the joke that they passed off as a full Irish breakfast. Two strips of bacon literally smaller than a pinkie finger, one egg, no bread, mealy black pudding, and a tablespoon of beans for the bargain price of $15.
The dinner menu is hit-and-miss, with usually the hash as the best bet. Charging for the non-Irish style bread when ordering cheese or other dishes is just cheap, and we usually find that they're out of half of the items they're selling. A new manager and a chef that cares could help reinvent the cottage as an authentic eastern Canada pub, but it's certainly not going to be Irish. -
Review from conor g.
Toronto, ON
3/30/2010
The Ceili Cottage could be really cool. It has great potential. The location is ideal for an upcoming wealthy market. The general theme is creative and interesting, but it just doesn't reach the finish line.
I have experienced this place now in the summer, and in the spring. The summer was somewhat of a disappointment, however, we waived it off slightly as they had only opened recently, and we took that into some consideration. The second time around hasn't really changed my opinion.
First, it was very busy, which is great. The place must be doing alright since it`s opening. I do, however, believe that part of its success is due to a lack of great competitors within quick walking distance.
Upon arrival, I headed straight to the bar this time. I am not a fan of the dining room at all. The lighting is poor, and it lacks an atmosphere that I think they are striving for. I decided not to indulge in the menu this time round. I stuck to the pints. The draught list is ok. They have been out of some draught now both times I have been here, which is disappointing. They sell the 4 Irish standards, plus I like how they have added Murphy's on tap, too. It`s great to see an alternative to Guinness if you want it, but Guinness beats any other stout hands down every time, really.
The bartenders were fine. Nothing memorable, which is a shame as I really think the bar area of the Ceili Cottage is great, but lacks only a damn good bartender or two. A few characters to really bring the room together. They came across very busy, and in the weeds. I realise they are shucking too, but the place is small, and the bar is more than capable of being maintained with some personality. I truly believe this place would be a much better as a P.E.I., or Nova Scotian style bar, than as an Irish one.
'Personality goes a long way' is how I will leave this review. The Ceili Cottage has its moments - the smell of turf is great, the music is good, the bar is cozy, and the prices are fine. There is just still something missing.... -
Review from Katrina L.
Richmond Hill, ON
7/20/2009
When entering this establishment, you see the grand patio out front and of course on a gorgeous sunny day, who doesn't want to be outside. Well, listen up, while there are many tables and umbrellas to sit under there simply are not enough chairs to sit. Why do you ask? Well that's because they are only licensed for 40 people...seriously? Why is there enough tables to seat 60+ then? Our party had to be split up and then we had to wait for others to leave and then steal a chair and bring out the rest.
I ordered the special of the day which was some sort of curry concoction. Let me tell you something, this was nothing remotely close to curry. I think they sprinkled some curry powder on top of the sauce and served. The taste was bland and definitely not worth $10. I saw others had ordered the mac and cheese and when it arrived it came in the tiniest little ramekin. Yes, it was a ramekin not a bowl.
They are a new establishment so I'll give them a little credit as they were overwhelmed but seriously, the owner is not new to the restaurant business (he's also the owner of Starfish), but it was difficult to flag down any server, never mind our own, and the service was slow slow slow.
The oysters apparently are the piece de resistance here as their empty shells decorate the floor of the patio. But boy, if you're selling oysters, get more than ONE guy shucking 'em cuz well, you'll be waiting for your order for at least 20-30 minutes.
Notable mentions, the decor inside was very cool. Dark wood and rustic with barrels and of course the bathrooms were top notch. I have a thing with bathrooms and this one was nice, although it was very new. A few of the servers were wonderful, one of them acted like a veteran and was nice and friendly and cheerful and even though she was not our server, she gladly took and filled orders.
Honestly don't think I'll be coming back here and probably wouldn't have ever considered to come here if it wasn't for yelp but hey, I now know and have an informed decision.Listed in: Yelp Made Me Do It
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Review from eune y.
Toronto, ON
8/3/2009
Okay, so the thing is, this is a place with some personality and sometimes not all personalities mesh. I happened to like the owner's wife 'cause I like people who don't edit themselves and have a slightly cracked sense of humour. And also, how come no one told me that Irish people are hot? I would come back here just to ogle the guys , I mean they were hot even before I downed my pint of Kilkenny...this is making me sound really lecherous and creepy but so be it. The Cottage lets me have this small indiscretion; it's crowded and laid back.
I wanna come here more often and eat food. I wish they had a shrimp app and maybe a veg sandwich type o' thing. Also, a sort of barrier wall from the street bustle would cocoon it and make the patio a little cosier. And what is up with that small unused outdoor section by the entrance? Gotta put the ol' two cents in 'cause I like this place and like a boyfriend who wears white socks and dress shoes but has a great personality I wanna change it so that it better suits my ideals. I like this place a lot...I may even wanna marry it. -
Review from Joe L.
Toronto, ON
6/12/2010 5 photos
Best place to sit is at the bar. I love the beers here. I enjoyed the hard to find Murphy's Stout - (a bit nuttier than Guiness) and the County Durham Hop Addict (if ya drink Molson Canadian or...... get caught photographed with a plastic beer cup labelled as such - don't even try these ya won't like em). There is a red wine Irish-ly called Hooley Dooley Red.
Very small space inside so groups greater than 2 will likely not sit together. Great Olde Worlde Decor like a bombed out IRA building with grand ceiling heights. Although they serve full pints, they also serve half pints so you can try a few different beers in one sitting. Oysters with freshly grated horseradish were extremely popular the night I was there. Many other items on the menu were interesting and unique..... like Bison Ribs... peanutbutter and jam...
I had no problem with any of the staff during my visit. -
Review from Josh N.
Toronto, ON
7/30/2009 1 Check-in Here
Tried The Ceili Cottage tonight after a bit of hype and wanting to experience this new giant patio in Leslieville.
Arrived with a group of 8, to a pretty packed patio. It appears their liquor license only allows them 40 seats on the patio, even though the tables can hold more. Therefore, even if the patio doesn't look full (with a few empty tables), it can be at capacity.
We were told we could wait, drink inside, or sit on another part of the patio that isn't licensed. A bit odd, but I guess the LLBO works in weird ways.
Next up, we ordered drinks and food. Had their Caesar which was delicious and very spicy. Could have done without the fish-tasting flakes rimming the glass, but I guess it's part of their unique spin on a classic Canadian cocktail.
The "homemade" burger special (on Wednesdays) turned out to be a lamb burger, which was fine with me, but a non starter for a few in my group. Would have been nice if they specified this.
Food arrived promptly, but one of the mains had been missed, admittedly by an oversight from our server who offered up (delicious) greasy, homemade kettle chips while we waited for the missing entree.
Someone had the salad, which was pretty plain jane, another had the Mac and Cheese and wasn't too enthused (he was originally hoping for a beef burger...)
I enjoyed the lamb burger, and the Mutton Stew (recommended by the server as her favourite dish) was apparently delicious.
It's clear they are still working some of the kinks out. The interior decor is pretty rustic and cozy, but a bit inconsistent with the look and feel they are going for with the place. Also, why have a novelty item like Peanut Butter and Jam on the menu and then list it as not available? Is there only one 'chef' who can make it?
I'd say half of our group would definitely return to give it another try, while the other half wouldn't.
A welcome addition to Leslieville, hopefully quality and consistency improves and it sticks around.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Leslie W.
4/11/2010
BOTTOM LINE: Quality Irish breakfast venue with a nice patio. Will be back to try their other offerings.
Cost:
-$22 for brunch (tax and tip included)
Atmosphere/Decor:
-Small, narrow bar area, high ceilings with accompanying piano and local photos of Ireland - I imagine it would get uncomfortably crowded with only 30 people.
-Open sky patio is about twice the size of the bar, which is fantastic, but seemingly a poor use of space given there's no obvious signs as to how it could be converted for winter use.
-Live folksy music with guitars, banjos, violins made for great atmosphere.
Ordered:
-Just came here for brunch a bit past noon on a Sunday and the place was virtually empty. Had a limited experience of everything, but I like that they had Murphy's on tap!
1. The Full Irish - the complete Irish breakfast!
-Banger: A very tasty sausage!
-Rasher: A hearty broiled slice of bacon. 'Nuff said.
-Blood pudding: Highlight of the meal. Blood sausages made authentically with a crumbly texture and light flavours.
-Beans and mushrooms: As per the description.
-Grilled tomato: Surprisingly good with the right amount of sweetness and nicely grilled.
-Potato farl: A thin potato pancake.
-Fried egg: As per the description.
2. Guinness with Carver champagne: A bubbly with the head and look of a Guiness coupled with sweet taste of champagne was a delight.
Service:
-A lot of reviewers have reported negative and near-hostile service, but I had a pretty neutral experience.
-Mind you, the place was nearly empty, and the service was moderately slow, but staff were polite and responsive.
Conclusion:
-A great brunch place made better without the line even though we got there after noon. -
Review from Jeremiah M.
Toronto, ON
2/27/2011
My favorite bar/restaurant in Toronto. Despite how hard it is to get a table
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Review from Brenda S.
Etobicoke, ON
12/22/2009
Recently went for dinner at the Ceili Cottage and can't wait to go back.
As it was a Saturday night the place was packed, luckily we arrived and only had to wait a short time near the bar for a table but others who arrived a little after us were not so lucky (30 to 40 mins).
The ambiance has an "irish" feel complete wood beams and whitewashed walls. The staff is friendly and the food and bevies are good. Really enjoyed the music, the beer was fresh but our starter of oysters were terrific - served rusticly with terrific homemade sauces. I tried one of the specials off the black board for dinner (lamb stew) and was not dissappointed - almost a good as my grandmother used to make.
While my experience was good - they need to get a handle on the crowd control situation - hence the three star thing. -
Review from Sarah O.
Toronto, ON
7/12/2010
Friends of ours treated us to a $50 gift certificate to this place since it's a stone's throw away from our house. I've been here a few times for a pint or two on the patio. I haven't had the opportunity to sit inside yet. Bathrooms are pretty nice. Service is decent.
We tried the food for the first time yesterday. I ordered the mac n' cheese and my man ordered the salmon. My mac n cheese was way too salty. I adore salt so for me to say it was way too salty says a lot. According to some other reviews and the table next to us, they give glowing reviews of the mac n' cheese so maybe there was an accident in the kitchen yesterday and a box of salt dropped into the mac n' cheese.
I always feel like a jerk sending food back to the kitchen but I couldn't even eat it. The waitress didn't seem impressed that I was sending it back and she didn't let me know if they were going to take it off the bill or not (they did). They must've used up all the salt for my dish because the salmon was very bland.
Unfortunately, we had to use the entire $50 certificate. They couldn't let us go with the remainder so they gave us two desserts to take away. One was sticky toffee pudding and the other was the chocolate & bailey's tart. The sticky toffee pudding was a bit too rubbery in texture but had a pleasant enough flavour. The chocolate & bailey's tart was very rich and sweet.
Despite our bad experience with the food, I give this place 4 stars because I really like their patio and I like it as a convenient drinking place close to home. -
Review from Josh A.
Toronto, ON
6/16/2010
Nice patio. Best Macaroni and Cheese I've ever had at a restaurant/pub. Nice and spicy. Almost ordered a second helping. Great selection of Beers. Excellent Service. I will be back multiple times. Rarely do I give a five but this was a great first experience. Great Leslieville restaurant
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Review from Brian C.
Toronto, ON
3/21/2010
Irish enough to smell like peat, city enough to have some of the classiest food in the T-dot. Patrick McMurray (Starfish) is behind this place so don't be afraid to dig in to the Oysters which are always fresh and served with freshly shaved horseradish. Dining there feels like you have wandered into a Muskoka hangout. The large patio is great, but you can't escape the city on a streetcar route despite the fire pit. Tucked in the back you will find a bar with not a lot of wiggle room so don't be afraid to lean in and chat up the locals.
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Review from Kyle N.
Toronto, ON
3/14/2010
Ceili is a great place to grab a drink - especially in the summer on the great patio, and the snacks are great. A nice demographic mix as well. Great bar, small but quaint main dining room that's full of character. Oysters, obviously great. Other meals however.. .they really do vary, and not always great value. Really can't help but wonder what it might be like with a full kitchen and a deep fryer... authenticity be damned!
