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The Rectory Café
Category: Restaurants Cafes Cafes [Edit]
Ward's Island102 Lakeshore Ave
Toronto, ON M5J 1X9
(416) 203-2152
- Hours:
Wed-Sun 11 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
At Spin Dessert Cafe we hope you will indulge. Our passion is giving our customers an unforgettable experience, unique tastes made with fresh… read more »
16 reviews for The Rectory Café
16 reviews in English
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Review from Angus C.
City Place, Toronto, ON
5/20/2012
Angie the "foodietat" thinks this was such a quaint little cafe tucked at the corner of Ward's Island!
5-stars for the ambience: patio, location, and sun; 4-stars for food quality; 3-stars for price/value.
Grilled Calamari - perfectly grilled, slight char, not too raw, not tough. The spice rub was tasty yet not overpowering as it added the slight saltiness, just enough to balance off the lemon (squeezed) and tenderness of the squid. This appy ($7, for one) came with some side salad - a portion enough as snack item (sorta like a 2-bite brownie), and not enough to be a lunch meal.
Note: The for 2 portion cost $13 and extra baby green salad is $9... Only if they could set up a lunch-portion combo (more calamari, more salad) of some sort that cost no more than $18 this would've definitely upped the price/value rating!
The Callebut semi-sweet brownie was fantastic. The brownie came in two triangles, whipped cream and few pieces of berries. For $7 the dessert was great value! The brownie was warm that reminded me if a molten lava cake, melt in your mouth sweetness. Definitely a must-have with tea or coffee. -
Review from D'Arcy M.
Toronto, ON
5/15/2012
I really wanted to like this place because it so quaint and nice and the location is incredible. I had lunch here this past Saturday and I was pretty underwhelmed by the food and service. I loved the cosy atmosphere and the view but I would have been much happier if I'd packed a picnic instead (although I was taking my parents out for their birthdays and they're not quite the picnic'ing type). I regret spending as much money here as I did, for the quality of the food and the overall experience.
We had a reservation, and unfortunately the waiter sat the three of us at a little tiny bistro table next to a table set for a large group. It felt a little unfortunate. We were cramped and we had to deal with our group of neighbours turning out to be an excitable group of ladies hosting an engagement party. Worst luck.
[As a side note, I felt like it was pretty inconsiderate for this group of 20 or so ladies to have booked their event at this cafe because its a pretty little patio and people mostly come for the island atmosphere and the view of the lake. They showed up and quite loudly took all the cutlery and glasses off the table and decorated it and they were noisy talkers, with organized group sharing activities and speeches. Get a room. A private party room. Or go somewhere that caters more to parties. This is also an oversight of the restaurant, who should limit the size of the groups they book if they want to promote a charming, relaxing environment.]
The servers seemed a bit over-extended by the large party, and were a bit breezy and frazzled. With only about eight choices in total on the menu, we ordered a hummous plate as a starter to share and then ordered the grilled chicken panini, grilled calamari, and the pulled pork panini for lunch.
The hummous plate cost $10 and was a very small portion of under-seasoned hummous with 'sun blushed tomato' sundried tomato oil drizzled on top and two different kinds of olives, which were nice but generic. The dish is over-priced and the hummous was slightly-too-sour tasting like old lemons were used. This dish seems like an easy money-maker and break for the kitchen. Hm...
I ordered the chicken panini, which is actually a whole, butterflied grilled chicken breast on a grilled ciabatta. At first I was really pleased that there was so much chicken, i love thick juicy sandwiches. But the chicken was dry, so dry, and there was a hellova lot of bread. And I really dislike it when restaurants try to appeal to trendy/yuppie ideas of 'classy food' by calling their sandwiches paninis - seeing that on the menu should've been a warning to me but I was blindly enthusiastic and optimistic. I quickly became apathetic about finishing or even eating my meal. Then the wilted salad on my plate made me a bit sad- such a careless oversight for a $14 lunch!
My mom loved the pulled pork panini, and I had a bite and thought it was really nice but there was something kindof grotesque about the mound of sloppy pork, charred bread, and wilted salad combo.
Perhaps the only thing worth ordering was the calamari, which had a 14 spice blend rub on it. It was succulent and delicious. Pass on the soggy side of greens, though.
Pass on this restaurant. The food is very mediocre, the atmosphere isn't THAT great, and it's quite over-priced. Bring a picnic instead! -
Review from Yi Z.
4/13/2012
3* if it wasn't on an island but 4* because it is.
We were pleasantly surprised by this quaint little restaurant/cafe on our trip to Toronto Island. The bf looked bored (and kept making hints about how lame the island was) and was really hungry so we decided to stop for a snack.
We were seated outside on a beautiful April day, but looking back, I wish we had sat indoors because it was still a bit chilly. We ordered a Toronto Island Ice Tea but it didn't taste quite as good as it sounded. We got the Pulled Pork Panini for $13. Yea, it's a bit steep but it's an island and there are extra costs involved with everything on an island. The waiter explained that they don't serve fries as a side because it's a hassle to dispose of oil on an island. At the very least we knew our meal was extra healthy and lean that day. The panini was very tasty and exceeded our expectations.
I'm not sure if we had any alternatives to choose from but I'm very glad we stopped here. -
Review from Michael W.
Toronto, ON
6/26/2011
I've walked by this place many times, and finally decided to try it today. The location is excellent in a nice little garden, with a bit of shade and no mosquitoes.
The menu is small with about 6 sandwiches and 4 mains. I choose the pulled pork which was served with a salad. The sandwich was great and the bread was very fresh. Everyone in my group was equally satisfied with their food.
The service however was OK. The waiter took our order. Came back 5 minutes later to confirm it, and then brought my friend the wrong beer. Our food arrived as ordered though. The service was also prompt. -
Review from angela k.
Toronto, ON
1/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm not a huge fan of this restaurant. I've eaten here three times (one lunch and two dinners).
The only reason it gets two stars is because of the location, the lovely outdoor patio and the lack of other options.
Why such a poor review?
SERVICE: All three times the service has been horrible - once with a large group and the other two times in groups of 4 people. In the large group TWO orders were completely forgotten - one of them was mine. I ended up getting my dinner 20 minutes after everyone else. My other forgotten comrade waited another few minutes. The other times (in the small groups) it has been slow. Slow to take our order, excruciatingly slow to bring drinks and really difficult to find your waiter again.
FOOD: I've ordered three different things from the menu and while each time the appetizers ROCKED the main courses were awful. I had risotto which was crunchy and pasta which was bland. Totally disappointing.
PRICE: The food is simply too expensive for what you get - the helpings are actually fair sized for a restaurant of this type but the quality of food is disgusting. I could barely eat the risotto when I ate it but seeing as hour I was starving by that point I sucked it up and ate it anyways.
A special note: DO NOT GO HERE WITH A LARGE GROUP. We went here with a large group, they told us they could accommodate a group of 16 on the patio with a single table. When we got there, they told us we had to eat at two separate tables. Now before you assume the worst about our group, we are a corporate group who dines together often and we immediately sat down and ordered four bottles of mid-priced wine and then most of us ordered cocktails. We are NOT the type of group who only orders water and asks for separate bills. If they can't handle a large group, they should be up front about it.
On the upside, I had dessert each time and that has always been delicious. -
Review from Heather M.
8/24/2010
I stumbled upon this quaint restaurant while exploring Ward Island. What a treat! This place was such a welcome surprise on a chilly rainy day. I can't wait to return!
The interior was cozy, well decorated, and somewhat upscale. We were quickly seated and waited on promptly. I ordered the crab cakes and warm goat cheese salad. Both were warm, delicious and nicely displayed. Though the lunch menu selection is not large, nearly everything on the menu looked pretty appetizing. And yes, it's pricey, but probably worth the splurge while on the island. It may also be the only restaurant on the island.
After biking around the island for a bit, we returned and ordered coffee and dessert. I had the flourless chocolate torte and my friend had the cheesecake. Both were amazing and we would have happily ordered more. While I haven't had the pleasure of eating dinner here, I hope someday to return to do so. Definitely worth a visit if you are visiting Toronto! -
Review from Chris E.
Toronto, ON
11/4/2009
Nice food, and super duper when you forget your picnic basket and have gone all skeletal. But as others have said, this place ain't cheap for what you get. I'm not sure if they factor-in extra costs because it's an island and requires extra transportation. I can't imagine it costs THAT much more to ferry olives across the lake. The patio is very nice and homey (not landscaped or dolled up, just like a regular back yard).
Basically, if you go to Wards Island and are desperate for a bite....or if you're planning to splurge, then this place is great.
Oh, and this summer I had a waitress who made me feel like coughing up more dough. She was the most delightful, theatrical, outgoing, crazy lady!! A total hoot whom I did not mind tipping biggly.Listed in: Restaurants
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Review from Min Min T.
Scarborough, ON
9/21/2009 2 photos
When warm goat cheese salad costs $12, it hurts when you're broke.
It hurts even if it's made with cooked pears and dressed with brandy and honey. It hurts even if the waiter was awesome, had a great smile and was on the ball. It hurts even if you're sitting outside on a sunny afternoon under tall trees and all you can hear are songbirds chirping and French tourists chatting.
I'll admit, it did hit the spot though! -
Review from Glen F.
7/11/2009 3 photos
I have only been once, but I must say it was a treasured experience. It helps that the weather was incredible. The Summer That Never Was had relented when I came to town; it was warm, sunny and perfect. Relaxing and charming, The Rectory fit in nicely. (Having terrific weather and a beautiful outdoor seating area, surrounded by grand trees, certainly helped.) The Lamb Burger was very good if a bit overpriced. The real treat was dessert: an incredible cornmeal olive oil cake -- I'd say shockingly good, but that implies it disturbed my mood. Not a chance. It did, however, tickle my taste buds and warm my soul.
Granted, I was a tourist who didn't even know there was an island in Toronto :-) but the whole experience here was idyllic. -
Review from Peter R.
Richmond Hill, ON
8/25/2010 1 Check-in Here
This is a must visit for every Toronotonian. If you have your own boat, anchor at Ward's Island beach and dinghy into shore, take a short walk east along the board walk and you step into a garden restaurant the likes of which I have never seen anywhere else in Toronto.
Alternatively you can take the Ward's Island ferry, walk east along the main road and you will find it on the left side.
Food is simple and really good, super fresh salads and the best lamb burger this side of Greece. Service is at par with any 4 star restaurant. All this and you are outdoors. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
1/19/2009
I used to love the Rectory when it had a shambled homey interior. Sure, it was a bit hippie, but it felt way more real than what exists now as a result of its English-teahousified make-over.
Now, their summer patio is something special: ample seating and great surroundings. However, the interior is too quaint, with old-person decor. All in all, it reeks of east-coast summer wedding. Great when you're outside... perhaps a little stifling and stale if you venture inside (so don't).
Anyway, it now sells overpriced meals for people who either forgot their picnic basket or don't have the energy to walk 45 minutes to Centre Island. I had the veggie / 3-bean hummus appetizer plate. Not so nice. Thankfully I had the water and greenery around me to remind me of why I really came.
In short, lovely location and lovely idea, but needs to work on the food, value, and realness to get me inside more often. -
Review from laura m.
4/3/2010
Loved the Rectory. While my brother played frisbee golf and my husband wandered around the island, all in the rain, I set down to a beautiful view, my laptop (free wi-fi) and 2 pots of green tea. Later, we tried an egg white omelette, cooked perfectly.
The interior is cozy, with lots of cushions and large tables, and the staff is friendly...I wiled away a couple of hours in a warm atmosphere out of the rain before we headed back on the ferry. I bet this place is buzzing during the summertime months! -
Review from Heather M.
8/27/2010
I have always been skeptical of restaurants with nice views, because most of the time that means they can skimp out on the food. In the case of the Rectory Cafe, I am unhappy to report that this is the case.
Mind, the food is not bad, but not spectacular. And it sure is expensive. The 3 bean dip, the salad, were nothing to write home about. However, the garden is just so serene, the view of the lake so pleasant and peaceful that you could just sit there all afternoon with a cup of tea and be happy as a clam.
Come here if you want to relax from the hubbub of the city, not if you want a great meal. -
Review from Mitch Kim D.
6/23/2010
We went to the island with my family when we were visiting the Islands. What a quaint little place. Hubby had been a little concerned when he looked at the menu on the Internet but got there and ordered the Blueberry Chicken. He was delighted with his choice. I was able to snag a bite and it was delicious. I ordered the chicken club and had them put it on a bagel (I don't like wheat bread) and it was excellent. Everyone seemed to be very pleased with their choices.
We sat outside on the patio and had a great time. If we are ever visiting the islands again we would definitely go again. -
Review from Boonie W.
Toronto, ON
7/19/2011
Went here last weekend. The menu is new and fresh. The food was amazing. Great vegetarian options and one of the best patios in TO. Make it a destination.
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Review from Nicole M.
8/27/2008
WOW...what a find! If you are looking for an oasis to take a break from the urban Toronto experience...check this out! A short ferry ride from the terminal in downtown Toronto leads you to this quiet, relaxing island experience. We had heard that this was the best patio dining in the area and they were right! We spent a beautiful, relaxing evening sitting out in backyard cozily set amongst trees and flowers on the back shore of lake. The food was exquisite and the service friendly and superb. Excellent location for a laid back feast. Atmosphere can be casual to dress casual. It was one of the highlights of our trip to Toronto!
