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Dinner Suggestions near Park Hyatt


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Sadly Susur too is closed Sunday.  Can anyone comment on Sassafraz (which is open Sundays)?  What about Mortons vs. Barbarians vs. Senator vs. Ruth Chris - is there a steakhouse that one could consider "the benchmark" ... can any one say compare to Queue de Cheval, Gibbys or Moishes?

The fact that Sassafraz is still open is a mystery to me - it's my choice of watering holes while bouthique shopping but the food is average at best. Barberian's was always good (haven't been in years) and I hear good things about Harbor 60 - that's all I got

I was supposed to dine at the Senator my last trip up but got side-tracked

Thanks, I won't consider Sassafraz. I remember having great steak at Senator but that was probably 8 years ago.

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Sadly Susur too is closed Sunday.  Can anyone comment on Sassafraz (which is open Sundays)?  What about Mortons vs. Barbarians vs. Senator vs. Ruth Chris - is there a steakhouse that one could consider "the benchmark" ... can any one say compare to Queue de Cheval, Gibbys or Moishes?

The fact that Sassafraz is still open is a mystery to me - it's my choice of watering holes while bouthique shopping but the food is average at best. Barberian's was always good (haven't been in years) and I hear good things about Harbor 60 - that's all I got

I was supposed to dine at the Senator my last trip up but got side-tracked

Thanks, I won't consider Sassafraz. I remember having great steak at Senator but that was probably 8 years ago.

I should add

The Senator "was" a steakhouse - they are now a Bistro with some great Jazz

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There's a little known (except by word of mouth) Italian restaurant called Fieramosca on Prince Arthur (#36A just east of Bedford Rd) that serves fantastic pasta dishes. It's about a 5min walk from Park Hyatt and we've been going there for years and the food, ambiance and service is always great. Ask for Edwin and tell them Joyce and Steve sent you!! :smile:

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There's a little known (except by word of mouth) Italian restaurant called Fieramosca on Prince Arthur (#36A just east of Bedford Rd) that serves fantastic pasta dishes.  It's about a 5min walk from Park Hyatt and we've been going there for years and the food, ambiance and service is always great.  Ask for Edwin and tell them Joyce and Steve sent you!!  :smile:

Thanks Steve ... are they open Sundays?

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  • 1 year later...

Cost not an issue, something not to stuffy, with great food and a good cocktail or wine list. Cuisine not an issue either. although if this is such a thing as "canadian cuisine" or a restaurant specialising local products I would be interested. How far is Susur

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Susur is just a cab ride away.

For walking distance try Opus. Great award winning wine list, Quebec foie gras, game, etc., and fabulous service.

Where are you coming from?

For a tasting menu, also a cab ride away, I would suggest Perigee in the Distillery District.

Barbara Laidlaw aka "Jake"

Good friends help you move, real friends help you move bodies.

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Cost not an issue, something not to stuffy, with great food and a good cocktail or wine list.  Cuisine not an issue either. although if this is such a thing as "canadian cuisine" or a restaurant specialising local products I would be interested.  How far is Susur

I would suggest Canoe. It would be a cab ride, or it you're interested, an easy subway ride. It features Canadian ingredients, prepared well in a pleasant setting. The view is great too.

Unless you are set on Susur, I am afraid that I have to voice a vote against it. The last time I was there the service was very poor. When reading reviews I generally dismiss the notes about service, since I am 'just going for the food' anyway. Granted, the food last time was great, but the service experience truly brought home how mediocre service really can bring down an otherwise great evening. Just something to keep in mind.

Simon

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I am coming from Manhattan so looking for a local taste.

Both sound like great options.  Service sounds like an issue at Susur

Although I have not experienced it personally, I have had a number of trusted friends/clients tell me they were less than happy with the service.

Having spent time in NYC, and a spouse who lived there, I can say Opus will match service and wine lists you would expect for an award winner, and although the food is not "Canadiana" per se, local ingredients, and game, are beautifully done. Canoe is a nice option, never had a bad meal there, view is great, service is competent. Perigee definitely rates for ingredients, something different, and excellent service.

Barbara Laidlaw aka "Jake"

Good friends help you move, real friends help you move bodies.

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If you want something not (easily) available in NY I suggest the following:

Susur - idiosyncratic, potentially genius and original. Wine list currently in transition due to staff changes.

BUT, service is erratic; food is not wine-friendly and his 'backwards tasting menu' (main course first, followed by lighter dishes) is just weird. Nevertheless the food is worth a visit.

Chiado - very sophisticated Portuguese food. Wine list almost exclusively portuguese (several hundred selections). Probably the best Portuguese food in North America - possibly anywhere. And the fish is excellent (a rarity in Toronto).

Lai Wah Heen (in the Metropolitan hotel). Sophisticated Cantonese Food with a modern twist. One of the finest 'Chinese' restaurants in North America. Ingredients such as Emu and Alligator are sometimes featured. Wine list almost non-existent.

All of the above are something I haven't found in NY (or North America). they may not be the 'best' - but most of the others mentioned in 'best of' lists for Toronto have similar venues in NY.

All are 10-20 minute cab rides from your hotel.

Canoe is part of a chain (admittedly the crown jewel) and not a favourite of mine, so I haven't been recently. I checked with others and their response: 'it's got a great view' was the most common! Opus is definitely New York in style - but you can get that in NY!

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I would second the suggestion for NOT going to susur, as well as their shitty service, their food is VERY inconsistant. To have inconsistant food at such stupid prices is a pure waste of time and money.

My vote is for Splendido - A CONSISTANT winner, and one of the best places in the city.

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...I can say Opus will match service and wine lists you would expect for an award winner...

Just be warned that "award winner" equals high mark ups. I have never eaten there but I did want to try it one day. I first asked for the wine list, looked at the prices and left. Not on my dine I said.

I would second Spendido. I was there three or so weeks ago and brought in two bottles with me and the food was killer.

officially left egullet....

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Not to rain on anyone's parade but places like Splendido, Opus, George, etc are great restaurants in their own right - but would be similiar to upper middle class NY places. Perigee is pretty unique as far as concept and menu. Susur also but after my last meal there - the inconsistencies outweigh the uniqueness. Canoe's use many canadian ingredients would also bear recommendation.

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...I can say Opus will match service and wine lists you would expect for an award winner...

Just be warned that "award winner" equals high mark ups. I have never eaten there but I did want to try it one day. I first asked for the wine list, looked at the prices and left. Not on my dine I said.

I would second Spendido. I was there three or so weeks ago and brought in two bottles with me and the food was killer.

I really must disagree with this statement. I eat there fairly often and while there are a number of rare and/or expensive bottles (it IS a huge list) there are also lots of good, often unusual choices in the mid range, and some that are downright reasonable.

Splendido is fine, but as Gordon says, none of these are going to wow you in a Canadiana/Toronto sense. I suggested Opus based on your location if you wanted to walk, I suggested Perigee for the same reason as Gordon, something unique and wonderful (haven't heard a complaint about the place myself). I also second the Chiado suggestion, excellent Portuguese food, definitely out of the ordinary. Also a great wine list from that region.

Barbara Laidlaw aka "Jake"

Good friends help you move, real friends help you move bodies.

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...I really must disagree with this statement.  I eat there fairly often and while there are a number of rare and/or expensive bottles (it IS a huge list) there are also lots of good, often unusual choices in the mid range, and some that are downright reasonable....

We will just have to agree to disagree as they say although it is just my opinion which the OP can take or leave for what its worth.

If your timing is right I sugest that you DO look at Splendido http://www.splendido.ca/main.php?a=news&p=e1 as this will certainly fit your bill as the menu is entirely Canadian themed in June with the exception of the copper river Sockeye which runs in Alaska but close enough.

officially left egullet....

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Wow, mkjr, that looks like a great menu, it would certainly fit the bill depending on ellenesk's travel dates. I might just have to try that one myself.

Barbara Laidlaw aka "Jake"

Good friends help you move, real friends help you move bodies.

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Wow, mkjr, that looks like a great menu, it would certainly fit the bill depending on ellenesk's travel dates.  I might just have to try that one myself.

I will be there. I was actually looking to see what BYOW dinner they had and saw that. It looks amazing. Cheers.

officially left egullet....

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I cant see how either Jake or Gordon can say that Splendido is either 'upper middle class' or a place that wont 'wow' you...both those statements couldnt be farther from the truth.

I have been to NY many times, and have eaten at some of the "top" places there, and although they are quite exceptional, I do believe Splendido can hang with them with out any problems.

As far as Susur goes...I would NEVER go there again, and consistantly tell people who ask me that they can have 2 equally if not better meals at Splendido, or even a few others places, for the same price.

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As far as Susur goes...I would NEVER go there again, and consistantly tell people who ask me that they can have 2 equally if not better meals at Splendido, or even a few others places, for the same price.

On a previous thread we completely rebutted your price contention! The tasting menus at Splendido and Susur are identically priced at $110!

We know you don't like Susur - but at least get the facts straight.

And in about 20 trips to Susur I've only been disappointed in the food twice - but the service has ben faulty about half the time. It's still inventive food not easily available in NY.

Several people favour Splendido - and rightly so - it's the best all-round restaurant in Toronto right now. But there are similar venues in NY. It also has an excellent wine list and inspired selections by the glass to match each course.

For those who recommend Perigee - I disagree and have commented thus on several previous threads. In particular the wine list is abysmal and as each course is a 'surprise' - no menu - how do you match the wines? But I'm in the minority on Perigee - just don't go if you have allergies - on both of my visits they served items specifically prohibited (and also failed to serve any organ meats to someone who specifically requested as many organ dishes as possible).

In summary - I think Chiado most closely meets the requirements of good food, good wine list and something 'different'.

PS This should probably get its own thread but the Splendido BYOW evenings are just stunning. Last months Burgundy was exceptional, and they are held the last Sunday in each month. This month is California.

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First off, for $110 at Susur, how many courses do you get in that tasting menu, what is it, 4 or 5 I believe? Now compare that to Splendido where its typically 7-10 depending on the night.

Secondly, when you have dinner, do you not have wine as well? Take a look at the OUTRAGEOUS markups of susurs wine list (and the LAUGHABLE $60 BYOW cost) vs Splendido...Then you will be able to see where I am coming from.

PS - What is the splendido BYOW evening? They offer wines for the BYOW? I thought they were full time BYOW...???

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If the OP is not here in June I would put Canoe as my next choice (after Spendido for its special menu) for what the OP is looking for as they can confirm that the tasting menu is probably what they are looking for (although Canoe is a cab ride away). I think Canoe is very good and the tasting menu at $100 for about 7 courses is a very good price. Regional is IMHO fairly hard to come by for what ever reason but I think that Canoe anytime or Spendido in June would be well worth it.

FYI, when I checked Spendido's site a month or so ago, they noted that at the end of each month they would do a BYOW evening with a theme, i.e. California, Burgundy....etc. and a special menu would be prepared and BYOW would be free that night? Not sure on the details but now that the Canadiana menu is up I do not see the BYOW information.

officially left egullet....

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First off, for $110 at Susur, how many courses do you get in that tasting menu, what is it, 4 or 5 I believe?  Now compare that to Splendido where its typically 7-10 depending on the night.

Secondly, when you have dinner, do you not have wine as well?  Take a look at the OUTRAGEOUS markups of susurs wine list (and the LAUGHABLE $60 BYOW cost) vs Splendido...Then you will be able to see where I am coming from.

PS - What is the splendido BYOW evening?  They offer wines for the BYOW?  I thought they were full time BYOW...???

The tasting menu at Susur is

$90 for 5 courses

$100 for 6 courses

$110 for 7 courses

So I was comparing like with like.

Corkage is $40 at both Susur and Splendido (Susur used to be $60). And if you're not prepared to pay that, then buy from the list. It's your choice. I was happy to pay the shot for my 1923 Burgundy at Susur. He even tailored the tasting menu to the wine.

And the BYOW last Sunday in month event at Splendido is ZERO corkage (if you bring something relevant to the theme). And they have by-the-glass wines available for every course so you can fill-in any gaps. IMO the best deal in Toronto.

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....Corkage is $40 at both Susur and Splendido (Susur used to be $60). And if you're not prepared to pay that, then buy from the list. It's your choice. I was happy to pay the shot for my 1923 Burgundy at Susur. He even tailored the tasting menu to the wine.....

That is nice to hear the price came down. $60 was very high. $40 is high but reasonable. Did you ever post any TN's on Ebob on the burg? Would be curious on your thoughts.

officially left egullet....

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