Musa or Kalendar - which one?

[Nyleve]

Trying to pick a dinner spot. Not too pricey, not too formal, nice food but nothing futzy. A friend has recommended Kalendar, and reviews make Musa sound interesting. Help me decide.

[Ginsugirl]

The first thing you notice about either spot is that they are quite...girly. The sort of places that stroller moms can go for lunch or coffee, but also go out with friends for cocktails in the evening (both restaurants happen to be owned by women).

Kalendar does light lunches well. The mini pizza-style naan breads are lovely, the salads good, and they usually have a well-made soup. Musa is a bit heartier, whether it's the savoury brunch crepes (best mornay sauce ever), or the robust moussaka, likely the best in the city, made from the family recipe book.

I'd say try both, but for a dinner I'd lean towards Musa.

[atomeyes]

i'd assume that, after the OP posted this 3 years ago, they've made their decision :)

anyone been to Kalendar lately? I used to go there for their scrolls regularly from 2000-2003. then the quality and wait staff went downhill so it was moved out of my dining rotation.

[Nyleve]

Ha. Yes. Believe it or not, I remember that evening. We ended up choosing Musa and, when we arrived there, it was closed for some reason and we had to scramble for a nearby alternative. So we never ended up eating at either!

[Nyleve]

Well I said I'd report. So I'm reporting. We showed up at Musa on Tuesday night at 5:15 - ok, it was early for dinner, but we were going to a concert so had to get out of there by 7. We were told that the kitchen wouldn't open until 6. This was clearly not going to work. I wish I'd thought to phone and reserve, but to be honest I really didn't think there would be a problem to accommodate 4 people on a weeknight. And the NOW review I read said they were open from 11:30 until I can't remember what time. So you'd think the kitchen would be open the whole time, wouldn't you?

Anyway...long story short. We didn't eat there. We ended up at Amadeus in Kensington which is, to be honest, not my favourite Portuguese but it was open and it was a dark rainy night and it was a just about 5 minutes away. Dinner was unmemorable. But the concert was great.

[Alektoronto]

I for one do not understand the fuss about Kalendar. I have eaten there a few times and been totally not impressed all times with the chow. Had brunch at Musa once and it was pretty standard for TO but was quieter than Kalendar comparing the days I went.

[deelicious]

agreed about Kalendar...I have no idea what the fuss is either...

I do enjoy brunch at Musa and agree it is pretty standard, BUT I like that it is always good. 100% consistent. coffee is great. and i enjoy the ecclectic crowd.

[hungryabbey]

do they have a website?

[estragon]

Musa does not appear to have a website, but this review from NOW sums it up pretty well:
http://www.nowtoronto.com/restaurant/...
The atmosphere is casual, the service is personal and informal, and the food is terrific.

[Nyleve]

That's it, then. I think we're going to go there. Will definitely report afterward. Thanks all!

[deelicious]

Love Musa. Although I would not broadstoke the food middle eastern

[paper_bag_princess]

Musa is at Dundas and Euclid. The food is middle eastern.

I prefer Kalendar of the two, better atmosphere, I find the Kalendar menu more diverse and I have never found Kalendar loud.

[hungryabbey]

Where is Musa? and what kind of food is it?

[Suresh]

My experiences..

Kalendar - loud, dark, a great place for some comfort food and a nice bottle of wine, but not a lot of privacy.

Musa - great tasting menu, it is more diverse than Kalendar with bigger flavours, and plenty of appetizers.

Kalendar has a bit more of an 'atmosphere' and it is pretty relaxed. It's defnitely not formal or pricey, and neither is Musa. I think the difference really will be the ambience and food. Musa is more flavourful (But not all the dishes at Kalendar are bland) and Kalendar is more intimate. hope that helps.