Soma on Queen East

[ruckusrachie]

I was wondering if anyone had ventured into Soma yet. It's on the south west corner of Queen and Broadview. Every time I walk by the place is empty. I'm hoping that it's because they're new.
any experiances?

[jeastfull]

I just had to...

I bumped this thread because I absolutely love thi place! I see alot of restaurants on here that get endless commentary good and bad, and think SOMA deserves the same.

My SO and myself go in at least once a week, we live close by and have had nothing but great experiences. I usually get the Five Hour Ribs (15.99) which I think are one of the best rib dishes I've tasted in Toronto. Literally falling off of the bone (and they give you finger bowls! no one does that anymore). My SOusually either gets the Beef Tartare (I think $14-15) which is spiced just perfectly, with the herbed Crostini or the Bloody Caeser Poached Rainbow Trout which is a great sizedportion with fluffy jasmine rice (which nothing ruins a meal more than dry rice).

I read hungryabbeys listed menu for here and they have apparently swiched chefs and made the prices a bit more wallet friendly as well as changed the entire menu from whats on here.

This place has such a great look and laid back, friendly staff, I hope they can keep it up.
The weekends the place does change (we've been here for their comedy/Jazz night on Thursdays, as well as their DJ nights) I guess they read the reviews on here and have put in a policy that music isn't allowed to be raised until all the dinner plates are off of the tables.

All in all, I think this is a wonderful addition to the eastend, where you can get both great food and great entertainment. Not too mention a great martini.

I do wish they were a part of Summerlicius, but ah well you can't have everything :)

[hungryabbey]

thanks for the update! are dishes a la carte or do you get a side with the ribs ?

[jeastfull]

The ribs come with sweet potato fries with wasabi dipping sauce. I'm gonna sneak in for lunch today and get the new menu. Keep ya updated Hungryabbey :)

[hungryabbey]

excellent!! Do let us know!

[jeastfull]

Alright, here it is.

The lunch waiter said they were probably starting the new menu early next week.

Soup $6.00
Baby Greens w/Kiwi Vinagriatte $7.00
Spinach and Walnut Salad with Double Smoked Bacon and Blue Cheese Dressing $10.99
Avocado and Smoked Chicken Spread w/ Crispy Wonton and Crostini Basket $8.99
Torched Beef Tartar with Shiraz Reduction $16.99
Baby Fish and Chips (Orange Roughy and Cajun Potato Rounds) w/ Dill Creme Fraiche $9.99
Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Brochettes with Dill, Capers, Mixed Greens and herbed Crostini $11.99
Five Hour Ribs (Yummy!!) w/ Yam Fries $15.99
Grilled Beef Tenderloin AAA (8oz) w/ Peppercorn au Jus, Onion frites, Seasoned Steamed Veg and Roasted Potatoes $26.99
Veal Picante w/ Spicy Demi-Glace, Roasted Potatoes and Seasonal Veg $16.99
Duck Confit w/ Black Currant Jus, Mash and Veg $17.99
Pesto and Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken "Canelloni w/ Berry
Compote $16.99
Bloody Caeser Poached Rainbow Trout $15.99
Pasta of The Day $13.99
Thai Crispy Tofu w/ Mushrooms Bokchoy and Spinach w/ Coconut Green Curry Sauce $13.99

They said it should be up and running by mid next week

[pearlD]

I hope so... I have a reservation for next Friday ...decided against the Corner House (just one of those..it's in the neighbourhood we'll go another time!) Talked about the Pasta Bar at Scaramouche...also in my neighbourhood and decided on SOMA after all the 'posts' here..Three of us going for a B'day celebration so we are looking forward to checking it out.

[hungryabbey]

mm yummy sounding and really good prices too. is this the new dinner or lunch menu?

[jeastfull]

Its the dinner menu. Lunch has only been on for a couple weeks, so that menu is new as well

[hungryabbey]

excellent, thanks!

[Homecookwil]

Oops. I thought you mean SOMA Chocolatier.in the Distillery district. (anyways, if you like, check it out. It's worth the ride)

[Homecookwil]

Great to hear someone is venturing into the chocolatier gem inside the Distillery District. They make their own chocolate in the little "chocolate factory" inside. Quality is the concern here. Exceptional hot chocolate... with just enough liquid to make the drink "drinkable"...very dark, with a strong hint of chili... smoky and not too sweet.
Truffles/ bonbons are on the pricier side. (compared to JS BonBons) . But again, the variation counts,. Flavors like Extra Virgin Olive oil and Balsamic Vinegar may sound odd to you, but you'll fall in love with the chocolate and well, the whole place. (Staff are knowledgable and extremely nice). One more thing... If you want to buy cocoa nibs for cooking/ baking, ask them, they may not have in on shelf, but you ask them, they'll get them for you!

[hungryabbey]

Hey guys, got the dinner menu.. here it is..
Appetizers
Sweet Chili Prawn Cakes
12
Hoisin Pork in Green Onion Crepes
10
Grilled Tomato Bruschetta
9
Mussels Marinieres in a White
Wine Sauce
12
Piave Vecchio Crusted Chicken With Seared
Eggplant & Roma Tomatoes
10
Roasted Garlic w/ Baguette
9
Asparagus w/ Prosciutto &
Balsamic Butter
9

Salads
Baby Spinach & Prosciutto
Salad
10
Chicken Breast w/ Gorgonzola & Walnuts
14
Caramelized Bosc Pear & Bleu Benedictine Salad
12
Seared Scallops w/ Asian Vinaigrette
14
Roast Tomato w/ Shredded Basil
9

Entrees
Quince Glazed Lamb with Parsnip Chips
& Pan Roasted Asparagus
18
Spiced Chicken w/ Ginger Pear Chutney, Grilled Vegetables on
Sweet Potato Rosti
16
Crisp Prosciutto Pork with Pear w/ Roast Plum Salsa &
Rosemary Potatoes
20
Rib Eye Steak w/ Cognac Mustard Sauce, Sautéed Vegetables
& Garlic Chive Potatoes
28
Macadamia Nut Crusted Halibut w/
Coconut Spinach & Fruit Salsa
22
Portobello & Cremini Mushroom Risotto
w/ White Wine
18
Wasabi Glazed Roasted Salmon w/ Leek
And Spinach Rice and Sesame
Sweet Potato
24

If anyone tries it for dinner, let us know how it is!

[Lo D]

Hey gang,

I ventured out to Soma last Friday. It's unfortunate because what could have been a lovely evening was literally blown away by a stereo system and some poor planning! Before getting into the details, let me point out that I get the Ultra Supper Club/Buddha Bar resto/lounge thing, but the transition between the two needs to be subtle and suitably timed. Soma hasn't yet figured it out.

On Friday, four of us had cocktails at The Comrade and then moved to Soma at 9ish. We were enjoying the ambience/decor for the most part but then about 50 people descended upon the place in one fell swoop. Even that would have been ok. Except that we were seated in the thick of the area set aside for them, rather than in the vacant space closer to the front of the room. Then, presumably to pump up the crowd, someone on staff felt it necessary to boost the music volume to ear-splitting levels. This occurred just as we received our mains at around 9:45. We were trying to have a conversation, but literally had to yell at one another to be heard. At a point, we just gave up and just ate our meals without speaking....hardly an enjoyable dining experience.

Now I can understand the reasons for accommodating and hosting 50 partying lounge-goers. But if Soma wants to be a restaurant and a lounge, there needs to be some consideration to both worlds. There should be an attempt at separation in the lay-out of the space so that there are not people yelling at one another over the dining tables. And certainly, if the music really needs to be that loud to have a good time, the volume should rise in increments, hitting top volume at 11 p.m. at the earliest. Most diners should be close to finishing their meals by that point.

The restaurant might also think of buying a better quality surround sound system with more speakers so that everyone can hear and enjoy the music without the necessity of increasing the volume to levels near distortion.

Besides feeling sorry for my dinner companions, I also felt badly for the chef and wait staff who are actually offering good quality food and service. I enjoyed the wasabi-glazed salmon with spinach rice and sesame sweet potatoes, my partner enjoyed the halibut, and our friends were impressed with the seared scallop salad and crisp prosciutto pork. But needless to say, I also like to enjoy the company of the people with whom I'm dining. That was sadly missing from an evening at Soma and so I can't recommend it.

[Vise]

Nice review, thanks for the heads up. It sounds like it's worth a shot based on the food if one were to dine early. I don't mind loud music if its the right space/time but it definitely does not sound like that was the case in your experience. Too bad really, hopefully the manager/owner reads this and ensures that they sort the situation out.

[icey]

Just to let everyone know...this place has nothing to do with Soma Chocolate. I think the name is going to be rather confusing to some Soma fans, dont know why or if they can do that.

[shana]

they say they are a resto/bar but I've only heard them talk (on toronto.com and they have a facebook group) about which DJs are spinning there each night - any feedback on food if they do in fact serve any and a link to a website or menu would be REALLY helpful. I'd love a nice lounge/resto bar in the neighbourhood to go to............

[South Riverdale Snacker]

I have dined there twice now. It does actually get pretty busy for dinner on Thurs-Fri-Sat. Food is good - positioned as moderately upscale and priced accordingly, although drink prices are reasonable. I think this place will do well.

[hungryabbey]

what is it? a restaurant? bar?

[PaulV]

I thought it was the (awesome) chocolate place in the Distillery District. Have they opened up a new location?

[Vise]

The sign says 'Soma Restaurant/Lounge'. The outside looks quite nice, didn't know it was open until we drove past this weekend and saw a sign with the hours (and an ominous 'Cash Only' sign). Hopefully someone can try it out soon and report back.

[hungryabbey]

hm.. thanks, i might pop in this week to get some info

[chalenegirl]

i didn't know that place was open already. thanks for letting us know