475270 Wed Jan 02 07:29:25 -0800 2008 22 23 Ontario (including Toronto) 0 3252977 happy new year CHers! my SO and i are looking for somewhere to dine out in a few weeks for my highly uneventful 26th bday. we've exhausted our options at our more familiar haunts (Quince, 5 Doors North, Tabule) and want to try somewhere new. the conditions, as per usual: - somewhere romantic, but happening - so, not too quiet but still a nice room/atmosphere - service, service, service - where they might do something nice for the occasion - any type of cuisine, with particular interest in simplicity - no foams, bellies, livers, foie, etc - we like unique preparations of simple food like fish choices for myself and steak or pork for the SO, and i place lots of value on good veggies/sides - good affordable new world wine choices - under $30 mains (except steak, we could pay more for that) - on the subway line or BONUS walking distance from mount pleasant/eglinton some choices based on searches on the board: - Niagara Street Cafe - Trevor - Wish any ideas? thanks in advance. ps- PLEASE don't say Batifole. too rich, food-wise, for my palette. Wed Jan 02 07:29:25 -0800 2008 70876 LemonLauren 1 3253108 How about Rosebud? Wed Jan 02 08:17:08 -0800 2008 3252977 13577 dlw88 2 3253214 Hey LL, I have just the spot for you.....L'Unita at Ave and Dav. We went over christmas and really enjoyed it. Our group of four thought the food was really good. I had a lamb shank that was cooked to perfection. It's a new spot, very cozy and dim lighting, exposed brick on one wall, and service was excellent, focus on italian fare. The place was hopping but they did not rush us at all, our food was timed just right and pretty reasonably priced. It reminds me of Quince but on a much smaller, intimate scale. I really think you'd find it perfect for the occasion. Highly recommend it. Wed Jan 02 08:51:50 -0800 2008 3253108 100701 millygirl 3 3253294 I was thinking L'Unita too! Those tables down the north side that are set apart from the rest of the room by the half-wall would make a romantic little nook. Wed Jan 02 09:13:38 -0800 2008 3253214 12072 Googs 2 3253525 do they have a menu online anywhere? Wed Jan 02 10:23:00 -0800 2008 3253108 70876 LemonLauren 3 3253552 Yes, check out L'Unita.ca Oh, and like someone posted below - do yourself a favour and scrathc Trevor's. Service is horrible and food is just okay - nothing special. Wed Jan 02 10:29:46 -0800 2008 3253525 100701 millygirl 1 3253221 Have you been to Zee Grill? Excellent seafood in a nice atmosphere. Service has always been good. It's on Mt. Pleasant, around Hillsdale or Manor, I think. Wed Jan 02 08:53:51 -0800 2008 3252977 12124 TorontoJo 1 3253287 I had the same requirements for my hubby's bday in Nov. and we went with Globe Bistro on the Danforth. It's right outside Broadview subway station. He was blown away...the food was delicious and the service was great. Wish is also nice...we've been there before too. Good luck! Wed Jan 02 09:11:20 -0800 2008 3252977 13587 LovesToEat 1 3253485 The Universal Grill is romantic, but without trying too hard. Food is well executed and has some interesting flavour zags (great jerk!) but without being weird for the sake of being weird. It's within your price point. And the service is very friendly and accommodating. It does look like it's kind of in the middle of nowhere, but it's actually only about ten minutes from the TTC. www.universalgrill.ca I second Wish and Rosebud (and am curious to try L'Unita). I think Trevor is over-rated (room is dank, food is just OK, service can be frustrating). Wed Jan 02 10:13:13 -0800 2008 3252977 60563 Rabbit 2 3253592 Hey, I was thinking of posting Universal Grill too. But it's not really romantic unless you're really into retro Diners. And i wouldn't want to make the trek from the subway in this weather either (or wait for the Dupont bus). So my choice would also be Globe Bistro - meets all the criteria. And the wine list is far superior to any of the other places mentioned - and their markups are lower than most other places. Wed Jan 02 10:39:59 -0800 2008 3253485 11134 estufarian 1 3253801 Love, love, love Wish. Totally romantic small space with great food. Service was good, not intrusive at all, just spot on. Their prices would seem to suit you more too - they are in the $19-$34 range (that higher one being steak), whereas a place like Globe's prices are more like $18-$44 according to their website's menu (only two mains under $30). I don't think the pics on Wish's website do it justice because they are taken during the day, and the place just sparkles at night. Hope you have a happy birthday! Wed Jan 02 11:34:08 -0800 2008 3252977 101037 Beef Pattie 1 3253949 Rosebud Wed Jan 02 12:11:06 -0800 2008 3252977 20953 zoohort2 1 3254312 Simple bistro - Mt. Pleasant and Manor Road............. EXCELLENT VALUE! Good service. Good food.... Wed Jan 02 13:31:54 -0800 2008 3252977 18394 kawarthagirl 1 3254391 Third Rosebud Wed Jan 02 13:53:30 -0800 2008 3252977 71837 redearth 2 3255073 thanks for the recs, but...do they have an online menu? Wed Jan 02 17:05:59 -0800 2008 3254391 70876 LemonLauren 3 3255192 No, I don't think so, but there are several reviews online that describe his food and the place pretty well.... Here's one: http://www.torontolife.com/guide/restaurants/bistro/the-rosebud/review/ Wed Jan 02 17:36:14 -0800 2008 3255073 71837 redearth 1 3255366 The Wish is the slightly more happening place. I go there often and it's a little more casual but with a more modern feel - I quite enjoy it. I would recommend (like others) The Rosebud though. It's just wonderful food prepared without nouveau-cuisine oddness, charismatic service, and a very romantic dining room. It is a little more staid and quiet though, compared to your other choices. Wed Jan 02 18:37:17 -0800 2008 3252977 20065 artificialard 1 3255436 Eglinton, between Bathurst & the Allen, Il Mulino; romantic, close to your area, fantastic food and service, very good wine list. Always willing to rise to the occasion. Wed Jan 02 19:00:47 -0800 2008 3252977 148708 The Goddess 1 3260854 Sight unseen I would back Kawarthagirl's Simple Bistro rec. I fits your criteria to a tee including the bonus round and she has excellent taste IMO. Fri Jan 04 10:17:11 -0800 2008 3252977 12072 Googs 2 3262115 true enough - the stumble home factor is key, though in this weather... Fri Jan 04 15:38:28 -0800 2008 3260854 70876 LemonLauren 1 3430329 LL, where did you end up going? This is the exact same posting I was going to do. We're out to mark a birthday (a 46th) this week and it looks like these are my finalists: I'd do the Globe and the Citizen cuz they are in the east end like us, tho it's not like we'd show here for a casual, anytime drop-in supper. These places read like special occasion destinations. The Rosebud and Simple Bistro sound like competent choices. With the fire last week on Queen West I have to leave half an hour early to get parking. Universal Grill I am leaning heavily on as the birthday person would go for the nostalgia fix big time and it sounds like the menu is a bit notched up from regular diner/pub fixin's. Does anyone have a strong opinion on this? Sun Feb 24 14:29:56 -0800 2008 3252977 13417 neighborguy 2 3430956 Not sure if you want to make this an 'occasion'. If so, Globe has a more upscale presence. The others are really local places that serve good (or better) food. And you will probably be sittinng on top of your neighbour at all these (except Globe). I love the Universal Grill - have been posting on this place for years - but it's just not a 'birthday' kind of place (for me). I guess I look forward to being just a little bit 'spoiled' if it's a special day. Sun Feb 24 18:36:02 -0800 2008 3430329 11134 estufarian 2 3431066 ironically, i don't think we ended up going anywhere...ordered take out from Tabule, lol Sun Feb 24 19:28:03 -0800 2008 3430329 70876 LemonLauren