Barrio - Gone

[Otonabee]

So this morning we thought that we would go to Barrio for brunch but the sign was gone and the place was locked up tight. Anyone know what happened?

[singe]

I'm sure most of you hounds have noticed that Barrio is open again...and packin' 'em in again too. The sign looks all shiny and new...can't say about the inside, as I don't go there anymore...too much 'tude from the girls behind the bar.

[Finnegan]

Strange that they would go to the effort of removing their overhead sign if they were just doing renos...unless by reno they mean they're starting up an entirely new restaurant. Personally I liked the shabby chic look, it was the food that was truly in need of a reno

[embee]

I just walked by and they don't look out of business. Perhaps they are doing some much needed fix-ups.

[james]

Closed for some plumbing stuff is what they said next door. Hopefully they'll give the place a good scrub while they're at it!

[millygirl]

You can say that again!!!

[bennytoronto]

answering machine says closed for renos. opening back up again late january.

[seeldee]

While at the Mercury last night I heard that Barrio is, apparently, only closed briefly to take care of a sewage leak in the basement. I seem to recall something similar happening to Kubo in the fall, no? Anyway, even if that is the case, why did they take the sign down? Just weird.

BTW, while there for brunch in the fall I was served a chicken cutlet that was completely raw in the middle. I was seated in the back part of the restaurant, where it's pretty dark, and didn't catch it right away. Although the manager was very good about clearing everything up (my replacement meal was comped, my brunch buddy and I were offered whatever we wanted from the bar for free for the rest of our meal and I was given free apps on my next visit - pretty good!), I never felt totally comfortable there again...

Will I miss Barrio? Nope, not a bit.

[ostracario]

I hate to agree with you, because I used to love the place, but things certainly had changed at Barrio. Perhaps they're closed for renovations?

[shana]

I'm so depressed it was our usual brunch spot - the neptune benedict with crab and those little deep fried homefries with chipolte mayo were delicious. Drat.

[Food Tourist]

That's funny - our chicken cutlet at brunch a few months ago was severely overcooked. Other than that, I had always said Barrio has the best brunch in town. They once served me a perfect crepe with figs, and a perfect fruit salad on the side. It was beyond excellent that day.

[embee]

Although I know some of you loved the place, and especially the brunch, they went way downhill after the original partners split. Prices rose, food got much less interesting, and much of the place - especially the upholstery - got really dirty. It's a loss to the neighbourhood, but cutting quality and maintenance while raising prices to compensate for declining business is never a winning formula.

[deelicious]

They wouldn't give you bread with your eggs!

Watch out Urbano!

; )

[pescatarian]

haha - not surprising re Barrio really, it was briefly good but went downhill

[millygirl]

Agreed.

[fruglescot]

They've closed?