Need a special dinner place!

[rsvp7777]

Two ex-Toronto couples (very good friends) are coming back from the west coast to join me and my wife for dinner on Mon. Jan. 21.
We'd like to take them somewhere new, comfortable, conversation-friendly, with great food.
The six of us have been a lot to JK Wine Bar, Batifole, Beer Bistro, Gio's, Thuet, Lee, Globe.
so we'd like to avoid them. (although we love them).
We also don't want to get into the Susur, North 44, Bymark, Canoe kind of place from a spending point of view.
We're coming from Riverdale, but don't mind going downtown or even - gasp! - West.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.

[acorn]

Had a very good meal at Quince on Yonge St. just south of Eglinton

[LemonLauren]

what about l'unita? i've never been, but others recommended it to me on this thread:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/475270

[millygirl]

L'Unita...that was the first place I mentioned at the very top of this thread :)

[JamieK]

and definitely open on Monday, according to their website....

-----
L'Unita
134 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5R2H6, CA

[troublebunny]

Chiado is nice - it's in the west end w valet pkg. Or try Spuntini's in Yorkville for livelier place where a conversation can still be had. A bit star-struck owners though.

[JamieK]

What about Imperia? It's new, sounds comfy and the food is good, according to the thumbs up from Googs on this thread -
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/477102

And it's open Mondays. Here's a review from the Globe -
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servle...

-----
Imperia
17 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON M4W1L1, CA

[JamieK]

The challenge here is that so many restaurants are closed Monday. For instance, I think 93 Harbord is closed Monday but not totally sure because they don't have a website, or at least not one that I can find.

[Rabbit]

Yeah, 93 Harbord is closed Monday... I walked by this week (which is probably in part why it's on my mind). Sorry for the bad lead, I overlooked the Monday thing.

Lucien might be another thought.

[Rabbit]

Colborne Lane (although it might get pricey), Rosebud, I like the room at Sopra better than Mistura (just me), 93 Harbord's been on my mind lately too (gotta get back there)...

[millygirl]

I love Sopra as well but for pure dining and conversation I think Mistura is better suited.

[TorontoJo]

I'd throw out Rosebud's sister restaurant, Citizen, as well. Right in Riverdale, so you could potentially walk.

[Recyclor]

How about Tomi-Kro, Coca, Noce or 93 Harbourd...(trying to avoid recco's for seafood)

[millygirl]

What about Mistura, or slightly less expensive, Pastis? Another thought would be L'Unita at Ave and Dav. All of these are comfortable, have great food and are conversation friendly.