Boulevard Cafe OR Rice Bar OR Matahari OR other?

[LemonLauren]

Hi all,

Random request. Looking for a fun, not-too-pricey, happening dinner spot for myself and another foodie/healthy eater type for this Saturday night. We want to be within 15 mins of Spadina and College.

My thoughts:
Rice Bar on Augusta
Boulevard Cafe on Harbord
Matahari on Baldwin

Don't really see anything palatable at Harbord Room, but I'd still love to check it out b/c of the buzz. Don't say Kalendar, been there done that.

So, opinions or other suggestions?
Thanks!!

[LemonLauren]

we are going with Matahari b/c we want to save Boulevard for the summer. we also thought about Sidecar, but we won't be lingering over drinks (an epic night ahead of us) so i'll save that for another time too. plus, Matahari has a Riesling I'm in love with on the wine list for a ridiculously good price.

and i love 93 Harbord, but wanted somewhere more happening and buzzy for tonight...so, we'll see.

[Moonsammy]

Rice Bar is fun but not nearly as delicious as Matahari Grill or Boulevard Cafe. Boulevard Cafe is pretty consistently great, as is 93 Harbord.

[Julie McCoy]

Boulevard is one of my favourite spots. Love the freshness of the ingredients and the drink menu always has something appealing. But if you needed to add another option, I would also consider the North African/Middle Eastern flavours at 93 Harbord. Had a really nice meal with friends there. Service gets a little scarce as it gets busier, but still friendly.

-----
93 Harbord
93 Harbord St, Toronto, ON M5S1G4, CA

[climacus]

Matahari

[Wahooty]

I just went to Boulevard Cafe for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and I really, really enjoyed it. I had the beef anticuchos and it was definitely a full plate of food, but I left feeling refreshed, not stuffed. Of course, that may have had something to do with the fact that it felt so darned good to be eating them on a patio in the sunshine. :) At any rate, I enjoyed it more than Rice Bar (although I do really like their arugula salad). Matahari's still on my to-do list, so I can't comment there.

[Mintycake]

Have only been to Boulevard on your list, but it's got a great patio. The food is very good and you don't feel too stuffed. However, if you sit inside, I find it's a bit cramped.

[peppermint pate]

If it's a warm evening, there are few spots better in this city than the patio at Boulevard Cafe. I love their anticuchos, salads, yucca fries. I don't like the indoors as much as it's a bit cramped. Rice Bar is fun too. I've never been to Matahari. You could also go to Fresh, the veggie restaurant/juice bar at Spadina and Bloor - it's always busy and fun.

[TorontoJo]

Second vote for the patio at Boulevard Cafe! With a pitcher of sangria...