Best fish resto in Toronto...

[Moimoi]

Please don't say Chiado or Joso's... I know a number of chefs who swear by Taste of China Seafood. I've been there, but would like to know your recos, other than the snow pea pods and scallops - done them and they're great... Also very interested in some really solid recos for other restaurants. They don't have to be expensive, just fresh and delicious. I'm meeting a friend from out of town Wednesday, Jan 28 for dinner, so the sooner the better. Thanking you in advance fellow CH'ers...

[mleo999]

Last night I found myself alone in Toronto with an appetite
for seafood.

I Googled for 90 minutes and all roads led to Starfish

Starfish is 7 years old. I sat at the "bar" since I was alone and
it seemed less awkward. The patrons were mostly regulars
and very friendly.

The owner just finished a book on oysters and he was actually
behind the bar and personally shucked my oysters.

The dozen oyster "appetizer" was fabulous. The sea bream
was excellent, and dessert was memorable.

Even when the owner was off chatting around the restaurant,
the other folks working there really knew the menu, the oysters,
and the beer.

As the restaurant cleared out, the owner helped his employees
clean up and kept chatting with everyone. He was very relaxed
and in his element. The quality of everything reflected this.

I can't think of a negative except that the restaurant is not in
Minneapolis.

Highly recommended.

[Wiley]

If you're around the College Street area, restos such as cataplana do tasty fish dishes.

[Charles Yu]

Starfish had been my favourite ' solo dining' joint for years!! Total satisfaction each time!

[Hondapendragon]

I had a very nice Grilled Sea Bream at Piri Piri the other day.

Piri Piri is located at 1444 Dupont Street, near Dupont and Lansdowne.

[AzulH]

I agree with others here, the best up-market fish place is Starfish.

However, on the basis of your post here Hondapendragon, we went to Piri Piri for lunch yesterday and had delicious Haddock and good Bacalao (in salt cod form). So thank you for the post.
Just to be clear, this place serves honest to goodness peasant style Portugese food. It would not be classified as "gourmet".

[clr39s]

I tried Piri-Piri last night with some guests.

I hate to say this, but we were very disappointed. The service was slow and aloof, although not unfriendly. At no time did he ask us how our meal was, which was, uh, mediocre at best.

We all ordered fish for our mains. When they arrived, I immediately noticed the greens: the whole beans were dull, dull green like they've been overcooked to hell. I can't believe they would actually serve this. And, indeed, the greens were mushy and tasteless and luke warm.

My fish dish (I ordered the seam bream) wasn't all that bad, but for a dish that was over $21, you would have expected more. The presentation was amateurish and unappealing. It looked like things were just slopped on the plate. My guests didn't like their mains at all and didn't finish theirs.

The atmosphere is very casual--almost too casual. It's a family-oriented place with lots of babies and kids and NOISE. I wouldn't come here for a meeting.

All in all, I was a bit embarrassed for taking my guests here, and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

[Muffin__Top]

Starfish. Try the fries. I've been there 3 times and every visit was outstanding!!

[cynthias]

Pantheon on the danforth has the best whole fish. the ambiance is not the greatest but the fish is always fresh and simply perfect. i have been to chiado, jojos, zucca all though ambiance and service are better at the rest the fish is better at Pantheon
If you want a nicer environment Quince does a lovely european seabass in there stone oven that is great .

[evansl]

Not as good as the tandoori salmon at Cuisine of India.

[tjr]

You mean their overcooked, farm-raised Atlantic salmon? No thanks! It was like eating tandoori canned salmon.

[chef_vegabond]

I like Lisbon By Night by Dundas and Palmerston. Here's a sample of their menu.
http://www.dine.to/profile_features.p...

[Charles Yu]

Thank you!!! Most interesting! First time I heard of this place! How's the food compare to say, Chiado? Taste not presentation.

[chef_vegabond]

Charles, I've only had dessert at Chiado, so I can't comment. You are paying a fraction of the price, the fish hasn't arrived at Pearson that morning from the Azores. The selection will not be as interesting as Chiado. The olive oil they use will be the good old Saloio, nothing rare imported specially for the restaurant. As far as taste goes, I think it is great bang for the buck.
Cynthias, I second Pantheon, the octopus is so tender one can cut it with their knife!

[Arcadiaseeker]

I concur -- Starfish was fabulous when I last went there, a couple of years ago. I particularly enjoyed the oysters. Joso's also has wonderful fish although the decor is a little gaudy!

[Rabbit]

Another vote for Starfish... and although not strictly a fish place, Zucca does a great job with fish (they will grill you a whole swimmer... selection varies daily)

[JennaBean]

Starfish is always my go-to place for fresh fish, but the menu changes often so I can't really give you a specific reco. What I can say is that I've eaten there many times and I've always enjoyed my fish. Always fresh, always well cooked, and the sides and sauces are a tasty addition.

[Charles Yu]

For 'steamed whole fish' both O'Mei and Maple Yip do a great job. The steamed live French Turbot of the former is amazing but fairly expensive. Around $25 per pound. Maple Yip usually have live Talapia, Sea bass and sometimes fresh garoupa flown in from Europe or Hong Kong.
For western style, agree with TorontoJo!.

[TorontoJo]

Have you been to Zee Grill or Starfish? They both do fish wonderfully.