North York lunch with elderly aunt

[angelina47]

My aunt lives in North York and loves the Pickel Barrel. Whenever my sister and I drive up to see her from downtown she wants us to take her for lunch there (...or the Swiss Chalet.)

I am going to see her on Saturday and racking my brain to think of any other (comparable?) place to go.

Parameters: not the Swiss Chalet, $10-15, sit down, clean, not the Pickel Barrel

Thanks chowhound. you may just make our Saturday.

[1sweetpea]

Is the Sierra Grill still around at Bayview Village? They have a buffet that's not bad and a pretty large menu. It's not spectacular, but it's a good place to please a wide variety of palates.

[taterbrandy]

Sierra Grill does not have a buffet; it has an extensive salad bar (with soup). An elderly person would prefer Sierra Grill to O&B.

[phoenikia]

"An elderly person would prefer Sierra Grill to O & B"
Don't you think that is a bit of a sweeping statement ? ;-)

It really depends on the elderly person, and on what kinds of food that elderly person is accustomed to eating. I would be more likely to take my 70something friends and relatives to O & B or Honey Bear Hungarian Deli than to take them to the Sierra Grill.

The 74 year old I know best really likes O & B, and I wouldn't think of taking him to Sierra Grill, under any cirucumstances!

Other places I've taken my 70something friends/relatives in North York include Mezza Notte, Ichiban Fish House for sushi (the one on Spring Garden), Paese, and Cuisine of India.

[Royaljelly]

Not that I'm 70something yet, but what kind of food does Paese serve? I haven't come across it, but I have tried the others you've listed as I work in the area and sometimes need to grab a quick sit down lunch.

[phoenikia]

Hi Royaljelly,
it's a midrange Italian restaurant on Bathurst north of Wilson- a bit of a trek from North York Centre, but decent Italian for the Bathurst/Wilson neighbourhood, and technically in North York, with parking in front of the restaurant.
Here is their menu:
http://www.leatcatering.com/pdfs/Paes...

I'm not suggesting you need to be a 70something to enjoy Paese- there were plenty of 30 and 40somethings, as well as some families with children, the last time I dined there with my 70something friend!

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Paese
3827 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M3H, CA

[Charles Yu]

Hello Royaljelly.
I used to frequent Paese quite often a few years back. Together with Coppi, Il Mulino, its one of the better Italian restaurants further up town. Food very similar in quality to say, Tutto Bene in Thornhill. However, winelist is way way better. Tons of Amarone, Brunello and Super Tuscans verticals. Havn't been back for a while. May be time for another try?!

[TorontoJo]

Yep, it's still there. And still very popular with the elderly set, so would be a good choice for the aunt, but not so much for the OP and her sister. My mother-in-law likes it there, I have never had even "ok" food there, other than from the salad bar.

[Snarf]

Coquine on Yonge and Manor might work. Very bistro, with nice classical dishes. The service is very enthusiastic.

[toveggiegirl]

United Bakers Dairy Restaurant in Lawrence Plaza is good if your aunt is ok with a meat-free meal.
You might also want to check out Cam's Place. I haven;t been but the menu seems to be a better version of Pickle Barrel (and very affordable too).
http://www.camsplace.net/menu.html

[pescatarian]

If Eglinton and Avenue Road is not too far south, I would take her to the Green Eggplant

http://www.greeneggplant.com/menu.htm...

[racheljenna]

At Dufferin and Steeles, on the south east side (Shoppers plaza) there's a place called Dr. Deli and the Salad Queen. The place has really nice chinese chicken salads (that's what I like to get there), as well as other sorts of salads and deli food. I rather like it there! It's a nice change, good food, and likely won't be out of her comfort zone.

Here's a review: http://www.torontoplus.ca/toronto/ven...

[Jelly Belly]

How about Moxie's at Fairview mall?

[T Long]

I'm assuming that the Pickle Barrel your Aunt likes is the original one on Leslie (and not the one in the mall at Yonge/Steeles.) You might consider Maxim's in a strip mall between Leslie and Bayview. It has a western style menu that might not be too far off what your Aunt is use to. I found this link... http://www.restaurantica.com/on/north...

[lamaranthe]

What else does she like?

[TorontoJo]

Milestones at Yorkdale or Oliver and Bonacini at Bayview Village Mall. The latter being significantly better than the former, but perhaps not in your aunt's eyes.

[aser]

O&B is a great idea, a little bit more expensive than your $10-15 range but still affordable. The menu is pretty safe.

I've never been but I'm sure the attention to detail is there as Chef Markus is certainly a stickler for quality. He would not accept anything less than that. Btw, he was a long time sous at Canoe.

[jlunar]

I think O&B is your best bet. It's a nice space, sedate kind of atmosphere. Prices are higher, so do check the menu to see if that's acceptable. Food is decent, though nothing will rock your world.

http://www.oliverbonacini.com/

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http://www.foodpr0n.com -- food. is. love.

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Oliver & Bonacini
2901 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M2K 1E6, CA

[Full tummy]

I agree with that. Comfortable seating, good food for what it is. Polished and professional service.