Celestin or North 44 or Centro?

[katbri]

Which would you choose for dinner?

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Celestin
623 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON M4S 2M9, CA

North 44
2537 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4P 2H9, CA

Centro
2472 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4P 2F5, CA

[New to T.O.]

Ate at North 44 for the first time last night and it was a massive disappointment. Starter of butternut squash ravioli was okay, but it went downhill from there. Main of 'duck 3 ways' was totally forgettable. The duck was flavourless and had gone cold. Dessert of chocolate terrine bordered on inedible, couldn't finish it (and I love anything chocolate).

$210 before tip including a half bottle of red. Service was good, the staff earned their tip, but I definitely won't be returning for the food.

You'll like the ambiance if you're a fan of the 1970s. Sitting in this place gave me low self-esteem.

I certainly hope Centro and Celestin are better bets. Advice appreciated.

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North 44
2537 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4P 2H9, CA

[shekamoo]

'Totally Forgettable', what perfect capturing of the essence of North 44, including the duck 3 ways I had there.

[New to T.O.]

Perhaps we're on the same page given the shared view of the North 44 experience. May I ask, shekamoo, your favourite places? Anything you'd recommend?

[shekamoo]

in the North 44-One-Bymark set, I think Bymark is tops. as for restaurants in the comparable price range of North 44, the usual suspects on this board, like Canoe, Scaramouche, and Splendido are all better than North 44 in my view.

[Notorious P.I.G.]

Now that Jay Carter from Lee/Madeline/Shang is at Centro it may be worth a visit.

[estufarian]

Just wanted to point out that Celestin has changed hands - the previous chef/owner has sold the place and I haven't noticed any reviews of the 'new Celestin' yet (perusing the website I note that 'sides' are offered separately from the mains, so the 'real price' for a main is over $30). It may be worth it, but Celestin is overpriced for its neighbourhood.

I categorize both North 44 and Centro as 'business dining'. Which means I haven't dined there recently. Both were adequate without really exciting - they're both "safe".
On my dime, I'd choose Globe (I know, so would you unless you wanted a change), or I'd drop down a notch for Pastis (but a little more frantic); or travel a little further to Splendido which (IMO) is better than all those mentioned.

Of your 3 - I'd recommend Celestin (just so I can read your review with the new chef).

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Celestin
623 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON M4S 2M9, CA

Splendido
88 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1G5, CA

North 44
2537 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4P 2H9, CA

Centro
2472 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4P 2F5, CA

[Kooper]

From the items on your list I have only been to Centro and it was amazing.

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Centro
2472 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4P 2F5, CA

[Charles Yu]

Celestin changed hand?! Oh no! Where is Pascal cooking now?!

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Celestin
623 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON M4S 2M9, CA

[sloweater]

Apparently, he is writing a book and will possibly be doing a cooking show. From what I gather, he wants to move back to France.