Roncesvalles dinner suggestions tonight

[pescatarian]

I feel like there's tons of places I've been wanting to try in Roncesalles, but I can't think of any at the moment and I'm going to be around there tonight with my bf. Any cuisine. Not too fancy. Just good food. Not sure if Cafe Polenez is good for dinner. Do you need reservations at Local? Any suggestions welcome.

[ingloriouseater]

"the local" on roncesvalles is a pub and no reservation is required, don't confuse it with "the local kitchen and wine bar" which is actually on queen just east of roncesvalles-they didn't/don't take reservations except they did for new year's eve-but they were closed this week (actually gone fishing/eating) so call to see if they are open yet (416-534-6700).

Cafe Polonez is fine for dinner, very filling and hearty food.

Other suggestions would be Silver Spoon before they shut down to concentrate on Pizza Libretto and their new venture.

Another possibility is Bistro 299 ( http://bistro299.com ) at Geoffrey or Fat Cat Wine Bar or possibly Brad's. Not sure if the new Abstract Tree is open for dinner or not, Butler's Pantry, Chopin has their liquor licence suspended right now.

Boho is closed, but avoid River, Domani, Gabby's, The Dizzy, Aris, Buddha Dog, Freshwood Grill,

There are a few more restos here, some a couple of average to below average Thai, a terrible sushi place, a couple of more bars....

[pescatarian]

Thanks! I meant Local Kitchen and Wine Bar. I called and they are back from vacation.

Has anyone had the salumi tasting? Is it something that two people can share or is it meant for one?

[ingloriouseater]

You can actually have it for 1 or 2 and priced accordingly, a single order isn't really enough for 2, even as an app but it is delicious-especially the home made cornichons

[pescatarian]

Thanks again!

[Sarah Cat]

I LOVE the Local Kitchen and Wine Bar! So cozy and cheerful — the food is also yummy. I can't wait to go back!

The Dizzy and the Freshwood Grill are both never-again territory for me.

You might want to try Cowbell on Queen, just a hope skip and a jump east of Roncy. It's good.

[pescatarian]

We had a nice meal at Local Kitchen and Wine Bar. We shared a small salumi platter and the boccacini stuffed chili peppers. BF had the gnocchi. I thought they were slightly on the mushy side, but good flavour. I had the whitefish with brussel sprouts and guancale. Very nice. Cozy atmosphere and good service.
I noticed Cowbell and will try that soon too.

[Sarah Cat]

Oh I'm so glad you enjoyed it! That gnocchi is famous — too bad it was a bit mushy. I'll try that whitefish next time I'm there. The service is fantastic, isn't it? I poured a glass of my own wine and the server noticed and apologized for not pouring it for me! I also love how this spot feels so PARKDALE, somehow.

[Sui_Mai]

Cowbell is great. Such a cozy and warm vibe - yummy charcuteruie and bistro staples that change all the time. Solid.

[aser]

I've actually had very good food at the dizzy, much better than most of the other options in a similar price range (ie. freshwood, brad's, etc).

Polonez is nice if you're in the mood for an old school ish meal.

Silver Spoon is the most accomplished on the strip, with a higher price tag also.

[ingloriouseater]

the dizzy, i find, is much too busy as a sports bar and hang for its regulars to be welcoming to someone not of the area. the food is better that most sports bars-given the brothers who own it were probably the best part of the old boho kitchen

[Marumari]

We just had a splendid meal at Local Kitchen. I've posted a review in another listing.
I have to quibble on Domani. I've eaten there a few times, and it's always ranged somewhere between excellent and just pretty good.
Brad's has a good breakfast, but it gets boring pretty fast.
Bistro 299 or whatever is always empty. I hope it closes soon, so something interesting can go into that space.
Cafe Polonez is old school Polish, but the portions are huge- usually two meals worth of food. I find it's only of moderate quality, despite its reputation and it being perpetually full.

[ingloriouseater]

Bistro 299 executes their meals well, very interesting specials. Service is always very attentive. I wished more people would support it so that it doesn't close soon. It is more in line with what Boho used to be under the original owners when the dizzy owner was the sous chef there.

Roncesvalles has had an interesting history with restaurants and they always seem in a state of flux. What lasts? But I guess it is nice to have a choice.

For the record, my regular Queen West and Roncesvalles haunts are:
Cafe Taste, Mezzrow's, Mitzi's Sister (and Mitzi's on Sorauren), Local Kitchen & Wine Bar, Aris for breakfast, Granowskas, Polonez, Bistro 299, Fat Cat Wine Bar, Brad's, Silver Spoon, The Local, Loons, the rest have fallen off my radar for one reason or another....

[Marumari]

Hrm, maybe we should give 299 more of a chance.
The street is in flux now, more than ever, with the state of construction and all. Many businesses have already folded, and it's easy to see why. I hope there's still an interesting array when the dust settles..

[ingloriouseater]

there are many opportunities for budding chefs in the hood, hopefully we can get some talented people in and we can have a new renaissance-maybe the next queen east or ossington

[sway]

Does anyone know what's going on with Chopin? I've been there at least a dozen times over the last year and a half, the food has always been delicious and cooked with love. We were there about 3 weeks ago, they did serve us beer, but the food took about 40 minutes, and came out cold in parts, burnt and greasy. It was quite a surprise, as we've NEVER had a bad meal there. New management perhaps?

[tholepin]

I would definitely NOT recommend Fat Cat Wine Bar. The atmosphere is nice, but the food is sub-par and overpriced, and the wine is both unimpressive and meted out in a miserly fashion.

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Fat Cat Wine Bar
331 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON M6R2M8, CA