Dinner for 2 bringing wine

[Cam D]

Where should I go? It's killing me. My dad and I are going for a bite after work.
Criteria are good food, we're bringing our own wine.

[dubchild]

I would like to modify the criteria to see what others say. I'm assuming the wine you are bringing to the restaurant is a special wine. So then the question is which restaurants serves food which will best work with wine? Usually simple dishes work better. Peanuts can kill wine, so any fusion type places may be out.
I still stand by my first choice, Cava. The Black Hoof may be interesting.

[Cam D]

I always underwhelmed at Cava for some reason. Table 17 (which I really like) said free corkage Sunday monday, not allowed the rest of the week which struck me as odd. Gonna try the Hoof and see how long I have to wait! Thanks for the suggestions.

[syoung]

Agree with Cam. Cava is only OK for me as well with below average QPR, IMHO. Most of the reputed top restaurants in Toronto allow BYOB now, so the usual suspects on the recommended list apply such as: Nota Bene, Auberge, Globe and Splendido. Lately, we've been going to Simple Bistro on Mt. Pleasant as their prices, including corkage, are reasonable.

[bringonthelbs]

Harlem is charging only a $1 corkage fee on Tuesdays and Wednesdays - if you're looking for a place next week

[Cam D]

Thanks for the suggestions but I should have been more specific...
I'm looking for the best food that allows you to bring in wine as opposed to the cheapest corkage.
No winterlicious restaurants if possible.

[childofthestorm]

Well almost every decent restaurant in the city allows you to bring wine for a corkage fee. So that hardly narrows it down. I think everyone here would automatically factor in the quality of the food, the service, etc and recommend accordingly. I think Cava is a very, very good restaurant (loud as hell in there, but hey it's a fun vibe), Spanish-inspired tapas. The recommendation of Harlem is also a good one if you feel like Southern soul food...hmm what's a good wine pairing for fried chicken...

[estufarian]

I bring my own to Splendido, Nota Bene, Lee, Madeleine and Cava (and a few others less close to downtown). And I'd rate the food in the order I just listed (best....not bad).
And I disagree that 'almost every' restaurant allows you to bring wine. The obvious exception is Colborne Lane - where the food is probably better, now, than it's ever been - but the wine list is awful and they don't allow BYOB.

[millygirl]

Of course Nota Bene would be my first choice but since that's already been mentioned :) I will throw out Weezie's or George? George is definitely more upscale than Weezie's but we love it just the same. One of the best steak tartares in the city. You'd have to check though because I'm not certain either will allow BYOB.

Cheers

[estufarian]

I forgot to include Globe - except they're part of Winterlicious - but their sister restaurant Earth (same exec chef) also does Corkage.

[dubchild]

Cava. Someone else mentioned they are not charging corkage during winterlicious.

[childofthestorm]

Seconded. Probably the best deal out there right now.