Hey guys, what's for lunch?

[Royaljelly]

I've decided to take every other Thursday 1/2 day off the next few months to take my sweetie out for lunch. So far on my rather short list of places to do lunch are Zee Grill and Guu. I'm looking for some other suggestions that are south of 401 to downtown Toronto. Will try anything except Chinese & Korean (as I'm getting a steady diet of that nowadays). Already tried Simple Bistro and Starfish awhile back and really enjoyed both places, while Celestin was a bit of a disappointment.

[vivo]

I heartily agree with all the previous recommendations and would like to suggest:

The Fish Store on College - go during patio weather!
Nota Bene
Weezies
Union on Ossington
Bonjour Brioche
Queen & Beaver Public House
Rebozos for tacos
Red Tea Box
Taste of Afghanistan - it's way in the east end, doesn't look like much so isn't romantic but yummy, sometimes they offer very interesting and healthy teas (last time I was there it had walnuts in it), and try to order something besides the shwarma, you'll be pleased

Hopefully this will give you some choice. Enjoy!

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Weezie's
354 King St E, Toronto, ON M5A1K9, CA

Red Tea Box
696 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J1E7, CA

Bonjour Brioche
812 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M, CA

The Fish Store
657 College St, Toronto, ON M6G1B7, CA

Nota Bene
180 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 2A1, CA

Queen & Beaver
35 Elm St, Toronto, ON M5G, CA

[JamieK]

A great suggestion, however Weezie's is not open for lunch.

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Weezie's
354 King St E, Toronto, ON M5A1K9, CA

[vivo]

Oops, too bad, I had a really nice lunch there a while back.

[millygirl]

Yeah so did we. When did they make the change? We went there this afternoon and were so disappointed to see it closed.

We decided to head over to Le Pappillon on the Park which was equally as nice, but must admit, had my heart set on Weezie's.

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Weezie's
354 King St E, Toronto, ON M5A1K9, CA

[Snarf]

Debu on Mt. Pleasant does a very nice prix fixe lunch for around $20. Extremely creative, great flavours.

Also good is Earth, at Yonge and Roxborough.

[1sweetpea]

You might want to try Pizzeria Libretto for lunch. I'm sure wait times will be much less than at dinner. I've also heard good things about Mangia e Bevi at lunch, and Gilead.

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Pizzeria Libretto
221 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

[always_eating]

I've had good lunches at FRANK, but not dinners, go figure. I usually go with whatever the lunch special is when I dine there. Most memorable was their soft shell crab sandwich. God that was good.

[pinstripeprincess]

mmm, when did you have the softshell crab? i assume recently... i wish their online menus were more up to date.

[always_eating]

Hi pinstripeprincess, sorry for only responding to your question now. Haven't really been on chow. The soft shell crab sandwich I had last June when it was in season. I'm sure FRANK would put it on the menu again this year because it was so popular. Everyone was ordering that day! I'm planning on trying Nota Bene's version of soft shell crab this week.

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Nota Bene
180 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 2A1, CA

[Baelsette]

Gallery grill is fantastic! Just an FYI, Zee grill in not open for lunch, dinner only.

[estufarian]

Segar on Bayview seems to be right in your target zone.

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Segar
1568 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4G, CA

[sloweater]

If you're staying in the Eglinton and Mount Pleasant area, definitely give Mikado Sushi on Laird a try. The quality of the fish is excellent and the prices are very reasonable. I will sound like a broken record, but I also recommend Gallery Grill; in fact, I prefer their lunch to their brunch. I haven't been for lunch yet, but you may want to try Gilead Bistro as well. I had a really nice dinner there a few weeks back.

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Gallery Grill
7 Hart House Cir, Toronto, ON M5S, CA

[Herb]

The Hoof Cafe is open Thursday thru Monday. It's mostly a brunch style lineup — ie no burgers/salads — but more than worth it. Just don't go Saturday or Sunday or you'll stand in line. No reservations but easy to get a table on the weekdays they're open.

I've read that Delux now does a Cuban lunch.

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Delux
92 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J2Z4, CA

[pinstripeprincess]

i haven't been, but if they have any spots left, the european retreat lunches that splendido is doing starting this week got rave reviews during the winter holiday season. would be an extravagant treat at $75 for 5 courses.

i really enjoy buca but even with all the raves there are definitely flops on their menu. my best service experiences have been on the wine bar side.

not sure if its for you, but i love an intimate lunch at taro's. yeah yeah, it's a fish market but there's nothing like staring at all the cases of delicious food to get you giddy for the meal. they should have fresh soft shell crab available now and sell it at a steal as far as i'm concerned. that and some iwashi nigiri... just fabulous.

[Royaljelly]

Hey PSP, we're doing taro's all the time since my office is just down the street. For a quick bite we sit at the front on those uncomfortable stools (wish they had more seating as I'm sure they'd be busy). When it's on another company's budget (at least once a month), we go nuts and order the big sashimi/sushi/rolls and cooked food platters for delivery to the office. The cooked stuff varies and is hit and miss (chunks of grilled sauteed liver, pumpkin salad, etc), but the fish/seafood remains high quality.

We did Splendido last week for dinner and found it was just ok, so not too crazy about trying it for their special lunch yet (same chef?).

Keep the reco's coming... I might have to take more days off to try all these places!

[pinstripeprincess]

i didn't know taro's delivers! any idea what their minimum order amount or radius is for such a thing? i'm all about the raw with them, but their cabbage octopus balls do hit a comfort food chord.

as for nb, i would expect a different chef working the kitchen but the same exec chef. though without constant attention the exec chef's intentions can fall to the wayside.

sit down places don't immediately come to mind but i would also consider a lawrence east tour. shawarma showdown between ibrahim and empire then get some baklava from royale patisserie.

edit:
reading another thread just reminded me... prague deli. i go there for two dishes only, the pancakes and the tripe soup. the pancakes are fluffy and served with some sour cream and blueberry sauce. the tripe soup is a labour of love that simmers down to thick thick thick rich tender deliciousness, the frozen version they sell still needs an extra hour on the stove. there's also a sausage in the case that i can't recall the name of... i think it starts with a k or c that i absolutely adore as a snack to gnaw on. the other dishes are fine, but these are tops to me. if i had a lunch time available in this area this is where i would go hands down (well maybe tied with buca), which is why i suggest it.

2nd edit:
and for sure a sandwich at brick street bakery in the distillery district while sitting in the main square with soma treats to finish. they currently, soma, have a lemon sour cream gelato that is just magnificent.

[TorontoJo]

I *love* the lemon sour cream gelato from Soma! It's like eating a lemon meringue pie in a bowl.

[Royaljelly]

Taro's doesn't deliver to us, we just send a rep to go pickup for us (ya, we're spoiled). But maybe if you ordered enough, they could consider delivery?

Their cooked stuff just doesn't taste as good by the time it gets to our office. Even some that I've eaten there where is precooked lacks the punch that a freshly cooked item has (tempura, etc).

[morefoodplz]

Buca is pretty good... I got in fairly easily for a lunch, but I'm told dinners there are booked solid. The menu changes daily so you can never tell what it will be. Pasta, pizzas etc.

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Buca
604 King St. West, Toronto, ON M5V 1M6, CA

[Rabbit]

I've never been, but I'd want to go the Gallery Grill if my sweetie was taking me to lunch (hello, sweetie???) - http://www.harthouse.utoronto.ca/hh/p...

You're coming up to some great patio weather and Le Select, Globe (rooftop!) and George have lovely al fresco dining space.

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Gallery Grill
7 Hart House Cir, Toronto, ON M5S, CA

Le Select
432 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON M5V1E3, CA

[ggom1]

I second Gallery Grill, it's so nice there! I've never been for lunch but I've always been a fan of their brunches. I would also add Osgoode Hall to the list, it's only open for lunch on weekdays - the room and food are both great, it actually reminds me a bit of the Gallery Grill lol.

[T Long]

Second (or Third) both Gallery Grill and Osgoode Hall as both can be neat experiences. I've had bad luck with a beef dish at Osgoode though...better to stick with a seafood choice. Note that both of these places close for the summer months...so definitely make reservations to ensure they are open. I've also enjoyed lunches at George Brown's Chef House Restaurant.

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Gallery Grill
7 Hart House Cir, Toronto, ON M5S, CA

Osgoode Hall
130 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2N6, CA

[sway]

Osgoode Hall Restaurant closes from the end of June to September. The prix fixe is excellent for $21, I love the steak frites (when it's the Cumbrae Farms ribeye...mmm...) and the buttertart. I definitely agree that the seafood is a good choice, the fish is always great!

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Cumbrae's
1636 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4G, CA

Osgoode Hall
130 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2N6, CA

[GABEH]

The setting of the Gallery Grill is unmatched in the city and the food is fine although the portions served at the brunch are modest But the noise level due the acoustics produced by the stone surroundings, even with few patrons around is obtrusive. And when they turn on the the coffee grinder, which they do every few minutes, conversation becomes difficult. If you must go, find a table in the first room and not the main gallery. Expect to spend $25 per person. I'm not going back.

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Gallery Grill
7 Hart House Cir, Toronto, ON M5S, CA

[Royaljelly]

We tried Gallery Grill today and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Had the beef tongue app w/ rapini which was melt in your mouth goodness. We also asked for the fried zucchini blossom as an app which was nicely done too.

For mains I got the confit of chicken leg which was very juicy, but yet I kept wishing it was duck. My wife had the fregola pasta with some ground up veggie that we've never heard of before (she liked it, I wasn't too fond of it). Portions for all dishes were very generous, especially the greens in the non-salad dish, which we really find lacking in a lot of other finer restos. Kitchen was very well run as food was flying out (without feeling rushed).

For dessert we tried this chocolate dense mouse like thing which was disappointing. Parking is brutal too at $9 for 1.5 hrs in front of Hart House. We'll definitely go back, but maybe not til Sept when they reopen again after the summer break.

[sweetie]

Hello Rabbit
I am going to assume that you are hoping YOUR sweetie is reading this, I am afraid that I am no where near downtown @ lunchtime = D

[Rabbit]

He,he,he... OK, you're off the hook!

[CocoaChanel]

The patio at George is always great
BeerBistro
Queen Mother - lovely back patio
Rodney's on Bay (aactually on Temperace St)
My guilty pleasure is the roast beef sandwich at Irish Embassy (please don't judge me..lol)

That is a fantastic idea! I hope you enjoy it

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Queen Mother
206 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V1Z2, CA

Irish Embassy
49 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5E, CA

[Marimba]

Scratch Guu...it doesn't do lunch...try Lee's lunch prix fixe...Marimba!