which resto to try next?

[ctl98]

going out to dinner with a few friends with the aim of trying something new. we're looking to spend $100 to 130-ish per person. good food plus good vibe would be great. my thoughts: origin, lucien, ruby watchco, luma...but any and other suggestions and thoughts welcome. thanks, hounds!

[Toronto Fastfoodie]

I definitely think Ruby Watchco. I think it is such a great concept of one set menu. The chef is so hands on and passionate about what she does and does not subscribe to trends in cooking,but rather what tastes good.

Something else I would recommend would be Drake Hotel. The vibe is awesome, the food is delicious, and with drinks, it would easily fit the budget bill.

http://runningandrecipes.blogspot.com/

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The Drake Hotel
1150 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

Ruby Watchco
730 Queen St E, Toronto, ON , CA

[Charles Yu]

Thing about Ruby Watchco is that its a 'hit or miss' thing with their menu!! On nights when they serve a duet of beef entree, it was great, but then there are occasional nights when they serve mediocre dishes like roasted chicken or Salmon which reminded me of 'run of the mill' summer or winterlicious menu entrees!! As for appertizers, it's almost always a predictable salad of sort?!!

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Ruby Watchco
730 Queen St E, Toronto, ON , CA

[Toronto Fastfoodie]

The thing with the concept of one menu for this restaurant is that it needs to appeal to a wide audience. Thus, I think the feeling they are going for is a great meal at a good friend's house. I would rather eat a "predictable" salad done really, really, well (which they do) vs. a so-so mystery dish...but I am also the person to whom Black Hoof or molecular gastronomy does not appeal at all.

http://runningandrecipes.blogspot.com/

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The Black Hoof
928 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

[ctl98]

molecular gastronomy doesn't appeal to me too...hence the exclusion of colborne lane. but black hoof...now that's simple food done well! unpredictable, yes, but no frou-frou at all :-)

[Charles Yu]

Hello chow friends. There are molecular gastronomy and there are MOLECULAR GASTRONOMY!! I do agree that the version serve up by Aprile in Colborne Lane has quite a few misses such as the 'beets' concoction and those fluid capsules. Personally, I found them so-so and not that appealing as well.

However, when done right, molecular gastronomy can be spectacularly amazing and enjoyable as in the case of Michelin 3*s Alinea, El Bulli, Fat Duck and Quintessence!! Don't forget, currently voted the best restaurant on earth - 'Noma' also practices molecular gastronomy!

Going back to Rubywatch Co. IMO, they should, for the entree, provide a meat and a seafood choice! Since they are so busy, one often needs to make advance reservation. However, they only post their menu on the day. So, their entree is a mystery dish anyway. I personally dislike cooked salmon. Imagine driving all the way down town from Richmond Hill to be served that one and only dish?! Leave and go elsewhere??!!

BTW, when inviting friends over for dinner. Though the decision is up to me but out of courtesy and to be on the safe side, I always let them know what main courses I am serving, just in case??!!

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Colborne Lane
45 Colborne Street, Toronto, ON M5E 1P8, CA

Fat Duck
210 Kortright Rd W, Guelph, ON N1G4X4, CA

[CarNut]

Rubywatch Co posts their menus more than a day before. The website currently shows the menus from Tuesday, November 23 to Saturday, November 27. I could be wrong, but I think that they post the weekly menu every Sunday.

[Charles Yu]

Ah! I didn't know that!! Nice to know!
I am on their e-mail mailing list and they only send out the menu around noon time the same day

[AJMC791]

I've been to both Origin and Luma in the past couple of weeks, and while they were both good, I wasn't blown away by either.

It was the second time I'd been to Origin, and was somewhat less impressed than the first time. Though the vibe was still really great.

Luma was very good, but the atmosphere was somewhat "meh".

Just my 2 cents, but I'd agree with trying Ruby Watchco.

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Ruby Watchco
730 Queen St E, Toronto, ON , CA

Luma
330 King St W, Toronto, ON , CA

[jlunar]

Lucien is expensive and if you don't care about the dollars, I had a lovely meal there last year.

Luma I have not been.

Ruby Watchco is a down-to-earth type of restaurant. I really enjoyed my chicken there and it's nice if you enjoy the family-style serving. Very comfortable vibe. Drinks okay.

Origin, I've been twice and didn't like either time. I love the space, just not the food.

The Black Hoof? I don't know if you've been. No reservations, but I love the drinks, the food, and the vibe.

I liked Boehmer's space, though I have eaten there only once. Nice plates.

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http://www.foodpr0n.com -- more photos. less adjectives.

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The Black Hoof
928 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

Ruby Watchco
730 Queen St E, Toronto, ON , CA

Luma
330 King St W, Toronto, ON , CA

[ctl98]

I love Black Hoof! But one of my friends doesn't eat organ meats so that's out. Plus we need reservations. I'll look into Lucien and Boehmer. Thanks for the recs!

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The Black Hoof
928 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

[Notorious P.I.G.]

You can find a ton of things at the Hoof or the Hoof Cafe that aren't organ meat. I wouldn't view that as a problem.

[peppermint pate]

Both are still on my "to do" list but what about Frank's Kitchen or Brockton General? There's also Malena.

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Brockton General
1321 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1Y1, CA

[Rabbit]

I was going to suggest Malena too. And toronto.com just posted their top ten for this year in case you're looking for more inspiration.

[Full tummy]

Brockton General is a great option. Down to earth, unpretentious, just good to great food. Very small menu, though. Diners need to have flexible tastes.

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Brockton General
1321 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1Y1, CA

[Pebbles]

Had a great dinner at Niagara Street Cafe recently. Food is fantastic, the chef really does some wonderfull things to the food!!

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Niagara Street Cafe
169 Niagara St, Toronto, ON M5V1C9, CA