Birthday restaurant recommendation with good food and good atmosphere?

[SearchingForGoodFood]

I'm looking for a restaurant in downtown Toronto for a birthday celebration.
Table of 4.
Birthday girl is a foodie and willing to try anything. No limitations on price.
Also searching for good atmosphere and crowd.
Thanks!

[sugarcube]

Colborne Lane, George, and Panagea. I also really like The Harbord Room, but the place is quite small; not much space between the tables

http://theavidbaker.wordpress.com/

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

Harbord Room
89 Harbord St, Toronto, ON M5S1G4, CA

[ggom1]

How about Beast? Super cozy and you can have the chef's tasting menu or, if you have enough time, arrange one of the whole beast dinners (for 4 people, you'd just have to pick a small animal :)

[Tatai]

I love the food and atmosphere at Malena, on Avenue at Davenport.

[SearchingForGoodFood]

Thanks! I'll check that one out!

[AJMC791]

In terms of a group of girls for a fun and yummy dinner, I'd suggest Origin or Foxley.

Foxley won't take a reservation, but they'll take your cell number when you arrive and you can go for a drink up or down ossington while you wait.
Both places have a "small-plates" menu, but as a self-proclaimed foodie - I love having the ability to try lots of different things. Plus, I loved the cocktails at Origin.
Have a great time

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Foxley
207 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J2Z8, CA

[hal2010]

Canoe? Good food, good selection of wine, good service and a nice venue. Not cheap. We spent $800 for 4 there, but 1/2 was for wine.

[SearchingForGoodFood]

Been there, done that. Any other ideas?

[jlunar]

The Black Hoof. No reservations. Cash only. There are lines (for a reason!). Try avoiding prime-time and you should be ok. Great cocktails, great food.

Was there anything you found on the board that piqued your interest? There are a couple of new restaurants with a buzz, but I've not yet been.

If you want along the lines of Canoe, go with George for the tasting menu or Splendido for a slightly less formal dining experience. Nota Bene is more trendy/lively and the food is strong (just not super-awesome as an average).

http://www.foodpr0n.com -- food. is. love.

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

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

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

[SearchingForGoodFood]

Been there as well...

[TorontoJo]

Well maybe if you told us where you've been and what area you'd like to focus on, you'd get more suggestions.

[SearchingForGoodFood]

Anywhere downtown. Willing to travel for good food :)