Bayview & Sheppard?

[petek]

Any good/interesting restaurants in the Bayview and Sheppard area near the Ikea for lunch?

Thanks

P

[syoung]

Though Taro Fish is great for fresh fish takeout, I wouldn't call it a restaurant any more than Pusateri's is a restaurant. At least Pusateri's (Bayview) has lots of tables vs. a half-hearted 5-foot counter at Taro.

I agree that O&B at Bayview Village is overpriced and mediocre at best. I'd bet that if someone were to open a Simple Bistro like restaurant in this area, it would find immediate success.

Can't figure out how that Chinese restaurant at Bayview Village is surviving all these years. It's always at least half empty whenever I pass by. They need something else there to give O&B and Il Fornello a run for their money.

[Helen]

There's always Sierra Grill :):)

[syoung]

Sierra Grill, IMHO, is worse than O&B in food quality. And the restaurant decor that looks like it hasn't been updated since the 1970's doesn't help. :-o

[Charles Yu]

Actually, that ' Chinese restaurant at Bayview Village' delivers more than a few acceptable and tasty 'Northern Style Chinese dishes'! My in-laws, who are Shanghainese, love their noodle dishes!

[wontonfm]

I work in the area and tend to pack my lunch but here are my picks...

Taro for sushi
Jerusalem on Leslie for falafels or shwarma (they also do a buffet)
The Burger Hut on Sheppard for burgers
Allan's bakery at Peanut Plaza for jamaican patties and baked goodness
Mr Jerk at Peanut Plaza for jerk chicken/pork

WON
http://whatsonmyplate.net

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Burger Hut
4195 7 Hwy, Norwood, ON K0L2V0, CA

[elvisahmed]

+1 for Taro I miss that place ever since I moved downtown. In case you want to try something different there is Turkish Place called Alara near Sheppard and Don Mills. Their Turkish Pizza (pide) are acceptable (though not as good as Pizza Pide)

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Alara Restaurant
2044 Sheppard Ave E, Toronto, ON M2J, CA

[greenduck]

Bayview Village mall has Oliver & Bonacini Cafe Grill which is pricey but good. There's also an Il Fornello inside the mall, and a Pusateri's if you just want to grab something quick.

There's also another cafe inside the mall (with an outside entrance) called Aux Delices, which serves sandwiches, soups, salads etc which I haven't tried. But, they also make the most delicious croissants I've had this side of the Atlantic. So if that's any indication, I'm assuming the other stuff is good too. Usually though, I just buy the croissants. (I know that's a bit off topic but I just had to mention the croissants!)

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Pusateri's
1539 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5M, CA

Oliver & Bonacini
2901 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M2K 1E6, CA

[hal2010]

I've never had any joy at Oliver and Bonacini. I've been there three times and it's always been pricey and less than mediocre. The menu is unimaginative and the food is often ineptly prepared. My wife had a piece of salmon there that must have been cooked for about 30 minutes. Could have used it to play hockey.

[graydyn]

Agreed. Overpriced, poorly prepared, and unimaginative. And let me throw in overly loud. It's a Kelsey's with square plates.
Over course that could describe most restaurants in the O&B chain.

[juno]

Yes, O&B Cafe is very, very noisy when crowded, as it often is. And overpriced as well - I make it about 20% higher than it should be, compared to similar restos within a l5-minute drive. But if you want a proper sit-down lunch or dinner while trolling Bayview Village, and can't abide extricating yourself from the invariably-packed parking lot before driving elsewhere to calm your hunger, then O&B is where you'll probably find yourself. Though the menu won't stir the soul of the adventurous, I find the quality better than ha2010 and graydyn suggest. Usually good service. Mind, I think I'll give the above-mentioned Au Delices a shot sometime, just to see if greenduck knows his/her croissants. I just noticed it a week ago for the first time, stuck as it is in a corner of the mall. It'll certainly save me a pile over dinner for two at O&B, where with a bottle of wine, tax and tip, it's easily $150. About $120 would be more like it. But then, it IS the upscale Bayview Village, where I imagine the rents are something fierce. Note: lunch and/or dinner at O&B during the upcoming Summerlicious ($25 for for three-course dinner) should be financially bearable. Trouble is, it's TWICE as noisy then.

[TorontoJo]

Totally agree with your assessment, juno. O&B is neither great nor horrible, and is one of the better choices in the mall. I must also confess a weakness for the chicken katsu don at Kabuki next door.

[ace123]

Au Delices' pastry and cakes are from Rahier. That's why it's so good!

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Rahier
1586 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4G, CA

[Snarf]

Many, but my days of lunching might put me out of date. Taro's for takeout sushi which could also be ordered to be freshly made.
Great wall for decent oriental (2001, anyways).
Oliver Bonacini for all right upscale lunch.

[Charles Yu]

At Taro, one can order sushi or buy their sashimi or hot food and eat them at the counter facing the window!

[petek]

Taro sounds good.So it's a fish market that sells fresh sushi/sashimi and prepared foods?

[Charles Yu]

Yes! Own and operated by Japanese!

[petek]

Thanks Charles and snarf. I'm in the mood for some nice fresh sushi.Now all I have to do is talk my niece and her hubby into it... :-D