Morgans on Danforth

[grandgourmand]

I've been three times now and am planning on making a fourth time happen. Mostly, I've been there for beer. They've got a good selection of Ontario beers on tap (mill st. flying monkey, king) and a rotating cask beer (yesterday was great lakes something or other). Service is friendly, it's got nice decor and the menu options look pretty interesting. BUT, I haven't eaten there yet. Has anyone tried it out? And if so, what's it like?

[mariecollins]

I went again recently and thought the menu was a little more reasonably priced. Had the fried chicken which was really good, and a generous portion for around $15. Beer and service were still great.

[julesrules]

Yeah I also did notice they were promoting some weekly dinner specials that seemed reasonable.

[Pincus]

They added more affordable prices on many items after the original model of being a gastronomic experience with all $40 entrees wasn't working out.

[julesrules]

It's funny though how those initial prices still colour my experience. I mean if I go somewhere expecting average pub food, I don't even consider dessert (except that the desserts at Taps and Tales were housemade and quite good), I would never order pizza at a pub (except Brass Taps), etc. Actually it was my kids who ordered the pizza with the weird fried dough. Anyway. I still feel they are overselling some of what they are putting out.
What do you think of Morgans Pincus, since I believe you used to frequent TnT, along with the Jester and some other Danforth pubs?

[Pincus]

Morgan's is OK. It tends to attract the more affluent members of Danforth East, so it is fairly sedate. The only thing that rates it higher is that the other bars with food choices in the area are less desirable (for my tastes).

[mariecollins]

Well they do have a nice selection of craft beers, which rates it high in my books. Sauce doesn't have much food, the Only is bring your own, and I haven't tried The Wren yet. I guess Relish would be the only other option to the East, but
i haven't been since it started operating more as a bar/restaurant.

I forgot Sarah's but rarely feel the need to go there.

[Pincus]

Sarah's is nice with beer and frites in the summer. Otherwise eminently avoidable, from my perspective.

[prima]

I don't know why Morgan's attempted selling $40 mains. Even in Rosedale and Forest Hill, where some locals probably have more disposable income for dining out, neighbourhood restaurants try to keep their mains under $30.

What I find interesting, is that the people who will drive downtown to spend $48 for a main at Splendido, and travel 20 minutes out of their way and maybe pay for parking to get a $9 take-out burger from Burgers' Priest, often aren't willing to spend over $30 for a main in their own neighbourhood, even if they wouldn't have the added cost and hassle of travel, parking, etc.

[KitchenVoodoo]

When I ordered fried chicken it came out a MESS! Flabby skin, overcooked flesh, a big mess of flabby fries on the plate - I tried it another night, this time bringing two friends, and apart from the attentive bar service and the free beer samples the food was forgettable.

[mariecollins]

I'll have to try it again - I'm not really a fried chicken expert but this had a nice crispy skin and I liked the collard greens.

[julesrules]

Based on my daytime experiences I wonder if there is a good chef who comes up with stuff, then some other chefs who can't necessarily deliver the same quality.

[Googs]

It it open 7 days a week with the days ranging from 12-14 hours each? Then your answer is yes.

[julesrules]

I realize there is more than one cook. I'm wondering if there is a bad chef in the mix. In particular, the last dessert I ordered was really hyped up to me, then took forever, and wasn't as described (chocolate and spicy became bland and vanilla). I had to wonder if they realized they were out of components and franctically tried to whip something up!

[Googs]

Personally, I track the consistent correlating elements to my restaurant experiences. There are many places I love that I wouldn't even think of going to on what I consider to be the wrong day.

[julesrules]

I've been twice now for lunch when the price point is more my style. Food is ok to good, I liked the burger with fried quail egg and truffled hollandaise. Pizza crust oddly seems deep fried, not sure how they manage that in an oven. Desserts are bad - they sound interesting but both times I ended up with a bunch of unadvertised vanilla ice cream.
There's been some small service mishaps too. Bottom line, I'll return for lunch because I'm in the area but I can't imagine them producing food or an overall experience worthy of their dinner prices.

[Full tummy]

We went for brunch recently, and everyone really enjoyed their food. Service was attentive and professional. It's a nice space. We will definitely be back for brunch! (We didn't try any desserts, though...)

[Sueb24]

We have made this our new local. Love the charcuterie board (no matter how passe they may be these days), calamari's good, great sauce with the mussels, and the beer selection is what also keeps us coming back. Always look forward to trying something new on the menu with each visit.

Excellent attentive staff - Anthony (Tony), Victoria (Tori) and Kelly. Have only seen the owner in there a couple of times and he was usually leaving for the night, so no faux pas with hygiene noticed.

So glad they've brought it up a notch from Taps & Tales. Some seriously seedy dudes in there before!

[Strathmore_guy]

I agree with the comments on the food being quite excellent. As for "healthy", we have found that if you ask them to change things up a bit they are quite accommodating. The prices are higher than some of the places around here, but not unreasonable for the quality.

My favourite part about the beer is the "cask of the day" which gives you a specific beer for a great price. It's a good opportunity to get away from the routine.

[KitchenVoodoo]

Going to give them another try because the staff and chefs are so nice.
Fried chicken and frites - tasty but soggy. But excellent servive, a very nice neighbourhood place.
Thanksgining Dinner tomorrow evening - I'm brining friends!

[Googs]

Cutest typo of the week. I hope you're not brining friends. While we're on words...

As for naming your neighbourhood, I'm sure Leaches wouldn't work, so how about Believille?

[prima]

Could call the neighourhood E-Dan. Not to be confused with E-Pan.

Danforth & Greenwood is located in Danforth Mosaic territory, which bills itself as "The Heart of the Danforth". http://www.danforthmosaicbia.com/blog/?page_id=123 Maybe we could just call the Danforth/Greenwood neighbourhood The Heart?

http://www.morgansonthedanforth.com/

http://www.morgansonthedanforth.com/menus.php

https://twitter.com/MorgansontheDan

[neighborguy]

The food is good -- I've had the steak, curry, and a pappardele ragout -- tho, they could probably stand to knock off a few bux off each entree. For the same money, I prefer Melanie's.

[millygirl]

The food WAS good. That's why I was disappointed.

I try to reason with myself atomeyes along those lines "that I'm sure worse things go on" but there behind the scenes. Maybe if it was only one thing but the fact that this guy had no clue and everything he did was just wrong and in plain sight just didn't sit right with me.

The place was empty too which often is a good indication. All in all, its okay, there are plenty other spots around town I can find an omelet.

[Kooper]

It is too bad because Taps and Tales was full all the time. We have been a couple of times and it was never as full as it used to be. I agree with some of the other comments. It is just a bit too expensive to be a regular place to go.

[Kooper]

My wife and I used to be regulars at the bar that existed before Taps and Tales. We have been to Morgans a couple of times and yes the food is good but it is too expensive to be a regular hang out. The beer selection is good and the food is pretty good and varied. I have tried the wild boar pasta and it was really good. I cal also vouch for the burger, good and tasty. What is missing from the menu is anything healthy. There are few salads or anything without red meat. If you are a local it is worth a visit for dinner.

[millygirl]

So wanted to like this place and we might have except for a couple of OMG please don't tell me you are doing that moments from the owner behind the bar.

First mistake - said owner is outside on his hands and knees scrubbing the entrance way when a couple walk in. One introduces him to her friend and owner goes to shake her hand then stops and realizes and says "oh better not, my hands are dirty" DUH! When he's finished he goes behind the bar and picks up at least 2 or 3 items, including a beer mat before he actually goes and washes his hands.

I wanted to run but decided not to make a scene because a. our meal has been ordered and b. he is not waiting on us nor is he in the kitchen thankfully.

Next hubby sees him polishing glasses with a small towel and he takes the same towel and briefly stops to scratch his face and quickly gets back to work polishing the glasses. I kid you not.

I mean seriously.....this happened. Part of me feels badly writing this but on the hand I feel they have it coming. It's just not right.

I dunno - should I have pointed it out to him. I thought about it but didn't. But it still annoys me that people in the food industry have no clue. Do I want his face wiping a towel that I might be drinking from?

Another thing - he's moving clean glasses around with his fingers all around the insides. Blech.

Sorry Morgan's I will not be back.

p.s. It's too bad because that omelet was pretty good!!

[atomeyes]

if only you knew what went on inside a restaurant's kitchen.
the face scratching thing is absolutely nothing in my books.

[Pincus]

Was that the older guy with the wavy hair?

Anthony is the best thing about the place.

[millygirl]

Yes it was.

[RedwIzardneedsfood]

Wow! He must have been having an off day... I've eaten at Morgans a couple of times now, and I've had no complaints! I've been served by the older gentleman with glasses before, and he did a great job. The burgers are fantastic...

[Pincus]

Good food, high prices. I have heard the owners comment that they are positioning it as a "bistro" rather than a pub. They also have a (to me) fair sized wine selection along with the many beer choices.

Since I like to eat more than I like to drink, I don't go here that often. But, service is great and the (somewhat pricey) food is tasty. The burger is really good. They also have a late night menu with some cheaper choices (burger, nachos, etc.) which is offered after 10 pm? I think?

[grandgourmand]

Yeah, I noticed the prices were a bit on the high side, considering the area.

We were there after ten and ordered the wings and fries combo. The wings were pretty good, but my friends wanted medium instead of hot, which I prefer. And the frieds were thick-cut and meaty. I liked those a lot.

[SNACKeR]

Perhaps the prices are high *because* of that area. There are a lot of seedy bars in the neighbourhood, and to carve out a different clientele, price is one way to do it...

[Pincus]

Yes, that is their clear strategy.

[mariecollins]

I don't find the beer prices unreasonable - just the food.

[Pincus]

True. Unless one goes mad and orders one of the premiere bottles.

[mariecollins]

I've eaten there twice. Food both times was very good but I find the prices a little high. First time I had liver and onions, and I can't remember the second, but perhaps a burger. I read a review somewhere that said "four star food at five star prices", and I concur with that. However, if I didn't have kids, I be there every night for the beer!

[foodyDudey]

Based on the write up here, http://www.postcity.com/Eat-Shop-Do/E... I'd say it could be good.

[millygirl]

Thanks gg. Looks very interesting. Not a big pub person but that burger sure looks inticing. I will def check it out.

[Herne]

Where on Danforth is this place?

[grandgourmand]

1282. Just east of Greenwood. North. side.

[Herne]

A relief. I seldon go east of Pape.

Currently getting familiar with the Brass Taps just east of Logan.