Toba - Toronto

Love love love this restaurant. It's a perfect little spot in the Front street/St. Lawrence area. It has all the charms of a small european bistro with the exposed brick walls, long dining room and comfortable aged wooden tables and chairs. The decor and ambiance is decidedly low key and very laid back. It's a great place to go either for a date or just to catch up with friends. Though I love the atmosphere of the restaurant, it is the food that makes me want to go back. Most memorable was the crisply seared arctic char sitting on a bed of mashed sweet potatoes and surrounded by delicately flavoured fish broth. There's nothing fishy about this dish! It's just a lovely balance of textures and sweetness. Their crab cakes are also a must try. My friend ordered it as an appetizer, but what was served was a main size plate of three crab cakes stacked atop a bed of salad greens. The cakes were crispy on the outside and smooth on the inside, while still retaining the texture of strands of real crab meat. I highly recommend this restaurant for those who are looking for a small charming spot that serves up great ambiance with some very very delicious and interesting food. Dinner for two (appetizer, main, dessert, wine) was around $110, which is average for this caliber of cuisine.

My most favorite brunch spot!! Consistently good brunch here - I just love it! Pancakes, French toast, poached eggs... has all the usual brunch items and more.