THE ROOF LOUNGE 

The Park Hyatt Hotel, 4 Avenue Road, Toronto, On., M5R2E8, (416) 925-1234, Open for Lunch, Dinner and Late Night

Went to the roof lounge for drinks after a nice meal in Yorkville.  We arrived at the 18th floor bar and were quickly seated in the leather couches in the bar area.  Our waiter handed us a menu of drinks available.

We ordered some wine. After the wine we had several elderflower martinis, pairing Grey Goose La Poire with St. Germain artisinal elderflower liqueur, finished with prosecco and a sliver of bosc pear.  They were absolutely wonderful!!

Once a space was available on the outside patio we were seated at a view that is nothing short of spectacular. It is very mesmerizing and beckons one to linger!!

After our drinks we were shown the cigar menu!  Tom had one of the shorter cigars - a nice touch!!

If you find yourself near Bloor and Avenue Road, we recommend you have a libation at the Roof Lounge it is well worth the visit!!
http://parktoronto.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/TheRoofLounge.html?itemDesc=fboutlet&itemId=1003224

CANTINE 

138 Avenue Road, Yorkville, Toronto On., (416) 923-4822, Brunch 10 am - 3 pm Sat. & Sun. Lunch Mon. - Fri. 11:30 - 2:30 pm, Dinner 5 pm to close 7 nights

On a bitterly cold and windy February Saturday evening, my son Mark (http://www.markallen.ca/) and I decided to try Cantine.  We arrived at about 6:30 and were quickly seated (luckily) at a casual table in comfortable leather armchairs. They were a little awkward to eat from, but very comfortable to sit in. The interior of this restaurant is very comfortable and invites relaxation.  Most patrons were drinking vodka martinis during the evening.  We began by ordering a nice bottle of Refosco wine.

A nice bread platter quickly arrived with spicy olives and olive oil for dipping.

I ordered a fried calamari appetizer.  It was tender and nice and hot.  They were accompanied by a lemon and a chipotle mayo that was rather bland.

Mark ordered the crab cakes.  He really enjoyed them.  They were also accompanied by a chipotle mayo.

I ordered one of this evening's specials.  It was a house made ravioli dish filled with portabello and crimini mushrooms, onions and garlic.  They were tender and outstanding.  The ravioli were covered in a white wine cream sauce, that was light and very tasty.  Between the ravioli were short spears of very tender asparagus.  A sprinkling of parmigiano reggiano completed the flavouring of this plate.  This was a wonderful light dish that I would order again.

Mark ordered from the regular menu and had the grain fed boneless half chicken, with veal jus reduction and seasonal vegetables, that included bok choy and broccoli and mashed potatoes.  Unfortunately, the picture did not do this dish justice since it was to dark.  Mark really liked it.

We both complete our meals with a wonderful tiramisu that was light and delicious.  It was accompanied by sliced strawberries and chocolate sauce.

Our meals were very good and well presented.  The food was not heavy and the sauces were light and tasty.  The service was timely and efficient.  A number of patrons seemed to know each other and probably were regular patrons.  The restaurant was filled by 7:30, so reservations would be a good idea. We found the restaurant very comfortable and will definitely return to try other dishes.

http://www.cantine.ca/

BRAVI RISTORANTE 

40 Wellington Street East, St Lawrence Market /Old Town, Toronto On., (416) 368-9030, Open for Lunch and Dinner Mon. to Sat.

On late Saturday afternoon, after visiting St. Lawrence Market,  I and my son Mark (http://www.markallenrealty.ca/) discovered Bravi Ristorante in the area.  It was around 4:30 pm and they were not opening until 5:30, however someone noticed us at the window and came to tell us to come back after 5 and they would open for us.  So we went across the street and had a drink at the Flat iron Firkin and came back to Bravi for dinner.

The inside is quite classy yet warm and spacious.

There are a couple of wine walls dividing areas within the restaurant.

We decided to try their house Merlot, and it was smooth and delicious.

Before we were finished looking at the menu a wonderful basket of fresh crisp bread and warmed olives arrived accompanied by a complex olive oil dip. Yum.

We decided to share a salumi board, which consisted of a variety of cured meats and pickled vegetables.

For my main I chose the grilled Atlantic salmon, with garlic sauteed rapini, cherry tomatoes and black olives in lemon butter.  The salmon was nicely grilled and the rest of the dish went very well with the fish.

Mark had the gnocchi gorgonzola, with gorgonzola cream, toasted walnuts and caramelized pears.  It was very good and he really enjoyed this dish.

The service was very good and friendly, the food was delicious and the wine was reasonable.  We will definitely return to try some other Tuscan inspired dishes here (although the menu is somewhat limited) .  It has a comfortable, romantic feel to the space and well worth a visit.
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Well, we came back a couple of weeks later on a breezy February Saturday after another visit to St. Lawrence Market.  We met the same friendly waiter and were seated at the window where we could see the street and park.  This time I came with my wife and son Mark to try some other dishes.  My wife tried the special; grouper with a risotto type mixture made with white beans and other ingredients that tasted scrumptious.  

Mark tried the Scallop Risotto that included pan seared scallops, double smoked bacon and saffron. He really enjoyed it.

I stuck to the same dish I had the last time here - their grilled Atlantic salmon with garlic sauteed rapini, cherry tomato and olives.  It is very good!!
My wife and son finished with the tiramisu.  It came covered in cocoa and in a large cup and was smooth and delicious.  I just kept drinking the wine - a nice California Cabernet.

http://www.bravi.ca/index.php 

THE KEG STEAKHOUSE AND BAR 

165 York Street, Toronto, On. (416) 703-1773, Open for lunch Mon - Fri, dinner and late night every night

The four of us went to the Keg on York Street in downtown Toronto (near city hall).  We have been here many times before.  It was boxing day, so the office crowd which usually fills this bar and steakhouse to the brim on a Thursday after 5 was not here.  It was relatively a quiet evening.

The inside of this keg, like all kegs, has a comfortable feel.  There is a fireplace that invites you to enter on a cold evening.

The interior is always easy on the eyes, even though it is quite dark.

My wife and I began with a caesar salad.  As always it was cool and crisp.

My son Thomas had the sirloin oscar - the toppings of scallops and shrimp were delicious- however under it the steak had a lot of gristle in it and parts were inedible.  The garlic mashed potatoes are always a good choice (they are delicious).

My son Mark began with the escargot stuffed mushrooms, which always smell and taste delicious.

For his main he had the creole chicken, it had a nice amount of scallops on it and he found it very good.  The vegetables were nicely cooked.

My wife had the salmon (she has had it in Kegs before) it was delicious and not overcooked.  It came with a small caesar and nicely cooked beans.

I had my usual sirloin dinner.  My steak was undercooked (I like mine medium).  The baked potato was nicely cooked and delicious.  The mushrooms and vegetables were very good.

We completed our meals with their signature dessert Billy Miner Pie.  It is delicious and even if you feel full it is light and easy to eat.

We came to the keg to have dinner to celebrate my wife's birthday and I indicated that to the waitress as we were being seated.  In previous visits to the Keg (on the Esplanade) we were asked if we were celebrating anything and when we told them we were celebrating our two boys' birthdays, they provided a complimentary dessert and a handwritten birthday card (see my blog entry for the Keg on Esplanade).  We found this Keg a little less personal and lacking in service this time.  Maybe it was just an off day, we always enjoy any Keg we go to.

https://www.kegsteakhouse.com/en/locations/ON/toronto/york-street/