Best Restaurants for Handcrafted Cocktails in Leslieville / Riverdale

We chose a new restaurant for our Holiday reunions and The Dorset didn’t disappoint one bit. The decor, ambiance, service was amazing. Most importantly the food was outstanding and that’s a lot coming from a foodie and with an English menu with a lil twist I will definitely be back. One word DELICIOUS! We ended up being there for 4 hours 🥰👍🏼👍🏼

First time visiting this restaurant and we had a very pleasant experience. The manager when the extra mile to accommodate our family of 8. Our server Shanon was very attentive and professional. Our fave dish was the quesabirria. Great experience! Highly recommended.

We had the absolute pleasure of dining at Daphne in Toronto for a holiday dinner, and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was warm and inviting, perfect for a festive evening. The food was nothing short of spectacular. We enjoyed the Tuna Carpaccio, Beef Tartare, Branzino, Mussels, and Salmon, and every dish was executed to perfection. The flavors were fresh and beautifully balanced, leaving us savoring every bite. The highlight of our evening, however, was the impeccable service. Our waiter, Tarin, went above and beyond to ensure we had an exceptional dining experience. His attentiveness, friendliness, and genuine care made us feel truly special. It was hands down the best service we’ve ever received. Thank you, Terin and Daphne, for an incredible experience and meal making a memorable evening. We will definitely be back and recommend this gem to anyone looking for outstanding food and top-tier service in Toronto.

I introduced my friend to the various O&B restaurants and we were booked for Maison Selby on Monday but then I got an email about Canoe. I told him about the Christmas Eve lunch. The staff called to confirm and I told them this is his first visit. They came through and had us seated at the table facing the CN Tower. The food was phenomenal as it always is. I had the onion soup and it blew my mind. I am not a soup person but seeing Parmesan custard in the description peaked my curiosity. On the surface a pureed soup but it looked like art with the green oil drizzle and black pepper delicately grounded and sprinkled. Below the surface were the caramelized onions and parmesan custard. Ohhh the flavour sensations having a party on my tastebuds! He had the Waldorf and said it was delicious. We both had the beef Wellington. So tender and flavourful and that was just the meat! I actually did the foodie happy dance in my chair nom nom nomming! The roasted veggies, deep fried kale and mashed potatoes were lovely. To be honest they weren’t hot but I wasn’t going to ruin the dining experience by saying anything. I thought the pastry was perfect, mine fell open in two layers. He would have liked his to be flakier on the outside layer. He had the sticky toffee pudding and absolutely loved it. I had the white chocolate cheesecake with the pistachio crème anglaise and raspberry sorbet & I loved it. The flavours and textures were my vibe! I tried two mocktails. I loved the ambrosia! The flavour combos were amazing! Then I tried the gala. The drink itself was underwhelming compared to the first but its saving grace was the fruit. I asked our lovely server and she said maraschino cherries. No way! Not the ones you get on top of sundaes. Way better! They were the star of that drink along with the really cool rectangular ice cube! Lovely seeing Oscar from our Maison Selby days. Told him the venue switch story for lunch and he was the 4th staff to say: Really? Love it! O&B ❤️

Here’s a clearer and more concise version: The meal was delightful from start to finish. We began with the escargot and pain au lait—both featuring incredible breads. The pain au lait was melt-in-your-mouth, while the escargot and its sauce were exceptional. For mains, we had the boeuf bourguignon and tournedos rossini. Both were delicious, but the tournedos rossini was the standout. The flavors were extraordinary, with foie gras on top, a delicate brioche underneath, and a perfectly cooked filet mignon in the center. Our server, who was of French origin, was attentive, warm, and lovely, adding a really nice experience. The ambience was gorgeous, and everything about the evening was lovely. A truly memorable experience! We didn’t go to the speakeasy afterwards because we were too full and had a snowy drive ahead of us, but look forward to trying it in the future!