I believe this is the only 5 star restaurant in Toronto and it lives up to that rating. Georges Spaghetti House was a wonderful restaurant with a great menu. In my eyes, the buffet was lobster-lobster-lobster. By now I am certain that you have guessed that I LOVE lobster. Remember, I said reasonably.. The last one was OTooles. I remember the tunnel and the soft chocolate malted ice cream cones wed buy at one end of the tunnel. It always feels good to share memories with others. On its the south facade, there was a green neon sign that created the outline of a steer. It had one of the first salad bars in TO. It opened in 1963, and for the next decade was one of the citys most popular dining establishments. Anyone remember The Barclay Hotel- dinner club in the late 50s and 60s. A small cozy establishment, owned by John Lundager, it featured Danish/Canadian cuisine. My Favourite seafood restaurant in Toronto was The Mermaid, at 724 Bay Street, which opened in 1964. It was dark and expansive, with stuffed seagulls and angels and god-knows-what else hanging from the ceiling and booths on multiple levels. ), on Yonge; Bistro 990our go-to place for lunch upon arrival in Toronto; Starfiishgorged on oysters; JKROManother wonderful go-to place for lunch; Jamie Kennedys Wine Bar, and then, there was Susursan incredibly delicious and enjoyable dining experience. Toronto was, of course, still a bustling, vibrant city just with fewer skyscrapers and a touch more mullets and spandex. This is where I attended a wedding reception in its banquet room in the basement. As I recall there was another one the same size accross the road, I believe to the South. I recall how difficult it was to receive a reservation, so always phoned at least a week in advance. [.] I also remember a time when Lonestar Texas Grill (Simcoe Place) was really, really good. Chubby's Jamaican Kitchen. It was surreal, could have been designed by Dali himself. It was where we purchased our high school texts each September. However, memories of food cooked beyond our kitchen, during my boyhood years, include the hot dogs and the aroma of the ice cream waffles in the tunnel under Albert Street. 130 reviews #615 of 5,196 Restaurants in Toronto $$$$ Italian French Mediterranean. Opening week, New City Hall Photographer: Toronto Fire Department,1965 Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue Photographer: Eric Trussler, 1962 O'Keefe Centre opening Photographer: Alexandra Studio, 1960 Waiting at traffic lights The meal consisted of thick juicy slices of tender roast beef, mashed potatoes, green peas, and Yorkshire pudding. Steakhouse, Lounge, Asian, Chinese, Alcohol Served, Gluten Free Foods. Toronto Gone - photos from 1980s Toronto. My aunt Tulle waitressed there and the front of the house was handled by a woman called Arne who was a single mother who lived upstairs from the restaurant with her daughter. I especially enjoyed their Spinach layer salad. Settle in for the blind, multi-course tasting menu in either the dining room or at the kitchen counter helmed by chef de cuisine Nick Bentley. And yes, they were licensed which was odd for the type of restaurant at the time. The Gods of frugal yum smiled down on us, bestowing fabled chains which offered affordable eats for family friendly visits and left behind indelible impressions in our minds and taste buds even long after they had shuttered, gone into receivership or been chewed up by corporate garburators. Then, there was the Arcadian Room (Simpsons), Casa Mendoza (great meat platters, Argentinian style) on the Lakeshore, The Round Room in Eatons College, Beverley Hills Hotel on Wilson Avenue (good lunch buffet), the Colonial Tavern and the Silver Rail on Yonge Street, and Diana Sweets on Yonge and also on Bloor, and Frans on St. Clair Avenue, Eglinton Avenue, and on College Street. Eds restaurants on King Street in 1981. a wonderful cafeteria as welltoasted danish, chicken pot pies.ate lunch there most days when working for Simpsons circa 1962/1964.good old days! I miss it to this day! It did not last long under the new management. The restaurant's entire menu celebrates the island's food, culture, and chefs. Always lots of men in suits lol. Do you remember a delightful Greek restaurant that was on the west side of Church St. midway between Wellington and The Esplanade? Does anyone remember a cafe that was located by the Toronto waterfront My father would take me & my siblings on drives around downtown Toronto in the mid fifties. Sadly was not able to go there since covid and they are now closed. I was only about 28 or 29 at the time. It was like dining in a beautiful forest. I remember cabbage rolls, meatballs with rice, beef stew & baklava for dessert. The well-seasoned spicier foods that ethnic eateries offered were challenging the more bland style of dishes that Canada inherited from Great Britain. Also a haunt of people performing @ OKeefe Centre. Member Bio Joined Mar 14, 2008 Messages 1,656 Reaction score 1,524. After attending the theatre, we visited Bassels where we usually ordered coffee and pie with whipped cream, or if we went to Bassels in the evening, before the theatre, we had a western sandwich and fries. Perhaps one of the most famous of Toronto dining places was Eds Warehouse, at 266 King Street West. It was called Between Friends. La Scala on the southeast corner of Bay and Charles was great Italian food; it was frequented by the Ontario Cabinet of Bill Davis. The owner of Bassels Restaurant was Peter Bassel, my grandfather. What was your maiden name or your fathers name who worked there? " 20/06/2020 " Fabulous ice cream and gelato. The Old Fish Market Restaurant at 12 Market Street. May 20, 2018 #43 16 Places . We visited LHardys frequently, and when I asked a waiter if I could have a menu as a souvenir, he gave me one that had not been used. Charles (waiter) had a fabulous memory. Another bargain chain of steak houses was Ponderosa, named after the fictional ranch in the TV program Bonanza. These restaurant chains offered affordable steaks that were reasonably tender. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This restaurant suffered the same fate as the Mermaid. My brother and I would have been 4 to 7 years old. The Hungarian Village at 900 Bay Street served Hungarian food and featured live Gypsy violinists. Please post some place were more info can be found. They eventually parted ways and he opened a restaurant of the same name on OConnor with my grandmother. Here are just a proposal for a correction, and a recollection of my own. The 19 best restaurants in Toronto A wildly diverse and energetic population have turned the best restaurants in Toronto into real foodie destinations Written by Sandra Osojnik & Mary Luz Mejia. I was greatly saddened when it closed its doors in 1988; the historic house was demolished, and for a few years the site was likely a parking lot, as it was not until 1995 that a housing co-operative was erected on the property. Regardless, this historic tavern is a reliable spot for beers and pub grub, imbued with Toronto history. The smaller boat of Captain Johns, the Normac, in the 1970s, the larger ship the Jadran in the background. For her, there was no turning back. I grew up in Leaside and have dined at most of the restaurants you mention. Bassels on the southeast corner of Gerrard and Yonge Streets in April 1954. Images courtesy Patti Habib, The Big Bop / Reverb, Myke Dyer, Citysonic, Wrongbar, David Waldman . I also remember the Organ Grinder on the Esplanade. In 1954 to 1957 My parents, my sister and I lived at 7 Elm street in Toronto. For some of the exact addresses of the restaurants I relied on information posted on-line. La Chaumiere was also well known for its coq au vin and scallops Normandie. One of the ethnic restaurants that stands out in my memory is Acropole. Other places: an Italian restaurant at Bayview Village (where Il Fornello is now), Max's (now O&B) and before it was Max's, I think it was a pub called Charlie's (shut when I was six or so). Bring your appetite so you can sample culinary experiences for every taste and graze on boundless options . And yeah, the Beggars Banquet Music Festivals. I remember a few Macedonian restaurants now long gone. So many great memories in the article and all these wonderful comments. Moe Pancers DelicatessenThe original Bathurst & York Downs3. It had great food and was so cosy and warm on winter nights. I remember the all-you-can-eat lobster buffet that was served on the top deck during the summer months. Hi there, I DO remember The TRAC very well. FreePlay Toronto 8 Gastropubs This restaurant opened in 1959, and is one of the few from the days of my youth that still exists. Our pizza joint was Salernos, occasionally wed win vouchers to dine at Peppios (where the Sign of the Steer was). Asked . I believe they were licensed so you could order a fine wine or beer with Rumours circulated that members of the mafia had been turned away at the door, and had put out a hit on the place. I spoke to a cook called Jimmy at the Dairy Freezer at St. Clair & Caledonia who told me he used to work at the Dixie Prime. Nonetheless the industry fought a proposed increase in the federal minimum wage from $2.30 to $3.00 an hour. Park & Lawrence) & have the the Maple Leafs sign Polaroids of us sitting on their knees, we were that young. Other exotic foods of my childhood were the free samples and greasy treats at the CNE, which we loved. From chef Akira Back, who garnered a Michelin Star for his restaurant in Seoul, his namesake Toronto restaurant offers an incredible experience, from the expertly crafted food and beverage program and the exceptional service right down to the show-stopping design. For more than half a century, the House of Chan, a steakhouse and Chinese restaurant near the corner of Bathurst Street and Eglinton Avenue West in Forest Hill, has stood as a de facto living. A very interesting trip down memory laneso many of the spots that I had long forgotten about. The only other eatery I remember from the 1950s is the Honey Dew restaurant located on the mezzanine level of the Odeon Carlton Theatre, which served fish and chips and Ritz Carlton hotdogs, along with the famous Honey Dew orange drink. Toronto Archives, F1257, S1057, item 073. Remember most of the restaurants mentioned but we loved a little restaurant called Pot au Feu.it was on a street near University Ave and was in the basement. Actually my fondest memory as a child was the chocolate (malted) soft ice cream cone in the basement of Eatons near the tunnel to the Annex, the discount or clearance Eaton store. Johns, which was moored on the east side of the Jadran. We always started the meal at the Mermaid with the Copenhagen Seafood Chowder, which was a Danish version of New England clam chowderrich and creamy. Just steps away from the Gardens. We ordered a very expensive bottle of white wineLoved the place. Those looking to dance could hit a number of spots near Yonge and Wellesley, like The Manatee, The Quest, Katrina's, Club David's , The Maygay (later Charly's), and Cornelius, which sat above biker bar The . Toronto Archives, S0372, SS058, item 2482. One of Toronto's most storied restaurants, renowned for its refined food and impeccable service, will be closing its iron gates for the last time next week after 31 years serving the city's. 24. Toronto Archives, F1526, fl0008, item 0116. Photo of the front (insert) and the interior of Quo Vadis Restaurant, from Chuckmans Postcard Collection (chuckmantorontonostalgia.wordpress.com). It was reported that John Turner had his own table at Winstons. It was on the West side of Yonge street just south of Hogs Hollow. It started as a Yorkville coffeehouse in the 60s where acts like Harry Belafonte, Nana Mouskouri, Gordon Lightfoot . Thanks for the memories! A popular pregame location. The same strip mall also had a Becker's, a Chinese restaurant and a few other businesses! I greatly enjoy their panzerotti. That is not Tom Jones Steak House. When it changed hands it cheapened the quality of the food but increased the prices. Ponderosa was a popular birthday destination in the 80s, owing to the group friendly prices, kid friendly zones and fun-tastic birthday hats. This is a true eater's city. Yes, nice view of the ravine. I am trying to remember a restaurant with very high ceilings, sky lights, lots of trees and hanging plants. From the late-1960s until the 1980s, the name of the Maitre d' was Tage Christensen. After our family moved to Toronto (well, Scarborough) in the early 70s, after having lived in a series of hick towns (not all of them small, just no dining scene) my parents made a point of going out to dinner every Saturday night to enjoy all that Toronto had to offer. He was a very smart businessman as well as a big-hearted individual. #777 of 6,034 Restaurants in Toronto 37 reviews 920 Queen St E Leslieville 0.1 km from Queen Street " The BEST gelato and ice cream. Established in 1958. The restaurants housed an authentic Cowboy styled atmosphere with saloon doors, stag horns, wood walls, yellow and brown uniforms for the staff and red and white checkered table clothes. Also Ford Drugs on Yonge for the cheapest burgers around. If anyone else has any memories of any of the three prime restaurants, kindly post. During the '50s when dining out meant Chinese food or steak and more. As a former resident of Toronto I remember these restaurants with fond memories. On the north side just East of Parliament was Macedonian Village. Quo Vadis is another restaurant that must be mentioned when writing about the 1960s, as it was the first dining establishment in Toronto to receive international recognition. One of them was the Town and Country, which had opened in 1949 in the Westminster Hotel at Gould and Mutual Streets. The 1980s were unkind to Mothers, and even though Blue Jays Ernie Whitt, Loyd Moseby and Cito Gaston invested in the company (there was even "Ernie Whitt Specials") and helped market it along with Duel dodger Dennis Weaver! Opened in 1958, China House is the last of the remaining classic, fine dining Chinese Restaurants remaining in Toronto. Enhance this page - Upload photos! For this article, I will be focussing on the first, Boa Caf; the story of its second incarnation, Boa Redux, will be told in the next edition of Then & Now. We used to hop in a cab from Mississauga/Etobicoke and spend our pay cheque at the Ports of Call and always to the Bali Hi room and then afterwords, would go out to Yorkville to a bar. It opened at 375 Church Street in 1964. As in big fat Lardys? After a massive expansion which saw over 40 locations arise in Ontario (22 in Toronto alone), the chain was crippled by the 1982 recession, forcing owners Foodex Inc. to sell most of their locations to Pizza Hut, who wasted little time in aping Vetere's popular Deep Dish style Pizza but without the pizzaz. Hemingway's is the bar where deals have been made, law students have networked and everyone else has just had fun since the 1980s. It started in the thirties & I think it had closed by about 1990. Great Breakfasts. So disappointed when it closed. Three very good restaurants in the Yonge and St. Clair area were Rhodes, owned by Tom Kristenbrun on the west side and Bofinger Brasserie that sat between the two theatres. By 1989 Mothers had gone into receivership and was bought up by Little Caesers, who disposed of the classy Mothers style and helped usher in the era of cheap tasteless cardboard Pizza (aided and abetted by other chains who shall remain nameless). Arcade games (usually Asteroids, Pac-Man, Dig-Dug or Zaxxon) lined the walls and could be operated with plastic tokens that also worked in the gumball machines, and of course every kid got a free token with their meal. I discovered some errors on these web sites, but still, I am grateful that these sources were available. New Orleans Seafood & Steakhouse 334 reviews Closed today Steakhouse, Cajun & Creole $$ - $$$ Menu "The Cajun Calamari were made to perfection and very tender." As one of the two owners of Lgardys and Quenelles restaurants on church Street this was priceless. We were in elementary school and we always shared a huge communal bowl of ice cream (all six or seven of uswe obviously did not believe in germs back thenhahaha). At the time it was what would be called a greasy spoon with a counter and those revolving bar stools. Once in awhile, wed go the Prime Restaurant, and order one of the giant butter tarts, plate sized treats, runny and gooey and just plain good. The Java House was also in this block of buildings, south of Bloor Street, and was great for coffee after the theatre. I remember having a birthday lunch at the Sussex Centre location in Mississauga and ordering the enormous "Kitchen Sink" sundae. Wasnt it Lardys? Thank you so much I was privileged to enjoy most of these wonderful establishments over three decades. Unfortunately, the boat was rammed by the Trillium ferry and sunk. I first visited Eds Warehouse when I received a complimentary coupon for Eds Warehouse with my theatre subscription. Toronto Restaurants Dig into Toronto's decadent food scene and find a restaurant for every taste. The old world charm was quite memorable. Scotts restaurant was on Yonge just north of Dundas, where you sat upstairs looking out onto Yonge St to have bacon burger and fries (that was before we worried or knew about cholesterol). I am researching Macedonian owned restaurants 1945/1946 in Toronto, around the High Park area, walking distance from symington ave., and most of them did not serve Macedonian food back thenanyone remember a name? When I asked for something not on the menu, it was no problem. Another fave of mine was The Moorings, best lobster thermidor in the city! Dinner on our first night. Muddy York is still alive, albeit in the Rogers Centre. Save. A Hamburger was 25-30 cents and a coke 10 cents! Mealshare. Its . - also score high on the nostalgic food-o-meter, primary thanks to their yummy deep fried ice cream, piping hot plates and cheap margaritas. It was fab to have Italian food like that as a kid. To my surprise, I could find not only no pictures but no references at all. Known as the best Jamaican restaurant in Toronto, Chubby's Jamaican Kitchen serves traditional Caribbean cuisine with healthy culinary twists. South on Bay, down some steps, dark, red banquettes. We bought our own, sometimes saving money by purchasing second-hand books. I met my first husband there. This was my first introduction to Chinese Food. And some fan favoriteslike Burger Chef, G.D. Ritzy's, and Howard Johnson'sfell by the wayside. Claimed. I came of age to attend real restaurants in the 1960s, in a decade when more Torontonians were beginning to discover the delights of dining out. We also enjoyed Smittys Pancake House on Dundas Street West, east of Islington Avenue, and their location in Yorkdale Plaza. Anyone remember the name of the steakhouse? Napoleon restaurant was at 79 Grenville Street, a short distance west of Bay Street. Sadly the owner left to take over the Aston Martin Car Company in ENGLAND and the restaurant rapidly went south becoming a poor shadow of its former self. They served their regular fare downstairs on the street floor. One of the first restaurants my friends and I visited was the Swiss Chalet. Ponderosa was a popular birthday destination in the 80s, owing to the group friendly prices, kid friendly zones and fun-tastic birthday hats. I remember the Toronto Radio Artists Club well. Another memory is The Raclette which was on Queen st W, probably east of Spadina on the south side. Upstairs was where everyone went for their delicious steaks! But my favourite was Truffles, at the old Four Seasons, before and after the 1990s renovations. #4 1213 Bayview Ave, Toronto, On M4G2Z8, Toronto, Toronto $ 95,000 Popular Thai Restaurant Serving Lunch & Dinner, In Toronto. Your list is amazing. One simple one was the RED HOT stand in the annex of Eatons hot dogs and mustard with a napkin and orange pop loved them. Read more See all (124) Ratings and reviews 4.5 641 How I miss it! Originally part of the Pillsbury Corp., the restaurant was founded in 1976. 80 Blue Jays Way. . Bayer Senior Member. Great article. And I recall a place called the Muddy York. Ive enjoyed a meal or three in many of these restaurants. I have yet to find another place that makes battered shrimp as amazingly as they did*sigh*. However, it has only been called The Black Bull since the 1970s, prior to which, it was called Clifton House. Congratulations to anyone who grew up in Toronto in the 1980s you had it all! It was an grimy after-hours spot covered in graffiti and modelled after New York's Paradise Garage, where. Larry's Hideaway. The majority of their remaining locations were unceremoniously gobbled up by Outback Steakhouse, with nary a drop of salsa left behind. Following a disastrous fire, it was not rebuilt. So many happy dining memories. Maxi owned the bar/restaurant and always greeted you at the door. It was on the west side of Bay Street, a short distance south of Richmond Street West. The Old Fish Market at 12 Market Street, near the St. Lawrence Market, was another of my favourite places for seafood, though it certainly was not in the class the Mermaid. Could someone remember the name. Mocktails are everywhere in Toronto right now but why are they so expensive? 10 Places. Peter Basel was a kind and generous man and my mother (Madge) remained friends with Doris Cox who I believe was the manager or accountant until their passing. The 10-storey building originally opened in 1955 as the Anndore Hotel and Apartments - a glamorous rooming house Marlene Dietrich was rumoured to have visited. Rhodes had a front area on the north side of the entrance fronting the fine dining room that featured local jazz musicians Thursday to Saturday evenings. Oct. 9, 1981 - King St W - "Ed's Warehouse" restaurant - view is east from Duncan. I had ordered this delicious dish many times, so I kept the recipe. As well as the Old Fish Market there was also the Market Grill on Church St. Puppy Palace teen hangout on north Bathurst St. I just described it to my partner and tried to Google some archival photos. Does anyone remember this restaurant? Casa Madera 307 reviews Open Now Mexican, Mediterranean Menu "Ate a delicious burger on his recommend." ". comments, Toronto's buffet scene is shrinking but a few restaurants are still holding out, Jagmeet Singh calls out 'greedy CEOs' at Loblaws and Sobeys for high prices, Huge fast food brand likely behind viral 'TTC French toast guy' stunt in Toronto, Toronto shopper outraged as maple syrup prices more than double in a few months, Grocery store nailed with 13 infractions from Toronto health inspectors, Toronto restaurants reintroduce lunch in hopes that industry luck has improved. The restaurant's owner Anthony Rose has a couple other restaurants in the city. It cost around 2 bucks. However, Ed Mirvish had purchased the Royal Alexandria Theatre and wanted to attract people to the area. The City's most internationally acclaimed restaurant, Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto has been awarded a Michelin Star in the inaugural Michelin Guide - Toronto 2022. From the CNE to Scarborough Town Centre, here's what Toronto looked like in the 1980s. Review. I was all grown up when I arrived in Toronto in 1987, but I remember my visits to Bemelmans; the original Bloor Street Diner where I met my first boyfriend; the early 90s version of City Grill at the Eaton Centre; and the Daily Planet at Yonge and Eglinton. Also like Vetere's, the Pizza was phenomenal, and their 99 cent Root Beer floats with take home glass were the stuff of playground legend. The Swiss Chalet at 362 Yonge Street. We moved to Vancouver and every year when I flew to Toronto the first stop was switzers. The dessert was spumoni ice cream. This chain first appeared at 234 Bloor Street West, in 1954, and in the years ahead opened over 200 eateries throughout Canada and the U.S. The stronghold of McDonald's, Pizza Hut , Burger King, and other giants of the '80s made the competition stiff. The president of the National Restaurant Association reported that the country's half million restaurants enjoyed rising sales throughout the mid-1970s, with 1975's take 16% higher than the year before. My mother ignored his comments. On the corner of College St and Palmerston Ave, in Toronto's lively Little Italy, sits Bar Raval, a Mecca for Spanish tapas and pintxos (with a Raval twist), a wide selection of wines (both old world and new), cocktails, micro-brews and ciders. It had old world charm. Mary Johns, I think was on Elizabeth St. around Gerrard. I loved Frans on Yonge St across from Sams. They sure did a land-office business of fishn chips both eat-in and take-out on Friday evenings!
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