I just reviewed the thread in response to IW's similar request of a month ago, but would still appreciate advice from the Toronto WC on a place appropriate for a birthday supper next Monday night (i.e great food and service), downtown (we'll be at the Courtyard on Yonge), affordable (two adults, two teenagers - but it is a birthday supper....) and affordable corkage as well.

Sang Ho, 536 Dundas Street West. Call and tell them you want to BYO. They'll allow it. Just go in and start ordering the wonderful seafood dishes. Soft shell carb, shrimp, squid, you name it, it's all excellent, and inexpensive.

Oh yeah, you're welcome!

Mondays are tough because some places will be closed, but start with these two places:

Biff's Bistro

Corkage $25, ask to sit in Jacob's section. We had last year's TWC anniversary offline here.

Crush Wine Bar

Corkage on Mondays is only $10 (usually $25). We had this year's TWC anniversary offline here.

There are more options, but see if those are of interest.

Le Select Bistro. Great food and an even better patio. $18 corkage if you don't want your wine decanted, $25 if you do.

http://www.leselect.com/

All good suggestions, and thanks. I looked at the menus (I've actually been to le Select before I think) but I think we'll hit l'Unita because there is just so much there that looks SOOOOOOOOO good! And it's within walking distance of our hotel. fut - I know you know l'Unita well, anything in particular to recommend?

We may hit Sang Ho for lunch the next day though.

Avoid the pizza at all costs. Truly atrocious. Everything else I've had has been good there, but the one thing that stands out in my memory is the strawberry crespele for dessert. Not to be missed if it's still on the menu.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
Sang Ho, 536 Dundas Street West. Call and tell them you want to BYO. They'll allow it. Just go in and start ordering the wonderful seafood dishes. Soft shell carb, shrimp, squid, you name it, it's all excellent, and inexpensive.

Oh yeah, you're welcome!

Thank you, I went here last night. There were a bunch of guys next to us who brought in a mini keg of beer. Supernice staff. Excellent seafood. We had a huge crab and squid with snow pea leaves and a 2003 Chapoutier Chante Allouette. Everything was perfect. Two of us ate very well for $70 + tip and that included two beers.

bman, I just ate a Loire again on Tuesday and I seriously think you should consider going there. Truly amazing food and corkage was $25.

http://www.loirerestaurant.ca/

Never mind. Apparently I can't read and Loire is closed on Mondays.

Canoe does corkage...think it was $40 when we were there...
Auberge du Pommier also has corkage
Splendido also has corkage... $50
Problem with all of these is that the cost is pushing $100/person usually
I would go with Loire...I have heard great things about it as well. The former sommalier from Langdon Hall opened it up

We went to l'Unita and had a wonderful meal - service, food (short ribs main, octopus and mushrooms starters), ambience all were wonderful. Sat in the front window table, a great place to people-watch, BTW.

Only downside was that I was hopeful they might comp the corkage (or something) as it was my birthday, but no such luck. It would have been a nice touch that would have made a return visit more likely, but that's a very minor quibble and chances are we'll be back on a future visit now that my daughter will attend U of T in September.

Sorry to come in so late but glad you had a great time in TO. L'Unita is a decent restaurant by TO standards but hardly among the best, so I wouldn't recommend going back to it on your next visit as there are so many others to try.