what a fantastic dinner my wife and I had. luckily got a great table with a beautiful view of the city. The food was good, as was our waiter. c5 is is such a unique place to eat, the last time I was at the ROM I was 6 years old...nice to be back
John's Rating: 4 Stars |
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What a great restaurant, don't know why I haven't been til now.
Lunch was so much fun, such a beautiful space.
Sousie's Rating: 3 Stars |
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Just got back from dinner at c5, must say I was pleasantly surprised. I though it was great, nice wines, food was well made. Yes it was a bit loud, but the room was busy and people were having fun.
I'd go back.
Gordon's Rating: 3 Stars |
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What a disappointment. I had heard so many things about how great the chef is, etc etc and unfortunately the food does not reflect that. The fish was bland, the dessert was awful (strawberry pie) and the service was not that good either. The staff come to the table WAY too often which is a particular irritant to me. I will not go back.
Christina's Rating: 1 Stars |
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I was invited to lunch at C5 last week. I was fifteen minutes late because of the difficulty I encountered when I reached the museum.
The members' desk was busy because of the special events, there was a large group of people at the concierge desk and the side door to the restaurant isn't open until 5pm. When I eventually passed those hurdles I had to walk upto the restaurant because the elevator wasn't working.
Our waiter was very pleasant and we all know it's not fair to shoot the messenger but never the less it doesn't sit well when half way through the lunch service one is told; there are no specials ,the salmon starter isn't available, they have run out of halibut and there are no frites. So much for the steak frites. We asked for bread -guess what...
I shared a charcuterie plate which was ok but not terribly exciting. My main course, mushroom lasagnia was delicious. Desert for $12 was disgusting, I ordered a baba with crabapple sauce and salt and pepper icecream. When I asked the waiter about the non-existant sauce he poointed to a small gelatinous leaf shaped decoration and explained to me that was the presentation (maybe he said representation) of the sauce. The baba itself was very hard and dry, maybe they found it tucked away behind something that hadn't been moved for a few weeks.
It's not fair to be anything less than gracious when one is a guest so I neither complained or sent my awful desert back but believe me when I say I will not be returning for a very long time.
Lucinda Grey's Rating: 1 Stars |
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Huge prices and small portions. Ridiculously small.
NEVER ORDER the cheese plate. The cheese plate literally had 4 squares of cheese on this huge plate - she squares of cheese were the size of dice. Oh, and you would think they would offer you a few crackers to go with the cheese mini-cubes. Sure - 3 - that is 2 less than the amount of cheese.
I can see why someone might want to go for a drink at the bar - but I would not want to eat here unless the Mayor of Toronto is footing the bill.
Ana's Rating: 1 Stars |
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Just had to write because I've had many a fine meal at C5. Have enjoyed a lovely Afternoon Tea and 2 romantic Birthday dinners. One prix fixe meal recently allowed me the opportunity to donate $10 to the Stop - Food Share organization. I'm ok with the portion sizes because it's all about quality not quantity. Staff has made an effort to make me and my family welcome. Res. staff always calls me back promptly and seem to always know what table I like!
Don't let the previous writers scare you off. Unfortunately, complainers whine the loudest.
A Fan's Rating: 4 Stars |
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Dreadfully disappointing. The lunch menu needs a complete overhaul, if you want something light you are stuck with tiny, expensive, not very good appetizer portions. The waiter told us they could maybe make us a salad if they could find some greens left in the fridge, no thanks. We asked for bread and they finally brought us one piece each and were never seen again. Soup of the day was cabbage for $12, honestly. There are other lovley restaurants in Toronto, don't go to this one until they fix it.
Anonymous's Rating: Stars |
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Thank you all for taking the time to have shared your experiences about C5. I am looking for a nice place to take my boyfriend for his birthday, and someone had suggested C5. I am glad I did my little research first and read all this, because now I know not to reserve there!! If anyone can recommend a place where fine dinning and great decor are possible as a combo, please drop me a line! (andreea_gasca@hotmail.com)
Andreea Gasca's Rating: Stars |
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Worst restaurant experience ever! The service was absolutely abhorring considering the caliber of restaurant C5 is considered.
My husband and I had an 8:15 pm reservation and arrived on the dot. After our coats were taken, we were asked to take a seat in the lounge area and told that our table was not ready. We ordered drinks and settled in, however, we noticed that several tables were empty in the dining room area. Not only that, we noticed at least 4 couples who arrived after us, were seated right away. When we brought this to the attention of the hostess, she said she didn't realize we had a reservation -- despite confirming our 8:15 pm reservation the minute we arrived. Furthermore, when I questioned the hostess why couples who waltzed in after us were seated right away (it was already past 8:30 pm at this point and we had been waiting for 20 minutes), she said that it was because they had an 8:00 pm reservation. So I questioned her, suppose I had arrived at 8:45 pm despite my 8:15 pm reservation, would I have been seated right away? If this is the case, what is the point of a reservation to begin with? I asked to speak to the general manager and was only informed that we could be seated right away. We were not offered any words of apology or regret for what had transpired, or the behaviour of the hostess.
My husband and I eat out regularly at least once a week and make a point to try all the latest and greatest restaurants in town. Never in our experience have we ever encountered such rude and unaccommodating staff who did not try to problem solve when the issue was obviously theirs.
We walked out of that restaurant (without eating dinner) and have no intention of ever returning.
Amy's Rating: 1 Stars |
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The restaurant is absolutely beautiful, the service is inconsistent, the brunch menu needs major overhauling in price and choices ($19 for waffles or pancakes? please). Our experience was not a good one. Having to settle with a menu choice is not a good thing when most restaurants provide options that are tempting and hard to choose between. One egg option for brunch? Sorry. We should have ordered the pastry basket, looked lovely.
My friend ordered the waffles with no whipped cream. Our orders came very quickly but with the unwanted cream on top of the waffles. They took hers back, left our meals and we didnt see the waffles until we were mostly done ours. A higher level of service would have taken our items too, to at least keep them warm so we could all eat together, not much to ask. We were totally ignored that whole time we were waiting. Left us with a bad feeling about the entire experience.
Breezey's Rating: 2 Stars |
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Nine of us ladies had lunch at C5 this afternoon. To say that we were disappointed, would be an understatement. Limited menu, with one of the items not available (which we were told only after placing our order). Food arrived cold. Portions are tiny so you will leave still hungry. Definately not worth the $40.00 each it cost us, considering we didn't have a starter, desert nor any alcohol. For $9. you get a palm full of frites that arrived cold. The shrimp tempura came with 3 shrimp and 3 fava beans. The decor, was cold and uninviting. With so many fabulous restaurants in Toronto, this is definately one you should probably pass on.
Moveebuff's Rating: 2 Stars |
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Kerr's Review (#11) sounds too perfect.
In the context of all the other reviews, this restaurant is far from perfect. I find Kerr's post suspect and would think there is some connection back to the establishment.
I would not take Kerr's review to heart.
Anonymous's Rating: 2 Stars |
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Took my date here on valentine's day. Food was very enjoyable, service was friendly, and I'm recommending this place to my friends. You can't go wrong here, a sure-fire bet for any occasion... at least on Valentine's Day.
Ray Bennett's Rating: 4 Stars |
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Overall disappointment with this restaurant. It servers were very attentive in the beginning, but it seemed that their interest in our table waned by mid-meal. The portions were quite small - which is typically not a problem if they are bursting with flavour - but we found some of the dishes to be quite bland and left us wanting more. The biggest disappointment were the desserts - the 9 layer chocolate cake seemed like false advertising, and the citrus tart was not the joy my mouth was hoping for.
However, I will say that the views from the restaurant were quite lovely though, and I enjoyed my glass of Chardonnay.
B Chang's Rating: 1 Stars |
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New Hours for C5 starting April 1 2008
Lunch (Tuesday to Sunday only): 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Dinner (Thursday, Friday and Saturday only): 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
G Sherman's Rating: 4 Stars |
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All the people who complain should go to MacDonalds as they are simply not able to tell a terrific restaurant from a horrible one.
This is a very high class establishment that tries hard not to serve french fries to the masses.
I love it and will continue to return again and again.
TOM JOHNSTON's Rating: 4 Stars |
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The food was good but the service was a bit rough. We brought our young daughter and were seated next to the window for lunch on a saturday. The waitress explained to us that the restuarant wasn't really kid friendly (?).
We asked about anything with french fries for the daughter and were told that they didn't have this on the menu or as a side. We ordered an adult pasta dish instead. Five minutes later a family of 5 next to us was served french fries and a hamburger for each of their 3 kids.
The waitress really was young and didn't really make an effort. She noticed her mistake and still didn't seem to bring her game up until we pointed this out, but it was really too late. I couldn't wait to get out of there because the effort really wasn't there. A plate of cookies really isn't enough to make up for an unwelcoming performance. For a restaurant that opens on Saturday's for lunch in this area and aspires to be top end, this was a service disappointment.
Jennifer Klassen's Rating: 2 Stars |
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We had visitors from Los Angeles & decided to take them to a special restaurant that day.
After touring the city we all arrived there with some great expectation and appetite.
The place is really nice, great atmosphere & superb service but the portions where tiny sort of samples. (We had to go to for a quick bite afterwards).
Ben Warshager's Rating: 1 Stars |
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I hesitantly reserved at what appears to be a somewhat avant garde design restaurant and could not have been more pleasantly surprised. From the time we entered until the moment the three of us left, everything was perfect.
Kerr's Rating: 4 Stars |
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We reserved online – no problem, got confirmation call a few hours later.
Yesterday (July 15) I had “brunch” at “Cristal on Five Clouds” – that's ROM c5 to you. What were they thinking? Such an elegant and unique restaurant with such refined and aesthetic touches and such elan and verve in the preparation and presentation of the food, and the name suggests an intersection on a map? C5? Name change. Quick.
Another suggested change - scrap the “brunch” designation on the website. This is not a venue for eggs galore. We had a very early lunch with a regular menu – if by regular you mean a menu that demands a knowledge of the concepts, techniques and vocabulary of molecular gastronomy. Even a dedicated foodie needed the server-interpreter. A photo gallery of key dishes or a glossary on their website would be a great help (However given that the restaurant was not very full, and it is pricey maybe they should develop a 'brunch concept")
The service – detailed. I dropped my butter knife and it was scooped up in seconds and another brought perched on a folded napkin. Tres classy. But does the tinkle of falling cutlery point to a design flaw – interesting knives standing edge on – but easy to knock overboard? I went down to the museum shop to see if I could buy the sleek aerodynamic brushed stainless steel S&P shaker. No go. Too bad!
I confided to our server that I had made a mistake ordering the ceviche (really a sashimi). It was whisked away and he was back in a trice asking if I would like a substitute. I had the crab and corn bisque - sublime.
The portions are 21st Century responsible - but if you are still feeling munchy you can indulge in a second (or third or fourth!)of breads paired with very decent truffle butter. I wasn't really hungry after my black cod tempura but the potato flour roll with rosemary was so scrumptious.........
I was happy with the desserts. Is the strawberry mojita in the “strawberry tastings” on the cocktail menu – if not, it should be. The passionfruit chocolate torte in the “Pairing of Chocolate and Passionfruit” - holy cow!
The view IS unparalled in the city (definitely better if you have a window seat.)The view to the South: Trinity College,CN Tower, in the distance, the lake.. The view to the NW - classic Toronto Bloor Street framed by an ever changing expansive cloudscape I enjoyed the confusing perspectives of Liebeskind's angles better here than in the display halls (I am reserving judgement until the exhibits are installed) It is a pity about the museum's flat concrete-and-AC units roof below - although partway into my Riesling I began to accept this as part of the workings of a city, with a certain structural presence
The price? – $130.00 for two - a la carte three courses and a glass of wine each. I have often paid more and gotten less. For a chance to sample those “contemporary food concepts” in a unique space this was good value for money and a lovely way to spend a birthday.
Claudie Graner's Rating: 3 Stars |
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A friend of mine called and tried to get a reservation for a Saturday Night. She was told sorry - we're fully booked.
Another friend actually did eat there that same night - he said the place was 1/3 full the whole time he was there and was even more dead by the time he left.
So how important do you have to be to get a reservation at this too cool for school place?
Dave Rywall's Rating: 1 Stars |
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MBO Toronto :: User Reviews