5th Element, Toronto

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  • 5th Element

    Review by Scott Tavener
    Patios don't exist in space: exploding patrons are bad for business. There are, however, patios on Bay Street. Though this neoteric Indian-ish joint has neither Milla Jovovich nor Chris Tucker (Willis already gets enough attention; damn), it does have a patio. The pretty outdoor space is ripe for watching the Bay Street suit parade. Loosen that tie. - S.T.

    36 Reader Reviews

    1. Averill Chorokee's Review :: August 27, 2008
    One experience at this place and you will want to keep coming back. Very attentive service right from the begining. The food: talk about a mix of spices, all leaving a pleasant aftertaste for the next one. Pretty good wine selection as well. We were recommended the shiraz and it was excellent. Be it a business or romantic dinner this is the place for you.



    Averill Chorokee's Rating: 4 Stars
    2. Readytoeatagain's Review :: August 12, 2008
    We had our office party last week with a group of 15 people in their private room. Since this was our first time at 5th Element restaurant we were not sure what to expect. However we were glad that we made a right decision. The food is just outstanding; especially lamb shank was so tender that none of us have ever tried a lamb shank like that. Thanks to the server who recommended this. Service is just on par with any of other fine dining places. Another nice thing about our experience is the music, they have a wonderful collection of songs and they have even played some of our requests. We have enjoyed everything.
    The only thing which could have been better is that a couple of us preferred the food to be slightly spicier. I guess that’s just personal as the rest of the group has enjoyed a lot.
    The surprising aspect of our dinner was chef stopping by to check our experience and asking why was the food left on one of the plates. That was me who left dessert as I was very full. It was lot of food. We tried AIR menu which has 4 courses with hors d’oeuvres to pass around during cocktails. This is one of our good experiences and can’t wait to go back with my friends to try out their new menu


    Readytoeatagain's Rating: 4 Stars
    3. Roxanna's Review :: August 11, 2008
    I went with a friend of mine for a casual dinner. We were recommended by our hotel ( Sutton Place's) concierge. Both of us had enjoyed our appetizers better than main courses. My Gratinated veggie samosas and my friends Tandoori Shrimps were the best. Our server Jamie was very knowledgeable about the food and wine pairings. His attentive service was impressive.I would like to visit 5th Element restaurant every time we visit Toronto.



    Roxanna's Rating: 4 Stars
    4. Toronto Food Lover's Review :: August 10, 2008
    Waiters with B.O. (both of them). Food execution that hardly lives up to the menu (over-sauced, over-done, not carefully prepared). Waiters that mumble their way through describing the dishes. Immature and poorly trained staff. Flavours that collide without any sense of careful balance. Cheap decor, cheap tables and chair, dirty throughout, scary washroom. Desserts that were clearly pre-plated some time ago, stale and sad looking. Makes you think the owner had grand ideas of fine dining, but lacks the experience, sophistication (or palate) to pull it off. Stay away.

    Toronto Food Lover's Rating: 2 Stars
    5. Ss's Review :: July 28, 2008
    We went to celebrate our friends b'day at this place, it was recommended by our collegue. The place was busy yet because it was spacious we felt we had enough privacy. Wine list was very good, the food presentation was amazing.
    I had never had lamb shank this delicious before in my life...every dish was quite unique. The owners were so polite and were came by every table to talk to the customers...they were so open to suggestions. I don't remember meeting any owners in other places. They were very sincere and honest about the few things that need to be worked on...things like this make a difference for me...I am sure to go back.

    All my friends enjoyed the meal, it definately is worth the price.

    Ss's Rating: 4 Stars
    6. Satisfied Customer!'s Review :: July 21, 2008
    Excellent service, food and atmosphere. We were seated within 5 minutes of arriving, each course was served quickly, and the waitor was very humorous and attentive.

    The food was AMAZING and the owner seated us personally- a nice touch. I intend to go back as soon as possible!

    Satisfied Customer!'s Rating: 4 Stars
    7. Disappointed Customer's Review :: July 16, 2008
    I went to 5th Elementt yesterday for Summerlicious dinner and although the food was decent (but nothing special), the service was quite disappointing.

    First of all, some of the waiters had B.O. which just simply made everything unappetizing. Second, we didn't know who our waiter was because there'd be a different person serving each course (who btw did not even know which steak was who's and the doneness, and when I asked, he suddenly looked clueless). Third, as soon as we finished each course, the waiters would be right behind us, asking "Are you done?" I don't know about you, but fine dining does not only specify the food quality, but also the service. I would not recommend this place to my friends and I definitely would not come back for Summerlicious/Winterlicious.

    Disappointed Customer's Rating: 2 Stars
    8. BadTaste's Review :: July 7, 2008
    Went here for Sumerlicious.. wow.. is this really fine dinning?
    Recognized a lot of their furniture was from Ikea. Before going there we asked if there was anything on the menu for a child and the hostess told us that we can order from the main menu with had a lot of pasta dishes. When we got there, the only thing that we able tget for my son was the pasta dish that was part of the set menus.

    Anyhow.. food was not the greatest.. portions were small (my son ate 75% of my dish and his pasta.. he's only 6). This was the smallest piece of steak I ever had.. looks like a 3 oz steak. In the end it was very disappointing.. did'nt like the fact that I had to pay $20.00 for my son's pasta that did not fill him up.. 10 pieces of tortellini?.. c'mon. The washroom was horrific... funny thing of the night was one of their makeshift table collapsed on a group of 6 and all the dinnerware and cultery fell on the opposing people sitting on that end of the table.

    BadTaste's Rating: 1 Stars
    9. Ugh!'s Review :: July 6, 2008
    Oh my God! DO NOT BOTHER WITH THIS PLACE!
    We went thinking its gotta be half way decent if its part of summerlicious. We were way off.
    There were big mounds of food on the floor from the people before us. Our tablecloth had stains on it... underneath a conveniently placed side plate that had grease marks on it. Do they know how to clean things?
    Evidently not since the bathrooms had fruit flies, and sticky floors. How hard is it to get a mop and broom?
    The food was lackluster. But was what I would expect for 25 bucks.
    The only saving grace was our server. He was very polite and funny. Even the busser was a nice person. Asking how the food was even though you could tell he was nervous too.
    As you walk past the bar you can tell thats where pride for your area falls out the window. Papers everywhere, spillmarks, napkins, garbage and dirty glasses EVERYWHERE. Doesnt scream inviting or hygenic!

    Ugh!'s Rating: 1 Stars
    10. Unhappy Customer's Review :: July 6, 2008
    My girlfriend and I went to this place today for summerlicious. We had been there before. It was alright the first time. However, tonight was not worth it.
    The food was sort of bland. The texture of the chicken we had just didn't sit well with us. We tried the wine they were offering as a special for the summerlicious and it was quite disgusting.
    The atmosphere destroyed our night. Our server was great, he was funny, polite and a joy to have. But it just seemed like everything was out of control. It didn't seem like there was any unity or coordination whatsoever in the restaurant.
    We weren't impressed with tables of large amounts of people, 10 and up being shuffled from the patio to a table inside or vice versa, it made things difficult to relax and enjoy our night.
    I'll never recommend or go back


    Unhappy Customer's Rating: 1 Stars
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    5th Element

    Address

    1033 Bay Street, Toronto, ON

    Phone

    416-923-8159

    Area

    Downtown

    Cuisine

    Mediterranean

    Venue

    Restaurant

    Hours

    Mon. to Fri.: 11:30am - 10:30pm
    Sat.: 5:00pm - 10:30pm

    Price

    $$ (affordable)

    Payment

    Master Card
    Visa
    American Express
    Restaurant

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