 ow can an address with zero sex appeal become the sweetest resto-bar on the block? Go to 777 Queen West and see for yourself. What used to be Ardyz retail store has been cleverly transformed into a space where the ‘70s converge with industrial chic. With its blue-glass façade and scooped chairs and couches Banu looks like a lounge scene straight out of a '70s romantic comedy.
Inside, the space is a Pop Art gem, tripped out with mod sectionals and a little bar that pumps out shots of vodka. The front area is cozy and funky, with a curvaceous mural brightening up one wall. Space-age chairs surround a cocktail bar while the vinyl booths in the two-level space are a sedated beige.
It's a funky scene that suits owners’ vibrant personalities - Samira, Salome and Amir Mohyeddin are the family team that own Banu - so it's hard not to smile.
Banu (meaning lady, or dame in Farsi) was fashioned after the hot drinking spots in Iran in the ‘70s. “Something that people don’t realize is that Iran was the hot spot in the ‘70s,” says Samira. “European Jetsetters would flock to Iran for a thriving scene. And vodka was the drink of choice. We wanted to bring that to the area.”
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777 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON
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34 Reader Reviews
A fab place ! We went to Toronto for the long weekend, and read about Banu in the New York Times. Being Iranian I was excited to have a place written about in the New York Times. We ordered the nan o paneer, Kashkeh Bademjan, and the Laboo Salad to start. For our main we ordered the Chenjeh, Koobideh, and the Murg. Every dish was amazing ! To drink we started we a couple shots of Vodka with sides of Pomegranate, and sour cherry juice. We later moved to their Martini's. We had their Safka and the Sekanjebeen Martini's. They were like nothing else we've ever had. I was stuck on the Sekanjebeen (they add cucumber)it was so refreshing. I highly recommend Banu to everyone, Iranian or not, you'll love it!
Farhad's Rating: 4 Stars |
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Let's say I never been called 'White Trash' after requesting our second bottle of Goose be delivered to the table(yes it's basically the cheapest vodka we could get, and yes, we did negotiate 2 bottles down from 175 a bottle to 2 at 125)
Although after two hours, the ten of us hadn't yet got to the main courses, the appetizers and juice was good.
It's unfortunate, given the excellent space for a small group diner party upstairs that the Manger is... well, a pretentious racist (yes we can all agree on the evils of rice, FYI a staple in many countries, and the merits of real juice), that ruined my buddy's Birthday.
BTW, when you tell a customer to 'Fuck Off' and never come back, yes generally the whole dinner party will leave, and yes calling the Police to get your 200 bucks back that you regret not collecting is being... well trashy. If your concerned about money, I would be more concerned with the 1000+ we did not end up spending, and how the mostly Persian dinner party, has not a positive thing to say about Banu.
Anyway, I'm sure the food would have been great... and thanks for an interesting first visit.
Jason G's Rating: 1 Stars |
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I had booked a party of ten for two friends having birthdays on the same night, which at the last minute turned into a party of six, and we were late. I did call to let the restaurant know we would be late and they said no problem and held our table for us. Our server was gracious about the last minute reduction in diners and was lovely and friendly throughout the evening. The food was absolutely delicious, the drinks and wine were very good, and we will all return. We ate upstairs on the mezzanine and I recommend it for private parties. Great restaurant.
Shelley's Rating: 4 Stars |
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I went there last night and had to write a review. I was so suprised...the atmosphere was amazing. The attention paid to details was what I noticed first. I noticed it with their drinks, and their food. The quality of food was like nothing I had had before. Their Kashke bademjan, their nan o paneer...was the best I have had anywhere around the world ( I travel alot, and make it a point to eat at Iranian places). Their kabob's were delicious! We ended up ordering another Kabob Torsh, not cause we were hunry, but because it was so good. The hospitality was truly Iranian, I felt like I had walked into someone's home. This experience was nothing like anyother Iranian restaurant. I highly recommend Banu to everyone. It was a truly unexpected delight to be part of it all, even it was just for one night.
Fariba's Rating: 4 Stars |
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I had no intention of writing this second item here but when a friend told me that there’s all this brouhaha on Martini Boys over Sepand’s and my comments, I decided to check it out. I agree with M.Bani’s point that there’s no need for personal attacks and therefore I won’t even respond to the owner’s comments since they are not worthy of such action. However unlike M.Bani, I don’t think writing reviews on websites like Martini Boys is particularly silly. After all, these avenues are designed so that people with opposing opinions can engage in a healthy “Review” process. Nothing silly about that. This will be my last post as I’ve spent enough time already on this issue. I’d like to respond directly to D.Cardenas by saying that you don’t know anything about me including information on where I live, what I do and which places I dine at so do not allow yourself to assume things about me. I’ve lived in the “416” downtown core for the past 6 years and I’ve dined at almost every restaurant that matters in Toronto including the occasional stop at McDonald's where I actually am always greeted by a smile and politeness so let’s get those out of the way. Secondly as someone who has lived in the “suburbs” as you very nicely mentioned, I am deeply offended that you degrade an entire population of citizens and accuse them of not knowing about service or restaurants based on their neighborhood affiliation. That assertion is obnoxious and offensive and you and the folks who share these thoughts with you should be ashamed of yourselves. I suggest you go out and try other restaurants including the ones in the 905 area to experience other types of service. I’m sure you love Banu and Banu loves you in return and I hope this love affair lasts a long time; just don’t insult other people who don’t share your views in the process.
Best of luck to Banu and its patrons.
Ali's Rating: 2 Stars |
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I don't understand all this commotion. Usually, when a customer writes a review about a negative product or service, the owner/manager/rep which provided that product/service writes a response (if at all) politely answering the negative terms directed towards them. But here... well, go read for yourself.
Say, even if our friends were rude, which I don't think they were (let's not forget, customers can and do get frustrated from time to time) the staff of a good restaurant will not suddenly forget their manners. That's all I have to say.
If the previous review seemed personal, I must admit it was written in anger. I had no intention of making it a personal attack, and I will contact martiniboys to see if they can edit some parts of the review. But I just reported what happened as it happened.
And to the person who was talking about suburbs... nice, nice. Your argument was well structured and empirically sound. You must be practicing law, are you not? Well done.
Sepand's Rating: 1 Stars |
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The two owners obviously dont know how to run a business. As far as i'm concerned you will never find the owner of a restaurant segregating their costumers. This form of behavior is pretty scarce amongst any restaurants in North America. The only place that i could imagine finding this form of attitude is probably at fast food places (well actually, not even).
Its a shame that a service like this exists in probably the best part of town. However, its only a matter of time when they have to close it down and let an actually "well served" business to take over.
cheers!
Sterling's Rating: 1 Stars |
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I went to Banu with 2 friends last week just because we were walking by and were hungry. Talk about overpriced!
The food wasn't very good and the service was.. well.. barely even there. It's a shame that such an establishment is in the middle of such a fun neighborhood.
Vero's Rating: 1 Stars |
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I’ve never seen an owner of a restaurant come on a simple website for dining and try to defend herself and to make it worse write: “YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE”. This is just shameful and degrading. Imagine if the Cohen Brothers went around and tried defending No Country for Old Men everytime it got a bad review. Hah, this is just silly and retarded.
I’ve been to Banu myself, it’s an ok place with overpriced food and below average service. But the owners seem to have forgotten the type of business that they are involved in. This is a restaurant and people come in for your food and hospitality. This is not your own house or a little gathering that you throw everynight. Why don’t the owners instead of wasting time and making themselves look childish just listen to the different views and stop engaging themselves in pointless and rude arguments with their clients. Without clients you won’t have any business to go on and you guys seem to have forgotten that.
Grow up
P-Man's Rating: 1 Stars |
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i love you mina and everyone for your support including ali and sepand
Amir The Chef's Rating: 4 Stars |
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Banu |
777 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON
416-777-2268
Queen West
Middle Eastern
Restaurant, Lounge
Daily: 12:00pm – 3:00pm
5:00pm – 1:00am
$$$ (within reach)
Master Card
Visa
American Express |
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MBO Toronto :: Toronto Restaurants & Dining Guide
