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Erin Hershberg | Last Updated: May 15,2009 4:24:46 pm
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I  f you really love Italian food and only dreamed that someone would place the popular cuisine in a warm, yet very ‘cocktail culture-y’, environment, then close your eyes and make a Wish. Well actually just go to Black Skirt, the restaurant formerly known as Wish. Worry not; the quality of other-worldliness that Wish had still remains in Renda Abdo's Charles Street joint, they've just lost the small plates and got down to real business.
Although the predominantly organic, continental fare in Black Skirt's previous incarnation was nothing to sneeze at, Abdo intelligently decided that it was time for a change. And change she did...What used to be a rather eclectic menu -- a pork medallion here, a lemongrass wonton there -- is now a fully unified slice of Southern Italy. Rustic is the menu with specialties including spezzatino – classic spaghetti with veal chunks and meatballs, chicken cacciatore and Osso Bucco. Given the recession, this Toronto restaurant has managed to keep the prices rustic too by designing the menu accordingly.
Black Skirt has changed its name and menu but the front patio, with its metallic tables, Puffy banquettes, and oversized pillows remains in tact. A fountain centrepiece sets the vibe, making patrons thirsty and ready to down the spot's unique and colourful drink list. Thankfully, the place went Italian without doing the rather tired wine bar thing.
Come the winds of late evening, I can think of few places more satisfying for a gaggle of gin-fed downtowners than this still-hip patio. - E.H |
 AT A GLANCE
Black Skirt
3 Charles St E, Toronto, ON, Canada
416-935-0240
Eclectic
Yonge And Bloor
Venue:
Restaurant, Bar
Hours:
Sun. to Wed.: 11:00am - 10:00pm Thu. - Sat. 11:00am - 12:00am
Price Range:
$$ (affordable)
Payment:
Master Card, Visa, American Express
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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25 Reader Reviews | Hi, this is Amir's inner most mind speaking again. I am so retarted that I thought I was Daniel John for a minute. Daniel, I do apologize for the confusion, as I am retarted and have trouble with reading.
1. Oooops, Meant Amir's Conscience's Review :: February 09, 2010 Oooops, Meant Amir's Conscience's Rating: Stars |
Hi, this is Daniel's inner most mind speaking. I apologize for my spelling of "retarted" as I am truly retarded and therefore unable to properly insult people...thusly turning what I believe to be a "oh, snap yo!" scathing comment into something more ironic. As for my future, I will continue to keep my nose in the brown winker of Black Skirt, as well as, continue to scribe indepth, articulate, and concise reviews. Plus I will periodically keep other posters in line by calling them "dum" "stewpid", "moreoneck", and of course "retarted". If you would like to speak with me, come by one of my many jobs. I am a tortilla warmer at Taco Bell, a shrimp "whisperer" at Red Lobster, a chicken walker at KFC, and since the handle broke on the slushy machine at the 7/11, I was hired to put my finger in its place....and oh yes, I am also head waiter for a vending machine company. Long live Black Skirt, says I, the champion for mediocrity.
2. Daniel John's Conscience's Review :: February 09, 2010 Daniel John's Conscience's Rating: 1 Stars |
It's not such a bad area. Just a lot of construction is all.
3. Daniel Johns's Review :: February 08, 2010 Daniel Johns's Rating: 4 Stars |
Seems as though elizabeth is a maybe retarted actually thats not nice even retarted people realize why groups of 6 some restaurants 8 charge an automatic gratuity of 15-18% maybe elizabeth the last time you dined out was 1984 and it was at burger king. The fact that you actually went to this nerdy place shows that mmmmmmm maybe you should just stay home this also includes katrina who wasted going to this establishment during winterlicious i mean hello lol lol
thats all
4. Amir's Review :: February 08, 2010 Amir's Rating: Stars |
We went to BlackSkirt for Winterlicious. I jammed my finger in one of their broken chairs and they did not nothing. They did bring ice but at one point took it away and when I asked fot it back the waiter laughed and I had to ask for it several times. They did nothing to ensure I wasnt really injured. The raviloi I had tasted not much different than store bought and the wine was not great. Would not go back or recommend on food or customer service.
5. Katrina's Review :: February 08, 2010 Katrina's Rating: 1 Stars |
When I went to Black Skirt we had a party of 6. When we first arrived we were greeted and the ambiance would have got an 8 out of 10. But when we sat down the waitress did not offer us drinks for almost 20 minutes! Every time she came to our table after that took about 20 to 30 minutes (including our bill). Our waitress could not offer us separate bills and also did not inform us that she would be putting an automatic 15% gratuity. Just for the record, I find that any restaurant that puts an automatic gratuity is usually a terrible restaurant and that is the only way they will ever get tipped.
As for the food I would give it a 2 out of 10. I do not think that I am hard to impress because I am not a cook, but the food that we ordered came from a can. I ordered the soup to start (tasted like canned soup), chicken parm for dinner which was tough and very unappealing to look at, and a side of orzo pasta. My friend ordered the pasta, and again, it looked like a can of cream of mushroom soup had been emptied on her pasta. My husband ordered ravioli which was also unappealing and a terribly small portion. It was definitely not home made so how much effort would it be to make the portions bigger.
Overall, I would have been much more satisfied going to East Side Mario’s. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone.
6. Elizabeth's Review :: February 05, 2010 Elizabeth's Rating: 1 Stars |
Sit yourself down in a comfy chair by the window, with a tried-and-true cranberry martini. Relax and watch people strut up and down Charles. The street, not the man. What a great way to take a break!
7. Aria Tomie's Review :: December 10, 2009 Aria Tomie's Rating: 4 Stars |
It is unfortunate that Black Skirt is on one of the more nastiest areas (Yonge & Charles), but once you are inside, it is very, very nice.
8. Richard Jenkins's Review :: November 15, 2009 Richard Jenkins's Rating: 3 Stars |
are you all sure you're talking about black skirt?
we have never had had half price martinis and the chef rarely ever had time to hang on the patio with anyone
9. Anon's Review :: October 13, 2009 Anon's Rating: Stars |
Normally I don't chime in on these things. But I myself have been overly irritated by seeing that chef lounging miserably on the patio. Just seemed odd, and unprofessional.
10. Gary J's Review :: October 09, 2009 Gary J's Rating: 1 Stars |
Carrie sounds like a real bitch herself. Sounds like one of those people that goes to restaurants & is never happy with anything.
11. Angel's Review :: October 09, 2009 Angel's Rating: 3 Stars |
This place was awful. Service was slow and rude. I would never suggest this place to anyone. Bitchy chef (man/lady) who spent most of the time on the patio. Maybe sh had one too many half price martinis that night too.
12. Carrie's Review :: October 05, 2009 Carrie's Rating: 1 Stars |
Black Skirt was okay. But after looking forward to this fresh new restaurant, it proved to be just average. Shall try again though.
13. Lynne O's Review :: September 29, 2009 Lynne O's Rating: 3 Stars |
One of the few good places to eat when you are stuck working downtown. It's small and generally is not too busy.
Not too expensive either, especially for overpriced downtown.
14. Craig H.'s Review :: August 12, 2009 Craig H.'s Rating: 3 Stars |
I simply had no idea they stopped serving brunch here! Makes no sense though - it was their best menu, and l need a little sustenance to keep my feet on the ground.
15. Terri's Review :: August 03, 2009 Terri's Rating: 4 Stars |
Very good spot, very nice people that fill the patio. If I have a beef with the place, it's that they're stuck on iTunes radio, and the music loops and loops. Not very good music either. Still, they have nice artwork on the wall, pretty-good fare, and from what I'm told, the cocktail crowd isn't half-bad either.
16. Gary U's Review :: August 01, 2009 Gary U's Rating: 3 Stars |
Did I go to Black Skirt on an 'off' night? Based on the reviews here, I was excited to try this place. Four of us went there Friday night for dinner, expecting great southern Italian food and hopping place, considering the great reviews and proximity to Pride festivities.
The restaurant was quiet -- a few tables were occupied outside, but inside, where we were seated (they were out of four-tops on the patio) it was empty, except for our party. There was no music playing, just the loud hum of and air conditioner or refrigerator, or something. So, the atmosphere was lacking, but we were still looking forward to the food. The antispasto was decent, but salad with tuna seemed to be made with canned tuna, which was a disappointment. It was basically canned tuna on top of leaf lettuce. We had three pastas and a risotto, all fine, but underwhelming. Overall it was disappointing. To her credit, the waitress was totally pleasant, if maybe a little lacking in enthusiasm -- but I remember from my serving days that it's hard to feel enthusiastic in an empty, quiet room.
17. Kimberly's Review :: June 29, 2009 Kimberly's Rating: 2 Stars |
Did I go to Black Skirt on an 'off' night? Based on the reviews here, I was excited to try this place. Four of us went there Friday night for dinner, expecting great southern Italian food and hopping place, considering the great reviews and proximity to Pride festivities.
The restaurant was quiet -- a few tables were occupied outside, but inside, where we were seated (they were out of four-tops on the patio) it was empty, except for our party. There was no music playing, just the loud hum of and air conditioner or refrigerator, or something. So, the atmosphere was lacking, but we were still looking forward to the food. The antispasto was decent, but salad with tuna seemed to be made with canned tuna, which was a disappointment. It was basically canned tuna on top of leaf lettuce. We had three pastas and a risotto, all fine, but underwhelming. Overall it was disappointing. To her credit, the waitress was totally pleasant, if maybe a little lacking in enthusiasm -- but I remember from my serving days that it's hard to feel enthusiastic in an empty, quiet room.
18. Kimberly's Review :: June 29, 2009 Kimberly's Rating: 2 Stars |
Came in here a little inebriated after catching a show on Yonge. all I can say is great times! Our bill ran up to an ungodly amount but the food was good, the wine kept coming, and the conversation kept flowing. Definitely try to get a table on the patio, if possible. I've heard reservations can fill up a month in advance during prime dining hours.
19. Trish F.'s Review :: June 19, 2009 Trish F.'s Rating: 4 Stars |
The food was near perfection ... something you would find at a restaurant in NYC. The service was wonderfully friendly. No, not stereotypical "rude", but friendly and a tad cocky. Small but good menu
The only request: make the outside seats & table a little more comfy.
20. Jane Kanter's Review :: June 01, 2009 Jane Kanter's Rating: 3 Stars |
This place got a four for two reasons only: 1) They serve food until 01.00 am 2) The have finally learned NOT to over-cook pasta. As for the rest, this place is clearly not meant for mass comsumption.
21. Nate Bruniard's Review :: May 19, 2009 Nate Bruniard's Rating: 4 Stars |
I call this sort of place HIP, but let me remind you, I've been in the "29 forever" club for a few years now. I was actually very surprised by the decor. Not sure what I was expecting, but I wasn't thinking it was going to be an entire new place. But really, it's still Wish.
22. Diane Harrison's Review :: May 16, 2009 Diane Harrison's Rating: 3 Stars |
! really love this place. I liked it also as Wish. I figure, I experimented when I tried that, I don't need to keep trying stuff. The wife tries stuff, likes it.
Our first experience with the wait was bad, people went ahead of us. but servers keep everything in check.
23. Tracy H.'s Review :: April 28, 2009 Tracy H.'s Rating: 4 Stars |
Fabulous views of Yonge & Charles! Yeeesh! Otherwise, a perfect for date or special occassion. Relatively small portions. Not good for the person who needs a lot on their plate. Not a huge fan of their brunch, but the evening atmosphere can't be beat.
24. Tracy Morgon's Review :: April 27, 2009 Tracy Morgon's Rating: 4 Stars |
The food was pretty good. Not the best I've ever had, but very good nonetheless. The ambiance was awesome. I recommend everybody sit outside. There is a small patio on Charles Street.
25. Terri P.'s Review :: April 17, 2009 Terri P.'s Rating: 3 Stars |
| Click here to view all 39 reviews |
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3 Charles St E, Toronto, ON, Canada |
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MBO Toronto :: Toronto Restaurants & Dining Guide
