 ituated right by the beach, this Leslieville eatery fuses casual atmosphere with gourmet cuisine. They serve breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Notable dinner dishes include seared scallops, tandoori-style salmon and lamb shanks-a nice retreat for beach bums. – A.C.
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 AT A GLANCE
Edward Levesque's Kitchen
1290 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON
416-465-3600
Contemporary
The Beaches
Venue:
Restaurant
Hours:
Lunch: Tue. to Fri.: 11:00am - 3:00pm Brunch: Sat. & Sun.: 9:00am - 3:00pm Dinner: Tue. to Sat.: 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Price Range:
$$$ (within reach)
Payment:
Master Card, Visa, American Express, Diners Club
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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7 Reader Reviews | Years ago one of my colleagues raved about this resto back when it was a relatively undiscovered little gem. My friend and I were eager to finally try it out last week when we were wandering around Leslieville.
Well, the food was certainly not memorable in any way - a decent crab cake and an asiago fritatta with good flavour (although the oyster mushrooms were somewhat tough and chewy). The fruit salad side was completely underwhelming and looked and tasted as if it had been prepared the day before.
The service, on the other hand, was absolutely appalling. So much so that I was compelled to write this, my first restaurant review.
Our server seemed begrudged to serve us and wore a scowl throughout our brunch. We came in all smiles with gregarious moods but after interacting with the staff, those went south rapidly.
I flagged down our server (who spent most of our meal chatting with another server at the cash) on one of her rare forays away from her post and asked if she wouldn't mind refilling my water when she had the chance. She replied with a brusque "yup" and a dour expression, turned on her heels, and stalked away like a sullen teenager who had just been told to go clean her room.
Once the food arrived, our server never returned to ask how our meal was or whether we would like anything else. Most of the tables were empty, so I can't chalk it up to frazzled staff who were just trying to keep their heads above water during a frenzied brunch service (not that flat-out rudeness is justified at any time).
The cherry on the cake was when our server plunked the bill unceremoniously on the table while my friend was still finishing her main course.
I've returned to restaurants with similar calibre food many times (not bad but certainly not outstanding) because the ambience, hospitality and excellent service made the dining experience worthwhile.
Needless to say, I won't be returning to Edward Levesque’s Kitchen.
Ever.
1. Trish Samuels's Review :: June 24, 2008 Trish Samuels's Rating: 1 Stars |
The food was great! The host and wait stuff were very courteous and efficient. If the Queen Street car service were better, I'd be there much more often. It's a cool place.
2. Anonymous's Review :: January 11, 2008 |
The food was great! The host and wait stuff were very courteous and efficient. If the Queen Street car service were better, I'd be there much more often. It's a cool place.
3. Gilberto's Review :: January 11, 2008 Gilberto's Rating: 4 Stars |
From the very beginning, the service left much to be desired. The person who answered the phone was brusque and sounded like he was bothered by the call. He was not welcoming at all. Upon arrival, the host or server welcomed us with "Do you have reservations?" with nary a smile in sight. We were offered 2 different types of water but the server sped through it that we couldn't understand what he was saying. After making our decision from the menu, the server came back to take our orders and we were told that our selection was not available but the specials of the night were "Pork Tenderloin" and "Hanger Steak". Why wasn't this information told to us when the menus were given? The food really is the saving grace of ELK. The pork tenderloin and the hanger steak were exceptional. The servings were just right, the flavours wonderfully balanced, all in all both a success. Different servers filled our water glasses during the meal, but is a smile really too much to ask? We ordered dessert. Chocolate pot a creme with grand marnier whipped cream and meyer lemon tart with wildhoney ice cream were wonderful. Chocolatey goodness with texture of silk generous in a teacup hit the right note of cocoa and sweetness. Meyer lemon tart was fresh and refreshing and the wildhoney ice cream complemented it quite well. Our coffees were refilled and we weren't rushed out of the restaurant. It was nice being able to sit and chat after a good meal. But again, the service was disappointing. The servers must not be having fun since all the gestures which make a dining experience great was missing. The whole service experience needs to be overhauled for ELK to be absolutely exceptional. I'm telling you - a smile, whether on the phone or in person, goes a long way. And you know what, ELK? It's also free.
4. Jenn's Review :: January 06, 2007 Jenn's Rating: 3 Stars |
I have to agree with the previous post. I was there with a party of eight and our server was appalling. Her service ran the gamut from brusque to down right rude. I honestly do not remember the food, because the nastiness began to colour our whole experience. Eventually we had to make a joke of it, wagering what fresh hell we would be subjected to next. As was said below, Toronto has far too many quality restaurants to put up with such nonsense.
5. Regruve's Review :: April 20, 2006 Regruve's Rating: 2 Stars |
One of my absolute favorites in the East End. The beauty of Edward Lesveque?s is Edward and of course the double-smoked bacon and best (by far) all day breakfast. The menu has lots to choose from and this little gem is all about the food and owner who puts his heart into the place. I highly recommend Edward Lesveque?s for breakfast or dinner. Overall the service is friendly and attentive. I have dined at Edward?s over 20 times and would recommend this place to all my friends. For those who like to make substitutions and changes to the menu well you are going to be out of luck. Edward must be a little OC and does not want anyone to mess with his menu and creations. Even if you rather eggs sunny-side up instead of scrambled. It?s a no go. That is okay and part of the charm and attitude us East Enders have come to appreciate.
6. Marc's Review :: February 26, 2006 Marc's Rating: 4 Stars |
Disappointing. Totally.
I was so looking forward to trying out this restaurant, which I told them when I called for reservations (and was recognized when I arrived proclaiming ?I am so happy to be here at your restaurant?). Here?s a hint for Edward Levesque?s kitchen:? This is a customer who is completely ready to Love the dining experience at your restaurant and tell all her friends about it.
What a pity. The food was quite wonderful, and I would recommend the restaurant except for the complete lack of service. Do go for the take out (which they call ?take-away? on their business card), but go to another restaurant if what you?re looking for is not a mere dine & dash but a wonderful evening.
Where do I start? The owner who ignored my smiles twice as he whipped past me, but ensured that he welcomed with glee the people at the right and left of me at our table? The waitress who looked at me blankly when I told her that I was taking my dining partner out for her birthday (hint #2: Do not look blankly at me. Turn 30 degrees, smile, and say ?happy birthday?. Trust me, this little gesture will be appreciated and noted). The number of times I had to drink my dinner partner?s glass of water as mine was empty and had to keep asking for a refill? The request for additional crostini for the pate which we were told 15 minutes later was still being ?toasted? and then arrived after asking again, just sliced and not warmed? My dinner partner?s drink that came 15 minutes after mine? My dinner partner requesting an additional cup of decaf coffee and was told by another person that ?they don?t have decaf? (what had she already be given under the disguise of decaf we wondered?)? Additional coffee for me and then having to walk down to the front to ask for more milk? Walking out of the restaurant with less than 15 people left in it with no one bothering to say thank you ? how was it ? please come again?
It took one hour for me to lose my smile and exuberance, not that this was noted to any degree by waitresses, etc that ignored our table and could not bother smiling.
What a pity. With at least a dozen friends asking me to let them know about this restaurant, I would much more recommend restaurants where for the same price, their service is warm and impeccable.
Cost:
2 glasses of wine (dinner partner did not want bottle, so I was only one drinking)
coffees
2 appetizers (about 18$ together)
pasta ($16)
lamb chops (quite good, except last one was extremely rare, but I did not mind this that much) (28$)
dessert ($10)
$approx. 85$
left 20$ tip which she did not deserve. Do not know why I left this
total including tax = $120.
For around this amount ? please note following other restaurants with good food and where they will ensure you have a lovely time and are treated as if you are indeed a guest in their establishment, rather than a hindrance:
Messis
Hyatt Lounge
Jamie Kennedy
Town Grill
Gallery Grill (less $, but for lunch)
Verveine
7. Sunila's Review :: November 01, 2005 Sunila's Rating: 1 Stars |
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 1290 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON |
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MBO Toronto :: Toronto Restaurants & Dining Guide
