I know, you’re all wondering: where will the punks go now? What will happen to the music? Well, it’s all going moving down to good ol’ Graffiti’s, even the unbeatable brunch. As for Herrington, he will be concentrating on his music, but cannot see himself leaving the market any time soon.
–A.C
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 AT A GLANCE
Freshwood Grill
197½ Baldwin Avenue, Toronto, ON
416-340 6262
Cafe
Kensington Market
Venue:
Restaurant
Hours:
Price Range:
$$ (Affordable)
Payment:
Cash Only
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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17 Reader Reviews | I had the great opportunity to visit this establishment during my recent visit to Toronto. I had a delicious lunch served up by the friendliest staff. I ended up visiting with the staff for a while during my first visit and then dropped by later in the afternoon for a refreshing glass of lemonade. The next day I stopped by for a beer and these guys are the best! Food is great, service is far above average and the personalities of the staff were outstanding. Thanks guys for making a southern boy from the "states" feel so welcome. I visited the grill during the week of Sept.11-17, 2007.
1. Anonymous's Review :: September 19, 2007 |
I had the great opportunity to visit this establishment during my recent visit to Toronto. I had a delicious lunch served up by the friendliest staff. I ended up visiting with the staff for a while during my first visit and then dropped by later in the afternoon for a refreshing glass of lemonade. The next day I stopped by for a beer and these guys are the best! Food is great, service is far above average and the personalities of the staff were outstanding. Thanks guys for making a southern boy from the "states" feel so welcome. I visited the grill during the week of Sept.11-17, 2007.
2. Bryan Spence's Review :: September 18, 2007 Bryan Spence's Rating: 4 Stars |
My girlfriend and I were looking for another breakfast/lunch spot in the area after having grown tired of eating at Shai's all the time, and were intrigued when Freshwood posted its menu in advance of its opening.
We have eaten there four times now, and while the menu is interesting and the food tasty, there's a lot of room for improvement. Service is mediocre at best. Tables are frequently unwiped, with ketchup stains from previous diners sticking your forearms to the table (until you ask for a ragjob); don't expect a "quality check", as all four times we haven't received one, so if your food is unsatisfactory in any way, you're left to flag a server down (thankfully, so far the food has been fine); and small things like coffee refills and enough sugars in each caddy go unchecked.
So it's back to Shai's for me - they have better coffee anyway...
Worst of all is the wait times. Don't go this eatery if you're in any kind of a hurry, as no matter how busy it is, or how simple your food may be, upwards of 25 min. to get your meal has unfortunately been the norm so far.
As a 15 yr veteran of the restaurant industry, I fully realize that every spot has its get-their-feet-under-them time, but quite simply, these are the fundamentals. Twice we've waited so long that my girlfriend has had to scarf down her food and run off, leaving me there to finish and pay.
3. Anonymous's Review :: August 08, 2007 |
My girlfriend and I were looking for another breakfast/lunch spot in the area after having grown tired of eating at Shai's all the time, and were intrigued when Freshwood posted its menu in advance of its opening.
We have eaten there four times now, and while the menu is interesting and the food tasty, there's a lot of room for improvement. Service is mediocre at best. Tables are frequently unwiped, with ketchup stains from previous diners sticking your forearms to the table (until you ask for a ragjob); don't expect a "quality check", as all four times we haven't received one, so if your food is unsatisfactory in any way, you're left to flag a server down (thankfully, so far the food has been fine); and small things like coffee refills and enough sugars in each caddy go unchecked.
So it's back to Shai's for me - they have better coffee anyway...
Worst of all is the wait times. Don't go this eatery if you're in any kind of a hurry, as no matter how busy it is, or how simple your food may be, upwards of 25 min. to get your meal has unfortunately been the norm so far.
As a 15 yr veteran of the restaurant industry, I fully realize that every spot has its get-their-feet-under-them time, but quite simply, these are the fundamentals. Twice we've waited so long that my girlfriend has had to scarf down her food and run off, leaving me there to finish and pay.
4. Anonymous's Review :: August 08, 2007 |
My girlfriend and I were looking for another breakfast/lunch spot in the area after having grown tired of eating at Shai's all the time, and were intrigued when Freshwood posted its menu in advance of its opening.
We have eaten there four times now, and while the menu is interesting and the food tasty, there's a lot of room for improvement. Service is mediocre at best. Tables are frequently unwiped, with ketchup stains from previous diners sticking your forearms to the table (until you ask for a ragjob); don't expect a "quality check", as all four times we haven't received one, so if your food is unsatisfactory in any way, you're left to flag a server down (thankfully, so far the food has been fine); and small things like coffee refills and enough sugars in each caddy go unchecked.
So it's back to Shai's for me - they have better coffee anyway...
Worst of all is the wait times. Don't go this eatery if you're in any kind of a hurry, as no matter how busy it is, or how simple your food may be, upwards of 25 min. to get your meal has unfortunately been the norm so far.
As a 15 yr veteran of the restaurant industry, I fully realize that every spot has its get-their-feet-under-them time, but quite simply, these are the fundamentals. Twice we've waited so long that my girlfriend has had to scarf down her food and run off, leaving me there to finish and pay.
5. Matthew Davis's Review :: August 07, 2007 Matthew Davis's Rating: 1 Stars |
My girlfriend and I were looking for another breakfast/lunch spot in the area after having grown tired of eating at Shai's all the time, and were intrigued when Freshwood posted its menu in advance of its opening.
We have eaten there four times now, and while the menu is interesting and the food tasty, there's a lot of room for improvement. Service is mediocre at best. Tables are frequently unwiped, with ketchup stains from previous diners sticking your forearms to the table (until you ask for a ragjob); don't expect a "quality check", as all four times we haven't received one, so if your food is unsatisfactory in any way, you're left to flag a server down (thankfully, so far the food has been fine); and small things like coffee refills and enough sugars in each caddy go unchecked.
So it's back to Shai's for me - they have better coffee anyway...
Worst of all is the wait times. Don't go this eatery if you're in any kind of a hurry, as no matter how busy it is, or how simple your food may be, upwards of 25 min. to get your meal has unfortunately been the norm so far.
As a 15 yr veteran of the restaurant industry, I fully realize that every spot has its get-their-feet-under-them time, but quite simply, these are the fundamentals. Twice we've waited so long that my girlfriend has had to scarf down her food and run off, leaving me there to finish and pay.
6. Matthew Davis's Review :: August 07, 2007 Matthew Davis's Rating: 1 Stars |
I feel I have to resond to Robin's review as I was there the night that she came up to the bar and made a big fuss. We had been sitting near her and the behavior of the older lady, (I'm assuming it was her mother-in-law) was bizarre to say the least. We complained to the manager about her and he promptly moved us to another table and very graciously gave us two glasses of wine on the house. I then felt terrible when this woman came up and ignoring people waiting to pay insisted on berating the restaurant in a loud voice. I felt the manager handled the situation very professionally but this Robin obviously expected to make a scene and have something removed from the bill. I would like to know at what restaurant Robin cooks at so I know never to go there, as she obviously doesn't know anything about food. The mac and cheese does have a lot of really good cheese in it (my daughter orders it all the time and I think 5 dollars is a reasonable price), it's one of the few local restaurants that has a nice selection of fresh fish to choose from. Maybe the reason Robin felt stupid is because she is stupid and very rude. I think she should buy some fish sticks and Kraft dinner and a bottle of Jack Danials for her crazy mother-in-law and just stay home. Freshwood could probably use your business but on behalf of the people who go there regularly she will not be missed.
7. Lynn T's Review :: December 24, 2006 Lynn T's Rating: 3 Stars |
I had to respond to the 4 star review..... When the freshwood grill opened it was a great place with great food, now it's niether. It has taken now 3 bad experiances for me to decide I will never return. The first was standing at the door while the not so busy waitresses (3 of them with 2 tables) looked at my husband and myself and didn't bother to seat us. The second time it was having to sit through a meal listening to the staff talking badly about other staff memebers and the food was par and the salad was soaking with water. I actually said never again at that point but somehow forgot over time. This last visit was last week where we paid 5 dollars for mac and cheese for our daughter that was all of 4 tablespoons of pasta, my husband ordered a steak sandwich which came as a pita wrap and my mother in-law got a salad that was a composte. My meal was pretty good but 14 dollars for a bottom feeder fish that costs all of $2 a piece at the market it had better be good. I told the floor manager my concerns just for him to take what I was saying as advice but he childishly responded by saying there was a lot of cheese in the pasta and ALL of their sandwiches are wraps......He says u can fit more in a wrap like I am stupid. I am a cook in a resturant, have been for almost 10 years now. A steak sandwich is a steak sandwich, on the wrap they put all of 4 crappy strips of meat inside. This once nice place sucks sucks sucks don't waste ur money unless ur just there to use them for thier patio and beer.
8. Robin's Review :: December 22, 2006 Robin's Rating: 1 Stars |
Over-rated and over priced. I thought the idea behind the ingrediants was great, but the actual delivery was weak and not worth the price.
9. Matt's Review :: November 02, 2006 Matt's Rating: 2 Stars |
I felt compelled to submit a review, because the recent reviews are really pretty hard on the place.
I live in the neighbourhood, and I'm really happy to have this place. Their food quality is excellent, the service slightly spotty (but they have improved quite a bit in late 2006), and the value for money great.
It's not a destination or first-date kind of place. The seating is crowded, and the flooring is starting to go. It's a low-key, don't-feel-like-cooking-on-a-tuesday joint, group-dinner spot. The patio is enjoyable, warmed up by the lanterns and gardening work they did recently.
If you're out for good food quality, not in a hurry, and don't want the pressure of trying to look cool, it's a nice spot.
10. Steve's Review :: November 02, 2006 Steve's Rating: 3 Stars |
I adore this grill! Awsome salads, apps and the yummiest smoothies. Their market fish plates are huge and delicious too. Freshwood grill's funky kitchy atmosphere is great for those of us that can't stand the pretension of college st eateries. Can't wait for the gorgeous back patio garden to open up again!!
11. Vegie Gal's Review :: March 18, 2006 Vegie Gal's Rating: 4 Stars |
God awful. The service is the worse of any restaurant. Tries to be upscale, but comes off as dirty, sloppy, and arrogant. Very average Pita Pit food.
12. Rashmi's Review :: July 11, 2005 Rashmi's Rating: 1 Stars |
They may have the best food, but unless you have lots of time to kill waiting for a server to acknowledge your presence, I suggest staying away. My partner and had to walk out of the otherwise almost empty restaurant when after 25 minutes, we could not get the atttention of the more than aqequate waitstaff who would rather socialize than work. Very disappointing.
13. Doug Hamlyn's Review :: July 11, 2005 Doug Hamlyn's Rating: 1 Stars |
Having lived in the Roncesvalles village for many years ,I am thrilled to have the Freshwood Grill as my new neighbour.Its about time someone opened a place with great food and low prices .Nothing on the menu is over $10 and the portions are huge .Fresh ingredients and a twist on comfort food is definetely well received by me! The bacyard patio is great ,the tunes are good and the attitude is on College st.
14. Anastasia's Review :: June 17, 2005 Anastasia's Rating: 4 Stars |
We were there last Sunday with a party of 7.
We needed to sit at the back patio since the inside was way to hot in the middle of the heatwave. The food took an hour to get there and was very forgettable. The concrete patio floor was greasy and looked like a previous garbage dump that is in desperate need of scouring.
We are hoodies who want this place to work. Please clean it up and get more service!
15. Sam's Review :: June 15, 2005 Sam's Rating: 2 Stars |
I was very impressed and surprised to find a no attitude and casual new place to eat in the neighbourhood.The exterior sign does not do the freshwwod justice ! The portions were huge ,the quality high and the food tasted great ! Prices are remarkably low for the quality comfort food, with a twist.The service was not the greatest although friendly and very busy servers tried their best. I recommend Freshwood to all my friends.
16. Laura's Review :: June 09, 2005 Laura's Rating: 4 Stars |
Friends in the neighborhood invited us to try Freshwood Grill. I was happy to find that there was a patio, but felt like I was sitting in someone's barren cement block backyard. It took us way too long to even get in a drink order, essentially ignored in the back. When the night turned cold we moved inside for some more cheer, a little better service and horribly greasy tables. Food was average, price okay.
17. Sookie's Review :: June 07, 2005 Sookie's Rating: 2 Stars |
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  197½ Baldwin Avenue, Toronto, ON |
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MBO Toronto :: Toronto Restaurants & Dining Guide
