Jacobs and Co., Toronto

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  • Jacobs and Co.

    Review by Ellen Jakobsmeier
    There comes a time in one's life where they know they’ve met the one. Usually unexpected, this moment produces a once-in-a-lifetime, eye-opening reflection that prepares you for a future with your beloved. Teary eyes (it’s not the onions) and a feeling of joy overwhelm the senses, while you realize all relationships (or mistakes) of the past must be nullified. When it comes to steakhouses, this can be a painful endeavour. No longer will you be able to tap The Keg for a sizzling night of prime beef, and of course you must officially break up with Ruth's Chris (try to avoid the drive-bys, or it’ll only increase the pain). Fortunately, Jacobs & Co. is worth severing all ties to your steakhouses of yore, and a committed future together equates to harmonious carnivore bliss.

    Since the days of Roxy Blu, this Brant Street space has seen quite the urban renovation with the addition of the Brant House, and nearby Brassaii down on King. Subway and taxi transportation to the former nightspot has been replaced with valet parking that signals the sharp-dressing suits are confidently claiming the ‘hood as their own. A few upstart restaurant attempts in the club kid's old haunt have fizzled (the short lived Fumetti, and the equally short lived 8 Restolounge before it), but Jacobs and Co. promises to sizzle (their steaks, at the very least).

    John Tsoumaris (Brant House Group), Peter Tsebelis and Gus Giazitzidis (Brassaii) and Amar Singh (the original owner of the space when it was Roxy Blu), with designer Marc Kyriacou, have transformed the former party space into a high-end (reservation-only) steak emporium worthy of Yorkville standards. If you’ve got the buck in the bank, this emporium of red meat will not disappoint.

    After reluctantly tossing the keys of your Porsche to the eager valet, you begin the Jacobs & Co. experience underground. More specifically, you begin at the restaurant’s swanky subterranean lounge, that’s complete with a smiling piano man seamlessly running his fingers up and down the keys. If Sammy Jr. and Frank Sinatra were still around, it’s a fair assumption they’d be hanging out at the bar. Leather club chairs and almost-too-comfy bar stools (pace yourself!) evoke a feeling of ‘50s class within the space, enhanced by low lighting and a (handsome) bartender offering Jack on the Rocks (Frank’s favourite drink of course).
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    11 Reader Reviews

    1. David Carr's Review :: August 26, 2008
    Jacobs and Co. is good overall, but I feel that after going to other similar rstaurants in the city, that there are better steakhouses. In general I usually order ribeye (or sometimes porterhouse). Shall try again - but when I'm in the mood for steak, I need perfection.

    David Carr's Rating: 3 Stars
    2. Randi Carr's Review :: August 25, 2008
    I am only giving it 3 stars due to the food. The ambience great, service amazing but disappointed when we ordered the Wagyu, however, the wine service was AMAZING! I don't know maybe because there are so many steak houses, I found it just average.

    Randi Carr's Rating: 3 Stars
    3. Jason Hamel's Review :: June 6, 2008
    Through the years I've entertained many clients at Morton's,Harbour 60,Barberian's et al and was reasonably excited at a colleagues suggestion of a fairly new steakhouse on the power scene.

    I was not disappointed.The dry-aged steaks are the best in the city...by a longshot.It's been a few weeks since dinner and I'm still reminiscing about the Wagyu cut that I had.A client has e-mailed me about the experience which is unusual.We all(there were 5 of us) had different steaks and we agreed with the assessment that they were the best we had ever had.

    The side dishes were a little disappointing but I don't go to a steakhouse for creamed spinach.

    The service was exemplary.Polished but still charming and fun.What a difference from stuffy and occasionally irritating Harbour 60!

    Well done Jacobs.May I seem presumptuous and call you the new king of Toronto steakhouses.I'll be back...and soon!

    Jason Hamel's Rating: 4 Stars
    4. Stacey's Review :: May 4, 2008
    I have never submitted a review before but it would be remis not to tell the truth about this overrated experience. I frequent new restaurants often and I think Jacob & CO is a waste of time. Besides the caesar salad made at our table, everything else was mediocre. The steak was quite good but def not the best I've had in our city. The cobb salad as well as the sides we shared were less than memorable. The beefsteak tomatoes were shriveled and dry and even the 'famous' duck fat fries were just average. If you ever get a chance to get to the US, try Prime 112 which I have afeeling Jacob & Co may have been trying to mimick...nice try, but not even close.

    Stacey's Rating: 3 Stars
    5. Dan Elliot's Review :: April 30, 2008
    The experience was a little bit frustrating. I called in for reservations for 7:30pm, and when I got there they told me they'd given me 8:30. No struggle to make me happy, only the assurance that I'd get a table at (sigh) 8:30. We had drinks and ordered insanely priced appetizers. We finally got our table, at 8:30 as the restaurant had decided we had indeed made our reservation. I'd like to go back. I just have to start investing better and exercise my options when the market is good before that happens. - Dan

    Dan Elliot's Rating: 2 Stars
    6. Danny $$$!'s Review :: March 14, 2008
    If you've got the stretchy pants, my friends, this is the occasion in which to bust 'em out. You're going to need them at Jacob's, especially if you're the sort whose eyes never seem to keep pace with her appetite, ahem ahem. Jacob&co does steak right, right now, and right in time. And you owe it to yourself to check to see what the fuss is about. One warning though: It's $$$$$!

    Danny $$$!'s Rating: 4 Stars
    7. Amy Howlett's Review :: March 12, 2008
    Morton's can SUCK IT...Ruth's Chris can LICK IT...and Harris' can SCREW IT... Jacob's & Co. is the BEST thus far in Toronto. The prices are NOT reasonable - but considering the portions you get (which is inclusive of two sides) makes for a great meal. Cheers!

    Amy Howlett's Rating: 4 Stars
    8. David Phalp's Review :: February 10, 2008
    Well, the fries were the worst part. The steaks were great but there are places like harbour sixty, prime (which was very similar), etc.

    The service was okay, but he seemed nervous which made me feel unsure.

    The wine expert was very odd and we wondered if he might have taken something to help him through his day.

    Not a terribly exciting experience for what it costs. I just kept thinking, if I am paying this much, shouldn't I be dazzled?

    David Phalp's Rating: 2 Stars
    9. Brian Toney's Review :: November 24, 2007
    My opinion is largely based on my many experiences at the various steak houses in Toronto. Harbour 60 is the place to beat in my opinion. The Harbour steaks, service, sides, wine list are all excellent although many wines are priced with an outrageous mark-up.

    That being said, Thuet serves some awesome hunks of house dry-aged steak and there is always room for a Morton steak.

    Jacobs fell short on many fronts. I will try it again in the new year hoping for improvements. But the biggest missing element, for me, may never arrive...a BIG THICK JUICY STEAK! One can easily taste the quality but in my opinion it is lost on these thin slices. Every high-end steak house needs a cowboy cut or 24-28oz rib steak bone-in. Taking a chunk home in a doggy bag may be necessary, but atleast you get to dine on a THICK JUICY STEAK with the tastiest meat next to the bone. The Harbour rib steak is outstanding.

    The Jacobs sides were boring. After searching to find something tempting enough to order we decided on the duck fat fries, mushrooms and mashed potatoes. The fries seemed to be well cooked but mysteriously they lacked any punch whatsoever. They were dull. The mushrooms were good but in the table's opinion far too rich. The mashed potatoes were OK.

    The server was unable to answer our meat questions which was a real surprise. However it was nice that he went to the kitchen to find out whether or not the rib steak was cut thick.

    There are many things that can be improved. Hopefully they are reading the clientelle well and listening to their feedback. I will try again in February.

    Brian Toney's Rating: 3 Stars
    10. Jonathan Brown's Review :: November 16, 2007
    The quality of the meat is outstanding but as some have noted, it is not cheap. I guess you get what you pay for. Drinks are expensive too.

    Jonathan Brown's Rating: 3 Stars
    Click here to view all 11 reviews
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    Jacobs and Co.

    Address

    12 Brant Street, Toronto, ON

    Phone

    416-366-0200

    Area

    King West

    Cuisine

    Steak

    Venue

    Restaurant

    Hours

    Tue. to Sat.: 5:00pm-11:00pm

    Price

    $$$$

    Payment

    Master Card
    Visa
    American Express
    Restaurant

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