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You've probably already heard about the much-ballyhooed sale of Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar to former Sous Chef Scott Vivian, his wife (and longtime JK Pastry Chef) Rachel Caldwell, and Ted and Mary Koutsogiannopoulos (erstwhile owners of Joy Bistro), but for all the fuss made about Jamie Kennedy's brush with bankruptcy, the changeover is taking place quite quietly. The deal has been done, and Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar is now officially The Wine Bar.
The seasonal small plates menu format will stay the same, but Vivian promises a bit more of a Mediterranean focus. The back bar has had a bit of a revamp with a brand new cocktail program created by Mike Webster of The Drake and possibly more of a nightlife element to follow, perhaps in the space that now houses Hank's Café. The Wine Bar is now open.
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 AT A GLANCE
Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar
9 Church Street, Toronto, ON
416-362-1957
Continental
Front Street
Venue:
Restaurant
Hours:
Mon-Sat 11:30am-11pm Sun 11am-11pm (brunch 11am-3pm limited menu 3-4pm)
Price Range:
$$$$ (expensive)
Payment:
cash, visa, mastercard, and amex
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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23 Reader Reviews | My Husband and I celebrated our 27th, anniversary On Sat at the wine bar , It was beyond our expection the food was the best I have had in a long time ( we had over four different items) service was great , wine .. awesome !! I would definitely be recommending this place to my friends and collagues.
1. Lisa Seebaran's Review :: March 04, 2010 Lisa Seebaran's Rating: 4 Stars |
I am sorry I love this restaurant only because I know the kitchen staff are capable of cooking anything to perfection. The daily menu may satisfy your needs and may not, but when it is done it is done perfectly. That said however I do have a problem paying 16.00 for a tanqueray 1.25 oz martini Fuck off give me a break and 9.00 for a gin and tonic with normal rail gin, Really makes you hate the food menu.
Lets get it together people, you bought it from jamie but let's make it your own and if that means you are charging 16.00 for a martini than, i welcome spring rolls to church and front once again.
Good luck
2. Amir's Review :: August 23, 2009 Amir's Rating: Stars |
I love this restaurant mostly because they aren't up their own asses and have a setting that isn't trying too hard like most high end places in Toronto. God get over yourself...not to mention the food in most of those places are terrible. The setting is very elegant but then again casual. I had a amazing experience there and the staff definitely added to the experience. The wines are picked specifically for the dishes and its actually fun to try each wine with each dish you order. This is hands down my favorite dining experience in Toronto and will be there again tonight.
3. BJ's Review :: July 15, 2009 BJ's Rating: 4 Stars |
Gail vs Kevin,
At the risk of being attacked by the catty martiniboys crew, I must declare, I was also utterly disappointed with JKWB. Perhaps it was the Joanne Kates love-in, perhaps it was the MBO love-in... I never really got the Jamie Kennedy thing.
Somebody... please, explain why (other than him being kinda cute) he is the king of cuisine...!
4. Jane Taber's Review :: June 03, 2009 Jane Taber's Rating: 2 Stars |
Kevin... We get it. You cool Montreal vulture critics have seen the greatest chefs ever - stop with the diss's and broaden your horizons. Caveat – I also am not a huge fan of JK Wine bar. But what you describe isn't do-able. JK staff are more anal retentive than Jamie himself. Try it again, at one of his other outposts (he's everywhere in this town!). Just see it was a bad night. That's all.
How's that?
5. Gail Summerville's Review :: June 03, 2009 Gail Summerville's Rating: 4 Stars |
I came here because of the rave reviews. I was so utterly disappointed. The food was bland and had no spark. Watching the lackluster chefs (who are really cooks rather than chefs) maul the food, particularly the salads, was one of the most gauche culinary experiences that I have ever had. Where is the flair and great restaurant that reviewers talk about? Not here! Perhaps Jamie needs to visit Montreal to find out what a flavourful entrecot really tastes like. If you like bland 1950s style "Toronto the good" food you should come here. BTW this is June 2009 and it looks like it is time for Jamie to offer something decent rather than resting on his ill deserved laurels
6. Kevin's Review :: June 03, 2009 Kevin's Rating: 1 Stars |
Don't waste your time, money, and most importantly your palette at this over-hyped, unremarkable, blase resto.
Very disappointing lunch experience, would not recommend to anybody for any reason, and will never go again.
Service was average. Nice enough server - but I expected each dish to be explained/introduced, each dish was just plunked on the table. Decor was OK, what you'd expect of an upscale, open concept coffee bar.
We had an assortment of dishes including: Lake Trout ($10), Beef Brisket ($12), Entrecote of Beef ($14 - i.e. Steak), Spinach & Potatoe Soup ($7), Flatbread & 3 Dip ($7), Fries ($5), Duck Breast ($12), Pork Belly ($12), Bass ($12) + Desserts (Sorbets, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Choc Cake, Pumpkin Panna Cotta).
Portions were EXTREMELY SMALL (size of a credit card). It was a struggle to share a taste between 2 people, let alone 3 or more. None of the tapas we tried were remarkable or worthy of a second order. Food was uninspired, unspecial, and unsatisfactory.
$230 for 5 people excluding drinks, everybody left hungry and unimpressed.
Comments from my co-eaters:
"So do you want to go get a burger?" (1.5 hours after lunch)
"The sorbet tasted like a bad grocery store generic brand"
7. Party Of Five's Review :: November 04, 2008 Party Of Five's Rating: 1 Stars |
The food is okay, not great, and a little pricey. The down side is that they do not take reservations, and will not put you on a list so you can go have a drink at the bar! You wait in line until you reach the head of the line, and then you get the next available table.
8. Jen Roseman's Review :: October 08, 2008 Jen Roseman's Rating: 2 Stars |
I ate at the infamous JK Wine Bar and was well received, seated at a lovely table and given all the information and time needed to enjoy one of the best lunches ever. Poutine, heirloom cucumber salad, beef short ribs, entrecote of beef and duck confit with chocolate bread pudding to finish -- all beautifully presented and sublime.
I highly recommend this restaurant. Not overpriced at all, considering the quality of the ingredients and the service.
9. LJ Stubbs's Review :: September 05, 2008 LJ Stubbs's Rating: 4 Stars |
I've been here several times and the food portions just keep getting smaller. I know the whole concept of tapas is to be a small sample of different dishes but please, $14 for 1/3 of a sausage; or $11.00 for 3 tiny and thin slices of tuna. This place is a total rip off and I can't believe it's still in business.
One dish we ordered was supposed to come with potatoes and all it came with was 1/2 of a tiny potato. The only thing that will crave any type of appetite on the menu are the fries. After that it's all down hill.
Do yourself a favour and try another restaurant in the neighbourhood that serves better tasting food and larger quantities.
10. Anonymous's Review :: April 28, 2008 |
I've been here several times and the food portions just keep getting smaller. I know the whole concept of tapas is to be a small sample of different dishes but please, $14 for 1/3 of a sausage; or $11.00 for 3 tiny and thin slices of tuna. This place is a total rip off and I can't believe it's still in business.
One dish we ordered was supposed to come with potatoes and all it came with was 1/2 of a tiny potato. The only thing that will crave any type of appetite on the menu are the fries. After that it's all down hill.
Do yourself a favour and try another restaurant in the neighbourhood that serves better tasting food and larger quantities.
11. Frank's Review :: April 28, 2008 Frank's Rating: 1 Stars |
I love the concept and idea that drives this restaurant. JK himself is a strange (albeit handsome) dude that always says the exact same thing at functions where he is invited to speak 'When I first started in this business x years ago...'
I went for lunch, service was great, we just sat at the bar and got served by the sous-chef. Food was good.
I wonder why people judge a restaurant by how long the wait time is why do you write 'we had to wait xx minutes for a table'? How is that a restaurant's fault? How is the guy making your fish in the kitchen, or the busy server in the restaurant supposed to know that you've been waiting that long??
Be good customers! These people don't exist to wipe your bums, they're servers. They're supposed to be friendly and knowledgable. If you walk in there like you own them of course you might get some attitude back!
12. Anonymous's Review :: January 15, 2008 |
I love the concept and idea that drives this restaurant. JK himself is a strange (albeit handsome) dude that always says the exact same thing at functions where he is invited to speak 'When I first started in this business x years ago...'
I went for lunch, service was great, we just sat at the bar and got served by the sous-chef. Food was good.
I wonder why people judge a restaurant by how long the wait time is why do you write 'we had to wait xx minutes for a table'? How is that a restaurant's fault? How is the guy making your fish in the kitchen, or the busy server in the restaurant supposed to know that you've been waiting that long??
Be good customers! These people don't exist to wipe your bums, they're servers. They're supposed to be friendly and knowledgable. If you walk in there like you own them of course you might get some attitude back!
13. Carmen's Review :: January 14, 2008 Carmen's Rating: 3 Stars |
If I lived in Toronto I would definitely be a regular at JK. My hubby and I were there for lunch while in town. We sat at the bar and watched the chef (Nathan) at work - he was extremely friendly and I felt like I received free cooking lessons - he took time to answer all my questions with enthusiasm. The server was knowledgable about the wine and on top of everything from water to dessert. The food wass excellent - fresh, organic and tasty; and the wine pairings were perfect. Best tourist spot in town!!!
14. Vic's Review :: June 26, 2007 Vic's Rating: 4 Stars |
Service was the best..I was by myself, having come from England for a funeral. I was treated as if they knew it and I needed to be comforted. At the bar I enjoyed a sublime piece of cod (miso marinated) perfectly matched with a light Austrian red wine and topped off with chocolate nut franchipane in a hint of ginger syrup.
For a total of $35.00...and your reviewers call that expensive. They obviously didn't take time to taste the JK flavours.
15. Pat Wallace's Review :: November 02, 2006 Pat Wallace's Rating: 4 Stars |
Went there with a few friends....nothing to write home about really. Were ignored at the door and we had to find our own way to the bar area to wait for our table that we reserved. At the waiting area/ bar we were once ignored again until we asked someone if we could get a drink and we were treated like we asked the waitress to climb mt.everest.Needless to say, not impressed. Once we got to our table, our waiter was scrambling to get himself organised and once the food started to come..... we'll, it was o.k. nothing great- Left disappointed.
16. Helen's Review :: October 19, 2006 Helen's Rating: 2 Stars |
Jamie Kennedy's Wine Bar provided a great atmosphere - the menu was interesting with clear attention to detail and the sommelier?s wine selections memorable - and made tasting a true experience. The venue definitely has its own energy ? and the staff friendly, knowledgeable about the menus and able to provide informed suggestions. We enjoyed it - and will be back.
17. Janice Campbell's Review :: February 14, 2006 Janice Campbell's Rating: 4 Stars |
I find it HILARIOUS the way that most peeps complain about the JK spot.
I'll pose one question to the critics and naysayers...
Have you ever been outwith North America?
Kennedy has brought exaclty what Toronto needed to the dull and boring dining scene that exists here.
That is why customers stand in the bar for so long, the place is busy on a Tuesday in February. The place is buzzing.
I have my own issues with the service. But upon occasion the service is... how shall I put this... "sweet".
My husband and myself are return visitors again and again (and again).
Both of us have dined all over Europe, and while the spot isn't "haute cuisine" , it is a breath of fresh air in a rather stale restaurant scene.
Wake up Toronto.
18. Susie Townsend's Review :: February 05, 2006 Susie Townsend's Rating: 4 Stars |
I have to agree with Jackie from Toronto as this was my first time visiting the service was terrible. First we waited 45 minutes for a table and in the bar area there was enough room but there were a few chairs so we stood for most part of our wait. When we sat down to decide what to eat there was not much on the menu to select. The fries I was expecting to be good but I do not recommend them to anyone.
19. Sandi's Review :: February 02, 2006 Sandi's Rating: 1 Stars |
I've been here three times in the last 3 years and every time I come away disappointed. The decor is minimal and stylish but the place has no and I mean no atmosphere. The restaurant side where we ate is an afterthought, and so is the lounge. There is no music playing and it either feels like the restaurant is shutting down and they want you to go home or you're eating in your own kitchen after work. There's way too many lights which makes the place way too bright and impersonal. I will say the wait staff is extremely attentive and helpful but even they have tough time selling customers on the weak menu. To put this in the same league as Susur, George or Avalon is a mistake. The prices are in line with the other restaurants but that's where the similarities end. For a better experience you may want to try the Keg across the street. ;-)
20. Josh's Review :: January 08, 2006 Josh's Rating: 1 Stars |
I wonder how long ago this review was written? I have been a regular at Jamie Kennedy's Wine Bar for almost 18 months now and there is no way on earth I would describe the wine list as "fairly low end". The last time I was there they were offering around 25 wines by the glass ranging from $8 to $35 a glass... and the reason that I keep on returning is because these are not the wines that you would find in so many other restaurants around town. The charming Scottish wine guy (called Jamie also???) always seems more than eager to taste you on his most recent purchases (although that may be more due to the fact that my girlfriends found him helluva cute on the last few visits) I think that the wine list changes daily along with the often sublime menu. The Wine Bar Chef always treats us to a few extras when we sit at the food bar. She is lots of fun to observe .Service can often be a little shabby (I feel it's more to do with luck-of-the-draw when it comes to which waiter you are stuck with), but if you are not in a great rush it's a superb place to spend an evening.
21. Emma Bonder's Review :: December 17, 2005 Emma Bonder's Rating: 4 Stars |
This is my favourite place for wine and tapa. The menu is always new and each one is extremely thought-out and delicious. Great place to celebrate and share some eats with friends.
22. Kate's Review :: October 03, 2005 Kate's Rating: 4 Stars |
Terrible sevice - how do you give a restaurant that ignores you 4 stars - please raise the bar for your reviews - overrated - there are dozens of restaurants downtown with better feel,food,service and bang for your buck - and alot of them actually seem to appreciate your business - so pretentious - don`t bother waiting in line, try another trough.
23. Jackie's Review :: September 28, 2005 Jackie's Rating: 1 Stars |
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9 Church Street, Toronto, ON |
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