The menu is comprised of tasting plates, designed for each customer to order and share two or three dishes. This will be tough for selfish gluttons to handle, but should make for a fun dining experience for everyone else. The menu offers an eclectic mix of items such as BBQ Beef Ribs, Serrano Wrapped Scallops, Australian Lamb Rack, Tempura Black Cod, and fresh Sashimi plates. By even offering choices beyond the wings and nachos fare, The Kitchen is all but guaranteed to serve up some of the most quality-centric fare this block has seen.
“We believe what is going to make us different than others in the area is our strong commitment to food quality”, explains co-owner Gerard Caleo. “Our aim is to offer a casual and relaxing environment to enjoy a great meal, then stay awhile to mingle…or relax in the downstairs bar”.
The boys have done, by all objective measures, a sterling job of stuffing everything into the raw space. Laid out on two floors, the post-dinner crowd tends to drift downstairs to the more intimate lounge. This actually works out fine given that the lounge is where the kitchen is located and you never want to be too far from the food.
The focus seems to be more on high-end drinks (i.e. champagne is offered, while malt liquor is not) with an abundant selection of over 25 wines available by the glass or bottle (averaging around $40 - $50 per bottle). And if all that weren’t enough, the bathrooms are so well disguised that heading to the rest area becomes a fun game for the multi-drink stumblers (Hint: walk toward the mural). Eating until you can’t move and drinking until you can’t stand with a bathroom scavenger hunt in between?
Bathroom games aside, The Kitchen definitely seems like a strong addition to an already burgeoning Queen West bar scene.
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 AT A GLANCE
The Kitchen
1186 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON
416-536-7700
Tapas
West Queen West
Venue:
Restaurant, Bar
Hours:
Wed - Sun: 5pm - 2am
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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25 Reader Reviews | Despite the controversial reviews, four of us went from downtown Toronto to this Bar-Restaurant and were not disappointed!
Incredible lamb shank (falling off the bone) ($12) and beef pot pie ($13). Order those dishes directly - the Tasting Menu ($45) is too long to wait for. Sushi is great too and the lime creme caramel dessert - wow. This is an ideal place to take your partner if s/he likes sushi and you like rib-sticking comfort food, or vice versa. Staff is great and has humour! A rarity in Toronto. If you don't like the tv screen nearby, they'll turn them off. What a great place!
1. Geoffronius's Review :: October 24, 2008 Geoffronius's Rating: 4 Stars |
What an awful place! If you like listening to just plain bad 80's top 40 while you pay way too much for cold food that arrives late (if at all, we were told 30 minutes after we ordered that the dish wasn't available), you might just like this place. The service I think is the one thing worse than the food. Stay far away from The Kitchen.
2. Viktor's Review :: July 18, 2008 Viktor's Rating: 1 Stars |
The atmosphere is fun and I really liked the patio. Most people there were talking and drinking. It is a perfect venue for that, however, if you like food, I recommend going somewhere else. We too were told about the "fun delivery" of food, as the kitchen prepares it. It made the organization of the menu pointless.
The sides were odd and too oily. The mains rather cold, likely because the bus person could not find us.
3. Don Clarke's Review :: July 03, 2008 Don Clarke's Rating: 1 Stars |
What a sorry excuse for a restaurant. The wait staff informed us after we had ordered, that the menu was composed of 'tasting plates'. The tone of delivery suggested they were the height of style, but in my opinion, 'tasting plates' are for a poorly organized kitchen. Unorganized servers who did not know their table numbers, and could not deliver three salads at the same time, let alone the same table. Food was done and table cleared when the fries finally arrived, unfortunately, they were the best thing on the bizarre menu. Best to have the fries and a few drinks, and dine somewhere else with your gold card.
4. Anonymous's Review :: June 27, 2008 |
What a sorry excuse for a restaurant. The wait staff informed us after we had ordered, that the menu was composed of 'tasting plates'. The tone of delivery suggested they were the height of style, but in my opinion, 'tasting plates' are for a poorly organized kitchen. Unorganized servers who did not know their table numbers, and could not deliver three salads at the same time, let alone the same table. Food was done and table cleared when the fries finally arrived, unfortunately, they were the best thing on the bizarre menu. Best to have the fries and a few drinks, and dine somewhere else with your gold card.
5. David's Review :: June 27, 2008 David's Rating: 1 Stars |
I thought Queen West was incapable of offering anything new and exciting now that it has trapped itself in its own scene. But after having found The Kitchen; we are back on track. After several summers of Drake line ups and Lot 16 overflows, of Beaconsfield early patio closures and of The Gladstone's dwindling relevance there seemed no safe haven for West Queen Westers.
Now I will admit that on its face, The Kitchen, doesn't necessarily ring true in terms of Queen Street sentiment but you must remain open to the idea that maybe it doesn't altogether have to. (They have Moe Berg and Patrick Pentland spinning tunes throughout the week. If that isn't hipster irony, I don't know what is.)
The Kitchen is fun. But not that uptight, afraid to smile, do i need to flip my extra-long bangs fun, but rather that REAL fun we all go out looking for and seem to have trouble finding. The Bartenders, one a seasoned Drake convert, are amazingly engaging. Busy or no, they are making you feel like you are right where you want to be.
Seek no more! The Kitchen is what you make of it and if you make out for a great time, The Kitchen will be there to make it so!
6. Anonymous's Review :: June 15, 2008 |
I thought Queen West was incapable of offering anything new and exciting now that it has trapped itself in its own scene. But after having found The Kitchen; we are back on track. After several summers of Drake line ups and Lot 16 overflows, of Beaconsfield early patio closures and of The Gladstone's dwindling relevance there seemed no safe haven for West Queen Westers.
Now I will admit that on its face, The Kitchen, doesn't necessarily ring true in terms of Queen Street sentiment but you must remain open to the idea that maybe it doesn't altogether have to. (They have Moe Berg and Patrick Pentland spinning tunes throughout the week. If that isn't hipster irony, I don't know what is.)
The Kitchen is fun. But not that uptight, afraid to smile, do i need to flip my extra-long bangs fun, but rather that REAL fun we all go out looking for and seem to have trouble finding. The Bartenders, one a seasoned Drake convert, are amazingly engaging. Busy or no, they are making you feel like you are right where you want to be.
Seek no more! The Kitchen is what you make of it and if you make out for a great time, The Kitchen will be there to make it so!
7. Betsy Salt's Review :: June 15, 2008 Betsy Salt's Rating: 4 Stars |
the music is terrible, and too loud. the food is oversalted. aside from that it is just like a restaurant without any tables. never be back!
8. Anonymous's Review :: April 26, 2008 |
the music is terrible, and too loud. the food is oversalted. aside from that it is just like a restaurant without any tables. never be back!
9. Andrew W K's Review :: April 26, 2008 Andrew W K's Rating: 1 Stars |
This place is great! I have been 4 times since it opened, and I will keep coming back. The Tapas menu is fantastic(try the pork) and the service is great. I always plan to go for dinner and stay for a drink, but endup staying much longer. On Fridays and Saturdays it plays the best music in the city. It is classy, but casual and the perfect spot for young perfessionals. Can't wait for the patio to open up.
10. Anonymous's Review :: April 15, 2008 |
This place is great! I have been 4 times since it opened, and I will keep coming back. The Tapas menu is fantastic(try the pork) and the service is great. I always plan to go for dinner and stay for a drink, but endup staying much longer. On Fridays and Saturdays it plays the best music in the city. It is classy, but casual and the perfect spot for young perfessionals. Can't wait for the patio to open up.
11. Vanessa Breddermann's Review :: April 15, 2008 Vanessa Breddermann's Rating: 4 Stars |
This is hands down my new favorite spot in Toronto. The Tapas menu is fantastic and the great service really adds to the experience. So far, I have been on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. I always go for dinner, and then stay for drinks after. Thursday has great house music, and Staurday plays amazing music from the past 4 decades. I've been told that Sundays has live music(2 guitars), which I am deffinately looking forward to.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys an upscale-but-casual place, with great people, and music!!
Rating:
12. Anonymous's Review :: April 03, 2008 |
This is hands down my new favorite spot in Toronto. The Tapas menu is fantastic and the great service really adds to the experience. So far, I have been on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. I always go for dinner, and then stay for drinks after. Thursday has great house music, and Staurday plays amazing music from the past 4 decades. I've been told that Sundays has live music(2 guitars), which I am deffinately looking forward to.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys an upscale-but-casual place, with great people, and music!!
13. Sean Lynch's Review :: April 03, 2008 Sean Lynch's Rating: 4 Stars |
Don't get dressed up! This is a small hole in the wall quick eats type of place. Great value, great food!! IF you go late, it tends to fill with a bar crowd.
14. Anonymous's Review :: March 28, 2008 |
Don't get dressed up! This is a small hole in the wall quick eats type of place. Great value, great food!! IF you go late, it tends to fill with a bar crowd.
15. Tim Daly's Review :: March 28, 2008 Tim Daly's Rating: 3 Stars |
I was excited that the kitchen was opening in my neighborhood, I went last night and was more than a little disappointed. The tuna Sashimi rolls were bland and the tuna was stringy. The beef ribs were tasty but cold on the inside. I am sure it is a fun place to go and drink at but The Kitchen is not great to eat at.
16. Paolo's Review :: March 14, 2008 Paolo's Rating: 1 Stars |
Clearly Jack & John must have had a lovers tiff at The Kitchen together as their summary is extremely inaccurate.I have been numerous occasions and each one a great time.While its true that the music does increase in volume,they fail to mention that up until 11pm it has a fantastic restaurant ambience,and while I agree on occasion that the food could have been hotter,it seems that they have also corrected this problem.As for it being almost pitch black inside,show me a bar along Queen West that isn't after 11pm!I to live in the area as well and each time the staff have been friendly,attentive & fun.Given the attitude of these 2 guys its no wonder that the staff were unfriendly.
I must also say that they were obviously to busy trashing the place to relize the fact that there is a choice of music to listen to with the DJ's playing house music in the cool downstairs bar, hardly "shoving music down your throat" when you have a choice what to listen to.The Kitchen is the funkiest place to open since The Drake & is a welcome change (maybe its a bit too classy for Jack & James so stay to your old haunts guys I would not want your negativity around me anyway)its also a shame that there will always be people who love to trash the new kid on the block and then turn around and be the first in the line up!
17. Felix's Review :: February 12, 2008 Felix's Rating: 4 Stars |
Clearly Jack & John must have had a lovers tiff at The Kitchen together as their summary is extremely inaccurate.I have been numerous occasions and each one a great time.While its true that the music does increase in volume,they fail to mention that up until 11pm it has a fantastic restaurant ambience,and while I agree on occasion that the food could have been hotter,it seems that they have also corrected this problem.As for it being almost pitch black inside,show me a bar along Queen West that isn't after 11pm!I to live in the area as well and each time the staff have been friendly,attentive & fun.Given the attitude of these 2 guys its no wonder that the staff were unfriendly.
I must also say that they were obviously to busy trashing the place to relize the fact that there is a choice of music to listen to with the DJ's playing house music in the cool downstairs bar, hardly "shoving music down your throat" when you have a choice what to listen to.The Kitchen is the funkiest place to open since The Drake & is a welcome change (maybe its a bit too classy for Jack & James so stay to your old haunts guys I would not want your negativity around me anyway)its also a shame that there will always be people who love to trash the new kid on the block and then turn around and be the first in the line up!
18. Felix's Review :: February 12, 2008 Felix's Rating: 4 Stars |
I have over 15 years experience in the Food/ Beverage Industry and I can pinpoint a list a mile long of reasons why not to waste your money or time at The Kitchen. I also live in the area and have now given the establishment three attempts and each time they failed horribly. The first mistake right out of the gate is the name. The 'concept'was to attain the 30 something crowd also known as "the Gold Card Crowd" by calling it 'The Kitchen' in referance to 80's house parties where everyone ends up in "The Kitchen". They missed the boat completely. Not only is the staff unfriendly and lack lustre but they have no knowledge of even the menu they are serving. The biggest drawback to the establishment is it is poorly lit, terribly designed and has a complete lack of atmosphere. The most annoying aspect goes to the DJ who needs to learn that you don't have to crank the music to a point to which you can't even converse to the person next to you....c'mon guys...grow up! It is so transppearrant that they have tried to copy the success they have had at 2Cats and have tried to repackage the same format and shove it down our throats....nice try guys...gonna be a long haul making the millions back ya dumped into it. The best part is gonna see the kitchen trying to capacitate the patio in the summer time..ain't gonna happen. On a scale of 1 to 10....I give The Kitchen a strong 2!
19. Anonymous's Review :: February 11, 2008 |
If I could gives this place a 0 I would. One of the worst bars I have ever been to. Music is cranked to 11 and the snobby staff sucks. No atmosphere and is almsot completely pitch black inside. Scab in the Queen West Village. The Kitchen SUCKS!
20. Anonymous's Review :: February 11, 2008 |
If I could gives this place a 0 I would. One of the worst bars I have ever been to. Music is cranked to 11 and the snobby staff sucks. No atmosphere and is almsot completely pitch black inside. Scab in the Queen West Village. The Kitchen SUCKS!
21. Jack Hattrup's Review :: February 11, 2008 Jack Hattrup's Rating: 1 Stars |
I have over 15 years experience in the Food/ Beverage Industry and I can pinpoint a list a mile long of reasons why not to waste your money or time at The Kitchen. I also live in the area and have now given the establishment three attempts and each time they failed horribly. The first mistake right out of the gate is the name. The 'concept'was to attain the 30 something crowd also known as "the Gold Card Crowd" by calling it 'The Kitchen' in referance to 80's house parties where everyone ends up in "The Kitchen". They missed the boat completely. Not only is the staff unfriendly and lack lustre but they have no knowledge of even the menu they are serving. The biggest drawback to the establishment is it is poorly lit, terribly designed and has a complete lack of atmosphere. The most annoying aspect goes to the DJ who needs to learn that you don't have to crank the music to a point to which you can't even converse to the person next to you....c'mon guys...grow up! It is so transppearrant that they have tried to copy the success they have had at 2Cats and have tried to repackage the same format and shove it down our throats....nice try guys...gonna be a long haul making the millions back ya dumped into it. The best part is gonna see the kitchen trying to capacitate the patio in the summer time..ain't gonna happen. On a scale of 1 to 10....I give The Kitchen a strong 2!
22. James's Review :: February 11, 2008 James's Rating: 1 Stars |
I was excited that the kitchen was opening in my neighborhood, I went last night and was more than a little disappointed. The tuna Sashimi rolls were bland and the tuna was stringy. The beef ribs were tasty but cold on the inside. I am sure it is a fun place to go and drink at but The Kitchen is not great to eat at.
23. Anonymous's Review :: February 03, 2008 |
I was excited that the kitchen was opening in my neighborhood, I went last night and was more than a little disappointed. The tuna Sashimi rolls were bland and the tuna was stringy. The beef ribs were tasty but cold on the inside. I am sure it is a fun place to go and drink at but The Kitchen is not great to eat at.
24. Paolo's Review :: February 02, 2008 Paolo's Rating: 1 Stars |
The Kitchen is a fantastic new little spot. It has a great atmosphere, dark, cozy, sheek. It's one of those places that you can stay in for dinner, and then linger on for drinks. It's cozy enough to be a great date place, but also just a cool place to hang out with friends and share food. The Chef rocks, and the food is different and delicious, there's something on the menu for everyone. The service was very friendly and attentive, I even learned from my server how to tie a knot in my cherry string. :) Great place, I recommend it to anyone.
25. Sarah's Review :: January 21, 2008 Sarah's Rating: 4 Stars |
| Click here to view all 16 reviews |
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 1186 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON |
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MBO Toronto :: Toronto Restaurants & Dining Guide
