| 9 repliesJacobs and Co.
Though its name portends a Swiss watch store (or German bakery), Jacobs & Co. is an up-and-coming Brant Street restaurant ready to service those who pass the velvet-rope muster. Taking over the space that was the short lived Fumetti (and the equally short lived 8 Restolounge before it), Marc Kyriacou (Brant Group), Peter Tsebelis and Gus Giazitzidis (Brassai) and the eponymous Wayne Jacobs (Allied Properties) have designs on turning the troubled space into a high-end steak emporium. Jacobs & Co. will be a quintessential steakhouse, but with a punishingly urban spin. Don't expect a dusty old boy's club. Rather, this will be a high-end affair, with separate venues on its dual floor layout.
Upon arrival, a valet driver will relieve you of your automobile (and a crisp $20 dollar bill). Inside, the concierge will attend to your bidding, and your post-dining activities (brilliant idea for a restaurant). Rico Bella originals will line the walls while Edison Lightbulb chandeliers hang overhead (might be problematic when incandescent bulbs are phased out). Large white ultra-suede banquettes and quarter cut oak tables fill out the space.
posted by MBO 437 days ago |
1This is a "keeper". I had been once previously and there were flaws, mostly restricted to the service. However, the food was exceptional. The second visit was a delight. The service had improved where it was needed and the food, again, was exceptional. To be sure "it aint cheap" but the sheer delight of biting into the most succulent beef in the world (instant addiction I call it)is worth every penny. posted by Albert O'Hanna 387 days ago 2The 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. posted by Jonathan Brown 372 days ago 3My 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.
posted by Brian Toney 363 days ago 4Well, 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? posted by david.phalp@gmail.com 286 days ago 5Amy Howlett from Toronto [fgf@fdfd.cvom]
March 12, 2008
Morton's can SUCK IT...Ruth's Chris can LICK IT...and The Keg' 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! posted by Ann Hewlett 255 days ago 6If 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 $$$$$! posted by Danny $$$! 253 days ago 7The 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 posted by Dan Elliot 206 days ago 8I 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. posted by Stacey 202 days ago 9I 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. posted by Randi Carr 89 days ago | |
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