restaurant that concentrates on all things pelagic Yikes! Lunchtime and happy hour. Yet, here we are. This over-lit, vaguely nautical space, is routinely filled with tourists, suits and their well-tended assistants.

Avenue : Avenue's makeover has brought in a fresh lively crowd, while simultaneously alienating... Centro Citrus SpaHa Lobby

This Manhattan-style bar and restaurant is really two large spaces, and today, both are packed to the hilt. From the look of the hyper white-collar crowd waiting at the bar, one would expect Acqua to be cold-shouldered. But no, this not-quite-hidden-in-the-mall district eatery is relatively fun, and laid back. The crowd that fills the room regularly, at lunch hour, day after day, seems to feel that way too.

The menu at this revolving door of a restaurant concentrates on all things pelagic - lobster cakes, a mean lobster bisque, seafood risotto, crispy whitefish - but makes a nod to the not-so-oceanic among us with items like filet mignon with lobster medallions and portabella mushroom sauce.

The Chilean sea bass, lightly crispy, heartbreakingly moist, and topped with herbs, fish sauce, and fresh herbs, may seem pricey, especially without accompaniments; but why this straightforward preparation results in the most perfect piece of fish you'll ever eat is one of life's mysteries. Dessert isn't a priority, but wine is: Acqua has an oddly vast array of labels to suit most wine lovers.

There's nothing particularly bad about Acqua. There's nothing particularly interesting about it, either. It just sort of exists, like tourist-restaurant purgatory. It has all the stuff a good restaurant needs - long shiny bar, classical music, alcohol, two spacious rooms - but it has no character. Sometimes, though, maybe that’s the point.

Upshot: Take in the oyster bar here; it is the best place in the house. Jonathan Ray.


Review This Place
Reader Reviews

acqua
dorian, new york
January 3, 2004
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Long waits make this place a terrible choice for business lunches. Spend your money on Canoe instead.


The desserts are brilliant!!
Caroline Toronto
July 4, 2003
Good place to grab a cappuccino with dessert. I work at BCE place at one of the offices situated upstairs. I must say, the service is a bit slow, so its not a place to go to if your in a rush. They have a room at the back which is generally used for private parties, it looks very cosey. However, the actual general eating area is a bit like a goldfish bowl - not really a place to go for a quiet intimate evening. The location around Acqua is brimmed with the hussle and bustle of business folks, and Tourists lining up for Marche. However, if you are in this location and feel like grabbing a coffee and dessert from somewhere other than a Starbucks or the Marche (situated across from Acqua) then this place makes for a nice change and a yummy get-away from the bustle of Bay Street.


attitude
J. Hays, Toronto, ON
Oct. 19, 2001
Where do I begin. Two hour wait WITH a reservation. Dinner lasted 4.5 hours as our waiter regularly disappeared; we even had some of the staff looking for him. He could not be found. Food was very good but there are plenty of great restaurants in Toronto where you do not need to put up with the "attitude" of the staff and lack of concern by the host. Bottom line, don't bother.


Missing the late show
Cathy C, Toronto, ON
Nov. 09, 2002
While the food was absolutely terrific, we were extremely disappointed in the service and it actually ruined the whole experience. Our server was inept at best and very unaccomodating given the fact that we were the first people in the place and received our food after patrons seated after us. Not too mention, we had explained several times, beginning with when we made the reservation, that we had theatre tickets and needed to go. The server didn't come back for 15 minutes to take our dessert order and at that point, we had no time to order as we had to leave.


I enjoyed it.
Tiffany Hastings, Toronto, ON
April 27, 2002
I went to Acqua last saturday and had a wonderful dinner and a few cocktails that couldn't be any better. the staff was great and the decor reminded me of the bars we have in my hometown. I enjoyed it.


Sgort, to the point
Steve Sichards Toronto, ON,
April 26, 2002
don't go.