Reader Reviews

O Toronto
Bymark is probably the first place in Toronto where they get the right mix between fine dining and fun bar space (better than Eau if you liked that). Great food obviously - drinks i tried from the bar menu were very weak but if u ask for a custom martini or shots they are EXTREMELY generous with portions. The crowd - obviously a lot of finance types with more cash than dash - but at least they are well dressed and its fun watching them trying desperately to 'buy' a girlfriend for the night. Overall - great backdrop if you go with a couple of fun mates and great food though expensive. Oh yeah - if you know any really hot girls TAKE them because 100% some old banker dude will send your table couple rounds of shooters or champagne. the ONLY bad thing about Bymark is that SOME of the waitstaff at the bar and downstairs have a really bad attitude so feel free to ask to swap them if your not satisfied because itd be a shame to let them spoil an otherwise memorable experience - especially at those prices.


Wayne Toronto
March 30
A conference ensues on how to make our martini's and my friend is asked for the third time what he ordered at the upstairs bar.We were two of a total of four people at the bar. Moving downstairs for dinner we find a pleasing, "business casual" atmosphere. Tables are large and the seating is comfortable but the air blowing down from the ceiling is a little annoying. As the evening progressed and more people came in, the place gets really loud drowning out the sound system. Food: An off the menu tuna tartar starter is so over powered by the sesame seed oil infusion that you couldn't taste the tuna. The other off the menu main entree selection was Arctic Char. It was an excellent filet but a little small. My friend had the $33 burger that came with rosemary onion rings. Both were great but not worth $33. Excellent deserts and weak coffee ended the evening. Service was very good and extra points to the waiter for his wine pairing selections and for taking the offending starter off the bill. Not the best birthday dinner I've had but I might give them another chance.


Adam J. Toronto
March 17, 2003
I have been a big fan of North 44 for several years. But the "shlepp" up to Yonge and Eglinton after work was sometimes a daunting task. Now were "saved" with Bymark right here in the Fiancial District. Excellent food (try the rabbit), exotic cocktail list, sensual decor, and to top it all off... location, location, location.


don't get me started!
Lisa Toronto
Cudos to McEwan!! He's done it again. Smart and stylish decor. Food nothing short of fabulous, and don't even get me started on the cocktails. A sexy drink list worth sampling even if you don't manage to make it for dinner. Wait staff could be slightly more attentive. All in all Bymark a welcome addition to T.O. Lisa


OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!
Scott Lovell, Toronto, Ontario
Feb 15, 2003
Food, decor and service OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!
Can't wait to go back again and again!!!!!!
The pan-seared fois gras was amazing and the venison to die for.
Desserts were as good as North 44. My favourite being the molton chocolate with banana ice cream.


mies would be pleased.
bella, toronto, ontario
mark mcewan (note proper spelling) doesn't f*$@ around...nothing was spared at bymark. a beautiful YP design (esp. the bar), wonderful food and terrific service--is all a welcome addition to toronto's restaurant scene.
mies would be pleased.


arrogant and rude bar staff
David Vallee Toronto
Love the food, loved the decor, loved the service in the dining. But it wasn't good enough to make up for the hideously slow, arrogant and rude bar staff.
I will return because so much of the product was top drawer. I won't come with clients until the bar cleans up it's act.


The most potential
Kevin S, Toronto, ON
December 16 2002
this place has the most potential of any new restaurant that I have seen over the last 6 months or so. The space is beautiful, and the menu (gotta love McKewan) is nothing short of spectacular, and the staff is stunning. I will be back. Good Luck Bymark!


(mostly) spectacular
Lovestodine Toronto
mark mcewen's talents are undeniable. the restaurant is comfortable and cozy. the upstairs bar will definitely be the watering hole for the bay street suits and the cougars who love to stalk them. the drink list is tempting and the wine list encompasses all price ranges. the food was (mostly) spectacular. the venison is enough to turn any vegetarian into a carniore. the arugula salad seemed to be missing the arugula(?). for a $12.00 salad i expect arugula (& more of the skimpy raw milk cheese!). we also sampled the rare seared tuna appetizer which was surprisingly cold (pre-cooked??) yet quite nice and the seafood main course in which all the various seafood was cooked properly.

The passionfruit meringue dessert was truly to die for. service was good but not exceptional. i know the restaurant is in it's infancy but wait staff just did not seem polished either in appearance or in actions. the one exception to that was a fabulous young boy who served our food. he exemplified what 4 star service is.when i'm paying $300 for dinner i don't want to wait to have my wine or water poured. i also don't want my companion's plate removed before mine while i'm still nibbling. i'd like to comfortably enjoy my $40 seafood plate! overall i would return to bymark. i would just wait a few more weeks until hopfully kitchen & staff have ironed out the kinks.


Friday
Simone Toronto, ON
Dec. 15, 2002
I was there last night and it was less than sublime. The design is superior, but Y & P is getting too signature-ish. The place has a great menu to it, but it has a long way to go before it truly can be taken seriously. I too will return after a period to see how it all panned out.


thank God
Rick Ireland, Toronto,
Dec.25, 2002
I have never been a Mark Mckewan fan, nor a North 44 fan. Yet, when I walked into Bymark, after reading the martiniboys review, I believe I have been saved. The food - not actually cooked by the almighty McKewan - was simply the best. The room was stunning. The wine list global. Bymark is here. And thank God for that!



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