ypically speaking, when King East comes to mind, so do art galleries, designer furniture and George Brown College. Lounge life would hardly describe it. Yet, a few worthy nightspots - Toba, Le Petit Dejeuner, XXX Diner (even if that one only lasted two days), and the occasional Starbucks - have sprouted here, with hopes to lure the masses.

Chocolate is a resto-lounge that's as ready as it will ever be, where drinkers mix with the area's students, brokers, secretaries and drag-queens with relative ease.

From the entrance a tiled foyer paired with a small bar welcomes you, giving way to an expansive dining room coated in patterned, milk-chocolate tones. The décor is all about brown on brown: brown seating, brown walls, brown tables, the entire space looks like a cross between a hotel dining room and a melted Hershey’s Kiss. As a diversion, sheets of sheer curtains hang, separating tables filled with couples drawn to the East side for a bite, and a late-night vibe. Which is exactly what owners Gary Yan and Marlan Graham had in mind for the place.

Come early and you’ll find a fully functional restaurant, with a menu created by Graham (Butt’r, Coco Lezzone), modifying his signature dishes for his own digs. Come late and the luminous room reveals the last of the night's reservations, wrapping up dessert, preparing for the lounge-club festivities to begin. It happens subtly, but it happens. The music's volume steps up 10 notches and the hip-hop and pop begin to bump. The diners get up from their seats and the party activates.

The space has drifted into club/lounge mode; the entire dining area is now devoted to loungers and late-night diners (the kitchen's open ‘til 12). Dirty K, the resident dj, throws everything in the blender from upbeat R&B, hip-hop and reggae to disco and house. If you're too cool or way too connected to even think about showing your pretty face east of Yonge, there’s yet another (unrelated) Chocolate for your dancing pleasure, sequestered on the top floor of Inside Lounge on Richmond West.

Upshot: Time will tell whether Chocolate will earn King East its street cred, or melt like that Hershey Kiss in the hot, unrelenting sun.
- Don Ellis, Martiniboys.com



Review this Place
Reader Reviews

I mix my own drinks better at home.
R. Reid, Toronto,
September 7, 2004
A small"ish" group had arrived between 7:30 and 8:00 on a Monday evening for celebratory birthday cocktails. Even though the evening was on the beginning of the week, we had reserved in advance thinking that this would at least register on the management's radar. Obviously not. One wait staff. Although the only other table was a table of 4, our wait staff was lacking on various levels. Thinking the martinis were reasonably priced, 3 of us indulged, while others had mixed drinks. Our martinis only filled half the glass (notice the positive influence here as they were at least not half empty!). In hindsight, I do not recall hearing the ever pleasant ice shaker in which our martinis should have been created. They were warm and very lack luster. There must have been a shortage of ice as the mixed drinks were also lacking. Note to staff: vodka and soda does not equal vodka and 7up. Soda = Club soda. The music was not in keeping with the lounge decor. The d ecor and atmosphere certainly doesn't come together to form any type of ambiance. I will agree with anyone who says the the Ikea leather chairs and sofas were indeed comfortable. They were. The reigning confusion upon departure was also an indisputable turn-off. I would have to say it isn't worth a second trip down to Chocolate. I mix my own drinks better at home.


The absolute worst lounge in the city!
Alison, Toronto
Sept. 2, 2004
I honestly cannot remember the last time I experienced such a horrific combination of bad service, terrible cocktails and whacky ambiance. Prior to hosting my 30th birthday party at Chocolate on August 30, I had read a few of the reviews on this site. I noticed that most of the negative comments (and they are in abundance) were focused around sitting down for a meal. I thought my group would be the exception for a few reasons. First, my only intention was to have a nice quiet night with a few friends and some cocktails. Second, we didn't order ANY food, not even hors d'oeuvre. And third, I phoned in advance and made a reservation. Boy, was I wrong! Granted, it was a Monday night, but there was only one wait staff (who was not very friendly) to service my group of 8 and she was also servicing two other tables of 4, both of which were having dinner. We discovered that she was also the bartender (obviously untrained - she forgot to add a couple ingredients to my martini and served ALL drinks without ice - IMAGINE!). I think she was answering phone inquiries too! The situation was so ridiculous! It reminded me of an episode on the 90s comedy show 'In Living Color', where the main character bragged about having "15 job". Later, a "manager' showed up, dressed in a ripped t-shirt and khaki pants - I believe he entered the room on a scooter. Anyway, when confusion regarding the bill arose, he stepped in and displayed that he too possessed a terrible lack of customer service skills. It really is disappointing because I think that the venue has great potential. The location isn't bad and there isn't much competition for lounge-ish type venues on that part of King St. The name alone is an attention-grabber and the décor is rather mysterious from the outside. Unfortunately, the novelty wears off once you've been inside for more than 10 minutes. Is 1-star the lowest rating on this scale? No, really.


Chocolate Lounge - White Chocolate
teamplayer, Toronto
July 29, 2004
I am just waiting for the first gun shots to go off. It is just a matter of time when you mix these crowds together. Lots of fights have spilled out onto the street. The food is good and the staff are friendly


chocolate
karen matthews, toronto
chocolate fridays have 2 dollar drinks and no cover or attitude. nice space, good looking people and the price can't be beat!


wasn't as bad as the last writer wrote
raci Gomez, Toronto
May, 13, 2004
I just moved to the area near the restaurant and read the lastest review about the brunch. My husband and I decided to give it a try for lunch on Friday and brunch on Sunday. The lunch wasn't bad but the food took a little long coming out. The brunch we feel wasn't as bad as the last writer wrote. The menu had a nice selection from eggs benny to dim sum. The service did take a little long but not 1.5 hours. We overall had a good time considering we had a sports bar to choose from. I guess we will try the dinner oneday and give a overall out look on the place.


the worst brunch I’ve ever had in Toronto
James, Toronto
May 5, 2004
Horrid. I went there for brunch at the end of April. The place was empty. For good reason! Only two tables were full (ours had 4 people, the other had 8) in the restaurant and we still waited over 1.5 hours for our food! They then offered us garlic bread as something to nibble on while we waited. Garlic bread for brunch?! The food was mediocre at best, while some of it was just bad. The expresso machine was broken, so there were no lattes. We had to make do with French press, but there were no refills! The dÈcor is cold and uninteresting, and the chairs are very uncomfortable. While our server was good, there was nothing she could do, it was the worst brunch I’ve ever had in Toronto.


I am not Eileen!
Paolo, Montreal
March 21, 2004
My name is Paolo and I am an ex-manager of Chocolate restaurant. It has come to my attention that I am being accused by the owner (Gary Yan) of being Eileen, the person who wrote the less than favourable review of the restaurant and its staff on this website. Although I agree with virtually everything Eileen said, I have better things to do with my time than to trash talk a restaurant I no longer care about, and did not write the review. If I were to write such a thing, I would happily sign it with my real name. It amuses me that Gary would think that it could only be a disgruntled ex staff member who would write such a review, rather than an actual customer. Wake up and smell it...because from what I hear Chocolate is in deep peril of going the way of the Dinosaurs, and the boys are knee deep in it.


40 dollars worth of water!
Patty, Toronto
March 1, 2004
The food was good, but beware of the service! Make sure that if you ask for a glass of water that you get a glass, because the bottles are 9 dollars a piece. Not that I have a problem with paying 9 dollars for bottled water in a nice restaurant, but I want the choice, and my friends and I were never told that when I asked for a glass of water the snobby server was bringing bottle after bottle of 9 dollar water, which explains why she insisted on pouring it. When I complained to the manager about my bill, that had almost 40 dollars worth of water on it, all the server had to say was, "that's just the way we do it"! Whatever happened to "the customer's always right"? I'm never going back there again, not until those people learn how to serve properly - or at least hire the people who do.


You almost make a good P.I.
Ivana, Toronto
Feb 1, 2004
Thank you, Eileen, for spelling my name correctly. No, I (Ivana) am not Kim. I (Ivana) also agree that Chocolate is unorganized - which is why I left there in AUGUST - so, Eileen, your a few months out of the loop....but you almost make a good P.I.


Who is Kim?
Eileen Toronto
October 1, 2003
It is evident that "Kim" is one of the owners, or perhaps Ivana herself. Chocolate is unorganized, and the staff are drunk and I suspect on various chemical drugs. The chef was at the bar making an ass of himself, the waiter slurring his words, the bartender smoking pot outside, and meanwhile the bar is out of Ice and Vodka. The Lamb dish was good, while the pasta was overdone and more like a plate of porridge with shrimp. Drop in to Chocolate for the complimentary chocolate mint shooter (created by an excellent bartender, not Ivana, who I understand was fired), and then get the hell out.


Jim Toronto
September 1, 2003
I visited this place on a referral and found it wonderful. The food and atmosphere was just as my friends described it. I have read the other reviews and I can see why there might be differences. If you are looking for the loud music club atmosphere then this is not the place for you. The place is like nice restaurant meets trendy lounge. I guess it is all in what you are looking for that night, I loved it.


About Kim
Randy T., Toronto
August 16, 2003
The review "Brings a great Vibe" was clearly written by one of the owners. I've had four disappointing visits to Chocolate and was the only person in the place each time. I agree with Jamie W. - this place , with its sheer curtains and all, is destined to become a beer pub come September.


Brings a great vibe
Kim, Toronto
August 14, 2003
Isn't it funny how one place which has chocolate tones, is describe as a place with milk-chocolate tones....yet another place with the same tones AND named Chocolate, is described as having Brown on Brown on Brown? interesting. In my opinion, the food at Chocolate is superb. Their main bartender (Ivanna)can whip up a martini custom made - depending on your personal taste preference - should the martini list she created not hold what your heart desires (so far, not a soul has been let down by one of her creations). The venue is clearly run by staff and owners who seem to really like each other, and it brings a great vibe. Yes - it's East of Younge. Yes - it's fairly new. But in the 4 months that Chocolate has been running (and having King St. ripped out from underneath them ), they have definately gathered a fantastic crowd who know how to have a good time, and don't feel like they have to follow the crowd and stay put in trend-central. I suggest anyone and everyone to haul their butts down for amazing food, amazing drinks, fantastic music, and a great crowd.........ummm - isn't that what makes for a good night? P.S. To Jamie W.........what on Earth are you talking about when you say Chocolate is trying to turn into a beer pub???? Me thinkst you don't get out much - especially when you have the gall to make a personal bash on someone whom I assume you don't know.

Vanessa Toronto
July 1, 2003
I have had the pleasure ofdrinking and dining at Chocolate on two occasions now. First, my friends and I stopped by for late night drinks the week Chocolate opened. We also had dinner there about two weeks ago. I am writing to show my support and to counter the unjustly negative review given by toronto.com. I thought that the food was delicious, the drinks were tasty and our servers were incrdibly attentive. The owners, Gary and Marlon, are personable; and Jennifer, Gary's fiancee, is a warm and gracious (unofficial) hostess. The place is large, but they use gauzy curtains and lighting to break up the space and make it more inviting. Chocolate would be a great place to go with a large group of people, as evidenced by the raucous group of Geminis celebrating their birthdays on the night I was there for dinner. I'm sure the friendless shmucks at toronto.com didn't think of that when they were writing their review. I wish my friends at Chocolate all the success in the world!


Suzie De La Cruz North york
I have been to alot of places and Chocolate measures up. I was told by
the owner Gary that they're in dry run stages still and they're going to offically have the grand opening once the lunch is up (in a week). I came to this place after reading the article in the Post. I think the reviews are a little premature cause they are still in the dry run stages, I found it worth my time. I have met both owners and they are not geeks( as said by Jamie W in below review). If young sucessful (in other ventures) businessmen are geeks then they're 100% geeks.


"little secret."
Kyle Jameson, Toronto
June 10, 2003
Chocolate Restaurant IS King St. East's "little secret." The place is very spacious. The seating is quite roomy. You're not bumping into the next table beside you. The food is INCREDIBLE. If I could eat here everyday I would but my budget does not let me. There's a beautiful hostess at least that's what I think she is, she's asian and I think she told me her name was Jennifer. She told me about some of the parties they were holding and I appreciated that being a single guy. The staff is friendly and I will definitely be back over and over again. There's a nice lounge in the back with comfy couches and chairs that you can hang out in, if you're done with dinner and don't want to go home. I love HOUSE music!! Way to go Chocolate!


Not the ultimate
Jamie W.
June 7, 2003
I read the martiniboy review in The Post. and went to Chocolate. It was a great looking space, and the food was worthy. But the geek owner seemed more intent on turning this into a beer pub.


Sandra Santos Toronto
June 1, 2003
The dinner and the decor was right on the money. I live in the area and it needed something like this. The service was good and the deserts are to die for. I am already planning a next outing with all my girlfriends at this place.


used to go to Coco
Stacy, Toronto
May 30, 2003
I was at the place last night on a recommendation from a girlfriend of mine. My girlfriends and I had a wonderful dinner which we were expecting since we used to go to Coco, but what suprise us the most was once the night progressed we felt as we were in a lounge. We didin't have to go anywhere else now. Where else can you have drinks in a lougne and still get derserts. Highly recommended.

Hmmmmm...
S Buser, Toronto, ON
May 31, 2003
This was the first time that I have been to Chocolate - I read the martinibys colum in the Post. So, after our visit, I can say that dinner and the decor was very It Spot worthy, but it's worrysome how long this place will last. Service was a little inattentive and slow, but not too bad. The wine list is small and staff was no help in that department. but give it a shot, before Chocolate becomes a George Brown beer pub.