Lawyers, jet setters, and Alpha types buy into the Windsor Arms mystique.

The Place
After the much touted reno of the Windsor Arms hotel, you’ll find the great hall drama of bulked-up columns and high, high ceilings and, just off the main grandeur, little roomlets for side-table service. A swank spot with a European feel and, one might think, great food. But it's the food and the inattentive service that keeps the Courtyard Café one great restaurant. We found the menu to be rather confusing, but our dashing waiter, when he made an appearance, was more than helpful, making suggestions and comments.

The Food
At the Courtyard, the discerning diner can always spy a sprinkling of Big Names fueling up on Windsor Arm concepts elevated to complicated meals. But the dining room for the most part, is consistently empty. Perhaps it's the food: the Salmon was overdone one night, the potatoes still crunchy, and the vinaigrette for the tomato salad was excessively tart; salade niçoise on another visit was so-so. But at the other extreme, the overstuffed shrimp apps, the famous crab cakes are supreme. Other not to be missed items at this landmark institution is the filet mignon with seared spinach and shoestring potatoes, and pork chops with applesauce and masheds. These entrees are intensely flavored and the portions were adequate. Close the deal with the fudge cake.

The Real Story
The Tea Room.
Time stands still at the tea room at the Windsor Arms, where afternoon tea has been served forever. Have scones with Devon cream, Nova Scotia smoked salmon sandwiches, fruit flan, and of course, tea, while relaxing on velvet love seats by the gas fire with old eccentric ladies from the ’hood.

Pastry chef Mark Cheese does this whole affair, including the highly creative sandwich rolls (goat’s cheese, chicken, smoked salmon and asparagus. Full tea $27.

Reader Reviews

Happy Anniversary.
Michelle W. Hamilton,ON
Oct. 30, 2001
It was our 11th anniversary and we were looking for something new. We read about Courtyard Café here on the net and decided to try it. Let me tell you that I rarely if ever, can find a place with atmosphere that is as wonderful as the food, but this is THE PLACE!!!! I assure you that I don't have any connections with Courtyard Café, I always wonder that when reading the reviews. The atmosphere was very elegant, with piano accompaniment. We had the endive salad as an appetizer and the filet mignon...also perfect. At the end of our meal they brought us our chocolate Neopoletin cake with a small scoop of chocolate ice cream(very rich) on a plate that the chef had decorated with the words Happy Anniversary.


worst dining experience
Deborah Chang Feb. 15, 2002
Service was awful. They rushed us all night, and gave us the wrong order. The food arrived cold. My tuna came with congealed sauce and overly salty mashed potatoes and spinach. I couldn't even finish it. My friend's pasta stuck together and was cold as well. It was a first, but definitely will be my last.