Baro — Restaurant in Toronto

I’ve been to Baro quite a few times now for drinks, brunch, as well as dinner. I’ve always had a positive experience, including my visit yesterday for a Valentine’s Day dinner.

I sat up at their heated patio on the fourth floor. It has a dimly lit atmosphere and it was quite warm. One thing to note is that some tables are directly underneath a diffuser above and you’ll feel a consistent draft of air down at you. It’s definitely noticeable, but you get used to it I guess.

The tables are also really close together and it was hard for me to get in through the small gap between our table and the next one over for me to sit down at the booth at the back wall. When the server attended to the table beside us he even nudged the lamp that was on our table. Conversation-wise, you’re definitely going to hear what the group or table next to you is talking about whether you want to or not.

Had the jackfruit empanadas as well as the grande mac empanadas. The empanadas are a nice texture - I’d say more so with the grande mac ones that we got compared to the jackfruit empanadas which had a more chewy/ tough shell. The grande mac empanadas were a softer and flakier. That grande mac dish is a really fun concept for a dish to elevate a really recognizable fast food item (McDonald’s Big Mac).

The grilled octopus was cooked perfectly and had a nice char to them.

The OG duck chaufa was nice. I was hoping it would get more crispy rice bits but it was nice regardless.

The pollo asado was also well cooked and flavourful.

I had the alaska dessert special and can’t say I was a big fan of it. The base was super tough and hard to cut through when you try to get a bite that includes every layer. It seems like a dish that’s prepared in advance and kept refrigerated and maybe just garnished with the pistachios and they torch the meringue to order. The base was just really tough maybe from how long it gets refrigerated because it softens up the longer you let it acclimate to room temp. I also found it on the sweeter side for my taste.

Drinks-wise, they were okay i’d say. I got the El Pátron. flavour was good. However, it really gets in the way of drinking when you have multiple ice cubes rushing to your face whenever you try to take a sip. I wonder if it could just be one large ice cube to keep the drink the proper temp. I ordered a Dos Equis beer as well which came pretty late - noticed other people getting their beers/ drinks before me despite me ordering before them and seemed like it got forgotten.

Overall, it was a...

I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone . Firstly received notification via text our table was ready at 8 pm ,our reservation however was for 8:30pm . Lucky I arrived early at 8:20pm . Nevertheless , I was told to wait ? Our table was not ready . Then it just got worse … I booked for outside patio however when the hostess took me to our seating it was directly to the very back of a narrow hall way , at the end of a hallway I was seated facing a huge white plastic wall ? A WALL of a new building under CONSTRUCTION !! Basically sitting facing construction.

It was ridiculous that the restaurant would even consider seating people facing construction . Worst is Baro patio posted on Instagram , as among top summer patio’s to check out in Toronto . This just goes to show do not believe any marketing without merit that you see on social media . This was NOT one of Toronto best patios .

Given we had specifically booked for a patio experience , it was truly a disappointment. Furthermore very deceitful of a restaurant to take bookings for a patio seating that is literally 400 square feet and when you arrive only to be seated in a hall way facing construction - which they also refer to as a patio.In the end when I asked to be moved , I was moved beside a speaker, facing another brick wall . However I’m told by the hostess not to worry about the speaker it’s not on. . In short , the evening was just going from bad to worse.The hostess looked flustered , maybe if you’re 20 years old and you just want to get drunk with friends ,this is your place to go. However ,if your looking for a dining experience , professional service and a “great summer patio” Baro is NOT the place to book for great patio . I would never recommend Baro for patio or great food . It’s basic at best .

That being said , I just left . I give this place a 2/ 5 FYI I gave it a 2 only because the manager at Baro was professional . I was grateful that he came to speak with me .Nevertheless the damage was done . The manager asked me to wait to be seated for the “real patio “. The whole seating situation never should have happened. At this stage in life , I do not want to waste my time paying for average food , paying for kids working as servers , and to top it off , get a view facing construction . We all work hard for our money , I’ll spend my money where I can enjoy it . I suggest everyone do the same . Sorry Baro , I...

My visit to Baro left me with mixed feelings. While the service was commendable, the overall dining experience fell short of my expectations. I aim to provide an honest assessment of my encounter at this establishment.

Let's start with the positive aspects. The service at Baro was exemplary. The staff members were attentive, friendly, and displayed a genuine desire to ensure guests had an enjoyable time. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed and well taken care of. The waitstaff was knowledgeable about the menu, accommodating to special requests, and prompt in their service.

However, I must admit that the food failed to leave a lasting impression. While it was by no means bad, it also didn't evoke any "wow" moments. The dishes I tried were decent, but lacked that extra touch of creativity or flavor that sets exceptional cuisine apart. It seemed as though the culinary creations at Baro were missing the element of surprise or innovation that one might hope for when dining out.

Additionally, the prices at Baro were on the higher end, which I found disappointing given the overall dining experience. While I understand that quality ingredients and exceptional service come at a cost, it would have been more justifiable if the food had been truly exceptional. However, considering the average quality of the dishes, the pricing felt inflated and disproportionate.

In conclusion, Baro excels in terms of service, with attentive and friendly staff members who strive to ensure a pleasant dining experience. However, the food, while not bad, didn't manage to impress or delight my taste buds. The prices, considering the overall experience, felt steep. If you're seeking a place with great service but are willing to compromise on exceptional culinary experiences, Baro might be worth a visit. However, if you're looking for outstanding food that justifies the prices, you might want to explore other options...