Charidise Bubble Tea & Fusion Restaurant — Restaurant in Toronto

That Umbrella Guy @ Charidise.

This place is seriously massive for a downtown cafe. Well, it is on Baldwin, so I suppose that's not too surprising, but still it's a massive place. We're talking seating for at least 100, and there's still plenty of room to move around. They could probably fit a good 200 if they wanted to sacrifice aesthetics. From the outside, it doesn't seem too big, but once you go in and start looking around, it just looks endless.

On the first floor, upon entering, there's plenty of space to stand while waiting to place orders. There are only two cashiers, so things might get a bit slow there, but it's better than some places that only have one I suppose. Make your way to the right and you'll see an endless corridor all the way to the back with rows upon rows of high tables and stools. Further back, there's an enclosed room that looks like it's designed for special events, and then even more seats in the back.

On the second floor, tables are set up for both small and large groups. There appears to be an exit leading out to a rooftop patio, but it was probably closed for the night.

There are only four washrooms in total though, two on each floor, which is a bit small given the space. Washrooms are pretty big though; more than enough room for whatever you're planning to do in there.

in terms of accessibility, there's a large platform up front without a ramp, and there doesn't seem to be any automatic doors. You won't be able to access the second floor either as there are only stairs. Just something to note if that may be a concern.

Their menu comes with a lot of different types of food and drinks. Rice dishes, noodle soup, spaghetti, burgers, poutine, fish and chips, bubble tea, slushies, coffee, yogurt, and so on. I'm not sure if the wide selection might impact the quality of the food, but I think it's pretty normal for a cafe.

For bubbletea and slushies, you are given the option to customize how much ice and sugar you'd like to have, as well as what toppings you'd like in it. Personally I've never heard of tapioca in a slushie, but you have that option. Some drinks already come with some toppings, such as the Iced Boba Hazelnut Milk, so you might want to clarify if they don't specify.

I do like the bubble tea here. Though even with half sugar, it's still pretty sweet, and it comes pretty cold so no need to add extra ice. The milktea was pretty creamy (instead of watery), and the tapioca was firm and chewy. The sizes feel a bit smaller than other bubble tea places, and the prices are definitely $1.50 or $2 higher than places like chatime or gongcha.

When you order a meal item, they also offer a side of fruit (apple or banana) or a bag of chips. Not a bad way to finish a meal with some fresh fruit. You get a whole apple and a whole banana as well, so it's not like just a few slices.

You're given a tracker when you order food, so you can just find a seat and they'll bring the food to you. Drinks will need to be picked up at the front.

Meals comes in nice, bamboo containers. Snacks come in small paper wrapping. Portion size is alright, not too big of a meal but not too little either.

I ordered the Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup. It is slightly on the spicy side. The noodles are cooked well, and the braised beef is very tender. Compared to some other taiwanese places in Toronto I think the noodle soup here is better.

I also tried a takoyaki and fried king mushroom. The takoyaki was pretty big, with a large piece of octopus inside. It tasted really good as well. It's 7.99 for 5 pieces but I think it's worth it. Fried king mushroom is also something I would recommend.

One thing I noticed is none of us were informed of the VIP loyalty card. I received one last time so I used it but I guess they're switching things up with how it...

Lovely place to study. Food is hit or miss and a bit pricy compared to similar places.

As a place to study I'd give it a 5/5. But as a place to eat, 3/5 because some of their menu items are great while others fall short, and while they have a few deals it is a bit more expensive than similar Taiwanese food spots (namely Sugar Marmalade and Stay Cafe).

I come here several times a week to get work done and it's probably my favourite place to study. There are outlets at every single table, which is more than I've seen at any other cafe or library. There's tons of seating available. I've never had trouble getting a seat. They open up the second floor when it gets busy. Their free WiFi is great. Atmosphere is lovely. They do play music and there is chatter (just like any cafe) but it's not too noisy. Cute spot to study, meet up with friends or go on a date.

Drinks: The drinks I've tried are all very tasty but expensive ($7 each for the most part). My favourite is the four season fruit tea, which is a jasmine tea with apple and orange slices. I order it every time I'm there. However, it's worth pointing out that Stay Cafe on spadina a few blocks away does a similar drink, their passionfruit green tea, which comes blueberries, strawberries, peach and longan but for $5.50 I've also tried and enjoyed their milk pearl tea, mango green tea and peach green tea. I have not tried their coffee, but my friend did and pointed out that it comes out of a keurig-like machine: they don't use an espresso machine or brew drip coffee from what I can tell. They also have bottled water, root beer and orange soda if you just want something simple.

Food: --- popcorn chicken. Very tasty, this is what I order if I'm in the mood for something savory. Get the snack size ($10) rather than meal version ($13). The snack size is better value as it comes in a good portion size, while the meal version just comes with plain rice, a boiled egg, a brussel sprout and a zucchini which were pretty flavorless and not worth the extra money. --- Angus burger ($13). Roommate ordered this and said it was tasty. --- curry chicken. It was okay, but again you can get pretty much the same thing at Stay Cafe but tastier and for the same price if not less. --- Ditto for the takoyaki --- teriyaki spaghetti. It was teriyaki chicken on top of spaghetti with tomato sauce. Weird combo, I wouldn't order it again.

Desserts: I tried their sago with mixed fruit ($7) and it was very tasty. The sago came in coconut milk with slices of strawberries and mango. I would definitely order it again. They also have waffles, sundaes, cheesecake and macaroons but I haven't tried them. If you're just looking for Asian desserts, I would actually recommend Sugar Marmalade instead. It's a few blocks away on Dundas/Spadina inside dragon city mall and they have a way bigger selection of desserts and they are a bit cheaper.

Deals: Between 3:30-5:30pm and 8:30-10:30pm many of their drinks are 50% off if you order with a snack or waffle. Pay in cash and get 10% off.

Accessibility: There are two private washrooms, all gender. One of their washrooms has a large counter if you want to change your baby's diaper. Not wheelchair accessible. Although their large washroom is very spacious and could easily accomodate a walker or wheelchair, to enter the establishment there is a step up, and to get to the washroom there is a step down.

Eco-friendliness: They provide only disposable plates/cutlery/cups even if you're eating in. Would love to see this changed in the future!

Overall, lovely place to study, but Stay Cafe makes better food and Sugar Marmalade has a better...

I just got home after trying to eat here. We went upstairs and sat outside. There were 4 of us. We ordered using the QR website situation. There was confusion with my order. The system only printed "No" as opposed to "no avocado", do they cam e an asked. I didn't notice the beer, so I made a second order.

My beer came out. Everyone's food came out. My food did not. The waitress said it would take a few minutes longer. That was the last we saw of her. Everyone awkwardly ate. Eventually, everyone finished, and my food had not yet arrived.

It showed up as we were getting ready to ask for the bill. I said, "Just pack it to go." We told the waitress that the situation was unacceptable. She said she would speak to the manager. When she got back with the bills, she said the manager authorised 10%. It was insulting. I said that I wasn't paying that amount and asked to speak to the manager.

The manager came up and blamed the server, the cooks, the printer. She did everything but try to make up for the fact that my food arrived after we were ready to leave. She didn't even try comp the my meal. She decided that it was better to throw it away than to try to fix the situation.

It was the worst experience I have ever had in a restaurant, and the most insulted I have ever felt.

I had a couple bites of broccoli off my friend's plate. The curry...