EPOCH Bar and Kitchen Terrace — Restaurant in Toronto

Epoch: An Underrated Gem Exceeding Expectations

Epoch far exceeded my expectations. Having only seen recommendations for their afternoon tea, I didn’t anticipate much from their main courses, and the menu seemed fairly unassuming at first glance. However, upon arrival, I quickly realized its charm. The restaurant’s decor leans towards a relaxed, spacious, and comfortable setting, with plush sofa seating as the main arrangement. The atmosphere was pleasantly quiet, making it an ideal spot for a solo meal. The service was notably warm and attentive—staff frequently checked in on my experience, refilled my water, wiped down my table, and even packed up leftovers with care.

Soup of the Day

I was pleasantly surprised when the soup of the day turned out to be a beef consommé. The aroma alone was enticing, with a rich base of onions and beef, complemented by celery, garlic, and black pepper. The sweetness, primarily from the onions, was subtle—less pronounced than stir-fried onions and beef but perfectly balanced for a soup. A layer of broiled cheese on top added depth to the texture. It was served with crispy garlic bread, which soaked up the broth beautifully, though the richness of the oil made it slightly heavy when paired with the soup. Surprisingly, the soup was loaded with generous chunks of beef, making it one of the most satisfying dishes I’ve had recently—not necessarily the best-tasting, but certainly the most fulfilling.

Caesar Salad

As part of the meal, you can choose a salad as a main course, essentially allowing for two appetizers. A classic Caesar salad, well-executed, with the standout feature being a single anchovy fillet on top.

Jindori Chicken Skewers

These skewers closely resembled Japanese yakitori, with the flavors driven by chili powder and a kumquat glaze. Some parts had a distinct char, which, according to the server, was an intentional “bitter charred” profile crafted by the chef—an interesting taste experience, if nothing else. That said, it didn’t detract from the dish, as the chicken remained tender and juicy inside. The portion size was unexpectedly large, and my side choice of mashed potatoes arrived as an entire bowl. Lightly salted and incredibly smooth, it remained enjoyable without becoming overwhelming.

Korean Short Ribs ($42)

I enjoyed my meal so much that I couldn’t resist ordering a server-recommended dish: the Korean short ribs. And wow—the portion was staggering, easily enough for two. The beef itself was almost fist-sized, making me wonder if the restaurant’s core appeal is in serving generous portions at a great value. The dish was garnished with vegetables, layered over a bed of kimchi. I had never appreciated kimchi as a pairing for beef before, but its acidity and spice perfectly balanced the richness of the meat while retaining its crisp texture. The addition of lion’s head peppers further rounded out the dish, offering both a subtle sweetness and a way to mellow out the kimchi’s acidity.

Warm Bread Pudding

A substantial serving, though not particularly groundbreaking, but still above average. Topped with a scoop of coffee ice cream, the pudding itself had a caramelized golden crust and a dusting of mildly sweet powdered sugar. The sweetness was well-controlled, making it easy to keep taking bite after bite.

Overall Impression

While the menu might seem ordinary at first glance, Epoch delivers exceptional value within its price range. Compared to more formal dining spots, this restaurant fosters a more relaxed atmosphere—more akin to a teahouse, making it a great place for catching up with friends. The portion sizes are astonishing, and while the dishes aren’t particularly innovative, they are consistently well-executed, with a high baseline quality. A hidden gem that deserves more attention and a strong...

We ordered the shittake carpaccio, truffle parmeson fries, charred cucumber salad, veggie burger and steak with the grilled cauliflower side. The best dish is the carpaccio, I liked the sauce. The fries met my expectations and its portion size is great. I was disappointed with the charred cucumber salad. It was recommended by our server. It tasted like a normal salad. The steak and the truffle egg was passable. The grilled cauliflower was enjoyable. The burger patty was dry. For the drink, I had the directors cut and pineapple express. Both were good.

The ambience of the restaurant is great. I imagine it as a great place for dates or dinner with friends. This 2 star score is reflective of the service. It took about 15 mins to be seen by our server after being seated. We weren't served water until then. We ordered all of our dishes and drinks right away. The carpaccio and the directors cut came out right away. We finished the plate within 10 mins. After that there was a long gap in service. Then we got our truffle fries. Then another long gap of service. It took longer than normal for the finished plates to be taken from our table.

My first drink was finished within 10 mins. I had to wait 20 mins to order another. When I ordered the second drink (pineapple express), I queued up a martini in anticipation of the service delay. The mains were served. My steak came without its side. Instead it came with the cucumber salad. This salad was supposed to be served with the other appetizers. I brought this to the attention of the server. I also cancelled my martini order because I was going to get it in time. We had to leave for a movie. We were there for an hour and a half. We felt this should be an ample amount time to enjoy the meal. We even wanted to order a dessert but couldn't for obvious reasons.

It appears the server has little support. It appears that they were the only one serving in the outdoor area. They had more tables and they could handle. For this price point, the service should be much better. Though I was dissapointed with the dinner service I am considering the afternoon tea menu and service for a...

I really want to give a full 5 stars because there are reasons why I truly enjoy it here, but there is one major reason why I can't. The service is 5+ stars, amazing staff which are friendly and helpful and professional, all at the high class you want at a Ritz Hotel. The drinks are all beautifully made and unique, lots of options with a changing cocktail menu. The patio is cozy and welcoming summer time, the interior is designed very chic. BUT the food is not at the level it should be, with the reputation of the Ritz, the prices you are paying, every dish is missing something. The salmon sashimi $31, is tiny and comes with nothing but chopped onion and microgreens that I needed to ask for some tabasco to give it some kind of taste, otherwise im eating raw fish with onion... For this price I can buy a piece of fish that will serve 20 times the amount and do the same thing. Shitake carpaccio $26, 4 mushroom caps (in no ways a carpaccio) with barely any sauce on it, so you are again eating tasteless mushrooms, I had to ask for extra sauce, but still it wasnt anything special. Next- lobster roll $39, worst lobster roll I have had, comes in a brioche bun with a everything bagel spicing that does not compliment the lobster at all. The lobster in the bun had WAY to much sauce on it, it felt like they didnt chop it at all, so when you took a bit of the roll you took the entire lobster meat out, not very much flavor. The fried chicken was mediocre, as long as you dipped it heavily in the romesco sauce. End of the day, the food is just not at the standard you would want to expect, for the price you're paying. I have dined here now 3 times, trying to give it another chance, but each time its the same, love the drinks and staff, but very disappointed with the food. Skip if you're wanting some good food. But do come for a drink on the patio, its a nice environment, great...