GEORGE Restaurant — Restaurant in Toronto

I planned a very expensive 40th birthday for my best friend, and group of about 28, and it was a complete mess. I worked with a woman via email and over the phone for two or more months. We organized a private room, custom menu, etc. She was slow to respond and answer questions, but I let it go.

The night of the event came along. I traveled (pregnant) from Los Angeles to be there with all guests who had also traveled from NY. When I arrived, as the 4th guest to the event, 3 of the initial guests had been turned to the bar inside the restaurant to buy their drink instead of being served in the open bar, private room that we had reserved. I had a card on file. There was a huge table of beverages set up, but they were told they couldn't have any until the host (me) arrived and I approved it.

From there it was a mess, nobody was able to serve themselves wine or cocktails on the table sitting in the corner, but there were only two servers running back and forth down a hallway to a kitchen. We were given a hard time over cocktails ordered that were not previously discussed because they "weren't prepared to make them".

Finally, the straw that broke the camel's back was that the birthday girl's husband was served a half pour or less even of the end of a bottle of wine. We laughed, but the waitress never came back. Since we were sitting there waiting on the next course for so long (again, I am pregnant and sober), I got up and went looking for somebody to see if they would send around wine again. It was at that point that they told me there were guests in my party "too intoxicated" to be served, and they were being cut off. Mind you the waitress who instigated this seemed very young. We are all late 30s-50s with children at home. Nobody was intoxicated.

So then it further escalates because the waitress then says people are passing around illegal drugs. Also not true. We all traveled there. One friend had a candy bar with "mushrooms" but it was purchased legally at a store in Toronto. I ended up spending 30 mins in the hallway talking to any employee there to see if we could have our wine poured and when the next course was coming out because at this point we were all getting antsy and ready to leave. This went on through the dinner course where everybody in our party found out what was happening, and people were being turned away from ordering a drink.

The waitress was very dramatic standing in the hallway acting like she had been assaulted because we were so insulted. Everybody continued to treat her with respect, but it was also shocking she was the one they then sent in with the birthday cake to serve our friend. At this point it is 11pm, and we have asked for the check for 30+ mins only to get a slice of cake sent out where we reluctantly sing happy birthday.

I emailed the woman at George who I had organized the event through that evening and told her it was horrific. I requested a follow up call. It took 3 days to get her on the phone. I spent about an hour recounting every detail. She assured me she would speak with the GM and follow up promptly.

I am writing here today after almost 30 days because I never heard from anybody at the restaurant. I emailed multiple times over the past month, and finally received a response yesterday.

The GM called me today while I was in the car with my 5 year old, and essentially told me he didnt know I was expecting a follow up, and there is nothing he could do because my group was out of control, on drugs etc. He essentially began arguing with me on speaker phone while I was driving with my son, and telling me this was my fault. I am still shocked and appalled. Not only can I not believe that a service establishment wouldn’t offer something as an apology. Literally could have been just a sincere written letter, but rather call me - a pregnant women driving with my son the day before Thanksgiving and scold me on the phone and defend their very junior and inexperienced staff for railroading a 10k 40th birthday party. I am...

A Michelin star worthy meal at a non-star establishment!

Within a span of less than a month, I have had the opportunity to savour two wonderful and noteworthy meals that were beyond my expectation. The first was at ‘Bouillon Bilk’, Montreal. It was then followed shortly by another splendid one at ‘George’, Toronto! Although both of these establishments are non-Michelin star rated. However, based on the execution, quality and taste of the food, plus the total dining package experience that goes along with it. IMHO, these under-rated standouts both deserve the award of a culinary macaroon!

For the past two and a half decades, due to the close proximity of our birthdays, my brother-in-law and I had been having habitual annual ‘Boys-only’ birthday bashes at destinations in and outside of the province. Our primary selection criteria was to seek out venues that offer delectable tasting menus, preferably with wine pairing!

This year, we decided to brave the notorious 404/Don Valley rush-hour traffic and pay award winning chef Lorenzo Loseto of George ( 2013 Canada Culinary Championship - Gold medal Plate winner ) a long overdue revisit. A fellow ex-chowhounder and long time foodie acquaintance of ours, we beseech Chef Loseto to specially curate and craft a multi-course blind-tasting menu for us, hopefully with the inclusion of a Venison main course!

To say that our inspirational and outstanding ‘Omakase‘ dinner was just another pretty and delicious meal would be an understatement. Though the attractive plating and the captivating composition of the dishes were typical ‘ Loseto signature trademark - Busy, Florid and Ornate ‘. In some way, all the multiple-ingredients and components used in the creation, managed to work harmoniously well together and in near perfect unison, be it from the taste or textural perspective. During this process, a number of mouth watering delights and scrumptious taste bombs were forged!!

Enticed by the creativity and deliciousness of our initial few courses, the splendid gastronomic progression prompted us to make an impromptu decision of morphing our originally planned 7 course dinner to an expanded, whopping 10 course affair!

The following are the parades of wondrous dishes that emanated from the open kitchen just a few steps from our table. Delivered to us by a small team of super friendly, professional and attentive servers, Chef Loseto also made a few cameo appearances to check on us……. and Yes!! One of the main dishes was indeed a gorgeous Venison dish!! Thank you Chef!! We had: Squash puree, Squash chips, Kimchee Hamachi, Matcha Potato Cream, Green Apple Foam Roasted Turbot, Summer Corn, Lobster Reduction Fogo Bay Crab Meat Salad Tuna tataki Chargrilled Octopus Seared Foie Gras and Roasted Squab Breast Grilled Venison Loin, Potato Perogies Ontario and Quebec Goat and Cow’s Milk Cheese Courses Italian Lemon Meringue Pie Raspberry Cheesecake Espresso Cake, Rum soaked Cherry, Macerated Berries Double Chocolate Fudge Birthday Cake with House Made Chocolate Gelato

Seldom does one find a meal with ALL its hot dishes turned out to be standouts!! ….top of the list were the Roasted Turbot in Lobster Reduction, the Foie Gras and Roasted Squab and of course the amazing well seasoned and tender grilled Venison loin…..etc!

The selection of desserts were all outstanding and not overly sweet!!

All in all a delightful, balanced and memorable meal!......We...

My partner and I had our wedding at George Restaurant in the summer of 2019 and I couldn't be happier. Andrea, the wedding coordinator, was detail-oriented, patient and never took more than a day to respond to my many emails. Mieke, the day-of coordinator, went above and beyond to make sure everything flowed nicely. You'd be surprised how many small but thoughtful touches they add in (personalized menus, bridal suite). Both coordinators were built into the price of the buyout, as was the menu tasting a month prior, where a sommelier poured generously and we got to try both the vegan and regular four-course menus.

One of the reasons we picked George was because they could accommodate vegans and during the wedding the vegan dishes made all the surrounding meat eaters quite jealous. But all of the food was really amazing. I couldn't believe that all the proteins were perfect or near perfect. The George Salad that starts everyone's meal is huge and delicious. The desserts were excellent. The vegan dessert is a nice fruit plate so we brought in vegan cupcakes. Everyone said it was the best food they've ever had at a wedding.

We had the ceremony in the beautiful courtyard, which seats only about 85 people but is really an amazing place to get married. After the ceremony, the servers moved out all the chairs, passed around wine and put a few bar tables out for a cocktail hour. A guest mentioned that it was like the restaurant transformed the courtyard by magic.

The large front of house staff was as professional as if it were any other night at the restaurant. All our guests said they felt like VIPs.The kitchen put out amazing food with surprisingly short waits between courses.

Considering that the wines and liquors were decent quality, the prices were reasonable enough. The restaurant charges by the drink but, when considering that there enough adults who had little to no alcohol, it was reasonable compared to a banquet hall's drink package.

Another awesome aspect to a wedding at George is that they have a boutique hotel upstairs. Indeed it was more than I would normally spend on a hotel room but it felt great to treat ourselves during the wedding weekend. The day of the wedding, I went from the venue to the room a number of times because it was convenient. At the end of the wedding, I ran my suit jacket and wedding gifts up to the room in 90 seconds before heading out for the night.

If you're planning a wedding here, you'll want to know about the downsides. To be honest there are very few, but at a stretch it's worth mentioning: -We had 99 people at the wedding (including a three-piece band and two photographers) and the room felt nearly full. They say they can have up to 120 guests, but I really wouldn't do more than 105. For one, the courtyard only has about 85 seats. Even with 105 you'll want to use the booths, each of which holds 4 people and may feel isolating to some. -The Georgian Room is the most ideal for dancing but there is a huge, square wooden pillar in the middle of the room. We never had more than 40 dancing at a time so it wasn't an issue for us. -While not dangerous, this isn't the most picturesque block in Toronto. It could be jarring to some guests, especially at night.

Otherwise, I could not recommend this venue more. Thanks again to everyone at George for helping my partner and I realize a wedding...