Gloria In The Great Hall — Restaurant in Toronto

Went for dinner last night. I was sat at about 9:25, my partner showed up by 9:30. Our server arrived, I ordered a drink, my partner wasn’t having anything. The drink was delivered in less than 5 minutes by someone other than our server. We then spent 30 minutes with our server sauntering around the restaurant, chatting with tables all around us. He walked by probably a total of 6-7 times, we tried to get his attention- no luck. He walked by, looked at my empty drink and nothing else in front of us, and continued on. At that point it seemed to be intentional. Perhaps we aren’t the type of customers he enjoys, or we look like we aren’t worth the half decent service.

Finally I asked the host if they could ask a manager to stop by. While the service improved immensely, there was barely any acknowledgment or apology for the terrible service thus far.

The $86 steak is not worth it in my opinion. It wasn’t a terrible steak but we asked for it medium rare, it seemed a bit more rare and therefore left a lot of undercooked fat. The abundance of butter on top was overwhelming, and I ended up scraping it off. The duck was great, the fries that accompany the steak were also great.

Once we were finished with our meal and plates were cleared, the host came over, I believe she needed the table for a reso, however we felt a bit rushed. I said thats fine, we will take the bill- she removed my wine glass that still had a bit in it.

I appreciate the management taking the time to take over our table and giving us a free dessert.. however the meal and service was not worth $170. I do hope an emphasis is put on ensuring consistent service is provided to all guests, not just a certain demographic, or...

Astoria provided an unforgettable dining experience that exceeded our expectations in every way. From the moment we stepped in, the service was super quick and attentive. The staff's friendliness added a warm touch to the ambiance.

Every dish showcased impeccable attention to detail. We started with the oysters, fresh and flavorful, setting the tone for an exceptional meal ahead. The fresh, warm, bread and whipped butter, served with flake salt and meticulous attention to detail, were delightful.

The French onion soup, with its rich flavors, was a perfect prelude to the main course. The braised short rib, undoubtedly the star of the evening, was tender, succulent, and bursting with flavor. Served with silky, mouthwatering mashed potatoes that are making me salivate thinking about them.

The creme brulee and chocolate mousse were the perfect sweet conclusion to our meal. Despite initially choosing the creme brulee, the surprise addition of the chocolate mousse was a delightful gesture that showcased Astoria's commitment to exceeding expectations.

What truly impressed us was the reasonable pricing for such outstanding quality. Astoria delivered an exceptional dining experience that surpassed our expectations in every aspect.

Our Valentine's Day dinner at Astoria was truly unforgettable, and we couldn't have chosen a better spot. For anyone seeking an exquisite culinary experience, Astoria is the epitome of excellence. We highly recommend it for an outstanding dining experience that tantalizes the taste buds and leaves a lasting impression. We could not be happier, thank you to the staff who served us and the fantastic team in the kitchen, the owner should be very proud...

Came here for dinner and had a good time overall, but definitely won't be coming back for food. Cocktails maybe because the one my partner got was wonderful. She got the lavender margherita, which was of a good size, not watered down, and tasted great.

Despite what I said above the food here is great, but just not worth the price. $31 for the short rib, $28 for the pasta, $14 for creme brulee. Presentation of the short rib was excellent, and of the two entrees we got it was by far the better dish. The pasta was good. Not bad, not great. Despite its ingredients, it tasted just like a slightly fancier bolognese. Creme brulee was excellent, but still feels really bold to charge $14 for creme brulee that has nothing special about it.

We also got onion rings as an appetizer, and they were nothing short of amazing. Best onion rings I've had in my life. But at $12 for 6 rings they'd better be.

The venue itself is nothing short of gorgeous, but the vibe within really doesn't match. It's VERY loud, and pretty cramped. The table was uncomfortable and tiny, but it did work for us as a pair. It's meant to seat four though, and seems like you'd be bumping elbows. Even with a reservation made two weeks in advance you'd think we'd at least have gotten a decent seat.

Overall it's a great place to try. The food is good, cocktails great, but in my opinion it just isn't worth the price. Service was fast, but apathetic.

Also, bread here is not included with dinner. It's $9.50. I don't know whose idea that was, but they should consider a career in Toronto...