Grey Gardens — Restaurant in Toronto

I've been searching for that elusive type of restaurant... phenomenal food without the pretentious white glove service. A place where you can enjoy creative and inventive food, great cool hip vibe, still have the attentive service of a 5 star, but not worry whether you're wearing the right brands to be sitting there. Well, Grey Garden checks all those boxes and more.

A restaurant of this calibre is uniquely settled in Kensington ... it is relaxed and yet there is an obvious eye to all to the luxurious details. Nothing is spared... everyone looks good bathed in the dying sunlight that filters in and the candle lighting just takes over in the evening. I can only explain the room aesthetic as vintage best pieces (think old school Tiffany's) blending into a cool modern loft. It just works so well... stunning. As for the noise level, you can definitely have a conversation with someone. It has a very fun soundtrack playing in the background.

The service is on point... there's hustle & energy with a great eye to understand pacing but it's never in your face. And it never feels like it ever judges. Again, that balance that is hard to find but when you experience it, you just appreciate it a lot. We were seated in the best spots... at the kitchen counter overlooking the kitchen.

We did grab a cider from their large menu and there is a gorgeous wine cellar in the larger group table room below that is quite impressive. A lot of inventive cocktails were being served as well.

As for food... where do I even start. It's all good... change that, amazing. Not a single misfire and watching the chefs, it's obvious why. The menu is deceivingly simple but the complexity of flavours and textures just blew my mind.

Smoked mackerel chip and dip will make you wonder why you avoided smoked fish before. The chips are greaseless and warm from being freshly made.

The scallop crudo is vibrant and light with a good citrus kick while giving way to the sweet and soft scallops and it's punched in with crisp vegetables.

As for the ravioli... this is a must get. If you ever see sweet potato ravioli, just order it. Sweet and creamy sweet potato with marscapone (think the texture of freshly churned butter) is given a earthy kick of truffles.

The duck is perfectly cooked medium and it's fattiness is cut through by the acidic kick of the sauerkraut.

I got the skate and I always order it cause it's so rare to see it on the menu. Phenomenal... crispy sear that gives away to a tender and juicy bite. The sprouts are a nice visual balance... plus it has some crazy good sauce I cannot identify. Probably cause I was in a food bliss at that point.

We did order from the dessert menu but was hesitant because it was clearly not following the normal sweet and cookie cutter dishes. Most dishes has a vegetable component... do not let this deter you. Again, it's a perfect balance. We got the rhubarb ... lightly sweet rhubarb compote that had bite portions of a sweet and yet spiced pistachio graham cookie (I want this for Christmas cookies!), tiny bright silvers of celery to bolden up the dish and a creamy sweet yogurt that just melds everything.

The best part of the night... Jenn Agg. She arrived mid service and started to talk to the tables. People were coming up to her as they left to tell her how much they loved the meal or how they are fans of Black Hoof. Since we were near the chefs, she approached us and asked how was the meal as we were eating. I couldnt believe she took the time to have a short but great conversation with us and asked for our names in an introduction.

Overall, I honestly believe Grey Gardens is the best restaurant I've tried in Toronto and squarely puts itself among the better ones world wide I've had the fortune to try. It would hold itself among the 1 star Michelin places I've eaten at ... easily. It is more than your average restaurant but it's...

I don’t go out for fine dining almost ever, mostly because I have a perfect sushi restaurant around the corner from my house and tbh eating takeout from there in my sweatpants is my perfect dining experience - do with that what you will, but it’s sure to influence my review of this lovely restaurant. Food and service at Grey Gardens were both excellent. I sometimes find service at restaurants to be obsequious, which can make me uncomfortable - here the servers were attentive and super helpful without being obtrusive. My water glass was never empty! Server helped me choose a glass of wine (which was perfect) and helped us choose what to order as well as how much to order. My partner had the martini which was very different than how I typically have them but was very delicious. We had the bread and smoked fish dip to start, since almost every review recommends them. The bread came out so warm with a crust that was shatteringly crisp, lovely salty butter, perfect. We had the scallop crudo, the bean salad, and the trout. All were very tasty and each had some element that surprised (and delighted) me. The broth with the scallops! The curry oil! The ramp relish! Flavour bombs, all of them. We also had the strawberry sorbet cornbread dessert, and while it too was excellent, I think it could have been a bit smaller (but maybe that’s just me, I’m a savoury girlie). Playlist was fun, a bold choice to put multiple songs by the same artist in a row lol, we found it fun. We came early-ish (6pm reso) and things were on the quieter side while we were there (our preference) but by the time we left it was bumping, so choose your time and vibe accordingly. A great experience, I look forward to trying more of Jen...

The absolute best of the best. This place is incredibly special, and my husband and I have come here consistently since opening in 2017. The staff always treats us so exceptionally, the service is impeccable, the ambience is warm, and of course the food is second-to-none. Of all the fabulous restaurants in this city, GG is by far our favourite.

GG thrives with tapas-style dining so a group of 2-4 makes for the ultimate plate-sharing experience. Their rotating menu is fun and encourages change, but some knockout dishes I reco when on the roster: rainbow trout, truffle gnudi, brisket, summer salad, fish crudo, sweet potato-stuffed ravioli. The many pastas also never disappoint. Their drink menu is divine, and every visit back I like to start off with their refreshing Citrus Spritz cocktail, paired with their staple smoked mackerel & chips app.

To note: I have returned to dine a few times in-person since the pandemic and am SO impressed by their very highly attentive Covid precautions, sanitization standards and strong mask / vaccine compliance. I am always very Covid-cautious dining out nowadays so these things do not go unnoticed. I want to thank the entire GG staff for making us feel so safe and welcome as we've slowly returned to our "new normal".

I also have some dietary restrictions and the staff has been amazing at helping accommodate for this.

On one lucky visit I had the privilege of sitting in the private basement dining room for a large group dinner, which I highly recommend booking for special occasions. We felt especially waited on, the whole environment was beautifully lit, and the food and drink pairings were everything.

All in all, I can't wait to be back...