Henry VIII Ale House — Restaurant in Toronto

I've been to King Henry's twice now and both times were great experiences. I'm pleased to say I think I've found my new local spot.

The first time was in the summer and I sat on the front patio (although apparently they have a semi-secret back patio too). I ordered fish and chips - I wasn't expecting anything insane but it was actually really, really good. Compared to Kingsway Fish and Chips down the street, it blew it out of the water.

The second time I went in we ordered wings and flatbread I was blown away. Hands down the best Cajun wings I've ever had. Good sized wings (not cheap little ones that break a part in your mouth) and some really interesting flavours. There's not a TON of selection, but what they do have is really good. And I've had a lot of wings in the city. Yes - it's better than Duff's, Crown & Dragon, Wild Wing, Wacky Wing, Wingporium, Dog & Bear and Office Pub (RIP btw - they were probably closest match).

Overall they just do pub food really well. I'm not sure if everything on the menu is to the same caliber as the wings (the flat bread was just okay) but, that's to be expected. It's a pub not a restaurant.

They've also got a wide selection of beers on tap and a limited cocktail menu (I think only 3 or 4 but they all sounded unique/seasonal). And at $12 a cocktail I think that's a really competitive price when you got places like Bramble up the street charging $18 - $22.

As far as beer pricing I only had Guinness and they were fairly steep, two pints came out to about $20, but it is what it is. Still better then paying $12 a pint at the Crooked Cue. I didn't look into if they ever have any pint deals or happy hour, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did have something. Probably just isn't advertised (like their Tuesday Wing night).

This spot seems to be the down to earth "locals" spot, it knows what it is and I like that about it. Our server Amanda was great and knew everyone by name, she was super attentive to us (despite just meeting us). The owner (or who I think may have been the owner) walked in and asked us how we were doing. Overall, it just felt friendly and not forced.

I'm really happy that I found this local gem and am looking forward to having many pints of Guinness there...

This restaurant is going down under. The executive chef has quit. Upon speaking with the new uncertified chef I was informed that most of the prodcuts like the popular Steak and Ale is made in a big batch and put in a bucket. They microwave our sandwiches as well. I was also informed that Tandoori chicken and the Rosemary chicken is all fully cooked and placed in buckets. Our chicken wings for wing night, same thing......Fully cooked and then placed in buckets that sit for over a week at times. All the sauces like gravy, dijonaisse and tarter, made and put in buckets. Haddock.....frozen. Chef told me Bison burgers are blened with beef to cut cost, I'm not lying, go and ask yourself. All bread, frozen. Meats are left for 2 - 3 weeks before we eat that junk. You people give good ratings for this establishment without knowing this. The owner doesn't even know how to cook or even what's on his dinner menu, seriously. Oh, and the seafood for the flat bread is in a bag from a company Sysco comes FROZEN.... that's a bad word for a restaurant like this. Henry the 8th is turning in his grave. So we're paying high price for FROZEN and PRE COOKED food. And the Bison burgers and Kobe are prepared then FROZEN for many weeks. If you don't believe me, ask to go downstairs and look in the freezer and beer fridge. I asked and they refused to show me, even closed the door that leads to the frozen foods. So I actually paid a waitress to snap me a picture and low and behold, I seen a silver pan with FROZEN Bison burgers along with sweet fries, french fries and naan bread beside it was FROZEN chicken fingers to. The public has the right to acknowledge this. Just as the rule to label a peanut free...

There are a few things that immediately differentiate a restaurant from a really good restaurant for me: the music, the quality of the napkins, and whether they provide good mustard & hot sauces. I know that's a bit silly, but I can usually tell if I'm in a place I will like by these simple identifiers. So, with that being said, Henry 8 Pub was off to a rolling start when I walked in. Marvin Gaye was gently streaming off the speakers, at a comfortable level that allowed me to hear and speak with Naomi (absolutely wonderful bar staff here). The napkin, a thick soft high quality napkin - as weird as it seems - tells me immediately that the owners have pride in their food and that I can expect a good meal. And hot damn! A Restricted R Rated Batch quantified hot sauce showed up at the table when I ordered a smoked salmon Bennie. It is outrageously delicious. The Bennie showed up quickly, but not too quickly. The chef took time and care to plate it and it looked so good. I have nothing bad to say about this pub, they have nailed everything: fantastic service, comfortable atmosphere, delicious food. I wish these guys would teach courses to other pubs and show them how to up their game. 5...