KŌST — Restaurant in Toronto

After not so pleasant first visit, I got a text from their manager Yassmin asking about the details and issues we had with our dinner and asked us to visit again and offered compensation for the inconvenience. After a month and half we had another occasion on family day long weekend and planned another visit with my spouse and her sisters. We got bit late due to some time confusion but still managed to be under permissible limits, the front desk was very clueless when confirmed the name and reservation but finally got us seated. We were offered complimentary drinks when we called our server for food, the drinks were fabulous, girls loved them and repeated them, we got chicken tacos, salmon and beet salad with cashew paste, the food was delicious and admired unanimously by everyone. Tacos shells were very crispy and were repeated and salmon was just perfect, We were all amazed by the quantity and quality that was presented in vintage dish-ware on our tables. We were all very hungry but got filled with salmon and a couple of tacos each. Then we ordered desserts and repeated the OG Tres leche along with couple of other’s suggestions by our very friendly and helpful server, And to everyone’s surprise the other two deserts were equally good as compared to Tres Leche. The presentation was excellent with a special message from Chef, even though we had a different occasion but the taste and presentation of desserts made us forget that minor thing. Finally we got our cheque and to my surprise they barely charged us anything considering the number of drinks and desserts we ordered, the final bill was a third of what we would have paid at any other place. Though I tried to compensate with a higher and very well deserved tip but still it wasn’t enough and felt a bit embarrassed for getting so many freebies, but we were all so much mesmerised by the food and environment that we couldn’t contemplate anything at that moment, as everybody was so happy and girls were very thankful for lovely food and the environment which was due to very warm staff and servers and a master Chef Behind the table. They really compensated well for our last discomfort and I am very happy to edit my review and ratings. And I am happy to turn a believer again and just thinking how a small gesture by someone can instil humongous gratitude and positivity in people’s lives. I feel our relationship with Kost will definitely go beyond occasional dinners and we would love to be their regular guests and also to introduce our friends and family members to this lovely place.

Salmon - 1010 Servers knowledge and service - 9.510 Beet salad - 8/0 Restaurant ambience - 8/10 Front desk and management - 7/10

Overall experience -...

Update June 5, 2023: Came back here on my birthday yesterday. The atmosphere was good as always with skyline views but what bugged my entire family and I was the waitress that served us, not entirely sure on her name it could have been Alice(?). Before being seated the hostess knew it was my bday from the reservations; greeted me and so did the busser and waitress assigned to us. Although the waitress came back often to check on how our meal was doing, she wasn’t too welcoming after the initial meet and we all felt something was off based on the harsh looks she kept giving me and my family. Im hoping it wasn’t due to race/ethnicity or how we were dressed but thats besides the point. My mom had previously asked politely if there were any sort of birthday celebrations they did to the busser which he mentioned the chef would put some decoration in once dessert was ordered. Came back to my seat after pictures and nothing was on the cake and my mom asked the waitress to which she responded “if you had put it on your reservation then we could have done something. So is a candle okay?” in a snarky/snotty tone. Why greet happy birthday in the beginning if you didn’t know it wasn’t “stated” on the reservation which it was?… I think the delivery could have been better put and apologies could have been made no matter how small, it wouldn’t have been an issue if she had just forgotten but that statement was just off. I didn’t think the customer service was up to par from that person alone and didn’t earn the tip given. Suffice to say I won’t be recommending this restaurant anymore as per the prior review I have made years ago.

2020: Came in the evening time, had a table for reservation but there was no spots at the time. Though they invited us to the bar for a complimentary champagne while we wait for a table. Only thing I didn't love about this place was that it was HOT, I was sweating and so was my bf. The view of the city was lovely to see, hard to take pictures at night but I'd love to see it in the day time. Food was amazing and filled us up with it at a reasonable price. Dessert was unusual but still overall good. Would love to come back to this place especially going to the entrance from the lobby, up to...

It was my first time at Kōst and I was blown away by the phenomenal service. We were promptly seated (with no reservation as I had called earlier and they were already booked). Our group had also requested a spot on the patio and they told us it would be a little bit until a spot opened up. We didn't mind the wait and it was honestly not to long a wait until a table was available. But even before we got to the patio, we were served right away, the server came by took our drink orders, food orders, and the vibe was relaxed, and the interior was plenty ambient on its own. We had servers come with drink refills of water without being prompted, drinks and apps came out quickly and all tasted amazing (highly recommend beef tacos and Gauc and Chips). The patio was wonderful as well. When we got to our table, our main dishes came out and cooked to perfection. Service again changed our cutlery, and asked how our meals were. All the meals were fantastic, each accompanied their own sauces that complemented each dish. I wish KOST would sell these sauces in grocery chains.

Now my only complaint about my meals.... The $155 30oz steak dinner did not come with any side (salad or potatoes). Although it tasted Devine. You'd think at that price point they would have included a small portion of greens even (asparagus?). Now there were some garnish on the steak and tomatoes on the plate with the sauce. And to be fair, I did ask the server if there were sides included to which she had said no. (I'm just noting my opinion) there is nothing wrong with the dish. I'd still recommend eating it for steak lovers.

My only other area of complaint. The tequila spicy risotto pasta. Deadly delicious. I wish there was more pasta on the plate for the $27. And as well, no side came with it. If you are a pasta lover, this is your dish.

Overall, for my first experience, KOST made it super memorable. The food was absolutely exquisite, the service, beyond anything I have seen (even working in the food industry for 15 years. So refreshing to see the kind of level of quality service. KOST is doing it right!) And of course, as most have mentioned, astonishing views and great ambience.

Well...