OnOff Toronto Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Toronto

Maybe it was because we visited on a rainy Monday night, but our experience at OnOff was mixed at best.

First off, the good: The decor is cute and the atmosphere is cool, if a little chaotic. The food is tasty and reasonably priced considering the cost of everything nowadays. The staff are responsive and polite. There's a 20% off drinks happy hour from 6-8pm. I can see it being a fun hangout spot later in the week.

Now for the not so good: We arrived shortly after opening around 6pm and were seated quickly, but we only found out approximately 10 minutes later that the kitchen staff were delayed and wouldn't arrive until 6:30pm so we couldn't order anything to eat yet. Okay, stuff happens, but we were willing to wait a bit to try this place out. I could have a drink, eat the complimentary sunflower seeds, etc.

Next I found out that the staff member responsible for making drinks wouldn't arrive until 7pm, but at least I could order a beer. I proceeded to order a beer but found out that there was only 1 available out of the 5 or 6 on the menu until the drink staff arrived at 7pm, but I didn't want that particular beer. It's okay, I guess I can wait for the other beers to arrive around 7pm.

When it came time to order our food, the staff member taking our order wasn't familiar with some of the items on the menu. That's okay, maybe they were still learning the menu so we just ordered other items we were more familiar with. However when our oden soup arrived, we were not given bowls or spoons to eat it with (we only had forks and plates) and had to flag someone down to get the proper utensils.

Lastly when the bill came, the happy hour discount for drinks was not applied so we had to ask for it to be addressed. To top it all off, we saw that another table that arrived after us and didn't have to wait to order food, was given complimentary shots while we were barely acknowledged.

Overall it was what could have been a decent night but which was marred by a series of small irritations. No one single thing ruined the experience but everything added up to a...

ON/OFF is a relatively new izakaya that opened its doors back in April! While they offer a variety of delicious & creative drinks, they also offer East Asian dishes that have a modern twist to them!

Aside from their food & drinks, they also have all the vibes! This is the perfect place for a late-night outing with friends or a date :)

While waiting for your drinks & food to arrive, feel free to snack on the complimentary sunflower seeds at your table!

We tried their:

🍜 Creamy Curry Udon Noodles We’ve tried this before and came back to have it again! The udon never disappoints, as it’s cooked to perfection every time—QQ and chewy. The udon noodles are mixed into a strong curry-flavoured sauce, that’s balanced nicely with a bit of sweetness and spice.

🍟 ONOFF Poutine (new item) This was a SOLID dish (both flavour & texture). The fries were so crispy (similar to Costco’s style) and covered in an addicting cheesy meat & tofu sauce—umami with a small kick of spice.

🌮 ONOFF Taco (new item) We saw almost every table get this, so we had to try! The taco shell was freshly fried & very crispy (we think it’s deep fried rice paper?) The taco contained ground beef, white onions, tomatoes, and cilantro, and was topped of with a sauce. The little bit of sourness and spice worked very well to give contrast to the saltiness of the meat.

🍹 New Gin-based Pineapple Cocktail (will update when we find out the name!) Cheers to new cocktails on the menu! This new, eye-catching cocktail has the prettiest layers!! The bottom layer is a mix of Lillet and pineapple, orange, and lemon juice. They then top this off with gin from Empress 1908 Gin, which gives it that beautiful purple layer. Overall, this drink was sweet and you get a hint of pineapple with every sip. It tasted just a bit stronger than their Blue Blue...

Food: 3 Stars Service: 4 Stars Ambience: 4 Stars Value: 3 Stars Overall: 3.5 Stars

I had the pleasure of spending an evening here, and it was a delightful experience. The service was truly outstanding. From the moment we walked in, the staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive, making sure we felt comfortable and had everything we needed. Their quick response time and attention to detail were impressive, ensuring that our drinks were never empty and our needs were promptly met.

We decided to visit for a casual evening of drinks and some light food. While the food was decent and satisfying, it was the exceptional service and the overall ambiance that really made the night special. The atmosphere here is fantastic, with a relaxed yet lively vibe that makes it a perfect spot for unwinding after a long day. The lighting is warm and inviting, and the music sets just the right tone without being overpowering.

The staff’s friendliness added to the enjoyable experience. They were always available to answer any questions and provided great recommendations. It’s clear that they genuinely care about their patrons, which makes a big difference.

Overall, OnOff offers a wonderful combination of great service, friendly staff, and a pleasant atmosphere. If you're looking for a place to enjoy drinks and some fusion Asian American food, I definitely recommend giving it a try. I’m looking forward to my next visit and seeing what else this charming restaurant has to...