Parquet — Restaurant in Toronto

The worst meal I’ve had in recent memory, let alone for $300 plus tip.

It seems busy, and as we left, the restaurant was full, so maybe I have an unusual opinion, but it was a comically brutal dinner for my mom and I.

The waiter started by explaining the menu; “The plates up top on the menu are smaller, good for sharing, but you’ll need a few for a meal. Good to start with. The plates down below are larger, better for one. More filling. Feel free to invent your own approach through the menu.”

The words you’re looking for are “starter” and “main”, or “small plates” and “large plates”. It’s not revolutionary.

We ordered a Slovenian wine, which was well-priced ($100) and seemed interesting. The wine menu is actually great, and it’s clear that a lot of work has gone into the bar menu. The waiter came to check on which wine I ordered, gestured vaguely at the menu, and then came back with the wrong wine; I was doubting which wine I ordered, so right as he left, I said to my mom that I didn’t think it was the right wine, but I would check before he opened the wine. The waiter came back with the wrong wine, which he had already opened in the other room, telling us that he had tried the wine and that he liked it (weird thing to do for a $100 wine, vs. Normal for $500 wine). We accepted the unknown wine, but never got to see the label, as the wine was opened in another room, and kept from us during the meal. Still not confident what we drank, but it was only $85.

Appetizers were aesthetic first, food second.

Grapefruit salad was great.

The mains were extremely challenging, and inedible. My mom had the fish, which she described as “barely edible”. Unfortunately, the steak I ordered cannot be described with the same language. I could not eat the steak. Not only is it the worst steak that I’ve ever eaten at a restaurant, but the worst steak that’s ever been presented to me for consumption. The steak was dry, overtly salted, but somehow still unseasoned? The béarnaise sauce was unrecognizable. The French fries were good, but left to get soggy in an inexplicable dark sauce which covered the entire plate. Top fries were great, bottom fries tasted like they had been left in a fridge for too long and then reheated. The steak was not just bad, but actually inedible. I left 90% of the steak behind at the restaurant.

No-one asked us about how our meal was, but when we stopped eating (for both of us, a few minutes after the mains arrived), someone promptly asked if I’d like the rest to go. The rest being 90% of the steak and 60% of the fries.

We decided that we had to have dessert, just to see if the experience continued. Thankfully our desserts, an apple tart and an ice cream + shot of liquor poured over, were actually good.

No one asked us how the meal was until we were already paying (paid the entire bill + 20% tip because it’s not fair to punish the wait staff for a terrible meal). At which point the wait staff brought over the manager who is also the restaurants somm. She was very apologetic and professional, but honestly we just wanted to take out coats to leave. She offered a partial refund or something, but I was honestly starving and just wanted to go get something to eat. She gave us a ~$100 gift card for our $360 meal (25%) which was nice, but I don’t think we will return, even for drinks.

If a restaurant gives $100 gift card and you still don’t want to come back, what does that say about the experience?

I’m writing this review while eating a cheeseburger I picked up on the way home. Starving, and disappointed that a new restaurant so close to my mom’s home and my work is not one that we will ever return to for dinner.

Pros: great wine menu, very aesthetic interior, a sommelier/service manager who really cares about the restaurant.

Cons: inedible food, unnerving table service, 30% too expensive

At the start of the meal, our first server (who we never saw again) asked us if we had dined at Parquet before, to which we said no; has anyone responded yes to...

Man... You already know... Simply the best meal I have had this year.

We decided to celebrate my son's 16th Birthday at our first Michelin-starred restaurant. This our first time eating at an establishment that is Michelin rated and it did not disappoint.

We decided to sample as much as we could to get the most out of our experience, and every selection hit like pre- enlightened Mike Tyson.

The sourdough bread and liver pate with jelly was delicious and sneakily portioned to make you order that second basket of bread. Savoury and sweet, we gladly ordered a second round of fragrant bread with an airy crumb.

A dozen oysters followed. My son's, never having tasted this delicacy, were delighted at their salty, and oceany taste. Toppings of horseradish, mignonette and lemon kept the next bites varied and clean.

Steak tartare, in my opinion, could have come with a few more toasts but we persevered and just scooped more steak per serving. More meaty goodness in every bite was a lovely problem to solve.

Heirloom carrots, and Mixed Ontario greens... The greens, that salad; my boys were wide-eyed from the balance of seasoning and simplicity of such a dish. Of all the dishes, we were most amazed by how much was accomplished from that humble salad.

Seafood linguine, (I think it was linguine), was prepared by hand and had a pleasant tooth that you would expect from fresh pasta. Clean flavours.

Duck confit was cooked perfectly and the bacon, cabbage and acidity from the sauce kept the palate occupied with the balance of savoury, umami, and acidic flavours

Hanger steak and frites; tender perfect steak and the chips were golden and crispy.

Thank you to Mr. Daniel and the service team for taking care of us tonight. Service was exceptional, and I am not really sure what the other reviews of slow service are about.. I am not sure what crazy standards some people have. ..we appreciate the love and special touches from the kitchen tonight.

....I am upset now that our family is in a special predicament where every meal we have for the next few months will always be a little bit worse after tonight.

Will we be back?

...man, you...

From a seasoned traveler and a connoisseur of exquisite dining experiences, discovering Parquet in Toronto was like finding a gem in a treasure hunt. Right from the moment you walk in, the vibe envelopes you; it's sophisticated yet remarkably welcoming, a combination that's as rare as an Australian drop bear (i.e., nonexistent, but one can dream!). The service? Simply top-notch. It's evident that each staff member is not only passionate about their role but also exceptionally well-trained in delivering an unforgettable experience.

Let's talk about the menu, shall we? The prefix deal at Parquet isn't just value for money—it's a steal. Beginning with the soup, it was a delightful surprise, a mystery solved deliciously with every spoonful. Moving on, the linguine and salmon were showstoppers, a culinary marvel that literally blew my pants off (figuratively speaking, of course!). Every bite whispered secrets of the kitchen's prowess and left me craving for more.

Oh, and if you think this experience couldn't get any better, let's pour into the wine selection. Calling it extensive is an understatement; it's more like wandering through Amazon, not the website, the rainforest! A collection so vast, every wine connoisseur would feel like a kid in a candy store. Choosing a bottle felt like selecting the perfect companion to an already thrilling meal, enhancing each dish with its subtle undertones and bold characters.

Dining at Parquet is akin to a symphony where each course is a movement, perfectly composed and elegantly executed, leaving the palate in a state of awe and excitement. Every dish sings harmoniously with its counterparts, creating a melody of flavors that lingers longer than the last sip of wine.

In summary, Parquet is not just a restaurant; it's a culinary adventure worth embarking on. For anyone visiting Toronto and looking to tantalize their taste buds while soaking in an ambiance of class and sophistication, Parquet must decidedly be on your list. As they say down under, it's a bonza of a time, and you'd be a...