Restaurant Stop — Restaurant in Toronto

What an unexpected delight it was to discover this low-key, YET superb local restaurant. One of the delightful waitstaff told me that it has been in operation for a decade, previously Ossington way. The menu is Russian-inspired French fare. I would love to hear the chef (hope I'm getting it right: Denis Ganshonkov) being interviewed on a podcast -- he had about 2 minutes to explain a bit about the lobster-enhanced potato salad with actual beluga caviar (they showed me the tin). What else? A delish leek dish, roast chicken and an A++ cheese board with a diverse ON and PQ selection. The alcoholic beverages were European dominated wines, local beer and various liquors, fortified wines and digestifs. No cocktails here, but I wasn't missing that on my "once a month have some booze night".

I've lived in Roncie since the mid-1990s, and as Toronto traffic congestion has increased, when I'm not commuting to work at Keele and Steeles, or travelling to work abroad, I've become a horrendous (to many) locavore: you're unlikely to get me to visit a destination more than 15 small blocks from my home. After a year of working in the USA, I'm thrilled to be back, not only for reliably delicious inexpensive food, but also Toronto's fabulous, Michelin-quality, pricey, food. Last weekend, when I took my older daughter out to dinner for a catch up. I stipulated that the resto must be walkable (I WILL walk to Ossington, but only for very special occasions). Daughter 1 chose a new for us resto, The Stop. I for one, WILL be back: the innovative menu has me curious to see what chef will do next.

Ambience-wise, the current space reminded me of The Ace bistro, down the street, when it first opened under earlier ownership than at present. The space had been shuttered for decades, since when an earlier Chinese restaurant had closed. If you enjoy classic diner spaces, both The Stop and The Ace on Roncie hit the mark: it's likely that not a lot of people are aware that Toronto has far more original-fixture diner restaurants than has the USA (this is a hill I will die on).

Unlike The Ace, which, back in the day was my family's go-to drop-in resto, which has become, under new, post-covid ownership a deservedly popular, yet "Wall of Noise" space, that we can't get into without a reservation (insert shrug emoji), the decibel level at The Stop was a lot lower. This made it much more conducive to quiet conversation. As well, the whimsical cat theme and framed beetroot elegy were charming, and not twee. Sooooooo, just as with Honest Weight (Dundas and Keele, which has kept going for what must now be nearly a decade), I give the Restaurant Stop a 10/10 across the board. Congratulations to the front of the house and the back of the house team for your longevity at this and previous locations. I look forward to dining...

The place is great 110%. The decor is on point, it’s like a concentration of all Russian things u can think of. The music is impeccable. Songs about army and prison were delivered as promised and it couldn’t be better. And finally the staff - the waitress (and I think one of the owners as well) was supper helpful and as welcome as Russian hospitality could be. The other owner/bartender/cook Denis is the heart of this place. Very charismatic person.

We came to Ossington Stop from Niagara Falls to celebrate my friend’s 30th birthday and it was a perfect place for a home sick people as ourself. It was Sunday and unfortunately because of that the menu was limited but no complains whatsoever. We ordered pork shashlik, cheburek and home style potatoes and Asian carrot. Food was beyond amazing. Every single flavour was nailed, it made me forget that I’m in Canada and brought me back home to Russia. We didn’t order any desserts ( it was really late and the kitchen was already closed) but when we told the waitress that’s it’s my friend’s birthday she brought a pickled tomato with a lighted candle in it. I mean who would thought of that? Well they did and it was exactly what was needed. Thanks to them we had an amazing time. At the very end Danis came to our table with a bottle of vodka and pour some shots for everybody and two especially big ones for himself and the birthday boy. Overall great memories, can’t wait...

A Great bar requires a few things, really good food and drinks with consistently great customer service. This place has it all. Drinks are always cold and fresh. The food menu is the stand out as the owner/chef makes some of Toronto’s best kept secrets. His cured salmon along with his hand made Russian/Georgian dumplings (Khinkali) are a must. The crepes (both meat or vegetarian mushroom filled) are always made so well and filling. During these tough lockdown times it must be tough for restaurants to stay open not sure when the next order would be called in for pick up or delivery. Chef Denis is busy cooking up meals like his Khachapuri (almost like pizza but isn’t) which I have never had before and a MUST ORDER. I really miss just coming in for a good meal and a drink and will return as soon as establishments are allow to open up again. For now as I have move further away will continue to Order through Toronto delivery services and help support this Toronto Gem! These dishes you cannot find anywhere else! My house orders enough for two days (leftovers are keys) and the food is packed well. Cannot wait to go back when it is allowed. New location is beautiful and very welcoming. New Wine selection has just added more perfect pairings to the variety of meals you may choose from. Don’t miss out on Sunday BBQ as Chef cooks over charcoal. Still my favourite place to...