SMOKESHOW bbq and brew — Restaurant in Toronto

A joke.

My girlfriend brought us as a gift to me. She knows I like Jazz bars and the like. She got a Groupon. We were seated and left to dry for nearly a half hour before a manager (blonde, middle aged lady) came and very kindly explained to us our options for the Groupon. We ordered a appetizer, main, and dessert each under the deal

The appetizer took a another half hour to reach our table. Appetizer: fried Vegetable spring rolls. Regular price: $7. The spring rolls were legitimately the same as the Costco ones i had during a last night binge. Exact same. They took 3 of them, fried, put it on top of some rot spinach leaves and had the audacity to serve it with a smile. (picture attached)

The starter took another half hour after we finished our starter. Waitress no where to be seen, no service continues. By this time, the band starts playing (what I was really looking forward to). To note: we had a reservation at 8 so we can enjoy the love music that started at 9:30. It's 9:30 now. Meal: Hamburger and fries. Regular price: $19. Bahahaha. I would have rather had a Harveys burger. Nothing special, portions were small, fries were soggy, and burger was ok.

Dessert took 45 minutes after the meal. We specifically instructed the waitress to get it to us as we were eating. We really wanted to dance l. Dessert: Brownie and ice cream, girlfriend had cheesecake. Reg price: $10 each. Well... I guess they really like Costco because these two desserts I've had before. They decide to make it fancy and gourmet by giving us SMALLER THAN PACKAGED portion size and a small bowl of ice cream. My girlfriend loves dessert. Even she was dissapointed.

We go for a little dance after because by the time we get there the band wants to take a break. The DJ goes on but yet never touches his set up.... Pre-mixed just to keep up with the bull that this establishment is running.

We ask for the bill. We were done with the place. The bill: Came with a GRATUITY ALREADY ADDED. AHAHAHA. They already know they're running a joke that they can't let the customers decide a tip. We didn't want to tip because we weren't serviced properly : we were ignored and had to wait for our food for hours. The blonde lady tried to help us out (she should be running the place) but the guido owner comes out, tan and all, and flicks me off. Says that if he take off the tip that the waitress won't get paid. I said that's not my problem how she's getting paid and that then her tip should be coming out of his pocket not mine. I ask him to help me out. Nothings. Screams in my ear, spits on my face, does hand gestures and i say ok. Let Yelp decide your fate.

Please everyone, don't waste your money here. Go to Costco instead. They have the same food but give you...

Where to begin? First night of Winterlicious. When I called to reserve, I asked what time the music (live band) started. Was told 8:00 pm. We reserved for 6:00 and the place was almost empty when we got there, but filled up in about an hour. The band was setting up as we sat down and played a few tunes at horrific decibel; we couldn't hear ourselves talk and it was hours before they were supposed to start. They kept having awful feedback issues/noise which was really bad for everyone - patrons, servers, etc. for the next hour (so nice when they took a break). Too bad, their music would be the genre I'd like to hear, but not with the feedback and not at that decibel level. Just dumb to play that loud in a place where people were having dinner.

Then - the food. We had the shrimps - they were ok. 4 medium-sized lukewarm shrimps in a nice sauce (but nothing to soak up the sauce with...i.e. no bread), and the eggplant cannelloni which was very nice - AFTER it got sent back and replaced because one of the 2 pieces was still frozen!

On to the main courses. I'd been craving some good ribs - which you'd think you would get in a BBQ place, but I've had much better at Montana's or Swiss Chalet! These were a) cold, b) full of weird small bones, and c) just not a nice texture or flavour. Sent them back and got the chicken which was very nice. Friend had the steak which was bland and unseasoned...couldn't be bothered sending it back too, so only ate half.

Desserts were just ok. Have had way better in most places...tasted like they were store-bought and then frozen.

They were really trying to jam people in. Groups of 3 and 4 people were seated at tables for 2...these were all having Winterlicious meals. Guess they had to balance the food on their laps!

The ONLY redeeming feature was the service - thanks Connor...you tried. Not your fault that this was the product you had to sell and in an atmosphere you couldn't control.

*Update: the owner replied with a gracious invitation to come back and let them make it up to us. We went back last night (about 6 weeks after my initial visit and review) and it was a night and day difference. We had the coconut shrimps appetizer, I had the "Orgasmic Penne", my friend had the brisket sandwich, and we tried the churros for dessert. The food was great - we would both go back again. Again, excellent service from a different server (service was the bright spot during our first visit as well). So I'm updating my review and have changed the stars I...

Ok, So definitely avoid this place if you're looking for a GOOD Jazz restaurant for a first date. Clearly this ISN'T the place you want to go to. I've passed by this place a number of times as my hair dresser used to be in the salon in the same alley as this restaurant. So when my date suggested this for our first date I thought "hey,why not. Seems like a decent place". Boy was I wrong. Made a reservation for 2 for 8pm. Showed up on time however the hostess clearly didn't have her stuff together. The reservations were hand written on what looked like a piece of cardboard and she had difficulty reading it. I even had to help her find my reservation.

When I was shown to my table it was a small table for two in a DARK corner with horrible sightlines, where I couldn't see anything. I noticed a nicer table for two which was in a nicely lit part of the restaurant, however when I asked to be moved there I was told that those two tables were going to be pushed together to make a table of four. Feeling defeated I walked back to my DARK corner. Moments later I noticed a couple being led to the table that I clearly asked about earlier. I put my foot down and expressed how I was told I couldn't have that table yet now this couple are being sat there, the man (not gentleman)(who I believe is the owner) was very rude towards me and flat out just said "ok sit down" he then motioned to the couple to go sit in the DARK corner rather than showing them to the table.

Then comes the horrible wait service. The server took forever to take our order, He got our wine order wrong as he didn't feel the need to confirm if I wanted the red or the white version of the wine I wanted. He brought the red when in fact I wanted the white. Then shortly after we got our appetizers. After we finished our appetizers it took what felt like years to get our main courses. We both got the ravioli which doesn't seem very hard to make yet took FOREVER to come out, felt like we had been forgotten. I had to ask repeatedly if we would be getting our food. Surprisingly our deserts didn't take that long however seemed store bought.

Oh yeah, for a JAZZ restaurant there was NO JAZZ MUSIC!!!! it was a band that played anything but JAZZ. Oh well her and I made the best of the night. I will be sure to NEVER go here again and will caution as many people as I can. If you want a good time please go anywhere BUT here. Spacco which is in the same alley I've heard is much better. I will check that out another time and...