The Blake House — Restaurant in Toronto

Throughout the pandemic I’ve been careful, so it was a full year and a half before my husband and I ventured out to a restaurant. Blake House in August, 2021 for our 30th anniversary. We’d been to Blake House before and have been acquainted with the owner, Jimmy, for more than 25 years, going way back to the Groundhog restaurant days. We had a great anniversary dinner. The staff found us an ideal spot on a very busy patio—at a nice table far enough away from the others to give the Covid-cautious peace of mind. Great service, great food and a wonderful atmosphere to celebrate thirty years together.

Fast forward a year to our 31st anniversary. It seemed like a no-brainer. We’ll go back to Blake House and celebrate at the same table. A few days in advance I telephoned and made a reservation: date, time and for that same great table. No problem. We don’t live nearby so we treated ourselves to a (fairly costly) cab ride and arrived on time to find the patio jam-packed (great to see Blake House doing so well), but with a couple sitting at our reserved table. We were told that this couple were “parkers”—people who take up a table for hours on end nursing club sodas.

So this is where things tanked. A woman staff member told us we couldn’t have the table we’d reserved. She wasn’t especially pleasant about it. Then she was joined by a bearded staff member who was hostile and argumentative right from the start. We mentioned reserving the table specifically and he said “So I’m supposed to put a reserved sign on that table all day long just for YOU?” I couldn’t believe my ears. I told him no—my reservation was for 7 pm. Maybe they could have told the parkers, upon being seated around 5:30 (I was told), that the table was reserved for 7 and that they’d have to move when the time came. The bearded staffer became even more rude and miserable. Probably the most nasty and bad-tempered service I’ve ever had at a restaurant.

I then spoke to the owner, Jimmy, who was the one that took my reservation, and he couldn’t have been nicer. He’s always been fantastic. He offered to seat us at another table, not a great one because someone was seated just two feet away from it (all the tables on the Blake House patio are very close to each other). But fine. We waited a minute or two and the earlier woman staff member walked by and gave us a side-eye/glare. That was the last straw. Clearly our service, from beginning to end, was going to be absolutely horrible. We thanked Jimmy and left. Our 31st anniversary dinner was take-out at home because we didn’t have a Plan B. I didn’t think we’d need a Plan B.

I wish I could give Blake House a tiered rating like you can on Ebay. Atmosphere? 5/5. Management (meaning Jimmy)? 5/5. Staff? Can I give 0/5? Yeah, I’ll give 0/5. Would I recommend Blake House? Maybe. Would I recommend it if you have a special occasion to celebrate? Absolutely not. The completely deplorable behaviour of the bearded staffer is a guarantee to spoil your evening. Honestly: the most surly and miserable treatment at a restaurant ever. Anniversary...

When I chose this place for my birthday dinner I did so thinking it would be an enjoyable experience like the times I had been there in the past. I was wrong. We were seated on the side with a totally packed bar full of people literally screaming over each other. There’s another side that is quiet so I’m not sure why we were stuck in there. As for the service, the server who was dedicated to our table was nice and I have no issues with her at all.

The owner on the other hand needs to relax.

When my friend took her first bite of the chicken wrap she ordered and cut the roof of her mouth on a chicken bone we waited 10 minutes to be able to flag someone down. Unfortunately, we flagged down the owner who decided it would be appropriate to argue with my friend that it wasn’t the restaurants fault as they order boneless chicken breasts. As if the staff in the kitchen have no responsibility to inspect the food they’re preparing to make sure it’s safe. He then came back a few minutes later to argue some more, and at this point he ruined the already not great experience. The server asked if they could replace my friends food with something else (after I had already finished my meal) and they brought her the macaroni and cheese, which was alright, but then they had the audacity to come and let her know that they were going to do her the great service of not up charging her the extra dollar for the second dish they had to make her after serving her something dangerous that cut her.

I will never be returning to this place and I highly suggest you find...

Food Initially, our visit was motivated by Winterlicious, but a small oversight on our part led to the realization that it was offered only on certain days. Despite this hiccup, we embraced the experience and delved into their regular menu. I chose the Eggs Benedict, and it lived up to my expectations: light yet satisfyingly savory and greasy, filling without being extraordinary. It was a classic dish executed well. My companions and I thoroughly enjoyed our meals, finding comfort in the familiar and well-prepared dishes.

Service Our server was a paragon of professionalism—friendly, well-informed, and eager to recommend his favorites. Despite the restaurant bustling with activity, he and the rest of the staff managed the flow with remarkable efficiency. Their hard work and dedication to providing a seamless dining experience did not go unnoticed.

Ambiance and Decor The restaurant boasts a charmingly vintage ambiance that transports you to another era. Incandescent bulbs bathe the space in a warm, yellow light, enhancing the extensive use of wood and period-appropriate decor. It’s a place that feels like it has been a cornerstone of the community for generations, inviting patrons into a cozy, nostalgic embrace.

Accessibility Prospective guests should note the presence of stairs leading into the restaurant, coupled with somewhat narrow internal passageways. This setup might present challenges for some, highlighting areas where accessibility could...