The Chefs' House — Restaurant in Toronto

Dinner tonight was the worst experience I have ever had in a restaurant. It was my friends birthday and the restaurant was only a quarter full in previous visits the place was packed. We had a lovely waiter called Harjot. We sat next to the open kitchen and I had a conversation with the students professor Sara about courses I would like to take. We started with 2 lovely cocktails and grilled calamari. As the restaurant was not that busy we noticed that when the professor was not in the kitchen at times and saw 3 students were playing a game throwing raw carrots at each other. I let this go but as we were opposite the kitchen 3 students again started playing with a raw potato and one student put it under his jacket playing around. I thought this was very unprofessional, again the professor was not around. I went up to the kitchen and said I don't think this is very professional. We ordered the jerk pork and rice and peas, this was lukewarm and grey no peas but kidney beans. We asked our waiter where are the peas he asked the students two came over to our table we stated the food was not hot the meat dry and no peas but kidney beans. They stated kidney beans were in the legume family, I stated but the menu was rice and peas. The manager took the meal away and offered us another meal which we ordered. His attitude was off and we felt we were a bother. I noticed that he took the chef professor into an alcove to talk to her, and also when talking to the students he was smiling as though making fun of us. My friend went to the bathroom in the meantime, the manager came up to me and stated we will not serve you anymore and had called security!.We are two retirees a Doctor and nurse, and I was shocked that we had been treated in such a manner. I tried to talk to the chef who I had been speaking to but her and another teacher must have been told not to talk to us, she could only gesture with her hands. The attitude of the manager was not of listening, he had spent most of the evening standing against the back wall not checking on any of the clients. After 30 years of supporting this culinary school, even when it was Siegfried's across the road. I had also been a preceptor to student nurses at the hospital. It was supposed to be a celebration Birthday, but ended with security guards, we had done nothing we were just waiting for our next course. I don't think I can support this restaurant in the future due to the attitude of the manager and teaching staff who are not properly supervising the students. And were not willing to listen to our concerns about the...

I was invited to the Chef's House by a friend who was celebrating her birthday. I had no idea before going in that this was in fact the training ground for a College's culinary school.

It turns out they this is exactly what you would expect: an experience that tries to be high end but lacks the finishing touches of truly fine dining. For that reason, I will compare it to some of the places it tries to simulate and not a restaurant at its price point.

Value-wise it is an acceptable option. The menu is prix fixe, giving you 3 courses for $35 or 4 for $41 - you get to choose an additional appetizer or dessert for the extra $6. I chose the extra app, and in hindsight I definitely made the right choice.

At 5'11 195 pounds I'm no means a large person but I finished everything that was served to me as well as half of my 100 pound friend's entree. In a group of 16 men and women my tiny friend was the only person not to finish absolutely everything that was served. Perhaps this was due to the deliciousness of the food but more likely they could up the portion sizes a bit. We even received two portions of bread and butter which was equally polished off.

For my apps I had a passable curry flavored soup and a nice smoked fish that was delightfully meaty. My main was braised lamb. The fat was rendered perfectly and it was complimented on a bed of white beans that had a hint of sweetness to them. Best course of the night. Desert was an apple cake with Chantilly. Many of my friends noted that the Chantilly was overly bitter, not something you would expect from whipped cream. The cake itself was a bit overcooked on the outside.

I'm terms of being picky, here are a few things I noticed that would not be accepted in a fine dining establishment:

Presentation between the same dishes served to different people was inconsistent.

It took far too long for the apps to come out, and then too fast for the following courses after the first.

The waiter did not have a strong command of the menu.

The placemats were made of cheap plastic. Dollar store material.

Overall this is a 3 star restaurant, but I'm giving it an extra star for the efforts of its students trying to make it in the culinary world. Having been to established restaurants in the city that are run by George Brown graduates, I know that the school does good work. The Chef's House is a great example of showing you how these future restauranteurs learn...

The Chef's House (a student run restaurant) is one of those neighbourhood gems that isn't always on the radar, even for the locals, but is highly recommended must to visit for lunch, or a fine dining dinner experience.

The 2 oz cocktails are reasonable priced and delicious - we enjoyed a margarita and an old fashioned - but if you're AF, sober or sober curious, the Lavender Fizz option is for you).

For appetizers we enjoyed the Burrata & Roasted Plum at a reasonably priced $14 and Crispy Cod Cakes $11. Both were absolutely delicious recommended (but we're pretty confident whatever your choice, you won't be disappointed). Portions are perfect and perfectly satisfying.

For our mains, we had the (vegetarian) Channa Chat ($18) and Roasted Sea Bass. I was originally torn between the House Made ravioli and Channa Chat but went with the latter and glad I did, as it's THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER TASTED (but you do have to be okay with heat and spice). I can't recommend this dish enough - seriously. This is something I'll crave and return for. For those who aren't afraid of carbs, the rolls that get served with dinner, albeit simple, will knock your socks off. We doubled up on them - they were so good.

Unfortunately we skipped dessert (we were full) but they do have 3 offerings that are sure to please as well. This place literally does everything very well and you can taste the passion of these Chef's in the food.

If you're thinking of going to The Chef's House, although your food experience will be one of fine dining, dress how you like. Some people are casual and some a little more dressed up, all will fit in and be welcome. It can be a drop by, or special occasion.

Pro Tip: Pay attention to the hours. This is student run and is a weekday (Monday to Friday) 5:30pm to 8:00pm seating. But try and fit it in, we highly recommend it and you won't regret it!

Thanks Chef's House (and Chefs) we will be returning and can't wait to visit...