The Old York Tavern — Restaurant in Toronto

I really wanted to like The Old York Tavern, especially since I live just a two-minute walk away. From the outside it has the kind of unassuming neighbourhood pub vibe that should feel warm and inviting, but, unfortunately, it misses the mark.

The service was odd, especially that people had mentioned in the reviews how good the service actually was. Despite the place being nearly empty, the staff somehow managed to make themselves invisible by huddling together for a chat. I do not expect to be fussed over, far from it, but the lack of basic attentiveness was noticeable and off-putting.

The burger was memorable, though not in the way I had hoped. It was well over-salted. Considering the price, which is on the high side even for Toronto, it felt like poor value, especially when better options are available just a short walk away. The size of the fries portion was however generous.

The atmosphere is where things felt the most confused. Is it a pub, a neighbourhood food spot, or a fancy restaurant? It seems to be trying to be all three whilst succeeding at none. It lacks the comfort and charm of a pub, the energy of a good food spot, and the polish of a higher-end establishment. Instead, it just feels awkward and mismatched.

It is disappointing because I would love to have a reliable local spot so close to home. Sadly, with so many better places around, there is no reason to return.

It might have been the day and time I visited, 3.30 on a Tuesday, probably not the most energetic of times, but there were three people on the service side and I think they could have been a...

Beside the very hard to get into, Edulis is The Old York Tavern.

We went with a group of 5 during a busy Saturday night and it was great!

I’d highly recommend their Ceasar, it’s probably one of the better ones I’ve had in awhile. They do some fun pickle backs which are always great when you are celebrating.

Let’s talk about the food! It’s good! We got an assortment of dishes to accompany our group and they hit everything on the nail. Calamari was suprising for me since I’m not the biggest fan of ordering them, but they held up and had a twist on them with shishito peppers!

The burger is their crowd pleaser. I don’t get wagyu if I’m being honest, so I wasn’t too crazy about the burger. However the fries were good!

One thing I need to mention here is service. Specifically our service experience overall. Our server was fantastic, a little quick for 5 people but great.

The important point I wanted to say is that we wanted to bring a cake we made for a birthday. They wanted to charge 10 dollars a person to serve the cake. Now folks, no way in hell am I doing that. I get adding a charge to cover the missed dessert but, it came at a very high price with not accommodations (ie adding a little whipped cream or ice cream). I feel we could have worked something out, given that they knew we were celebrating a birthday. Instead, we were told in a nice way, pay or don’t bring it…

This didn’t feel the most accommodating and is therefore, deserving of a 3/5.

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I visited for a solo Sunday afternoon meal and was pleasantly surprised by the warm atmosphere and well-managed reservation system. As a solo diner, I was given what felt like one of the best comfortable tables in the place, though I did notice another solo woman guest unfortunately seated right next to the hostess stand, which seemed less ideal. The vibe is very young and hip. I was the oldest customer, by far.

I ordered the $36 Lobster Benedict, which turned out to be a Florentine Benedict with some lobster added. It came with a mixed green & spinach salad rather than the gem lettuce noted on the menu. After two incorrect attempts, the kitchen and servers did finally correct the dish to match the menu, but I noticed that the quantity of lobster decreased with each version. Additionally, the lobster was overseasoned, which masked the natural sweetness of the meat —disappointing for a dish that should be a standout.

That said, I really appreciated how the staff handled the situation. My server K offered a small discount on the final bill and topped up my glass of white wine as a thoughtful gesture of apology. K also mentioned that they would update and correct the ingredients listed on the menu.

Despite the missteps with the food, I’d definitely return to try the burger and explore other items on the dinner menu. The customer service and elevated menu make it a place that would be worth...