The Stone Lion — Restaurant in Toronto

Been coming to the Stone Lion for about a year, at least once a week for trivia and other random days/times. They have a decent selection of alcohol - the standards as well as some local/microbrews that are cycled through every few months. Beer and food specials every night - $6 pints and food for around $10. The service is very very good. Having read some of the other reviews, I was surprised to hear that people have experienced poor service. The servers I've had have been friendly, fast and attentive, except for one time in the summer, on the patio, when she wasn't so great - I think it was a pretty busy night, so I guess they had an excuse. Normally, every time I've gone in, I've had no complaints at all about the staff. They're really excellent. My complaint about this place is how much the food costs for the amount of food you get. Let me be clear, it isn't the most expensive place I've ever been to; it isn't even that bad compared to other places in the Beaches. Its just that you don't get much for what you pay for, or its inconsistent. Sometimes you get a massive pile of chicken fingers (which are fresh, made in house and are very good), and sometimes you get three little pieces. Sometimes the nachos are loaded up with veggies and cheese, and sometimes you get a pile of chips lightly sprinkled with toppings and its awful. Sometimes the fries are crispy and fresh and more than once I've had cold, floppy fries. The food isn't horrible. Its inconsistent and sometimes the portions are really small. But if you're in the Beaches and want everyday pub food and a cold beer, its not a bad...

April 20/23 First time visiting this restaurant. We were seated by hostess at 4:50 were instructed the menu was a QR code. We noticed that Happy Hour was from 3-5 pm the waitress (light brown hair glasses about 5’ 3’’)came back to us at 5 pm to the minute. When we asked if we made Happy Hour? She was like ah no! Like really we sat waiting for you and it is just 5 pm now! Not a great first impression. We decided to skip the drinks. We then ordered, wings which on the menu come with fries, celery and carrots. When we inquired about our missing carrots and celery the waitress said oh they don’t come with that, we would have to like charge an extra dollar for it. Why not tell us that when we order ? It would have been no problem but the menu says that’s what’s included. While we were eating we over hear the same waitress talking to the table behind us. She rather rudely told them they would need to finish up as they have a reservation waiting at the Bar. ( that it is 5:30 and their reservation was for 5:00) There was another table for 6 just beside us and by all means it was not full. Not sure why she said it the way she did but I’m sure she could used a better choice of words. When people are finally returning to a world post Covid why treat us so rudely. We are doing you a favour coming to your restaurant. Maybe be a little nicer next time. With all this said and done I still left a 15...

The two stars are entirely for the server alone (she deserves 4 stars but I’m rating the restaurant now). Pathetic and terrible is the best polite words I have. Kids food arrived first. Lukewarm. We thought oh well maybe it was on purpose so they don’t have to wait for it to cool. Then ours came. Lukewarm! That’s cold in my book. No salt on cold fries, cold chicken wings which were over cooked and therefore dry. The burger was the warmest of all, slightly warmer than the cold wings and fish and chips. Everyone’s fries were cold and unsalted. And so was the other order of wings. We decided to not say anything since the kids were tired and the restaurant seemed busy which would cause another long wait. The Moscow Mules were definitely not doubles as ordered and the whole drinks order took way too long. Midway we ordered one glass of red wine … took forever. By then they were not busy anymore. One fellow (staff) was hanging around like someone who doesn’t really know how to keep himself busy while the server was not getting to all her tables. Another server was around but served only one table in the corner, or so it looked. Terrible experience, will definitely not be back. Oh and rather overpriced considering the food...