Vos Restaurante Argentino-College — Restaurant in Toronto

My Wife/I went to VOS for the FIRST time to celebrate a milestone birthday. I stated both those facts in the Reservation I made online. Yet it was not even acknowledged by any staff or even when we ordered dessert after our meal. Not even a simple candle in the dessert? Not much to ask but obviously so...

I have reviewed hundreds of restaurants and I actually struggled with giving VOS a 3 STAR rating or 4 STAR. I elected for 4 STAR only due to the food and ambience. Though the meal was somewhat salty (as I had read in previous google reviews) it was still very good. We did get a RESERVED table by the front window which was nice but other than that there was no acknowledgement or genuine service towards us all evening in all honesty.

Firstly, they do not have their menu online which poses a significant disadvantage for patrons. My Wife/I elected to see their online menu and the prices differ substantially from the prices on the actual menu- except for the cocktails and desserts. Secondly, we had both chosen what we wanted to have before arriving and yet they did not have several items (3) we sought which was also discouraging as it was our first time.

Thirdly, we were not even asked if we would like another round of drinks. The Pisco Sours were great and we were thinking about getting another cocktail to celebrate but were never asked. I was going to order one but my wife suggested we see if they would ask us. They did not. It was just discouraging service and again never felt 'genuine' or welcoming. The gentleman that came to our table on a couple occasions seemed very pleasant and personable and gracious. But overall Service matters and I just did not 'feel' it at VOS and for such a momentous/special day we were celebrating....

Again, the food was exceptional (if somewhat salty), the empanadas were tasty (though they did not have the one we both requested), the 2 cocktails were also great and the dessert was good too. They also did not offer bread to start which was somewhat surprising too. And when they did bring it when we asked it was just plain/warm bread. My wife asked for butter and they stated they did not have any. Really?! NO Butter?! Seriously! Details matter! We spent almost $200 with tax/gratuity and it just did not feel worth it in all honesty.

The final nail in the coffin was the fact when we departed there was not even an acknowledgement or simple 'thank you' as we exited. Nothing. ZERO. There were 5 staff members directly in front of us talking at the bar and not ONE said a word of appreciation as we left or even wishing us a 'Happy Family Day Weekend'. NIL. We just spent almost $200! There is NO way that they did not see us leave as we were the only two patrons left in the restaurant. My wife made that a point of fact as well and was most disappointed- and she NEVER gets upset with service.

I will preface that we made our reservations @845pm and showed up exactly on time. The Restaurant closed at 930pm. My Wife/I both worked all day and that was the only time we could both make reservation and I really wanted to celebrate my birthday with a nice dinner. When we arrived we were almost told immediately, without any apologies, that the kitchen was closing in 10 mins and that we had to place our entire order when we were ready. Its ironic as we did know exactly what we wanted- but when it was time to take our order 3 of the items we ordered were not available- again without any apologies for the inconvenience of them not being in stock. Hence, this changed everything and we were left to alter our choices significantly.

If VOS service is going to be adversely affected due to the timing of our reservation- do NOT take any reservations past 830pm. We felt that we were an inconvenience from the start and that is not the way ANYONE should feel when dining out and celebrating a very special occasion. I have read other GOOGLE reviews also questioning the service. That is exactly how we felt as well and will look to other Argentinian options in our fine city...

We ordered two glasses of red and both were covered completely in dust. I've never cared about finger prints or smudgy glasses but as a person with a bad dust allergy I started to get itchy so had kindly alerted to staff. She admitted that it was super dusty and apologized and replaced it, however the second one was just as dusty and had less wine it in than before. I think they're polishing rag must have been the culprit but they tried and I didn't want to cause a fuss so I just kept the glass. We then ordered appetizers and two mains, the short rib and one of the steaks. Both med rare. However the short rib was well done and the steak was rare, blood rare. We again didn't want to cause a fuss but the short rib was inedible so we had to tell them. It then came and the server asked us to cut into it and check if we want it cooked more, it was rare rare yet again so she took it back, a couple minutes later she re-served it to us exactly the same, so they took it back a third time. We were sat some what close to the kitchen and given it is a small restaurant and only one other table was dining, but near the front, we could hear the cook, I won't share his name, swear, and slam a counter. I've worked in restaurants before so I understand the cooks frustration but there were no other diners and with a kitchen only having a cloth to seperate them from the diners yelling and slamming things within ear shot really made us uncomfortable and weary of our food. The servers were amazing and apologetic and gave us two lemoncello shots. The bill was $190 and they gave us a $4 discount for the trouble. At that point I would have taken off the steak or at least comped the wine. I dine out twice a week at least and have never sent a steak back in all my years, nevertheless three times. It seemed insulting to take off $4 and just left a bad taste for the restaurant which is unfortunate because I had...

I had no idea this little gem existed.

Intimate dining space, beautiful interior decor and interior design. How they aren't on the cover of Toronto Life, or DineTO is beyond me.

Service = superb. Agustin (sp?) the bartender is an incredibly knowledgeable and attentive person. I wasn't that hungry, but I wanted a rib-eye. He suggested the veal skirt stake due to my lack of appetite, but I went with my gut (pardon the pun) and got the rib-eye. To speak to his professionalism, he was gracious after I made my decision and brought me Argentinian chimichurri, some pepper and onion salsa type garnish that I forget the name of, and a delicious jalapeno, pepper, knock-your-socks-off amazing hot oil. Also, Michael the manager is incredibly attentive. I literally overheard him welcome a new table and ask whether they'd be more comfortable in a booth or a table with chairs - as in what would be more ergonomically comfortable! He also likes bicycles. Ask him about his!

Food = to die for. Worth every penny. The only thing that has ever been on par was when I was in Osaka Japan and tried 1oz of real Kobe beef. Forget Texas Black Angus, this Argentinian stuff is amazing.

Wine = somewhat small list... but personally I'm sick of reading an encyclopedia of 750 wines, where the sommelier just picks for you anyway. It is Argentinian dominant, but there are a few different varietals and if you just want a Cali cab or something more mainstream, they have that too.

Anyway, overall, you must check it out. Thank you for the great dining experience! I'll be back...