We called the 10 most clicked Summerlicious restaurants to scope out their experience—and availability
Toronto restaurants are firmly in the grip of Summerlicious, which continues to this Sunday, so we decided to find out how the annual prix-fixe fete has treated them. The consensus? It’s been a wild week-and-a-half. “It’s definitely crazier than normal,” the folks at Brassaii told us. “Crazy busy,” echoed the people at Starfish Oyster Bed and Grill, who also had some sage advice for those spurned by packed houses and peculiarly empty tables: “If you’re unsure [of availabilities], call in or swing past, because there are always no-shows” (ah, the infamous Summerlicious no-shows). With less than a week left before the summer food fest wraps up, we got in touch with the 10 restaurants whose menus got the most hits from our list of the 63 best bets to find out whether and when tables are still available.
1. Fabbrica
Lunch is by far the busiest, but any time outside of that you should have good luck.
2. Canoe
No longer taking Summerlicious reservations. Sorry.
3. The Fifth Grill
No specific best available time, but be prepared to be flexible, as they are steadily busy with Summerlicious guests.
4. King Street Social
You shouldn’t experience difficulties getting reservations during the week, but Friday and Saturday are a different story.
5. Luma
For dinner, Thursday or Friday nights are your best bets at the moment. For lunch, weekdays have better availability.
6. Starfish Oyster Bed and Grill
Pick any day, but be prepared to be flexible on the time.
7. Drake Hotel
Thursday is much less busy than Friday, which is much less busy than Saturday. Same deal for both lunch and dinner.
8. Pangaea
At lunchtime, noon to 1:15 p.m. is the busiest. At dinner, it’s between 7 and 8. If you can eat a little earlier or later and avoid the rush, you should be able to get a table.
9. Globe Bistro
The busiest time is 7:30 p.m., but you can generally get a table during most dining hours.
10. Brassaii
Generally, weekday evenings right after work are the best time to secure a table.
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Very useful post, thanks!
yes the amount of no-shows is frightening….such disrespect.
every year after these licious events we all experience the conversations and the questions about the problems. no-shows, cheap people, water drinkers….mediocre food, small portions, bad service, rushed service….
we keep going back and keep this festival alive…
at some point the customers will stop coming and/or the restaurants will stop participating…
Visited Starfish last night. Loved the place from the fresh oysters to the briny mussels to the beautiful trout entree and financier dessert. Menu is tweaked daily, service is friendly and knowledgeable, and it’s in a great downtown location.
Full review is here:
http://restosinto.tumblr.com/post/11682770379/starfish
Cheers,
RestosinTO.com
The bear has more to offer than just great food.Situated on seventeen acres of tfaubieul land,the restaurant also offers a great view,over looking a pond and grass fields with seasonal wildlife.