Carman’s Dining Club steak house finally put out of its misery
Arthur Carman’s storied and troubled steak house on Alexander Street went into hibernation this summer, never to wake up. This makes the restaurant—credited with introducing Toronto to garlic bread—the latest Village establishment to disappear in recent months (the list also includes Crews and Tango, Bigliardi’s, Il Fornello and Zelda’s).
When we called the restaurant this week, we were greeted with this voice mail message:
This year, Carman celebrated his 50th anniversary in the one and same location. He has decided he will not be reopening after 50 years and thought it was time to say goodbye and to say thank you this fantastically beautiful country of Canada. What he accomplished here he could not have accomplished in the country of his birth at that time. Thank you to the countless number of people who made this possible. Peace begins at home, Carman.
It is a truly sad day those loyal to the landmark restaurant. Toronto Life food writer James Chatto documents eating at the 19th-century mansion in his 2000 memoir The Man Who Ate Toronto, which includes a brief bio of Carman (born Athanasios Karamanos), who immigrated from Greece in the ’50s. Although Chatto describes the restaurant as one of the best in Toronto, recent on-line reviews suggest that the sizzle had gone from the steak house: “Sad to see this formerly packed spot deteriorate so dramatically,” wrote a Chowhounder in 2008. “Once the notoriously garlicky purveyor of hospitality, now it is insipid, unsophisticated and expensive.”
The celebrity clientele once featured on the restaurant’s menu and Web site (no longer functional) included Al Green, Nat King Cole, Lorne Greene and Sammy Davis Jr., a sign that this was a boys’ club hangout for the real Don Drapers, not his modern-day fans. (Sara Waxman once wrote about being the only woman in the place.) The decor, as most people described it, was dark, medieval and, as another amateur reviewer writes, “something out of a vampire movie.”
In the end, 50 years is many lifetimes in the restaurant industry—especially in Toronto. We hope that Carman’s will be remembered as the joyful, high-end steak house with the perpetual aroma of garlic, rather than the relic that was left behind during its neighbourhood’s gentrification.
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/food/carmans-dining-club-steak-house-finally-put-out-of-its-misery/&title=Carman’s Dining Club steak house finally put out of its misery&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Carmans.jpg&description=
[caption id="attachment_14890" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Carman's Dining Club, 1959-2009 (Photo courtesy of Google)"] [/caption]
Arthur Carman's storied and troubled steak house on Alexander Street went into hibernation this summer, never to wake up. This makes the restaurant—credited with introducing Toronto to garlic bread—the latest Village establishment to disappear in recent months (the list also includes Crews and Tango, Bigliardi’s, Il Fornello and Zelda’s).
When we called the restaurant this week, we were greeted with this voice mail message:
This year, Carman celebrated his 50th anniversary in the one and same location. He has decided he will not be reopening after 50 years and thought it was time to say goodbye and to say thank you this fantastically beautiful country of Canada. What he accomplished here he could not have accomplished in the country of his birth at that time. Thank you to the countless number of people who made this possible. Peace begins at home, Carman.
It is a truly sad day those loyal to the landmark restaurant. Toronto Life food writer James Chatto documents eating at the 19th-century mansion in his 2000 memoir The Man Who Ate Toronto, which includes a brief bio of Carman (born Athanasios Karamanos), who immigrated from Greece in the ’50s. Although Chatto describes the restaurant as one of the best in Toronto, recent on-line reviews suggest that the sizzle had gone from the steak house: “Sad to see this formerly packed spot deteriorate so dramatically,” wrote a Chowhounder in 2008. “Once the notoriously garlicky purveyor of hospitality, now it is insipid, unsophisticated and expensive.”
The celebrity clientele once featured on the restaurant’s menu and Web site (no longer functional) included Al Green, Nat King Cole, Lorne Greene and Sammy Davis Jr., a sign that this was a boys' club hangout for the real Don Drapers, not his modern-day fans. (Sara Waxman once wrote about being the only woman in the place.) The decor, as most people described it, was dark, medieval and, as another amateur reviewer writes, “something out of a vampire movie.”
In the end, 50 years is many lifetimes in the restaurant industry—especially in Toronto. We hope that Carman’s will be remembered as the joyful, high-end steak house with the perpetual aroma of garlic, rather than the relic that was left behind during its neighbourhood’s gentrification.){kind=link}
Please also add Il Fornello to your ever-lengthening list of Village establishment to disappear in recent months.
Hi Wendy —
We checked it out, and it’s true. Il Fornello has also closed. We’ve added it to our list.
Thanks,
Torontolife.com Staff
I am very upset to hear that the BEST steak house in Toronto has closed.I have 40 years of wonderful memories of dining at Carmans. They had the best ribs in town. If you are reading this Carman, I want your rib sauce recipe. I will miss dining beside the clown picture in the back room.
Thank you Mollie, I will make sure Carman sees your note and as for Toronto Life the fact that they chose to put a negative slant on a beautiful lifetime of a honest genuine successful venture that lasted 50 years speaks volumes. They got there facts wrong as usual he retired as early as August and did not go out of business and of course the website would go down when he retired and at 83 he deserves a rest . Perhaps this is more about Mr.Carman having the courage to challenge Toronto Life and their duality of soliciting advertisement from restaurants and then rating them. For at least ninety per cent of his 50 years running Carman’s Dining Club he was at the to top of his game so to highlight the fickle few who took personal attacks is indeed malicious. Do your homework properly and objectively and you will discover CARMAN’S was rated consistently well and most important there were his loyal customers who were not swayed by the many trends of so many of the new restaurants. It was time to say goodbye and he did so with grace and was the recipient of many enroute awards ,the Key to the city of Toronto,many many travel book excellent ratings over the years and a lot of thank you from his customers . He often said I need your money but I need your thank you’s more and he did receive them. He stood alone at times and was not swayed by Walter Winchell types ,remembering when Walter Winchell from New York threw a coin down on the street in front of a estauranteur and told him to pick it up insinuating to the restauranteur if he didn’t he could close him down with a review. We all get older and we should not be punished for it. Was this article Blog really necessary,was it true reflection of 50 years of a successful business? Carman passed so many kindnesses on and so many people know this.
Upset? Disappointed? Depressed? These don’t even come close to how I feel. I would go here once or twice a year on special occasions and was easily my first choice in the steak houses of Toronto. The service was tops, the steaks were the best, and I *loved* the decor (Ruth Chris, a place some of my friends really enjoy and rave about, is sterile and vanilla in comparison). Plus the appetizers at the beginning of the meal were top notch – something you would never see a chain like Ruth Chris ever doing.
What will I do now? I have no idea. I need direction. I feel I lost a best-friend who said “Don’t worry … I’ll be back in a few months” and then was never seen again.
I need a moment. Where does one go now for a good steak in Toronto?
Carmans was an amazing restaurant with great service, high quality and 5 decades of memories.
My uncle worked there as a busboy when he was 17 when he came to Canada. He returned to Spain a year later.
Last year, he came to Toronto for a visit and we all ate at Carmans. He returned after over 40 years. It was a special moment for all of us, especially for him.
Thank you Carman and all staff.
Carmans was so great for so long – it’s so depressing that it is actually closed for good now. I have had so many great pieces of beef there over the years. I remember being taken there in the late 70’s by my uncle and I thought it was the most magical place in the world, then felt so amazing every time I returned as an adult with my own money. But my last few visits there last year were really depressing in there own right. Everything had gone downhill, even the service. It was pretty empty and really kind of vampireish, like the article says. All good things must come to an end, I guess, but it’s a shame that it went out with a whimper, not a bang. Still, I think I will always think of Carmans when I smell garlic! I think I will just remember it the way it used to be!! Farewell Carmans and thanks for all the good years!!!
I am very upset to hear that the BEST steak house in Toronto has closed.I have 40 years of wonderful memories of dining at Carmans. They had the best ribs in town. If you are reading this Carman, I want your rib sauce recipe. I will miss dining beside the clown picture in the back room.
Zoltan: Go to The Fifth or to Jacobs & Co. They really are the best in town, even better, I’d say, than Carmans, although they lack that old-skool feel that you can only get in an room that’s been worn down for fifty years!
No way, no way.
Tom Jones is the best of the rest. The only place that can compete with the Carman’s atmosphere.
Carol who posted a message to Toronto Life on November 17,2009 please call and leave a voice message at CARMAN’S. Paid gift certificates are fully refundable. He advertised on 96.3 F.M. for two weeks saying goodbye and thank you to his customers.
It’s too bad the headline on on this piece neither reflects the article itself, nor reality.
Shame on Toronto Life, bravo to Carman’s.
Thank you, Carman, for the good times and great food.
Wow – I did not like your negative article and the headline was terrible – Toronto has lost a landmark when Carman’s closed. You failed to mention his endless support of the Variety Club and other numerous charities. He was a humble most courteous person and dedicated to his customer who he considered his friends. My two daughters grew up in his restaurant and learned what great food tasted like and to respect the mighty garlic. My younger daughter had her wedding reception in his beautiful dark wood back room 26 years ago and is full of many wonderful memories. Paull and I send kudos to Arthur and so many thanks for all those wonderful memories. He will be sadly missed but remembered with great fondness.
The headline really is too bad. Rather than focus on what might have been a short negative – it might have been more fair and accurate to talk about the majority of the 50 years that Carmens was at the top. We will always remember not just the great steaks and infamous garlic bread but the many family milestones and occasions that were celebrated there since the original Carmens Club opened. %0 years as a Toronto restaurant really is quite an accomplishment. Too bad some people only see the negative.
We will miss it dearly!
im sorry kids. i have been following these comments and feel i have to weigh in. theres no doubt that carmans was once great, but had you been there recently? the prices were appallingly high for what was served. and the place was not clean, not nice and, well, almost totally empty on a saturday night. i dont want to do any disrespect to the place because i really did love it once. very old-school and all that. but it stayed open and miserable for way too long after it went downhill.
Oh sure it looked a little tired towards the end, but I thought it was value for the money, especially the wine markups, which were minuscule compared with the newer glitzier steakhouses. Let’s hope Carman has a comfortable and long retirement after 50 years of great work.
TDOTFoodie’s justification for this negative headline is an oxymoron. It reflects a customer’s reaction to the restaurant in its declining years. Yet there weren’t that many customers in it’s declining years and that’s why it’s closing. His article is meant for people who never frequented the restaurant!
I first visited Carmans in about 1962 when it was still known as Carmans Club and the Toronto Maple Leafs, located around the corner, were in their glory years. Like many people, I would visit Carmans once, twice, maybe three times a year. We were never actually members of The Club, but would respond positively when asked and that seemed to be good enough.
I moved to Winnipeg in ’74 for about 10 years. Winnipeg had an upstart restaurant there called Hy’s and, although good, was definitely second best. Carmans was one of my first stops after returning.
I doubt that TDOTFoodie ever experienced the joy of dining at Carmans before it could be called “very old-school and all that”. Carman, thanks for the memories.
Please make sure that Mr. Carman sees this:
I lived in Toronto for 16 years, leaving in 1991. I met my wife there, and we went to Carman’s about once or twice a year. Our daughter was born in Toronto, and is a Canadian, German, and US citizen.
She just moved back to Toronto, at 24, and will be very disappointed to learn that Carman’s Club has closed.
When she was about 2 years old, we went to Carman’s with a bunch of family & friends, who were visiting from Germany.
At one point, Carman came out and took our daughter to the kitchen, to be with “The Boys”, for about 15-30 minutes. We were so happy that he had “adopted” our daughter, and had thought enough of all of us that he “kidnapped her” for that great experience! We loved him, as he would come out, many times during our visit, each time with more & more “drink” in him. He was truly a “real” guy.
It was priceless.
We came back to Toronto between Xmas & New Years, in 2007, and just had to visit Carman’s during our trip.
True, it wasn’t as good as in years past, but the warmth and feelings we had before were rekindled during our visit, and the only part that was missing was Carman, himself.
My heart goes warm with thoughts of the place, the man, the food, the shrimp cocktails, the artifacts, and the way we were treated. Being a mixed couple, with a very beautiful mixed baby, Carman showed that it didn’t matter, if you were good people.
He IS “Good People”!!! We’ll miss you, Sir. Thanks for the wonderful memories, along with the tasty food.
We’ll never forget you . . . . :-)
Love, from Pebble Beach, California
Kathleen, thank you for your post re my gift certificate. I have left a voicemail message (I hope – the option is not really offered, but there is a ‘beep’). We are going to miss Carman’s soooo much. I cannot understand anyone who says Carman’s was “expensive”. With all the goodies included with your meal, it was terrific value for money, and ALWAYS delicious!
The title of this article is essentially why I have not bothered with a TO life restaurant review in over a decade. Over the past 20 years my wife and I have eaten at Carman’s probably at least 40 times (it might even be closer to 60). It was our all time favourite restaurant. It was a place of great food, friendly service, and fair prices. Those that looked down on its old-world, men’s club charms, and the retro atmosphere simply didn’t get it (and you never will). You can get the bland, McDonalds, cookie-cutter atmosphere, zero-taste, and bum’s rush service of a Ruth’s Chris, Hy’s or Keg anywhere. Carman’s was a place (much like Barberian’s) where a couple could spend a long evening of eating, drinking, talking, etc., and never feel rushed. The waiters all knew us, and big smiles would show as soon as we walked through the door. For years I went by the nickname listed for this post, as the “sidecar” was often my drink of choice, (and I was apparently the only one to order said cocktail since the 60s.) Losing this place was like losing a close friend. There were many on-line posts in the last few years left by bitter little children knocking the man for getting on in years, and being “odd”. … well, if chatting up repeat customers such as ourselves, and offering to buy us “anything” we wanted from the bar is odd, then sign me up every time. …Goodbye Mr. C.
What a shitty, malicious headline for someone who avhieved so much more than the TL writer.
I am deeply disturbed by the headline chosen by Toronto Life to announce the closing of Carman’s restaurant. When he opened his restaurant 50 years ago, Carman’s was one of the very few places to get a great steak in the city of Toronto. Prior to Carman’s, you needed to drive to Buffalo to get a decent steak. Carman took a big gamble in much more restrictive times – it wasn’t easy to get a liquor licence back then – and he worked extremely hard over the years to build his business. My own restaurant was open for over 30 years, which is an unusually long time in the industry, so for Carman to operate his restaurant for 50 years is nothing short of remarkable. Carman deserves a much more respectful headline, one that honours an excellent restaurant and the lifetime work of an exceptional restaurateur.
George Bigliardi
I agree with Mr Bigliardi.
I have been to both fine establishments, and you did an injustice to Carman’s by stating only the negative.
Most restaurants don’t take pride in their food, service or are generally happy to look after their customers.
I love the old school way of doing things and Carman’s will be sorely missed.
I am very saddened to learn that Carman’s is closing its doors. I have so many wonderful memories – brunches and dinners and birthday meals celebrated at this wonderful establishment. I grew up having dinner here with my late grandmother and our extended family.
The headline of this article is unnecessary and disrespectful. It’s difficult to find restaurants with unique charm and history – something that Carman’s is known for. I will truly miss this place!
I am so very sad to hear about Carman’s. All the important occasions in my life were celebrated there. I would do anything for one of their wonderful salads regardless of the rest of the good things to savour. I was recently out with my family and told them that I needed to return to Carman’s. I miss the restaurant so much. Of all the places in Toronto, this was my favourite memory and I am so sorry that it is closed. Will anyone in Toronto be able to match the salad, the wonderful food and great service that I remember? Oh, please, let it happen. Happy retirement wishes to Carman – you will be truly missed. Best to you, Virginia
If you want a fantastic steak house with an old school “men’s club” feel, try Harbour 60. It is by far the best steak in town, and the restaurant has a men’s club feel with warm wood panelling, huge overstuffed chairs and an all-men staff service, just like the old days. Great steak, warm and authentic ambiance, superb service.
Just like Carmen’s in the old days.
I was on my way there next week Dec. 23rd/09 to take my nephew and his girl friend – just found out today about Carmen’s closing. SO dissappointing as I told my nephew I wanted him to expierence the best steak & rib house – Carmen’s. The Best Place by far.
I was on my way there next week – Dec. 23rd/09 Wanted my nephew Brad and his girl friend Amy to experience the BEST steak & ribs house ever. I was sick to hear it closed. Carman was great in every way. I was so looking forward to those pickles and ribs – would sure love to have that rib recipe.
Barberians will make you all forget about Carm… bon voyage
So sad… The most delicious food and my favourite atmosphere of any restaurant I’ve ever been to – worlds better than Barberian’s in my humble opinion!
My parents went to Carman’s when they got engaged in 1967, and we used to go there as a very special treat as a family when I grew up in Aurora. So glad I got to take my boyfriend there before it closed.
Grey Cups and Carmans.
Revisited with my family last year. Awesome food and time. Nothing changed, it still held the mystical feeling of 40 yrs ago.
Enjoy your retirement Carman and thanks for the memories.
Be well
Man, its been almost 2 months since this news hit, and I still can’t get over it :(
Wow, very sad to hear about this. It’s very shameful of TO Life to treat Carman’s to this “headline,” but sadly, not surprising that they bite the hands that feed. Those who don’t have the passion, ideas and drive to contribute something of value to the city become its critics.
Carman’s is an historic landmark for Toronto – one with special memories for all of us who were fortunate enough to be part of it in some way. The warmth, wisdom, and hospitality of Carman and Kathleen holds a special place in my memories.
Carman’s made the heart of downtown Toronto feel like a cozy neighbourhood, safe and inviting. Will miss it terribly.
Thank you for the memories of the smell of garlic …mmmm and those delicous juicy steaks…so tender! I’ll never forget our two visits..one I shared with my two children …a cozy evening at the table next to the fireplace… all the delicious pickles, cottage cheese and bread etc…and then the fantastique steak arrived! Another time my son and I treated my mother to a wonderful birthday dinner – she was enthralled with every bite! Mom and I still reflect from time to time on the wonderful memories! Thank you Carman – you are special for having created a masterpiece that will linger in our hearts and minds forever ~ All the best! Penny,Ohio,USA
Thank you so much, Kathleen, for refunding my unused gift certificate. I have been keeping the money aside to use for a steak dinner at another Toronto restaurant, but just cannot think of anywhere that I want to use it. Nothing can or ever will replace Carman’s! :(
Kathleen,
This is Mollie. I was one of the first on this long list of sad people. I left my message many months ago and you answered me. I also left a message on the answering machine and you said Mr. Carman might contact me. I wanted to puchase the wonderful clown painting that hung beside our favorite table along with hopefully the best rib sauce recipe ever. Please if you could contact me I would be so grateful. The phone no longer takes messages. I will check this site.
Thank you and I hope Mr. Carman is enjoying a happy and healthy retirement.
Best reguards, Mollie
I knew Carmen’s was being closed and my whole family was heartbroken when we heard, FURIOUS AT WHAT WAS SAID ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL RESTERAUNT AND THE END OF IT’S TIME. My husband and I went there for our first “special dinner” 35 years ago this June. We have five children who have also been with us to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries even two of our children’s communion days were held at Carmen’s along with the grandparents. Our most romantic dinners were there looking at that beautiful I dream of Jeannie lantern. I was looking forward to that smell of garlic and my dinner of Rib Steak and lobster and also the ribs were the best ribs anywhere on this planet. We would walk into that special room and if we got lucky we would get the chance to speak with Carmen and he was a charmer and always made us feel like we were in his home. His daughter was beautiful and I also thank her for all she has done. I have no idea of where I will go for our anniversary this year but I do know that I will always have wonderful memories of some very happy times there and our family thanks you for that. Carmen, I do hope your are enjoying life right now and I know it sounds maybe a bit silly but I will truly miss you. Is there a way of getting in touch with Kathleen or Carmen just to thank them once again I am sad because I feel there has been no closure. It would be so exciting if I could try to make a wonderful steak dinner for my husband and have one of those special candles and a Peace begins at home paper for our plates than we could pretend we are at Carmen’s and take a trip down memory lane for our 35 th anniversary right here where as Carmen said it “Peace begins at Home”
Thank you again dear Carmen
Vicki
We were priviledged to meet Arthur Carman in the late 60s and ate there as often as we could. Luckily, he graciously hosted many dinner-meetings for people, including my mother, who worked closely with him on his various charitable events. He always made sure she left with a doggie bag for me… a full steak. To this day, I’ve never had better, unfortunately.
One of his personal pet projects at the time was establishing Caravan(?) which he envisaged as a multicultural celebration, and personally supported to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars. I don’t think it lasted more than a couple of years, probably because Caribana also started around that time.
Carman was, and I’m sure still is, the epitome of graciousness, FULL of life, Greek style. As I recall him telling me, he landed in Montreal as a very young man with about $6, and was eternally both grateful and proud of the success he achieved through plain hard work starting as a dishwasher.
As I recall, Carman’s *Club* began because of a zoning loophole which didn’t permit a restaurant, but $2 entitled a membership in the ‘club’.
I left Toronto many years ago, but on one trip back I’d insisted on introducing Carman’s to a beau and we became engaged that night! (Connection?)
I do believe I can still conjure up the insanely garlicy “house salad’. . . . does anyone have that recipe??
Best wishes Carman; I would love to send you some of the yellow and orange buttons and material which Pat kept.
I have gone to Carman’s at irregular intervals over the past 30 years. Most visits have been with family, but a few were with close professional colleagues who deserved a treat. After each visit, all of us have been very happy with the food, the service and the ambience.
I would hazard a guess that over the course of 50 years, there may have been a few diners whose satisfaction did not measure up to mine. Unfortunate of course, but even Carman might have been off his peak on a few occasions over such a long run.
I’ll certainly miss going to Carman’s to celebrate special occasions, but I’d like to thank Carman for the many memorable visits I’ve had, and I wish him every enjoyment in his well-earned retirement.
I am heart sick over this closing! I’m from Buffalo,NY and frequent Toronto. In 2007, I was researching to find the best restaurant that T-O had to offer. I found it in Carman’s. We celebrated my best friend’s 40th birthday and we loved everything about the place! Very sad it is no longer. Thanks for the wonderful memory Mr Carman!
OK, now that its closed, please tell us how you cooked those garlic-infused steaks!!
I was saddened to hear of the closing over a 40+ year period our family, our families friends and all of our partners on special and non special occasions would visit numberous times a year. Carman thank-you very much for the irreplacable memories
I know I’m a bit late “to the party” here, but I can’t believe it….I just googled Carmens so my wife and I could celebrate our 1 year anniversary there, like we do with many of our birthdays, special nights, etc…
This was THE BEST steak house in toronto, with a personal touch. :(
I just received the sad news when I tried to book our anniversary dinner. I am so very sad that we will not be able to dine in our very favourite restaurant anymore. It will be our 18th wedding anniversary and we always celebrate it at Carmans. Carmans has a very special place in our hearts as it is the place my husband proposed to me some 20 years ago. I have celebrated so many birthdays (even when I was a child – most children wanted McDonalds but I insisted on Carmans)anniversaries, special occasions that it is too numerous to count. My husband told the world that if you wanted to eat the best ribs ever to go to Carmans and that sauce – oh that sauce which I have tried to duplicate is out of this world. If I could get that recipe I would be eternally grateful and any hints on how to get the ribs to taste like yours. My aunt even went as far as having it analyzed at a lab – good grief. Oh Carman thank you so much for over 30 years of pure enjoyment. To your lovely and gracious staff we thank you too – the service was always purely impeccable and was no match to any other restaurant we ever visited. My husband and I and the many guests we brought to your restaurant will be very sad that we can no longer come to your wonderful house of pure delight. We will miss you terribly but wish you all the very best.
Carman himself passed away on September 23, 2010. Peace begins at home….
Actually, it was Sept. 21
http://www.torontolife.com/daily/daily-dish/aprons-icons/2010/09/24/rip-arthur-carman-1925-2010-the-legendary-restaurateur-of-alexander-street/
I dined at Carman’s many times, and I have three great memories, as follows.
Once I managed to have four business dinners there during one week. That was before doctors made us feel bad about such things.
During the eighties, I hosted an industry dinner in the back upstairs room, with about 45 attendees, including about a dozen company presidents. Truly an auspicious event.
Later, I hosted my mom’s seventieth birthday in the main downstairs room, with a fairly large one table crowd. All good.
Carman’s may not be quite what it was, but it has been one of my absolute favourite restaurants anywhere for many years. I suspect the writed of this article has never been to Carmans, as I do not believe that anyone who ever have enjoyed an evening of Carman’s ambiance could ever have used the word misery in that context.
I dined at Carman’s many times, and I have three great memories, as follows.
Once I managed to have four business dinners there during one week. That was before doctors made us feel bad about such things.
During the eighties, I hosted an industry dinner in the back upstairs room, with about 45 attendees, including about a dozen company presidents. Truly an auspicious event.
Later, I hosted my mom’s seventieth birthday in the main downstairs room, with a fairly large one table crowd. All good.
Carman’s may not be quite what it was, but it has been one of my absolute favourite restaurants anywhere for many years. I suspect the writer of this article has never been to Carman’s Club, as I do not believe that anyone who ever enjoyed an evening of Carman’s ambiance could ever have used the word misery in any associated context.
Reading this made me want to cry. I too have gone to Harbor 60, Ruth Chris, etc., etc. but always came home to Carman’s Club. I just looked up my card – member # 10583 – August 24,1966. It has been great.
Can’t believe that TO Life could be so critical of Carman’s Club. I started going when you actually had to have a membership to get in. My wife and I got engaged there and although I have not had many chances to get back there I will miss it for sure. Just walking up to the front door and the smell of wood smoke and garlic was worth the trip.
RIP Carman. Thank you for the memories and great steaks.
We used to go to Carmens in the early 70’s when you had to be a member to eat there. I think the fee was $10 – lot of money back then. It was amazing – best steaks, first place to put garlic bread,olives,huge dill pickles on the table before the meal came. This was fine dining at its best. I was wooed by many a beau in Carmens, back in the day.
Unfortunately, we went last year (2010) for my birday – don’t ask which one LOL – it was a disaster. The food was very bad – especially the ribs – which used to be their best dish. We went for night of grand nostalgia and all we got was disappointment. So, I am glad they closed and just left us all with the memories of days gone by. Does anyone know if Carmen is still alive?
As young boy we would as a family go to carmans to eat there it to me was the best steak I had ever eaten and garlic bread was shear heaven sad to see it go wish someone would bring a great steak back to Toronto.I miss those days .
Joan, Athanasios Karamanos a.k.a “Carman” Passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at the age of 84.
Carmen’sClub was my family’s favorite steathouse. Four generations attended plus I took business associates and staff with certainty that they would enjoy the drenched garlic bread, sharp salad, pickles, fresh cottage cheese, black olives, giant baked potatoes with sour cream and chives, drinks, fireplace, wood platters, leather seats, uniformed waiters andbusboys. Most of all his top quality garlic rubbed( or no garlic) thick steaks filets, torontonian, or New titled. The rib and special sauce was exceptional and broiled lobster was fondue for.
Adding to this the ambiance was a collection art, plates, mugs and more. Arthur Carmen was always pleased to join regulars at their table and give out poems he had written. “Peace begins at home ” and children are what they see”. He also started Toronto’s Carabana and was extremely charitable.
Having eaten at most of Toronto’s and many world famous restaurants I would still rate Carmans at the top for Steakhouse.
I had my law school graduation there in 1977 and we made my fathers 75 birthday there. In addition we ate there wry regularly.
Carmen and his restaurant will be sincerely missed.
Toronto should have highly praised Carmen.
Tastes and restaurant styles may have changed
But the memory of this fine establishment
Will remain.
Best Regards
Howard Isenberg
We only went there once…it was fabulous, the atmosphere, service and of course the food.
That was about three years ago. We don”t get to Toronto that much.
It was a great disappointment when we google Carmen’s to find out it was now closed. We are going to Toronto mid June for a week. We were so looking forward to going there.
Best wishes to Carmen on your well deserved retirement, It takes a very special person to survive in that industry for so many years.
Regards
Dan (Timmins Ontario)
Carmen was a freind of mine as I was introduced to him by a former employer of mine I ate there many times and was very sad to hear of his passing .His wife is a wonderful woman we had lunch several times. Today June 13 2011 I walked by the place to see people working on the roof ,to my delight I was told they may be re opening the place I can only hope that Kathy or one of the family has decided it is worth the venture if so and it turns out one quarter as good then another winner is born Good Luck and I will be wathing and waiting
June
Might Re-open!! Well that is certainly interesting news…. here’s hoping!
We only just found out that Carman’s closed. My wife Lisa and I lived in Toronto in 1995 and moved to BC in 1997. On Easter Weekend in 1995 I took Lisa (only my girlfriend at the time) to Carman’s on the recommendation from several people that is was a great place for a meal to be followed by Phantom of the Opera. A fabulous date was planned. As you may have guessed, I proposed to her, knee on the ground, ring in hand just before the first course arrived. She said yes, but could barely eat from the excitement. She enjoyed what she ate and took home the rest, I thoroughly loved my meal. Out of nostalgia, my wife looked it up this week to find it closed a few year’s ago. Sad, we had hoped to return there sometime in the future.
It is regrettable that Toronto Life takes 50 years of dining history in Toronto and decides to use such a dreadful and insensitive headline for this article. It is, however, typical of the increasingly malevolent journalism which is fashionable these days. You do NOT distill such a history of fine dining into an assessment of what it may have become for a short period towards the end of it’s history… the honourable and appropriate action would have been to commend Carmen for creating a Toronto landmark and wish him well on his retirement. Shameful, and reason enough to assign further issues of your magazine to the bin as you have lost your humanity and objectiveness. Perhaps it is time to put Toronto Life out of it’s misery as well.
Much to my surprise I find Carman’s is GONE.Yes I went there from grade 11 and I am 69 now.In the last few years less.But has anyone got the rib preparation or its famous sause.email me at [email protected]
Great garlic. Fine art from Vancouver. People knew where you had dined.
It’s back! As of two days ago, the new Carman’s is open! Live nearby, so have been watching the renovations unfold for months and, yesterday, a “we’re open” sign popped up, so my husband and I wandered in a couple hours ago. It’s Fine Dining, old school style. Excellent food and service. The interior has been updated but keeps the same dark wood, moody-yet-cozy mood. DO recommend checking them out during soft open. A few things are still falling into place (in the next few days, final wine list will be available, as well as full menu range of aged and slow-cooked steaks).
it’s open! such great food and services! full of surprise!
I’ve been hearing the Ad’s on 680 that Carmen’s is back and I’m so excited .My 1st Carmen’s experience was in 1966 when only the front room was open and it was a Dining Club.
I was so blown away. The atmosphere, the food, exceptional. My second time was trying to impress a girlfriend several years later.
We’d had a wonderful dinner and when the waiter brought the cheque I put my Visa card on the bill. The waiter politely picked up the cheque with the card and walked away, returning a few minutes later and quietly bent over and whispered in my ear” I’m sorry but we don’t take credit cards however we will gladly take a personal cheque. No one else heard this, not even my girlfriend. It could have been embarrassing . Fortunatly I had a cheque and when he returned I went to show him my drivers licence and he said ” that won’t be necessary Mr Sutton . Thank you for dining with us this evening.” From that moment I became one of Arthur’s most faithful customer’s and for many years enjoyed what was certainly one of Toronto’s famous dining landmarks.
I look forward to trying the new Carmen’s hoping that they carry on what Arthur Carmen did so well for so many years.
My dad was a member. Go for dinner pre maple leaf games. We would go for random special occasions. Had my first glass of wine on Arthurs insistance…I was thirteen:)