REVIEWS: GEORGE, TORONTO

First we eat, then we do everything else. Food is one of our biggest passion and although we are not actually food critics, we are quite well versed in culinery experiences, enough to distinguish between varying levels of good and bad with everything in between. George on Queen in Toronto however was something rarely seen in Canada. As close as a Michelin Restaurant without being one.

Reviews: George on Queen

Where: 111C Queen Street East, Toronto, Canada

Type of Food: Contemporary

What we ordered: 7 course tasting menu & wine pairings

Chef: Lorenzo Loseto

Date: January 15th 2016

Where do we even begin with this masterpiece of a restaurant. George is famous in the city for its 5, 7 and 10 course dinner tasting menus and boy does it deliver.

When you walk in, you're pleasantly greeted by the hostess who escorts you to your table as you pass

by the fully stocked wooden bar and Sommelier's table, giving you a preview of what's to come. We were seated in a large booth in the comfort of a corner which gave us a full view of the restaurant and open concept kitchen. The restaurant was dimly lit, setting the perfect ambiance for a romantic dinner. The interior was beautifully designed with soft purple pastels and beige accents, white brick walls and a touch of greenery.

Our waiter had a great sense of humour and was very attentive throughout the entire night. It's important to note that tasting menus take longer than if you were to order "a la carte" - the entire process took approximately 3 hours. We love surprises and are big time foodies (Note: I am pescatarian but the restaurant had no problem accommodating this. Michael on the other hand eats all sorts of meats) so obviously we opted for the 7 course tasting menu and wine pairings to go along with it.

Dinner service began with the Sommelier bringing us over each a glass of rose wine to open up our palettes to what was coming. The Sommelier was very knowledgeable, the whole night he brought us each a different wine that suited our individual dishes. He made sure to explain where each wine originated from, the year, information about the region and even added hint of history and personal experiences to his tales.

Our dishes were brought over by food runners who in detail explained everything that was on the plate. Our server of course was by our table ready to answer and additional questions we may have had. Plate by plate, we were surprised every time by the choice of food, the artistry, combinations, tastes and smells Chef Lorenzo Loseto had to offer. My favourite had to be the Tuna Tartar, simple but delicious and full of flavours.

As the evening winded down, we sipped on our dessert wines (an amazing Caramel Port for me) and talked about how much of a memorable experience this was. We were never rushed or pressured to leave as some restaurants do when they bring you over your bill without you requesting it. Our waiter waited until we were ready to leave, thanked us for coming and wished us a great night. We were at complete ease the entire time.

Over all, the experience was one of the books. The difference between good and great is all about the small details, the unexpected burst of flavours, the touches of personality, the memorable service and this restaurant deserves to be recognized as great. We will definitely be back next time we are in Toronto.

5/5 FOOD

4/5 DRINKS

5/5 SERVICE

5/5 COST

4/5 ENVIRONMENT

4.5/5 OVERALL

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