Avenue

This from a while ago… We ordered a few appetizers to share. The Ahi Tuna were my favs. We also ordered the Vietnamese Salad Rolls, which were good. Our third dish was the hummus. Very hummmurruss. We finished with their chocolate torte. Not the legal variety. At first I thought the portion was much too small, but after one bite of the rich chocolate dessert, I realized I could only consume three bites before going into a pre-​diabetic dip. In the end, I was fine.

Good Burger for $ 18

This is a great place to bring a date. It is sexy and quiet with small plates that can be eaten without further ado. I love coming here to get dressed up and enjoy a nice and very well-​made chocolate martini. The servers are just a tiny bit slow on the uptake for whatever reason, but they are attentive and nice and the ambience and the cool factor totally makes up for it.

This place is generally out of my league, but I’ve found myself here a few times when I’m not the one paying.
It’s got an old-​school feel, and even though I’m always grossly under-​dressed (last night during the height of TIFF schmoozing, I was in there in jeans, an army jacket and chucks) and the crowd is mostly always over-​dressed, I never feel out of place or awkward in here. The staff is friendly, attentive and very accommodating, particularly if you’re staying at the hotel. The crowd is definitely equal parts heavily botoxed, bleached and tanned, and old money classy, but I never really feel like I’m being judged or in some sort of meat market environment — it seems like people mostly keep to their own groups.
Actually, let’s face it, I was probably the most judgmental one in there. Funny how that works…
Anyway, everything is overpriced, but that’s to be expected and they partially make up for it w/​great service. Food could be skipped unless you’re starving and the cost doesn’t bother you, but the drinks are tasty and strong at least. Comfy seats, nice décor and some fantastic art. Not a bad time if you’re doing the fancy schmancy Yorkville thing.

Life is short, hurry go to Avenue and have desserts.
The first time I visited the Avenue, I was very impressed with the food and service. So much that I wanted to have a party with friends there. Who wouldn’t want to hang out at this chic, tasteful, sophisticated and cozy luxury oasis? The oversize leather chairs and comfortable loveseats are so inviting and would make anyone kick off their shoes or Stilettos (metaphorically-​speaking, of course, please don’t do it) and stay a while.
Just this past weekend, my dream came true! We brought a small group of close friends and family here to celebrate our big day, and treated them with luscious and gorgeous desserts.
There was a lot of sharing and discussions on the first round of dessert. Everyone agreed that the sorbets were divine! Creamy and smooth. Another favorite was the Bittersweet Chocolate Tart, Ginger Ice Cream with Hazelnut Caramel. It looked and tasted exceptional. Everything was so lips-​smacking good that most of us had a second round!
Like I said earlier, life is short, so go splurge, share happiness (but not desserts) with friends and family. This is a great place to do that.

I’m not always dressed appropriately to walk into the Four Seasons Hotel, but I just happened to be sporting my stilettos one late evening and was looking for food. Luckily, Avenue is a lounge that stays open late, even on a Monday night and offers a full menu until last call.
We were seated by the window at an oddly shaped table (the edges are all cut-​out). I would describe the décor as chic, modern and eclectic. I love the various chairs in the lounge, not a huge fan of the choice of table designs, appreciated the simplicity of the black and white portraits which seemed to just be a way for Avenue to show off which celebrities have stepped foot in their lounge. I suppose I should review the food…
We ordered a few appetizers (from the Small Bites menu) to share. The Ahi Tuna Tempura Rolls were my favourite of the bunch. Not overly fried and the rolls were a good size. We also ordered the Vietnamese Salad Rolls, which were just okay in my opinion. Our third dish was the hummus. Very good, but nothing special about this dish either.
We finished with their chocolate torte. At first I thought the portion was much too small, but after one bite of the rich chocolate dessert, I realized I could only consume three bites, max.
I hear they have fabulous cocktails, but couldn’t handle one, so I opted for a simple green tea.
I would probably rate the food around 3-​stars. While there was nothing wrong with the food (except that it’s overpriced), I wasn’t really impressed with anything we tried. Presentation is beautiful and everything is served on unnecessarily large plates. The atmosphere and service are both fantastic — closer to 5-​stars. Thus the 4-​star review.
I would like to come back to try the Lobster Mac & Cheese and the Mini Beef Burgers, but I’ll need some time to save up for my next visit.

Elegant atmosphere and great (and strong!) martinis. They’ll usually bring some complimentary munchies to go with your drink. Very thoughtful and polite service (a rarity in Yorkville if you look young and/​or not dressed to the nines).

Great place for a «splurge». However the martini’s and wonderful nibbles are worth it. If you are by yourself sit at the bar, and one usually gets an interesting bar companion to talk to (that is if you are interested in conversation) They also have a bar food menu if you want a light meal. Bar staff make you feel that you are a regular and very special client.

Nice waitresses and service staff.
Food was good. Giant shrimps were extremely fresh.
Trout and quiche were delicious.
Orange juice was right from the juicer.
Bagels & desserts were petite & cute.

I have a huge love for the Four Seasons Hotel here in Toronto and their bar, Avenue, is definitely a huge factor in this love equation for the hotel. It is one of my favourite spots when I am looking for a night of quiet drinks with the boyfriend or friends with classy and sophisticated taste.
Yes, you do pay the price for enjoying a drink, a meal or a snack at Avenue but the food and beverages set a high standard. They are always prepared with plenty of effort and care from the chefs and servers.
For a close girlfriend of mine and I, we always enjoy having a strong yet sweet martini along with some sweet potato fries or another delicious appetizer.
For drinks, I recommend one of the martinis from their long list or a spanish-​style coffee with some bailey’s.
While you enjoy your food, drinks and evening, the bar has huge windows on one side, so you see all of the action of the Yorkville strip.

my friend came in from san diego this past holiday season and sometime soon after christmas day i had the opportunity to see him after an absence of a few months and this time he brought his girlfriend who none of his toronto friends have ever met.
well this time around, on this trip home, my friend took charge and coordinated a group outing of friends. He chose to eat at a vegetarian restaurant in yorkville with his girl and sister. We were all to meet them at an equally dashing place for spirits: Avenue, the lounge bar at the four seasons hotel.
I had just come from ronnies local 069 in kensington where i had already polished off a few (thank the lord) and was on my way, spectacularly, to carouse with the well-​to-​do (and some well-​fed vegetarians).
the Avenue was dim and dreamy when we got there, and, already a little lubricated, we slid cleanly along the bar towards the back to greet our equally snazzy friends. the tables were made of something heavy and expensive. thats all that shows up when i try to remember, though if i had to guess id vote for marble. they stood tête-​à-​tête with the average persons knee and had atop them in black gleam, a plate of gourmet bar snacks.
they were little legal drugs, they were. the plate kept them organized, with a decisive division between them. one section had a bath of curried cashews. quite charming. the other held a smattering of some crispy cheese puffs. (lets imagine for fun that they were triple cream brie cheese puffs, or if youre a minor cheese savant, mimolette cheese puffs). and they too, were dreamy.
so delicious were the snacks that it appeared as if everyone was just faintly involved in their reunion conversations, itching to get another fix. it was only when the attentive waiter presented himself brightly, offering more treats, that everyones attention focused like a choir. after that, we just began calling him over when the bowls were empty.
we felt that beer would be the best combination of frugal, filling and enjoyable and so we ordered 10 dollar guinesses. luckily my wife wasnt that thirsty and we split three beers between us. go on, take the money and run.
well i cant deny that i had a great time with my friends, and i can say that the four seasons Avenue contributed to that (cant forget the bar snacks) and now, i can say that ive gone.
checked.