The Fifth Grill & Terrace

Came here for a wedding on the top floor. Impressed with the food, service, and décor.

All the food was amazing and the staff prompt and friendly. Loved the elevator ride and old warehouse — feel.
Went for the Winterlicious deal, braised beef was delicious although the full scallops were a bit much in one bite.
Boyfriend ordered the salmon which was some of the best either of us had had.
Great job! Expensive but well worth it.

So I came here as a treat from my boyfriend’s parents for both his graduation and my birthday. We had reservations and were the first ones inside. The entrance was hard to find but also kind of fun in an adventurous sense.
The elevator was amazing. Slow. But amazing. I really wanted to sit on that chair haha. And if you look, on the beams people have placed little nick-​nacks. The employee manning the elevator was also very charming and friendly. He dispelled any initial awkwardness and we had a good chat. Jokes were made and everything was off to a good start.
Now, I don’t usually go to such fancy restaurants, so I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the staff were. Everyone was smiling, greeted us individually, and overall made me feel like royalty.
I remember I had the lobster risotto and it was divine. Granted it was my first risotto, but the rest of the table had a taste and they agreed it was delicious. In fact, everything was cooked to perfection. The wait wasn’t long, but then again we were first and only one or two other tables had arrived by the time we got our apps.
We were seated next to a window so we had a nice view. Also, I must mention say, the bathrooms were beautiful. I mean, restaurants usually have shoddy or just eh-​average bathrooms but damn everything was so clean and pretty. You had actual towels instead of paper.
You can tell how much effort went into the design, execution, and service. If I were rich I’d be coming every week, at least.
Interior: ¹⁰⁄₁₀
Staff: ¹⁰⁄₁₀
Food: ¹⁰⁄₁₀

One of the most enchanting dinners I have ever had, so glad we decided on this restaurant for our special dinner. We had to alter our reservations last minute but this didn’t seem to cause any changes in the great service.
We walked here easily from our hotel, and had a bit of trouble locating the entrance to the restaurant. We asked the man at the side alleyway and he welcomed us and checked our reservation. We walked in and was led to the area to where we would take the elevator up (it was an old school elevator). Upon arrival we were seated at the bar on the terrace (which was decorated with a hint of rustic/​vintage with nice pretty lights), to wait for our table. We ended up getting seated in the most unique/​romantic table or rather… booth. It had it’s own little door and was so private. Our server was very attentive and got our orders in promptly. We both decided to get the prix fixe Summerlicious menu, as well as side of fries and a drink to share. We were pleasantly surprised at the amuse bouche, which was a lovely savoury pastry cookie with olive filling. We also got a bread basket that came with a delicious black bean spread. For our appetizers we ordered the duck breast carpaccio, and the crispy calamari. Both were delicious. For our mains we ordered the beef tenderloin, the pickeral along with our side of fries. The pickeral was thick and flaky. The beef tenderloin was perfectly cooked and succulent. Everything was well seasoned and not overly salty which was good for my palate. Throughout the evening, our waters were always refilled and dishes/​utensils cleared away after each course. For our desserts we ordered the chocolate terrine, and the grand marnier soufflé. The chocolate terrine was very rich and filling. The soufflé was actually a frozen soufflé, which bummed me out a bit because I was really excited to try an actual soufflé unknowing that it was frozen-​very mouse like ice cream. The grand marnier was very prominent which was good to know that it was not cheaped out on.
I loved my experience here, I could not have asked for a better evening. The staff and the service was just effortless they know how to treat their customers (first impressions are very important). I hope to come back and experience more of this restaurant. 2 Thumbs way up!

My wife and I came here and my god the food was without exaggeration the best meal we’ve ever had. Everything was multidimensional, perfectly cooked, and insanely delicious. The soufflé was better than sex – a high bar to top. The service was incredible. Instantly our favorite spot in Toronto.

My husband and I went there for our 10^th anniversary, at first we thought we were at the wrong place because we went to into a pub space that was full of people just having a drink after a long day. But the hostess greeted us quickly and we were whisked up into a secret elevator (that looked like it was taking us to a speak easy!) and it opened it’s door to the top floor of an old victorian building, which was decorated tastefully in off whites and candle lit. The staff were attentive and nice, and the meal… well it was just out of this world. I had a very large crab cake, and my husband had a shrimp cocktail which was amazing… the prawns were barbecued to perfection. The timing was perfect. My cocktail which was a Canadian Side car was delicious and heady, a perfect mix of sweet sour. My husband had a Cesar which wasn’t on the menu but he said it was nice and spicy!
For our mains, I had Gnocchi which I always mispronounce for some bizarre reason, and my hubby had filet-​minion. He swore his steak was melt in your mouth good, and the Gnocchi was home made and the sauce was amazing.
For dessert, I had the banana sticky cake that came with a mini ice cream sandwich, which I thought was lovely. I would have been happy with the ice cream sandwich… it was wonderful. the sticky cake was tasty too but by then I was very full.
They also had wine tasting which was cool… several bottles were put out and people could try different wines.

The restaurant is on the top floor. It is a really gorgeous loft. The environment is fantastic, but the food is mediocre. The steak is too old. Only the final banana cake make us a little excited. It does not deserve the price.

Went to this beautiful restaurant (first time for me, my partner had been before several times for business meetings), and it did not disappoint. Fantastic Summerlicious menu for a good value ($ 45 per person for three courses).
Our waiter and all others servicing the table were attentive and friendly. Loved that they asked us upon sitting, «Would you like some water? Bottled, or Toronto’s finest?»
Ambience was gorgeous (we sat in the room that had the beach cottage flair, but the other all-​white room also looked beautiful). The view, once we came up the quaint freight elevator, was equally gorgeous.
Would definitely come back again and recommend to others. Bravo! This is what a good dining experience should be.

I really enjoyed this restaurant. The food was very good and the atmosphere was very cozy. We will be back!

Came here for the 2015 Winterlicious, and the overall experience was alright.
The ambiance was really good and the environment was very interesting. The old style elevator was a bit of a shock, and they sealed up the place pretty well.
However the food and service wasn’t too good.
Food was «OK», but not worth the $ 45 price-​tag for winterlicious. The presentation was nice, but in terms of flavors — i had better. The best part was the main course (steak)
Service was not good. The waiter dropped knives and forks beside us, and there were a few where dishes almost dropped onto our heads. We even saw waiters drop breads onto the floor as they were talking by. This could be caused by the inexperience waiters and/​or busy Winterlicious dinner, but I still felt that i was not acceptable. They also took our bread away and never gave us a new set (after asking if we wanted a new batch).
—– OVERALL —–
Environment — 5 stars
Food — 2.5 stars
Service — 1 star
I’ll give this place a try again after the winterlicious season. There seem to be a lot of good review about their patio experience. I would like to give that a try.

We have been to The Fifth Grill & Terrace a couple times now. The food and service is still excellent. The ambience is nice and romantic. I indicated on the reservation that it was our 5^th wedding anniversary. When we got there, they seated us in a private booth which was a nice touch. The staff was attentive and courteous. The restaurant doesn’t get busy till after 7pm so if you’re looking for a quiet meal, try to book for about 6pm. Of course we over ordered, we always do. The food was just as good the next day.
We would definitely go back.

Beautiful place, especially the patio (very cozy) did not know there was a restaurant up here but I’m glad I found out. The elevator to upstairs is escorted by a very nice men, who sometimes does magic tricks, and you can leave him a tip and pick-​up a bag of cookies (very cute)
the food is very good, and there wasn’t anything I would complain about. I would come back again.
If you come on a weekend (fri/​sat?) and want to party after dinner, someone can help you arrange with bottle services at the club downstairs (win/​win)

The summerlicious menu was delightful. It was refreshing and well balanced. The portions were okay yet lacked plate presentation. The Fifth Grill and & Terrace never disappoints with a great outdoor space and good quality food.

My boyfriend brought me here for our one year anniversary in April. Everything from the mysterious wooden elevator ride to the romantic ambiance to the food and the service was exceptional. I had the mixed grill dinner with a side of asparagus and we shared sorbet for desert. He had the steak (can’t remember the cut) with a side of mushrooms. The food was top notch and our server was very attentive and accommodating to my gluten sensitivity. Will definitely be back!

Fantastic! Come here most Friday’s after work. Always a great time. Great staff and also very reasonably priced.

Was here for a corporate reception… the samplers were delicious and the service was friendly.
The place is well kept as well, nice décor…

It was our fourth wedding anniversary on Jan. ³⁰⁄₁₄ and we thought it would be a good time to try the Fifth Grill. We thought it would be fun to start out at the Fifth Pub downstairs, where Brendt Diabo was playing a solo set for the after work crowd. His music was an excellent accompaniment to the vibe of the pub. The service there was really good and so were the drinks. I think Brendt plays 6 – 8 pm on Thursdays, so try to go see him!
Then we went upstairs via the super cool freight elevator. You have to watch the walls of the elevator shaft… lots of surprises stashed in there. We were warmly welcomed and our coats were stashed. We had a beautiful table for two. The room was a little dark, but it was cozy and beautifully appointed. Our server was fantastic… very friendly and knowledgable. I had the lobster (served out of shell) and my husband had the steak which would have been perfect if he didn’t request it to be cooked medium-​well (will he ever learn?). We didn’t have starters, even though there were some on the menu that were incredibly tempting. I’m glad I skipped right to dinner, after having a whole lobster and sharing two sides (truffle mashed and bacon brussel sprouts) we were almost too full to move. My lobster was served with green beans which were perfectly al dente. I swear… I felt a little depression when I dipped my last morsel of lobster into the drawn butter. But I knew it had to come to an end at some point.
We finished our wine and headed back downstairs for a nightcap before heading home. All in all, the Fifth Grill and Pub downstairs provide an entire night of entertainment and great food and drinks. I would do this again and take friends.
I would also like to have a more casual night with friends after work on a Thursday to catch Brendt Diabo’s set and have some $ 5 drinks and food at the pub. Check it out… the ambiance and the service is great!
Cons:
The only reason I didn’t give five stars is because I had to go through a sea of partiers at an event to get to the elevator and then had to wait by an ice machine for several minutes before the elevator arrived. The restaurant was a little too warm. There wasn’t much by way of music in there… if there was I couldn’t hear it. My lobster was just a wee overcooked. And the bacon brussel sprouts were a little on the dry side.
Overall a great experience though!!!

2.5 stars for the food, 5 stars for the ambience. That would average 3.75 stars, but I’ll round it up to 4 for the elevator attendant who does magic tricks (after we tipped him). This restaurant is good for date or a girl’s night out: you can dress up as fancy as you want but the atmosphere is fairly casual. The noise level is average and the tables are spaced out nicely so you can actually have a conversation without screaming at each other. The décor has a beautiful white motif and the terrace has a beachy feel going on. This may sound cliché, but I really did feel like I was at a getaway in the middle of the city.
The food that we ordered was off the Summerlicious menu. For appetizers, we got the duo of duck and foie gras terrine as well as the house cured bacon and summer melon salad. They were good if not somewhat standard for a place like this. My boyfriend ordered a strip loin for his main course; he said it was a teensy-​weensy bit overcooked but totally passable. It came with a side of sweet potato mash which I would’ve liked better if it were more of a purée. My own main, the lobster bouillabaisse, was somewhere problematic. The chunks of lobster were more like scraps and the tiny cubes of potatoes were just a little sad. The whole dish lacked effort and tasted like something out of a can. However, we were able to end the meal on a high note because both our desserts, the panna cotta and the lemon cheesecake, were quite tasty.
I had two drinks with dinner, the lychee chilli martini and their cosmopolitan. I definitely enjoyed the latter more than the former. The lychee chilli martini tasted like a watery version of the «master cleanse» concoction (which is a mix of water, maple syrup, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper) — it’s a diet thing that my friends and I tried out in high school. So that brought back a lot of bad memories but I still finished it because I’m a trooper. Then I got a cosmo and it was fine and dandy.
Even though I was not blown away by the food, I don’t feel too discouraged. I do appreciate them putting foie gras on the Summerlicious menu and I know that these menus are not entirely representative of what restaurants have to offer. I will definitely be back again before the summer ends.

Ms. Brooks Brothers and I came here for a 1,000 point Open Table night. Friday 7 pm seating. Keep an eye open for such future promos! Really outstanding food and dining experience.
You start with this Disney Haunted Mansion elevator ride to the top floor (5^th floor hence the name). A totally old school elevator attendant takes you up and down. It’s a slow ride and he has a deck of cards to occupy you with some card magic.
You get a nice little raisin and candied nut bowl at your table. And then a quick appetizer featuring some tapenade on toast. A great basket of bread follows with a variety of breads, and they will top up if you clear though it. I had the excellent flat iron steak and fries.
The interior is pretty nice, kind of old warehouse atmosphere with some whimsical touches like a parrot cage. There’s a rooftop deck for dining for extra atmosphere.
This is elegant dining with a commensurate price. However, portion sizes are great. So many fine dining places want to charge you a crap ton of money and leave you hungry.

A friend had been here for Summerlicious and said she enjoyed it, so thought I’d try it out with my boyfriend.
I give this place two stars because I love the freight elevator that takes you upstairs. I also liked sitting on the terrace which would have been nice in the warmer weather. Big props on the lobster mashed potatoes too. Expensive, but soooooo good.
Stars were removed because the service was unbelievably slow. A couple were seated after us had their order taken and were served before us — and it certainly was due to us still looking at the menu. Another waiter ended up taking our order because they noticed we had finished half our bottle of wine and our menus were still sitting closed on the table. Thank goodness we didn’t have to be somewhere else afterward because that dinner took a lot longer than planned.
As mentioned above, the lobster mash was to die for, but that was the only thing on my plate that was to die for. My boyfriend and I each ordered the rib eye. For the price we paid, I was not impressed. Particularly because they gave us the wrong steaks — even after asking us who had the medium vs the medium rare before setting down the plates.
I found the seating to be really tight as well. I felt like I was on the third wheel on the first date sitting next to me. I would have preferred a bit more privacy.
I would not recommend, nor would I go back to this place. While I liked the lobster mash, it’s not worth coming back here.

This place is great for food and atmosphere; and middling to service.
The BF and I had one of those group buy coupons and was coming up fast on expiry date so we had to either use it or lose it.
So the Fifth Grill is only open 3 days a week (Thursday — Saturday) — I do recommend making reservations — but maybe request not to sit on the Terrace. The Terrace isn’t bad and is very pretty and quiet — if you don’t encounter the fire engines going out on a call you’ll be ok. But hearing the sirens on the terrace can ruin the mood if you are looking to play a little bit of footsie with your date.
Arriving is pretty cool — as they escort you in via the Club entrance — and you go up in the freight elevator — i felt very VIPish upon arrival.
Food — I’ll breakdown here.
Crabcake — was good, lots of crab; but we thought it was a touch too oily and there was suppose to some wasabi in there; we weren’t able to taste it at all.
10 oz. flat iron steak with frites — the steak was cooked perfectly and the pepper sauce just peppery enough. The frites were overcooked and dry — even mayo and ketchup couldn’t save these fries.
Truffled risotto — this was really good — I think I should have ordered this as a main; because I couldn’t finish my steak and I think both of us wanted more of that risotto.
The Fifth sundae — perfect for sharing! The vanilla ice cream was just the right balance with the candied pecans adding the crunch texture — with the hot chocolate sauce on the side — we added about a quarter of it on the Sundae — and like I said perfect for sharing.
Service — was a little eh — wasn’t bad — but I was expecting a little bit more. There was this gap between our food — were we couldn’t find our server for some minor stuff — plus she had disappeared with the BFs cc when we got the bill and they had forgotten to apply the discount from the group buy coupon — for a long time that we had to send someone after her to check on it.

Came here on a Friday night to celebrate my Anniversary. Very romantic, great ambiance, candle light, and a live jazz music, need I say more…
First off you must know that the entrance to this resto is on Duncan street not on Richmond st. Its on the side in an alley way. Definately make reservations. There is doorman outside, asks for your name, pages upstairs to see if your table is ready and then you go upstairs to where the fifth social club is which turns into a club at night.
An elevator boy takes up to the roof top lounge where the resto is. It the perfect start to an intimate night riding in an old wooden elevator. When you arrive up a hostess takes you to your seat. Dim lighting and fresh flowers and a beautiful view of the city.
The waiter a very bubbly lad brings us the wine list and cocktail menu. Great selections. We decide on a martini titled Lucky Lady or Loose Lucy. It was perfect! As well we ordered a bottle of sparkling spring water.
That night they offered a prix fixe menu so we decided to go with that.
The waiter brings us a nice assortment of bread and butter while we wait.
For apps we selected the Grilled asparagus and Roasted Red Pepper soup. The asparagus was cold but meant to be served that way i guess they blanced it after cooking with a minced garlic sauce and Roasted Red pepper soup was simple clean but equally delicious.
For mains I always go for steak and lucky me they had filet mignon as part of the prix fixe. It came perfectly medium rare and juicy served with a very delicious peppercorn sauce. It also came with green beans and mash, simple sides and compliamented the meal very well.
For dessert in the prix fixe was either cheesecake or ice cream sundae. I hate cheese cake and didn’t really care for a sundae. We asked the server if we could chose a different dessert and pay the difference although the menu clearly said no substitutions. To our surprise he brought us the dessert menu and let us make a substitution. We decided to go with the chocolate mousse cake as I am a natural chocolate lover. Boy was I glad he let us change because this cake was soo moutherwateringly delicious!!!
Overall everything about this restaurant was outstanding and top notch. Great service, ambiance, and delectable food. I would definately recommend this restaurant for those seeking a gourmet romantic evening out.