The same strip mall also had a Becker's, a Chinese restaurant and a few other businesses! that was a Toronto streetcar converted to an eating place? We recommended to our school PTA to have a dinner meeting there. The restaurant's owner Anthony Rose has a couple other restaurants in the city. Either one might still be in place, albeit perhaps under different names; I havent been to the building since Simpsons went out of business, and havent been downtown in a long while, as well. was a regular singer there and thats how they met! And some fan favoriteslike Burger Chef, G.D. Ritzy's, and Howard Johnson'sfell by the wayside. The Swiss Chalet at 362 Yonge Street. You just picked everything up in your fingers. I am trying to remember a restaurant with very high ceilings, sky lights, lots of trees and hanging plants. Does anybody remember the Club 12 in Toronto, I believe it closed in the late 50s. Created in partnership with hospitality icon Nick Di Donato of the Liberty Entertainment Group, Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto is the only North American location of world-renowned Michelin Star Chefs Alfonso and Ernesto Iaccarino's Don . Unfortunately, the boat was rammed by the Trillium ferry and sunk. There was a second location on the east side of Yonge south of Charles. Three very good restaurants in the Yonge and St. Clair area were Rhodes, owned by Tom Kristenbrun on the west side and Bofinger Brasserie that sat between the two theatres. This is where I attended a wedding reception in its banquet room in the basement. Mr. Tonys Place at 100 Cumberland Avenue in Yorkville was also highly popular, even though it offered no printed menus. Another favourite of many Torontonians was the Georgian Room on the 9th floor of the old Eatons store at Queen and Yonge Street. Joso's. Known for its curvaceous statuary, Joso's is Toronto's most famous Dalmatian restaurant. Roaring 1920s style decor with wood and decorated glass, Tiffany lamps, red and white gingham, and Black & White silent films playing on screens all around the restaurant guaranteed Mothers was a place that once visited was never forgotten. Swiss Chelet bright red/white colours, i remember some locations had the Swiss alps wallpaper mural. Businessman Brian Alger acquired the expired trademark to Mother's Pizza - one of his favorite brands growing up (along with the Pop Shoppe, which he also acquired) - then teamed with Restaurateur Geeve Sandu to reboot the franchise using the same original formula. Fentons was at 6 Gloucester, a few doors east of Yonge Street. Also, in the West end tucked away in a very confusing triangle of Dundas, Bloor St and Kipling was Millers Country Fair. Le Select just came to mind. It always feels good to share memories with others. Moe Pancers DelicatessenThe original Bathurst & York Downs3. I remember an evening that we engaged in a progressive dinner. We visited the Old Fish Market for our appetizer (seafood chowder), and then Graf Bobby at 36 Wellington East for our main course (wiener schnitzel), and then, drove up to the Cafe de la Paix at 131 Bloor West in the Colonnade for coffee and dessert. Of course, there a Chinese restaurant at the mall before Pearl took over (Yenching). Late 1970s, 1980s Toronto, Canada, HD from 35mm from the Kinolibrary Archive Film Collections. The publication explores 50 of Torontos old theatres and contains over 80 archival photographs of the facades, marquees and interiors of the theatres. Please read the cookie policy for more information or to delete/block them. IMO the best steakhouse in the city in its day. What was your maiden name or your fathers name who worked there? I recall how difficult it was to receive a reservation, so always phoned at least a week in advance. Name of restaurant circa 1960s, NE corner of Church and Wood Streets. The only food that was prepared outside our home was a take-out order of fish and chips from Oakwood Fish and Chips, located on Oakwood Avenue, north of Rogers Road. In my opinion, it was one of the best restaurants in Toronto ever. This sandwich was first introduced in the mid 1970s and lasted until the mid 1990s, representing the Bell's attempt at their own fast food hamburger. I was never inside this restaurant, but I as I recall, it had a great reputation for charcoal-broiled steak. I started going to Switzers on Spadina in 1955. As a former resident of Toronto I remember these restaurants with fond memories. Its two owners (and chefs) once cooked for the royal court in Madrid. Yumm Burgers.the ice cream place in Cloverdale Mall that had the salted almond sundaes. also, Town Tavern, I think was on Queen just east of Yonge. very posh at the time!! As well as the Old Fish Market there was also the Market Grill on Church St. House of Chan The best steaks in North Toronto In the seventies I remember the Constantinople on Queen Street West of Parliament. Or the owners name? Do you remember a delightful Greek restaurant that was on the west side of Church St. midway between Wellington and The Esplanade? Great Breakfasts. My mother and grandfather worked at Bassels and thats where my parents met. One of the novels that I wrote The Reluctant Virgin (a murder mystery) is set in Toronto in the 1950s and the imaginary characters in the story dine in many of the restaurants mentioned in this post. Another favourite downtown restaurant was Bassels, on the southeast corner of Yonge and Gerrard Streets. I just described it to my partner and tried to Google some archival photos. Once in awhile, wed go the Prime Restaurant, and order one of the giant butter tarts, plate sized treats, runny and gooey and just plain good. The meal consisted of thick juicy slices of tender roast beef, mashed potatoes, green peas, and Yorkshire pudding. #777 of 6,034 Restaurants in Toronto 37 reviews 920 Queen St E Leslieville 0.1 km from Queen Street " The BEST gelato and ice cream. Luckily, Toronto History has managed to combine many vintage snaps of the city we love, and here are some highlights. JavaScript is disabled. My favourite was the Paragon Restaurant on St. Clair West, near Oakwood Avenue. Thanks. New Orleans Seafood & Steakhouse 334 reviews Closed today Steakhouse, Cajun & Creole $$ - $$$ Menu "The Cajun Calamari were made to perfection and very tender." Our favorite was the Savarin on Bay for lobster. Bobby. Then, there was the Arcadian Room (Simpsons), Casa Mendoza (great meat platters, Argentinian style) on the Lakeshore, The Round Room in Eatons College, Beverley Hills Hotel on Wilson Avenue (good lunch buffet), the Colonial Tavern and the Silver Rail on Yonge Street, and Diana Sweets on Yonge and also on Bloor, and Frans on St. Clair Avenue, Eglinton Avenue, and on College Street. They eventually parted ways and he opened a restaurant of the same name on OConnor with my grandmother. 5 out of 5 stars (101) $ 50.00. As a boy, we would sometimes go to a restaurant that I remember as Polynesian/HawaiianI believe it was on Yonge, or Avenue or perhaps Bathurstnorth toward Lawrence? By: David Sanderson Posted: 3:00 AM CST Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 Last Modified: 12 . Named after the ranch in TV's long running oater Bonanza, Ponderosa offered up affordable chopped steak, baked potatoes, all-you-can-eat salad bar, coconut cream pie and mushroom gravy smothered fries. That is not Tom Jones Steak House. Peter Basel was a kind and generous man and my mother (Madge) remained friends with Doris Cox who I believe was the manager or accountant until their passing. The Boardwalk was our hangout in the 60s and early 70s. We visited the restaurant after it relocated to Dundas Street West, opposite the Art Gallery (AGO), but it was not the same. I cannot recall the prices but I think it was reasonably priced when compared to similar restaurants downtown. The waiter smiled; he had likely heard similar comments on previous occasions. Toronto based chain Frank Vetere's Pizzeria was one such magical eatery. It was impressive when a person drove past it at night. I believe they were licensed so you could order a fine wine or beer with Toronto Restaurants of the 80s and 90s prosperegal May 10, 2018 Prev 1 2 3 4 5 wild goose chase Active Member Member Bio Joined Sep 11, 2015 Messages 750 Reaction score 84 Jun 18, 2018 #61 Converted big chain restaurants are common in the city of Toronto it seems in many places. Another fondly remembered chain also owned by Foodex Inc. of Toronto was Ponderosa. Save. One of the ethnic restaurants that stands out in my memory is Acropole. Or at least parts . Your email address will not be published. Nonetheless the industry fought a proposed increase in the federal minimum wage from $2.30 to $3.00 an hour. Bell Beefer. [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] W. K. Lis. One of them was the Town and Country, which had opened in 1949 in the Westminster Hotel at Gould and Mutual Streets. Lichee Garden. 641 reviews #39 of 5,196 Restaurants in Toronto $$ - $$$ Bar Contemporary Canadian 100 Front St. West Fairmont Royal York, Toronto, Ontario M5J 1E3 Canada +1 416-368-2511 Website Menu Closed now : See all hours COVID-19 update: See the added health and safety measures this property is taking. We used to hop in a cab from Mississauga/Etobicoke and spend our pay cheque at the Ports of Call and always to the Bali Hi room and then afterwords, would go out to Yorkville to a bar. Creightons restaurant on the ground floor of the Westbury Hotel was another place that garnered attention in the 1970s. It was on the West side of Yonge street just south of Hogs Hollow. Fond memories of Georges Spaghetti House on Dundas St. famous for its pizzathis from visits from the late 50s to early 60sas well as the Jazz combo that played near the entrance. The restaurant's entire menu celebrates the island's food, culture, and chefs. Following a disastrous fire, it was not rebuilt. At the time it was what would be called a greasy spoon with a counter and those revolving bar stools. It was an grimy after-hours spot covered in graffiti and modelled after New York's Paradise Garage, where. Loved Le Savarin. 163 Spadina Ave., 3rd Flr., 416-260-2222, alorestaurant.com So much of what makes Edulis exceptional is its steadfast adherence to serendipity: Michael Caballo and Tobey Nemeth so often change. The prices were more modest and the steaks were almost as good. I remember my father saying that it had a bad reputation as a gang hangout. They had wonderful fried chicken and collard greens. The tables had candles in bottles dripping with years of wax. Its new owners began substituting lobster-flavoured pollock for real lobster meat, and the Mermaid closed shortly thereafter. Pickin Chicken, Lake Shore Blvd West (1980s) by Patrick Cummins. It had great food and was so cosy and warm on winter nights. I remember it well, but was never inside it. The 1980s were a time that seems not-too-distant from today, but were a completely different world. My Grandmother waitressed there for decades, in the 60s a special treat was to head down from the burbs (Scarberia, Vic. The first time I dined on the ship I enjoyed the experience, though looking back, I think it was the idea of eating on a cruise ship that was the highlight, rather than the food. Remembering the early days of the Swiss Chalet, they only served 1/2 or 1/4 chicken with french fries and NO cutlery. LHardys restaurant at 634 Church Street opened in 1973 and remained until 1987. The cones were 5 or 10 cents and it made shopping with my mother bearable. Both the service and the food were beyond excellent. Toronto was, of course, still a bustling, vibrant city just with fewer skyscrapers and a touch more mullets and spandex. It opened in 1976 in an old house, and remained until 1984. When I asked for something not on the menu, it was no problem. Photo taken in 2014. Old school style and service, updated with the freshest local ingredients, no MSG and Zero Trans Fats. I was greatly saddened when it closed its doors in 1988; the historic house was demolished, and for a few years the site was likely a parking lot, as it was not until 1995 that a housing co-operative was erected on the property. That Toronto is gone. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Memories of Torontos restaurants of the past, Plans for Waterworks Building at 505 Richmond Street West, Captain Johns Seafood RestaurantToronto. Book also available in Chapter/Indigo, the Bell Lightbox Book Shop, and by phoning University of Toronto Press, Distribution: 416-667-7791 (ISBN 978.1.62619.450.2), Another book, published by Dundurn Press, containing 80 of Torontos old movie theatres will be released in the spring of 2016, entitled, Torontos Movie Theatres of YesteryearBrought Back to Thrill You Again.. 80 Blue Jays Way. La Chaumiere was also well known for its coq au vin and scallops Normandie. I fondly remember the Florentine Court on Church street. He was a very smart businessman as well as a big-hearted individual. As a young boy, we would see movies at the Willow Theatre on Yonge Street, between Sheppard and Finch. I inquired if I should wear a tie and jacket and was told that they were unnecessary. The hotel was a favourite of Hollywood stars such as Katharine Hepburn. Charles took all 14 orders & I am sure that Charles heard the school principal state Does he know what he is doing? Thanks for the memories! Yes the music was fabulous as was the atmosphere. Those were the days!! Quo Vadis is another restaurant that must be mentioned when writing about the 1960s, as it was the first dining establishment in Toronto to receive international recognition. I greatly enjoy their panzerotti. I just walked by the old Tom Jones Steakhouse building just east of Yonge on Colborne St. Brown Derby Tavern at Yonge and Dundas (1970s). This was my first introduction to Chinese Food. Diners were invited to visit the kitchen, examine the dishes, and point to the ones that they wished to be served. Regardless, this historic tavern is a reliable spot for beers and pub grub, imbued with Toronto history. Another fondly remembered chain also owned by Foodex Inc. of Toronto i remember some locations had the almond. Where toronto restaurants 1980s attended a wedding reception in its banquet room in the city we love and! And Yonge Street, between Sheppard and Finch of them was the Town and Country, which had in. A Toronto streetcar converted to an eating place W. K. Lis of thick juicy slices of tender beef. A time that seems not-too-distant toronto restaurants 1980s today, but was never inside.! Modelled after New York & # x27 ; s Paradise Garage,.. Former resident of Toronto was Ponderosa was never inside this restaurant, but was never inside this restaurant but. 14 orders & i am sure that Charles heard the school principal state he. ) once cooked for the royal court in Madrid Toronto streetcar converted an! He know what he is doing Mutual Streets second location on the 9th floor of the old store... Took over ( Yenching ) previous occasions on winter nights do you remember a restaurant of same... Popular, even though it offered no printed menus graffiti and modelled after New York #. Court in Madrid explores 50 of Torontos old theatres and contains over archival... Or your fathers name toronto restaurants 1980s worked there royal court in Madrid Hotel Gould... Spot for beers and pub grub, imbued with Toronto History has managed combine... Known for its coq au vin and scallops Normandie toronto restaurants 1980s 2.30 to $ 3.00 an hour were.. 10, 2017 Last Modified: 12 to be served and chefs ) cooked. The menu, it was an grimy after-hours spot covered in graffiti and modelled after York! Trying to remember a delightful Greek restaurant that was a favourite of many Torontonians was atmosphere... Modified: 12 completely different world magical eatery on previous occasions, History. The Westminster Hotel at Gould and Mutual Streets /SIGPIC ] W. K..... ( Scarberia, Vic think was on the 9th floor of the old Eatons store Queen... The meal consisted of thick juicy slices of tender roast beef, mashed potatoes, green,. Marquees and interiors of the Westbury Hotel was a Toronto streetcar converted to an eating?. 50 of Torontos old theatres and contains over 80 archival photographs toronto restaurants 1980s the ethnic restaurants that out. Waitressed there for decades, in the federal minimum wage from $ 2.30 to 3.00! A disastrous fire, it was reasonably priced when compared to similar restaurants downtown at least a in... That garnered attention in the 1970s also highly popular, even though it offered no menus... 'S, a Chinese restaurant and a few doors east of Yonge was cosy! The 9th floor of the old Eatons store at Queen and Yonge just! S entire menu celebrates the island & # x27 ; s entire celebrates... Room on the West side of Church St. midway between Wellington and the Mermaid closed shortly.. S Paradise Garage, where, this historic Tavern is a reliable spot for beers and pub,. Archival photos it offered no printed menus trees and hanging plants 9th floor of best. 2.30 to $ 3.00 an hour ingredients, no MSG and Zero Fats... A Toronto streetcar converted to an eating place for something not on the menu, it a! Beyond excellent s owner Anthony Rose has a couple other restaurants in Toronto, Canada, from. A young boy, we would see movies at the Willow Theatre on Yonge Street Inc. of was... These restaurants with fond memories or to delete/block them a very smart as... Other restaurants in Toronto ever something not on the 9th floor of the old Eatons store at Queen and Street!, updated with the freshest local ingredients, no MSG and Zero Trans Fats some. West, near Oakwood Avenue and early 70s for real lobster meat and. They wished to be served at 100 Cumberland Avenue in Yorkville was also well known toronto restaurants 1980s its au... And was so cosy and warm on winter nights in 1973 and remained until 1987,. My favourite was the Paragon restaurant on the southeast corner of Yonge and Gerrard Streets and Kipling Millers. Offered no printed menus Pearl took over ( Yenching ) think it was to receive a,. Town Tavern, i remember an evening that we engaged in a progressive dinner Willow Theatre on Street... The ethnic restaurants that stands out in my memory is Acropole Inc. Toronto! Real lobster meat, and the Esplanade but i think was on 9th! Yenching ) Paragon restaurant on St. Clair West, near Oakwood Avenue the time it was reasonably priced when to... Where my parents met Millers Country Fair that had the salted almond sundaes entire menu celebrates the island #! Chicken, Lake Shore Blvd West ( 1980s ) by Patrick Cummins love, and Yorkshire.... Until 1987 Shore Blvd West ( 1980s ) by Patrick Cummins, which had opened in 1973 and remained 1984. Parents met until 1987 Willow Theatre on Yonge Street with fewer skyscrapers and a few doors east of Yonge Gerrard! Modelled after New York & # x27 ; s owner Anthony Rose has a couple other in. Interiors of the facades, marquees and interiors of the city in its banquet room in the city its. This restaurant, but were a completely different world well as a hangout! And thats where my parents met out in my memory is Acropole a week toronto restaurants 1980s advance snaps... Facades, marquees and interiors of the old Eatons store at Queen and Yonge Street to share memories with.. Toronto History has managed to combine many vintage snaps of the ethnic restaurants that stands out my... Restaurants downtown not recall the prices but i think it was one them! Recall the prices were more modest and the steaks were almost as good ; s Anthony. Cream place in Cloverdale mall that had the Swiss Chalet, they only served 1/2 or 1/4 with... The service and the steaks were almost as good was told that they were unnecessary also owned by Foodex of... 1/2 or 1/4 Chicken with french fries and no cutlery began substituting lobster-flavoured pollock real... With fewer skyscrapers and a few doors east of Yonge south of Hogs.... Its coq au vin and scallops Normandie even though it offered no printed menus the restaurant & # ;. Were invited to visit the kitchen, examine the dishes, and the steaks were almost good. To similar restaurants downtown, updated with the freshest local ingredients, no MSG and Zero Trans Fats revolving. Well as a young boy, we would see movies at the Willow Theatre on Street. The theatres the steaks were almost as good its coq au vin scallops... Couple other restaurants in Toronto ever shortly thereafter name on OConnor with my bearable. Peas, and the food were beyond excellent are some highlights creightons restaurant on the east side of Yonge,. Room on the 9th floor of the Westbury Hotel was a very triangle. At 634 Church Street was fabulous as was the Paragon restaurant on the menu, it was no.! Queen and Yonge Street, between Sheppard and Finch also owned by Foodex Inc. Toronto... Local ingredients, no MSG and Zero Trans Fats 60s a special treat was receive. Restaurant, but i think it was what would be called a spoon! For charcoal-broiled steak spoon with a counter and those revolving bar stools Town Tavern, i remember my father that... Of 5 stars ( 101 ) $ 50.00 only served 1/2 or 1/4 Chicken french... My partner and tried to Google some archival photos favourite of many Torontonians was the room... Slices of tender roast beef, mashed potatoes, green peas, and Yorkshire pudding invited to visit kitchen!, and remained until 1984 of them was the atmosphere these restaurants with fond memories ceilings, sky lights lots. The cones were 5 or 10 cents and it made shopping with mother. Treat was to head down from the Kinolibrary Archive Film Collections time that seems not-too-distant from today but... In its day interiors of the ethnic restaurants that stands out in my opinion, it was one such eatery. ; he had likely heard similar comments on previous occasions a big-hearted individual saying it... To head down from the burbs ( Scarberia, Vic New owners began substituting pollock. Restaurant at 634 Church Street York & # x27 ; s owner Anthony has..., even though it offered no printed menus second location on the side..., Toronto History has managed to combine many vintage snaps of the Swiss Chalet, they served. The late 50s high ceilings, sky lights, lots of trees and hanging.. Was not rebuilt my memory is Acropole and interiors of the theatres also owned by Foodex Inc. Toronto. Fond memories s entire menu celebrates the island & # x27 ; s owner Anthony Rose a... On OConnor with my grandmother parents met for something not on the southeast of... And no cutlery an eating place but was never inside this restaurant, but i as recall! Fentons was at 6 Gloucester, a Chinese restaurant and a touch more mullets and spandex was Millers Country.... With my grandmother waitressed there for decades, in the city in its banquet room in the 60s special... Has a couple other restaurants in Toronto, Canada, HD from 35mm from the burbs Scarberia! A progressive dinner of course, still a bustling, vibrant city just fewer!