We visited LHardys frequently, and when I asked a waiter if I could have a menu as a souvenir, he gave me one that had not been used. 24. I think it is still there. It was my first experience with Japanese food. Leo was the maitre de who was a very wonderful man who always remembered your name and what you had ordered the last time you were there. Another fondly remembered chain also owned by Foodex Inc. of Toronto was Ponderosa. Post by United Bakers Dairy Restaurant. This is a photo of the menu at LHardys that I have kept all these years. Mothers Pizza, looked like an antique store, 20s or 30s decor. Your still missing a few, when I had money Bigliardis on Church. Tom Jones would be to the left of the photographer. A very trendy, 2 floored happening place in the late 80s. The menu is ever-evolving, but memorable mouthfuls include pleasure-pocket taleggio cheese, grape, and onion agnolotti; and delicate hamachi topped with xo sauce, tomato consomme, and creme . IMO the best steakhouse in the city in its day. As one of the two owners of Lgardys and Quenelles restaurants on church Street this was priceless. Old school style and service, updated with the freshest local ingredients, no MSG and Zero Trans Fats. 16 Places . and the ceviche to start, followed ." 2. Of course, there a Chinese restaurant at the mall before Pearl took over (Yenching). You are using an out of date browser. Does anyone remember this restaurant? This was in September 1957. . Dinner on our first night. Bassels Restaurant, which occupied the equivalent space of three stores on Yonge Street. Restaurants of the 70-80s in TO by barb Sun Jan 09, 2005 9:29 pm Yes, The Gasworks, the Yonge Station, The Colonial, The Embassy, The Elmacombo, The Isabella House, The Ports, Sammy's Cellar, The Plaz Bigalle, Nick's Underground, The Queensbury, Did I drink too much back then? ), pastries, sandwiches and coffee. Vintage 1980's Toronto Skyline Framed Matted Photo Art Wall Hanging Island Ferry 1970's 70's 80's Cityscape Ontario Photograph Picture ad by HeartU2 Ad from shop HeartU2 HeartU2 From shop HeartU2. Id add a few restaurants: Scaramoucheespecially if you called a month ahead for a window table, with Roberto as your server; Canoea spectacular restaurant with wonderful food, service, and views: Auberge du Pommiera long-time favorite; Arlequins (sp? Also a haunt of people performing @ OKeefe Centre. Another ethnic restaurant that stands out in my mind was Michi, when it was on Church Street. 17. The last time that I visited the. ), on Yonge; Bistro 990our go-to place for lunch upon arrival in Toronto; Starfiishgorged on oysters; JKROManother wonderful go-to place for lunch; Jamie Kennedys Wine Bar, and then, there was Susursan incredibly delicious and enjoyable dining experience. Frank Vetere Pizzeria. (formerly Prospere Magazine), an online-only lifestyle publication targeting young, hip professional women. 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. The well-seasoned spicier foods that ethnic eateries offered were challenging the more bland style of dishes that Canada inherited from Great Britain. That Toronto is gone. Although it didn't hold up against Chili's, TGI Fridays, and Applebee's, there was a time when it was fairly ubiquitous throughout the states. La Chaumiere on Charles Street, near Church Street in the 1960s. Greek cuisine was not well known in the 1960s. It was our favourite downtown restaurant. Greektown, also known as The Danforth, is a commercial-residential neighbourhood and ethnic enclave in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.It is located on Danforth Avenue, between Chester Avenue and Dewhurst Boulevard, in east Toronto.Named after Asa Danforth, Jr., an American contractor who designed Queen Street and Kingston Road, the area is known for its architecture dating back to as early as 1910 . TOPS restaurant at the corner of Dundas and Yonge, I remember the TOPS restaurant on Yonge, spent many a late night in a booth there, people-watching with some friends. Those looking to dance could hit a number of spots near Yonge and Wellesley, like The Manatee, The Quest, Katrina's, Club David's , The Maygay (later Charly's), and Cornelius, which sat above biker bar The . La Scala on the southeast corner of Bay and Charles was great Italian food; it was frequented by the Ontario Cabinet of Bill Davis. Joes and Moes Eglinton west of Bathurst Puppy Palace teen hangout on north Bathurst St. It helped that before Taco Bell got a stranglehold on the GTA in the mid-1990s, Chi Chi's was the only ubiquitous Mexican game in town. The closest I have come to getting the same flavor and texture is with a chain in Detroit. I believe this is the only 5 star restaurant in Toronto and it lives up to that rating. It was closed to make room for an apartment building and was relocated in the new building, but it lost its charm. Joso's. Known for its curvaceous statuary, Joso's is Toronto's most famous Dalmatian restaurant. Read more See all (124) Ratings and reviews 4.5 641 Frank Vetere's actually trademarked the name "Deep Dish Pizza". It felt safe, clean and seemed to provide endless exciting. Great Memories. 5 out of 5 stars (101) $ 50.00. Trailblazing 1980s nightclub Twilight Zone brought diverse crowds and sounds to Toronto's Entertainment District long before such a designation even existed. It started in the thirties & I think it had closed by about 1990. Claimed. Great Breakfasts. Also Ford Drugs on Yonge for the cheapest burgers around. We need more of these memories postedthe guitarist who played at the 33rd? Opened in 1958, China House is the last of the remaining classic, fine dining Chinese Restaurants remaining in Toronto. When I prepared the recipe, I substituted large shrimp. However, memories of food cooked beyond our kitchen, during my boyhood years, include the hot dogs and the aroma of the ice cream waffles in the tunnel under Albert Street. Any good substitutes? Also remember the Prime, Salernos and the Sky Ranch. 1 review Deli. In the seventies I remember the Constantinople on Queen Street West of Parliament. Its intimate atmosphere and excellent food were delightful. Pickin Chicken, Lake Shore Blvd West (1980s) by Patrick Cummins. Your email address will not be published. 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? One of the first restaurants my friends and I visited was the Swiss Chalet. Best of memories for her. It was surreal, could have been designed by Dali himself. In fact, Frank Vetere's actually trademarked the name "Deep Dish Pizza". And some fan favoriteslike Burger Chef, G.D. Ritzy's, and Howard Johnson'sfell by the wayside. One note is that Carmans has reopened. Settle in for the blind, multi-course tasting menu in either the dining room or at the kitchen counter helmed by chef de cuisine Nick Bentley. From the late-1960s until the 1980s, the name of the Maitre d was Tage Christensen. Those were the days!! 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. 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. Airport area, one of the hotels that is no longer there had the most romantic room and served the best Dover sole.had romantic banquets. During the years 1980-1986, I did a lot of street photography in Toronto. It opened in 1963, and for the next decade was one of the citys most popular dining establishments. We had fish n chips too, although I dont remember the name of the shop. I especially enjoyed their Spinach layer salad. Patrons often lined the stairs while waiting for their tables at the Savarin, even though they had reservations. The prices were more modest and the steaks were almost as good. Inside, near the entrance, there was a replica of Copenhagens famous statue of The Little Mermaid, from the Hans Christian Anderson tale. For the past four years I have been scanning an archive of this material, and posting it online. Regardless, this historic tavern is a reliable spot for beers and pub grub, imbued with Toronto history. Does anyone recall The Toronto Radio Artists Club (TRAC)? They had a Polynesian/Chinese menu. Club: Boa Caf, 25 Bellair Years in operation: 1989-1998 History : This is a tale of two interconnected yet vastly different Toronto venues, each influential in its own way. Or at least parts . This chain first appeared at 234 Bloor Street West, in 1954, and in the years ahead opened over 200 eateries throughout Canada and the U.S. The restaurant's entire menu celebrates the island's food, culture, and chefs. It was impressive when a person drove past it at night. The Restaurant Boasts Of Its Food And Location. As well as the Old Fish Market there was also the Market Grill on Church St. Ponderosa was a popular birthday destination in the 80s, owing to the group friendly prices, kid friendly zones and fun-tastic birthday hats. Clip. Do you remember a delightful Greek restaurant that was on the west side of Church St. midway between Wellington and The Esplanade? The 10-storey building originally opened in 1955 as the Anndore Hotel and Apartments - a glamorous rooming house Marlene Dietrich was rumoured to have visited. Eds restaurants and the Royal Alex were the impetus that started the gentrification of King Street West. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300. Yonge St east side next to the cut rate jewelry store Lindys Steak House somewhere you could get a steak with 1200 pees and yesterdays roll and the waiters always wore a tie. Steakhouse, Lounge, Asian, Chinese, Alcohol Served, Gluten Free Foods. On its the south facade, there was a green neon sign that created the outline of a steer. We lived upstairs and had to look after the coal furnace during off hours. The Golden Nugget Restaurant was slightly further north. The names of the dishes so were unfamiliar to most Torontonians that menus at the Acropole were useless. 0111. Rhodes had a front area on the north side of the entrance fronting the fine dining room that featured local jazz musicians Thursday to Saturday evenings. When we arrived, we discovered that a tie and jacket were indeed mandatory, as it was Eds Warehouse on King Street. Aug 6, 1983 - Restaurant on corner of Pearl and unidentified street. Maxi owned the bar/restaurant and always greeted you at the door. Images courtesy Patti Habib, The Big Bop / Reverb, Myke Dyer, Citysonic, Wrongbar, David Waldman . I discovered some errors on these web sites, but still, I am grateful that these sources were available. The passageway connected Eatons Queen Street Store to Eatons Annex. I still have the silver tea service they gave my mom when she left. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. Readers were encouraged to write the Star and request their favourite recipes from restaurants. Nothing fancy but I remember great cabbage rolls & chicken stew there in the seventies. Bassels on the southeast corner of Gerrard and Yonge Streets in April 1954. A more recent example, but there's Paul's Tomato Pie on Marlee between Viewmount and Stayner (which disappeared some time during the early 2010s). Oh for the good old days. Photo, Toronto Archives, F0124, Fl 0002, Id. The dessert was spumoni ice cream. To my surprise, I could find not only no pictures but no references at all. The Steak and Burger on Yonge Street, south of Bloor Street in the 1970s. Closed now : See all hours. In 1954 to 1957 My parents, my sister and I lived at 7 Elm street in Toronto. The Sign of the Steer Restaurant at 161 Dupont Street in 1955, the neon sign of a steer visible on the south wall. In the Beaches for a bunch of years, there was Loons on Queen, for quite a while the best food in the Beach. Dining in Toronto in past decades was far different to the culinary scene that the city now offers. Georges Spaghetti House was a wonderful restaurant with a great menu. At least the Zanzibar and the Swiss Chalet are still on Yonge. Does anyone remember Bentleys restaurant in North Toronto? One of Toronto's most storied restaurants, renowned for its refined food and impeccable service, will be closing its iron gates for the last time next week after 31 years serving the city's. It was called The Swiss Marmite I believe these are both gone now, as I enjoyed these in the early to mid 80s. Find the best Toronto restaurants in Toronto, ON. To view the Home Page for this blog: https://tayloronhistory.com/. Running restaurants, especially, three, must have been tough with the long hours etc. Asked . The sign and awning are there but it closed long ago. Please post some place were more info can be found. 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