Situated in the heart of the modish King West District in Ontario, Toronto is the much acclaimed Brassaii Restaurant and Lounge. Flanked by a cobblestone palazzo courtyard and an appealing outdoor patio, Brassaii Restaurant and Lounge is definitely one of the ‘must visit’ restaurants in Toronto

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Hear Say: The best testimonial of a place is always a recommendation by a person. And who better to ask that a concierge? We decided on a morning jaunt to discover someplace new for breakfast and the concierge of the Metropolitan Soho Hotel where we were staying at suggested Brassaii Restaurant.

At First Sight: We decided to work up an appetite and walked to the restaurant as it was just a few blocks away. To say love at first sight would be apt. TRENDY would be an even better way of saying it. Chic with an old world rustic charm; a very cool find amongst all Toronto Restaurants.

The Atmosphere: Brassaii Restaurant was all about the atmosphere. An old warehouse converted into a stylish restaurant, it was an architectural potpourri between French Renaissance and modern Soho. Towering ceiling offering a feeling of large space, exposed bricks bringing in the rustic charm, rafters and duct work displayed to create an aura; and all this done in deep, rich earth tones with splashes of whites to bring in the contrast. A café, an outdoor patio, a mentionable wine cellar, a fine dine area, a bar and lounge; we were definitely impressed.

The Food: This is where things started down-rolling for us. The breakfast just wasn’t anything to write home about. The menu was quite limited and the food turned out to be just average. My order of an impressive sounding Croquet Monsieur (grilled sandwich with ham, gruyere cheese and béchamel) was to put it politely ‘extremely salty’. My dining partner’s Eggs Chorizo and Tomato Frittata were dry on the palate and not very appetizing.

We took a sneak peak at the Brunch, Lunch, Dinner and Late Night Menu and found quite a few enticing and interesting dishes listed. The Brunch served at Brassaii Restaurant really did justice to the term ‘brunch’. A perfect mix between light breakfast and an early lunch spread; from Raspberry Danish to Lemon Crème Pastry to Cobb Salad to Onion Soup to Steak Frites and much more. The selections of cocktails to set the lunch started were also great. One had choices of a refreshing Bloody Mary to a tangy Breakfast Martini.

The lunch menu was a bit more elaborate. Light soups and starter dishes in tuna, oysters, calamari and greens to rich dishes of Veal Parmesan, Ravioli, Spaghettini Vongole, Grilled Shrimps and more. An intriguing and savory dinner menu, deserts menu, late dinner menu and cocktail menu completed this irresistible offer. The cherry on the offer was the wine list; extensive and classy, one was spoiled for choice. Quite the culinary fare crafted by the famed executive chef Bruce Woods.

The Patio: The outdoor patio definitely deserves a special mention. Stylish set to bring in a Neo-European atmosphere, the patio was perfect for a sunny afternoon or a cool evening. One got a view of the charm of the building and the aura it offered.

The Calculated Impression: The overall impression of Brassaii Restaurant was impressive. We think this is definitely one of the nicer Toronto Restaurant and the whole selling point of the place is the trendy charm and feel it created. The menu looked promising though we were disappointed with the actual food when it was served. But for a relaxing time, few rounds of great drinks and an anticipated meal out, this is the stop you need.

What I liked: The atmosphere of the place, the trendy décor and the extensive wine list.

What I didn’t like: The quality in terms of taste of the food served and the limited breakfast menu.

Rating: Between Bombastic and Not

Address and Telephone Number for Brassaii Café, Restaurant and Lounge
461 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario- M5V1K7
Phone: 416-598-4730
Email – inquiry@brassaii.com

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