Spuntini
116 Avenue Rd.
Toronto, ON
M5R 2H4
416-962-1110
Restaurant website

This restaurant is located close to the Yorkville district on the top level of the building.

Service - Numerous times our server and the owner came by our table to ask if things were well, I really enjoyed that extra effort. However, as we looked around we noticed a some special service to some other tables around us. Not a huge problem, but just something I noticed. Perhaps those people around us had been to the restaurant already a few times, the owner recognized them and stuff. However, in order to reach that next level it might be good to provide and consistent effort to everyone whether it's their first time or their 10th time. The server we had provided us great suggestions when we were in doubt over a certain menu item, so I enjoyed that they were confident in what they liked and gave good recommendations. One thing I walked in an no one was at the door to guide me to where my table was. Bartender asked if I needed help, I asked him where my table was, and then he was like I gotta wait for the host. 0.75/1.0

Environment - I enjoyed the atmosphere here because it seemed less commercial and more mom 'n pop. It had the upscale feeling inside, of a hip restaurant that has been around knows their market. It was kind of dark though, each table lit by one candle at the table. The space was a little cramped, especially the entrance area where the bar resides as well. It was so crowded the server frequently had to reach over and around me. 0.60/1.0

Food

Complimentary Bread - two types of bread with hummus. Whenever they give hummus it's a plus!

Antipasti - $12.95/person - This is kind of expensive for a per person, however it had some good food. The calamari salad that is on it was very nice with a pesto sauce. Had tomato with bonnacinni cheese on top, mussels with a tomato sauce, grilled veggies, prosciutto, and smoked salmon. We ordered three orders for the five of us, and it was plenty given we all ordered meals. I think this was one of the better appetizers, it wasn't on the menu though. A good portion of everything to get us started.

Seabream Bass and Spigola Bass - $28.95 - These are two different dishes and two different fishes, each for $28.95. This was the special of the day so it may not always be on the menu, but it gave us a glimpse of what kind of food they would serve. This was served whole, so a whole fish on the plate with veggies and potatoes. But this fish was great, perfectly grilled with olive oil that gave a little crispy outer shell and kept the flavour of the meal on the inside. Such a great meal.

Grilled Lamb - $25.95 - Another special for the day, and it looked like it was perfectly cooked to medium rare (although given the lighting it's hard to tell), however the meat was kind of rough. I guess this means perhaps the meat wasn't that great?

Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cake - $7.50 - A moist chocolate cake with raspberry sauce was a perfect ending to a great meal. My parents complained it was rather sweet but I felt it wasn't too bad given that it was high quality chocolate cake.

Amaretto Mocha tatufo - $6.95 - Tartufo with coffee is great. Was a nice combination of Amaretto and Vanilla ice cream.

Dulce De Leche Cheesecake - $7.85 - There are two cheesecake options, one from dufflet and this one. I can get dufflet by going to Dufflet, so I tried this one. It was an infused cheesecake witha layer of condensed milk. I didn't notice the condensed milk but this was a cheesecake that tasted more like caramel than cheesecake. It was soo good and such a good choice. The cookie crust was a nice combination to offset the sweetness of the caramel taste.

Food - Overall - I would say a great meal. I really enjoyed the fish and it gives me confidence that this place can cook seafood. And I wasn't totally stuffed that I couldn't eat dessert either. 0.80/1.0

Presentation - I think this could be one area that could use a little work. There was a veal marsala that we ordered too but when it came all I could focus on was the thick sauce I saw on top. The fish was served just like you'd imagine, long plate long fish. Ravioli (another dish I did not comment on) was a big bowl that wasn't deep so it looked kind of small. 0.40/1.0

Price - Overall I felt the prices were decent. The fish was slightly more than others so I wouldn't say it's dirt cheap, but the rest of the meal was decently priced and in the range I'd expect. 0.60/1.0

Overall - This is a italian meditteranean restaurant so I guess that's why it was good with the fish. I really enjoyed this place and I'd definately come back. There is something interesting about the crowd at this restaurant, they have two servings (6:45PM and 9:00PM), the earlier one seems to have larger crowds and older crowds. The latter setting had younger people who are enjoy having the drinks at the bar before and then going to eat and drink more. The atmosphere although dark was the type of place I'd eat at. It was a quaint environment that had the feeling it might of been started as a family and has evolved into something a little more commercial to meet and get the demands, however maintaining that personal effort by the servers.3.15/5.0