Best Historic Restaurants in Leaside

Dear Sassafraz Team, I hope this message finds you well. I had the pleasure of dining at your restaurant on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at 5:30 PM, to celebrate the birthday of my friend, Daniel Dos Santos. Our table included myself, Daniel, his dad, and his friend. From the moment we arrived, James, our server, provided exceptional service. His attention to detail and friendly demeanour made our dining experience truly enjoyable. The food was absolutely delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed my selections: •Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Riesling – refreshing and crisp. •Chef’s Feature Soup – warm and flavourful. •New York Striploin 10oz – perfectly cooked and seasoned to perfection. •Pistachio Ice Cream – a smooth and delicious finish to the meal. •Americano with Cream – the perfect way to conclude the evening. A special thank you to your team for the thoughtful gesture of providing macarons to celebrate Daniel’s birthday. It added a wonderful touch to an already memorable evening. Thank you again for your outstanding hospitality and exceptional dining experience. I look forward to visiting Sassafraz again soon. Best regards, Quoc Phan Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

We dined here for brunch to celebrate my husband’s birthday, after two attempts to celebrate with family over the holidays were postponed due to illness of a number of family members. My husband chose brunch at the Distillery District and I suggested Cluny’s based on some great lunch and dinner experiences I had when I worked downtown. We travel this time from Richmond Hill and the drive was definitely worth it. Can’t say enough about the small plates and brunch options. Thank you!

DaNico, ranked the 3rd best Italian restaurant worldwide outside Italy, is a remarkable collaboration between twice Michelin-starred Chef Daniele Corona and Nick Di Donato of Liberty Entertainment Group. We had the pleasure of meeting Chef Corona during our visit, and he was incredibly down-to-earth and welcoming. His passion and dedication to providing an exceptional experience were evident in our delightful conversation. We reserved a table for two at the bar, and on the day of our visit, we received a call from the restaurant to confirm any food allergies or special occasions. Upon arrival, our coats were promptly taken, and we were shown to our table. The staff were exceptionally friendly and hospitable. We began with cocktails and were presented with both an à la carte menu and a Tasting menu, complete with innovative lighting upon opening. We opted for the à la carte menu. While awaiting our meals, we were treated to warm, freshly baked focaccia with olive oil and butter. For appetizers, we chose the "TONNO-TONNATO" and "CERVO, CASTAGNE E MELOGRANO." For our main courses, we delighted in the "RISO ALLA PESCATORA CON CRUDO DI MARE" and "SPAGHETTONI AI FUNGHI LOCALI E TARTUFO NERO." Lastly, we enjoyed the "IL MANZO" and "CAPRETTO LOCALE CON PEPERONI ARROSTO” from the Secondi menu. Each dish was impeccably marinated, cooked to perfection, and beautifully presented. Our favorites were the Venison and Wagyu. We were also treated to complimentary dessert canapés and ordered the "PANE E GIANDUJA" to pair with our dessert. The desserts truly made our meal an unforgettable experience. A charming detail about the restaurant's location is that it was formerly a bank, and they have transformed the safe box into a wine cellar. They also use a 55-year-old Italian coffee machine to brew coffee, which adds to the excitement.

I had an amazing dining experience at El Catrin. From the moment I walked in, the ambiance was warm and inviting. Mason, our server was incredibly friendly and attentive, making sure every detail of our meal was perfect. Thank you for the beer in house draft beer suggestions. The food was absolutely delicious – everything we ordered was beautifully presented and full of flavor. I highly recommend trying the Baha Taco– it was a standout! Overall, a wonderful place for a meal, whether it’s a special occasion or just a casual outing. I’ll definitely be back soon. Thank you for the great experience!

It was great having Chef Bennet come out and introduce us to a dish. U can feel that the tasting menu is coming from Chef Bennett's Root (South Africa). The menu was very earthy and exciting from dish to dish. The Juice pairing that was offered was great as well.