College Street Bar

574 College Street

Toronto, Ontario

After visiting the College Street bar about five times now, I decided to give it some props by posting it on my website.

Although you may read various comments on websites about the Bar's lack of service, you'll never see bad news about the food. Each time I have eaten at the College Street Bar, it has always been consistent and very tasty.

To start, their bruschetta is light and simply good. Their spicy shrimp starter is also a good choice, as well as the grilled calamari - which is not only fresh but also a good sized helping for the price. I love their main course linguini with Italien tuna. It's light, fresh and doesn't feel heavy for a pasta. My partner has had their spicy, sausage penne which was fantastic. And also the spaghetti with meatballs which is just like your grandmother used to make. The taste I love at the College Street Bar is their sauces. They're fresh and it's something you just can't remake in your own home.

I recommend going to this place for food, drinks, price and atmosphere. It's chic, and turns into a funky, dimly-lit lounge on Friday and Saturday nights. The drinks can be a little overpriced, however the food makes up for it, at roughly $14.00 per main plate. Enjoy!

Insomnia

563 Bloor Street West

Toronto, Ontario

Insomnia is a great place to go and hang out with friends, listen to good music, enjoy the chillin' lounge experience and also savour tasty drinks at a reasonable price.

It is not a good place to go for food.

Well, I suppose it is if you go for the bar type food, like deep fried calamari, bruschetta and so on...then you're safe. But if your desire is a good quality meal, opt to go down to little Italy or something of the sort.

I've been there twice for food. The first time was a little under average and then second time was just bad. I've had their grilled salmon with veggies and rice. There's nothing else I can say about that. It was boring and lacking flavour entirely...but edible. I've also had their seafood pasta. I don't even know what I should be saying about that. There was so much sauce in the bowl that I couldn't see my linguini, or for that matter differentiate between what was calamari and what was shrimp. The sauce was also overwhelmingly powerful and strong, and completely took away from the light and wonderful flavour that is fish. I will say that at the the shrimp was somewhat well cooked, but it was not like I could really taste it.

That was the second and last time I would go to Insomnia for food, and I don't recommend it to anybody except if you want bar snacks. But, if you want a good drink and people to look at, then you're safe.

The Bottom Line

22 Front Street West

Toronto, Ontario

This restaurant is sleekly located right at the corner of Front and Yonge, and is called a sports bar. But don't mistake the food, atmosphere or service to be anything close to your typical sporty spot.

A truly classic looking restaurant, with great food, a casual atmosphere and fanstastic and knowledgeable service makes the place feel more like a comfortably posh lounge where everyone is welcome.

I was there for lunch and will certainly be going back for dinner. Unfortunately, as it was a business lunch, I couldn't sample one of the many beers on tap, or various cocktails...no matter how scrumptious they looked.

A simple lunch salad for $12.95 is the ideal mid-day meal for me. So I opted for the goat's cheese salad. However, I was little disappointed as my first choice was the seared tuna nicoise, and they were out of the Ahi tuna.

But, my disappointment turned when my plate arrived with lovely mixed greens dressed with a light walnut sauce. Smack dab in the middle laid a soft, warmed goat cheese, wrapped in an extremely light phyllo pastry. Accompaniments on the side included tasty poached pears, and brown sugar candied walnuts - just a few for the taste.

All in all, my quick in and out lunch was delightful and fairly inexpensive and I can certainly say I'll be going back again.