45 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON M5E 1P8

Claudio Aprile, Owner and Executive Chef of Colborne Lane, is regarded as one of the most innovative and creative chefs in Canada today. Aprile's curiosity and passion for the culinary arts has taken him through some of the most progressive and influential kitchens in North America, South East Asia, Spain, the UK and numerous other parts of the world. Colborne Lane was also highlighted in The New York Times as a must visit when travelling to Toronto, as well as one of Food & Wine's Hot List of places to eat in Toronto.

Dining Style: Fine Dining
Price: CAN$51 and over
Parking: Private Lot
Cross Street:

45 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.3 / 5

(45 Reviews)

Rating Breakdown 45 reviews

5 stars

(22)

4 stars

(16)

3 stars

(7)

2 stars

(0)

1 star

(0)

Food

(Outstanding) 4.4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4.3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

Read all 45 reviews

Filter Reviews By:

Diners classify this restaurant as:

fit for foodies(34)
special occasion(22)
romantic(18)

hot spot(15)
neighborhood gem(14)
good for groups(10)

Colborne Lane Reviews List

Review 1 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Nice place to taste fine and

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 16/02/2013

2013

Dined on 16/02/2013

2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Nice place to taste fine and good food.
Un lieu agréable bien que surprenant, pour déguster de la bonne cuisine gastronomique à Toronto"

Dined on 16/02/2013

2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 2 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Sadly, I write about the very

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 23/02/2013

2004

Dined on 23/02/2013

2004

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Sadly, I write about the very last night at Colborne Lane -- Claudio Aprile rather suddenly close the restaurant. So this report comes as a fond look back.
The food was terrific -- exciting, surprising, bursting with unexpected combinations of flavor. One could have a small criticism on this or that detail, but that hardly matters in view of the overall excellence. I look forward to Claudio's next act."

Dined on 23/02/2013

2004

0points

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Review 3 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Farewell Colbourne Lane

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 23/02/2013

2010

Dined on 23/02/2013

2010

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Colbourne Lane had become our special place. It was the restaurant we would make a special overnight trip to downtown Toronto for. ensu. Last weekend we celebrated my 40th birthday. We had a wonderful meal, but I found myself tearing up several times. We learned as we came to our reservation that Saturday Feb 23, 2013 was the last night of service for this wonderful gastronomic delight. We were able to personally meet Claudio Aprile and thank him for giving us a place to treat ourselves over the last few years. It was a fine dining gem in the city, and I am sure its loss will be felt by fans. The restauranteur is going to focus on his chain of Origins restaurants, but I think that it will be hard to recapture that magic Colbourne Lane held."

Dined on 23/02/2013

2010

Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 4 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

We both had a the 9 course

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 16/02/2013

2012

Dined on 16/02/2013

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We both had a the 9 course tasting and it was fantastic. I would not consider my wife and I restaurant aficionados, but it was honestly the best meal either of us had ever had. The servers were all quite pleasant and helpful. Overall a great experience."

Dined on 16/02/2013

2012

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 5 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Fantastic time eating works of art

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 07/02/2013

2013

Dined on 07/02/2013

2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"The look of the place is very hipster meets grunge. The staff were very
Friendly with out being annoying. They described eat plate to us while it was served
And always made sure all drinks were full.
The food was fantastic! Each bite was a burst of a delicious science experiment
All the plates are fabulous works or art that are almost too pretty to eat
I started with a picketed salmon, then a suculant pork belly with mushrooms & for dessert
A deconstructed pumpkin pie with a lemon gelato like fluffy goodness.

I will be coming back for the tasting menu."

Dined on 07/02/2013

2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 6 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Gem in the St Lawrence Market area

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 07/02/2013

2009

Dined on 07/02/2013

2009

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

"came here for the Last night of Winterlicious 2013!
Must say the dark door with blue lighting makes you feel like you've entered into a different, culinary world. The service as soon as we walked in was efficient, with a quick coach check and escort to our table. Just the ambiance alone sets the romantic, intimate and chilled out mood.

appetizer:
Pickled Irish organic salmon + creme fraiche + avocado + puffed tapioca + yuzu vinaigrette
--cooked to perfection, and culinary presentation was spectacular, the creme fraiche and avocado complimented the salmon since salmon's bland flavor absorbs the complexity of flavors.
5/5

entree:
Striploin + celery root + pickled burdock + fried spinach + yu choy
--medium cooked, though I woul"

Dined on 07/02/2013

2009

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot

0points

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Review 7 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Too busy

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 06/02/2013

2009

Dined on 06/02/2013

2009

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"A bit too busy for it's own good. I appreciate that no-shows a problem in the restaurant industry, but the firm phone call the day before telling me about my dining timeslot (strictly limited to two hours with a 15 minute grace for being late) is innately obnoxious when it's coupled with the OpenTable reminder email and the reminder I set on my own calendar. The first two courses came quickly, but the third course took forever even though we ordered everything at once. The restaurant also needs to give more power to its waitstaff. One of the things we ordered (tea) was messed up and had to be taken off the bill, but it took forever for our server to find all the necessary managers in order to do it. Quick checkout needs to be a priority."

Dined on 06/02/2013

2009

Special Features: hot spot

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 8 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Food looks nicer than it tastes.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 06/02/2013

2011

Dined on 06/02/2013

2011

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Food looks nicer than it tastes. Striploin came cold. Smoked salmon as starter was the best pick of the night."

Dined on 06/02/2013

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 9 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Originality!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 06/02/2013

2008

Dined on 06/02/2013

2008

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

"Amazing food - it rekindled my romance with molecular gastronomy! It is apparent how much thought and creativity went into the menu.. We had the Winterlicious dinner, but the chef certainly didn't compromise here..

So glad I found this gem, I believe I made the reservation after reading a Toronto Life article about the best places to explore this Licious season.."

Dined on 06/02/2013

2008

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 10 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

The food was amazing. The

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 05/02/2013

2012

Dined on 05/02/2013

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"The food was amazing. The flavours just exploded in your mouth! Can't wait to come back for the regular menu!!!"

Dined on 05/02/2013

2012

Special Features: fit for foodies, hot spot

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 11 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

We really enjoyed the preparation

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/02/2013

2008

Dined on 04/02/2013

2008

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We really enjoyed the preparation of the food that uses the flavours of science to create unique combinations that makes the taste and appearance appealing and tasty."

Dined on 04/02/2013

2008

Special Features: fit for foodies

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 12 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Great food and very attentive

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/02/2013

2013

Dined on 04/02/2013

2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Great food and very attentive service. The risotto was perfectly done. The whipped mascarpone cheese enhanced the flavor. I would definitely go back to try their tasting menu."

Dined on 04/02/2013

2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 13 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Food was great and the service

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/02/2013

2012

Dined on 02/02/2013

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Food was great and the service was fantastic! The only complaint i can have is that the portions were a bit small, but other than that it was a great experience."

Dined on 02/02/2013

2012

Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 14 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

We went during Winterlicious

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 01/02/2013

2009

Dined on 01/02/2013

2009

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We went during Winterlicious and boy was I impressed. I'm definitely going back to try the Chef's menu. Food is fantastic (I'm giving a 4* because an issue I had with my food - that was quickly cleared up - hence the 5* for service), Service is impeccable and the vibe is cool and trendy without trying too hard. GO!"

Dined on 01/02/2013

2009

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, hot spot

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 15 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

creative, visually appealing, delic

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 30/01/2013

2011

Dined on 30/01/2013

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Aside from a rather cold and uninviting greeting from the host, our visit was perfect. Our server was knowledgeable, friendly and efficient. The atmosphere was simple and refined, however the restaurant was less than crowded and thus gave off a bit of an 'empty' feel. The food was creative, visually appealing and delicious - a delight to the senses. Overall - great experience and will be back again - especially for the desserts!!"

Dined on 30/01/2013

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 16 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

First time and it wont be my last!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 29/01/2013

2009

Dined on 29/01/2013

2009

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Honestly one of the best restaurants in TO. The chef is truly innovative and passionate about his food. Everything came out perfectly executed striking the perfect pairing of flavours & textures. All their dishes were remarkable... especially their Pork Belly... Fork tender, moist succulent meat embelished with thin layers of buttery melty park fat encased in a tangy charred crisp edge...."

Dined on 29/01/2013

2009

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 17 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Business Dinner

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 24/01/2013

2011

Dined on 24/01/2013

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Took a business client out for a dinner to impress. Colborne Lane did not disappoint. Food and service were outstanding. Had the tasting menu which I highly recommend. Will be back for sure."

Dined on 24/01/2013

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 18 for Colborne Lane

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5