Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay Reviews List
Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
Against the Grain is the latest concept bringing urban chic to Toronto's Harbourfront. Located in the Corus Entertainment Building right next to Sugar Beach, this Urban Tavern is perfectly situated within walking distance to downtown, allowing you to relax and enjoy the spectacular view of Lake Ontario and the Toronto Island. Against the Grain is a casual Urban Tavern where people gather to enjoy Maple Chipotle Wings with a local brew, Pulled Pork braised in dark beer and molasses, Stone Baked Pizzas or traditional cocktails with a twist. All served in a sophisticated presentation and service. Unique local and European brews are tapped regularly along with interesting new and old world wines. Of course we can't forget the cocktails including our own signature "Against the Grain" made with Canadian whiskey.
"The food was good...the service was atrocious...5 different servers...didn't meet our waitress until we checked out and then only by happenstance. I would go back as the food was worth a return trip and to ensure that we just didn't get lost in a table shuffle during a changeover between shifts."
Dined on 5/20/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, scenic view
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Review 2 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"We came in on a Thursday night and sat for 20 minutes without being acknowledged. When a server finally addressed us, we asked to be moved to a less crowded area, and then waited another 30 minutes for our new server. When she finally came, she didn't even apologize or address the fact we had been waiting for almost an hour. The food came out in a timely manner after that, but if we needed anything, we could not rely on our server. The food was fantastic but be prepared to wait to be acknowledged by anyone."
Dined on 5/09/2013
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Review 4 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"The waiter was not attentive. He was always too busy for us. He never stayed long enough to listen to what we said. It was one of our friends Birthday and I asked him to put a candle on her dessert. He not only forgot but he didn't even Bring the food himself. It ruined our experience to have such a non attentive waiter. Would not return purely because of Him. As well, you need to make parking for the restaurant more clear. The low tables made it hard to eat. It was a better table to drink at."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: scenic view
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Review 6 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"Mid week dinner we were made to wait for long time for staff to bring menu and take drink orders. Once taken a further 10 min to get our drinks with 3/4 tables empty. Food was okay night and review would have been more favorable if service was better."
Dined on 5/01/2013
Special Features: scenic view
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Review 7 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"Against the Grain has a fantastic, unobstruceted waterfront view and patio on the new Bayfront section of the Toronto Waterfront. Lovely! The staff are super obliging and the food is surprisingly good. Interesting textures and flavours and not too heavy on the salt. It is definitely one of our top neighborhood favourites and a place we like to take out of town visitors to show off our new waterfront. We love it!"
Dined on 12/04/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 12 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"We had a great time at Against The Grain... good beer and good food, and our service was great! I mentioned that it was my husbands birthday, and they gave us a nice seat by the window and a nice dessert. Very thoughtful. Will definately return!"
Dined on 15/04/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, scenic view, hot spot
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Review 13 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"I've been a few times and have enjoyed my visits. This time the service was a bit slow for my liking, particularly given that we were there on a business lunch so needed to get back to the office. When our waitress came to take our drink order we said we were ready to order our food as well but she said she'd come back after the drinks were ordered to take the food order. It turned out that it took her about 20 minutes to come back to take our order and other large groups who came in after us ended up getting their orders taken and food served before us."
Dined on 10/04/2013
2010
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Review 15 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"Everything was terrific! Food very tasty, our table had a great view and the service was perfect. We lingered for some time after we finished our lunch and had no one trying to hurry us out. Couldn't ask for more."
Dined on 05/04/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, scenic view, great for lunch
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Review 17 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"Good food, good service, great decor, excellent location and views. It is wonderful to be able to sit right by the water overlooking the Toronto harbour and the Toronto Islands. The restaurant kindly provided helium balloons and a complimentary dessert for my sister's birthday, which helped to make this a special event! We'll be back."
Dined on 01/04/2013
2010
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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Review 18 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"This is definitely the best waterfront dining view in the city. You have to be very deliberate in going there as it's not in a location you'd just stumble upon, but it has good food, great ambiance, fantastic service. We went on a weekend, which I imagine is their slowest time to go. As it's in the Corus building, I would imagine it has a more vibrant feel during the week. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to go there again."
Dined on 31/03/2013
2007
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 19 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"Best in summer when the Patio is buzzing, Corus Quay in winter is still pleasant The food is improving and the beer selection is excellent"
Dined on 13/03/2013
2008
Special Features: great for outdoor dining
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Review 20 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
Overall rating
(Very Good)4/5
First visit, but not the last!
OpenTable Diner
Food
(Very Good)4/5
Service
(Outstanding)5/5
Ambiance
(Very Good)4/5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I was having lunch with a client and took a chance coming to Against the Grain, as I had never been before. I am so glad I did. The young woman at the door greeted us with a smile, took our coats and showed us to a nice table by the window with a view of Toronto Island. The young lady who served us was a real treat - polite, friendly, attentive and thorough. The food was very good and reasonably priced. I will certainly come back and I will recommend Against the Grain to my friends and colleagues."
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, scenic view, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 21 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"We love the warm, casual atmosphere. It's quiet enough to carry on a conversation. The service was friendly and very attentive. My mixed green salad was delicious, fresh combination of flavours. The sweet peas soup was as well- not overly salted. The sweet potato fries were perfect - hot and crispy. We've added it to one of our favourite neighbourhood spots."
Dined on 10/03/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, scenic view
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Review 22 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"We went for a mid-week birthday dinner before a show at Queen's Quay. The food was very good and reasonably priced, especially compared to most other options in that area. The service was attentive and friendly and not remotely fussy. All of this made for a very relaxing and lovely meal. It was too far to walk to the show but it's a short cab ride or drive."
Dined on 06/03/2013
2010
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, scenic view
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Review 24 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"I have been to this restaurant at least four times now. I bring my out-of-town guests to enjoy the lakeside dining. It is definitely better in the summer. So cold and blustery down there in winter. Food is good, with some interesting takes on the burger. Service could be better."
Dined on 02/03/2013
2009
Special Features: scenic view
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Review 25 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"It's a hidden gem at the end of Parliament St. south of the Lakeshore. Who would think!!! We'll have to go back in the summer for a great view of the boats on the lake."
Dined on 23/02/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, scenic view
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Review 26 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"The food was great and so was the service. The ingredients used were of high quality. There were no complaints."
Dined on 30/01/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 27 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"I have been here a number of times, and the food, service, and view are great. In the summer it is the best waterfront patio in the city. They have an excellent beer list and you can choose between some good mains, burgers, and appetizers."
Dined on 06/02/2013
2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, scenic view, great for lunch
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Review 30 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"Visited this bar for their lunch winterlicious menu. First of all, they have a cozy atmosphere wig huge bay windows that face the water. We enjoyed the pureed curry cauliflower and lentil soup, it was so hearty and perfect for a freezing day. We had the bacon cheeseburgers which were good....but the best part was the drink and dessert. With my meal, I had a Cesar, which had fresh horseradish in it, fresh horseradish changes everything! The dessert was phenomal. I had the bread pudding by recommendation of my server. If you like caramel, order this! Think crunchy bread outside. Gooey inside, sitting in a huge puddle of caramel. The carrot cake was also great since it was moist, but I was too focused on my bread pudding!"
Dined on 02/02/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, scenic view, hot spot
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Review 31 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"We waited for a long time to get our meal. All in all about a 2 horu experience--and we had to get back to work at Queen and Bay. general lackof proactive communication on the reason for the delay in our meal. whenas ked, we were told it was due to an overflow of new customers. Not our issue as we booked well in advance We asked to see the manager ---he never responded--or never received the information!!
The appetizer was good. The dessert was fabulous. Teh burger-----not good. Too much, stale bun. Meat was bland and dry (as were fries soggyish to dry). If the food was fantastic, we may have been happy. If the service was excellent, we may have understood the issues adn forgiven.
Unlikely to return"
Dined on 01/02/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene
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Review 32 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"We enjoyed our lunch experience at this restaurant - friendly service, great food, beautiful view. We look forward to coming back in the summer for sure!"
Dined on 26/01/2013
2010
Special Features: scenic view, great for lunch
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Review 33 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"I went at lunchtime with a friend for the Winterlicious lunch special. I had the firecracker fried oysters with spicy mango wasabi dip to start, followed by the all natural beef burger with house made bacon, cheddar, sesame bun, and the wild raspberry cheesecake with vanilla sauce for dessert. I very much enjoyed the oysters, they had just the right amount of bite, but the burger was too dry. A good burger but not a great burger. The cheesecake was a fair portion and was again, good but not great."
Dined on 30/01/2013
2008
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Review 35 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"Excellent. Great, unique food with a gastropub feel. We went for the Winterlicious menu and had two very different meals and loved them. Great beer list, good wine selection and though I have yet to enjoy a drink on the patio (it's Winter), it's bound to be awesome, right next to the waterfront/sugar beach. I would wholeheartedly recommend the place to any friends or anyone interested. Thanks to Winterlicious, we've found a new haunt right near home."
Dined on 25/01/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, scenic view
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Review 36 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"My friends and I went for Winterlicious. The appetizers were great. The main course specifically the lamb stew was salty but the homemade bread pudding is to die for.Overall the lunch was amazing. If I can make one suggestion, please let the diners know when there is an extra charge for salad instead of fries. When we received the bill, we communicated to the server that when she said "fries or salad" we understand that there is no extra charge.The server did not seem happy and said that we should have known! but how do we know if we have never been to this restaurant before. Yes! we know it's only $2 but its not about $2, its about what's right, its about principle."
Dined on 27/01/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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Review 37 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"We were at Against the Grain last Sunday. It's fine dining without the huge bill. Their Winterlicious 3 course lunch was only $15, yet comparable in quality, if not better than the $20 or $25 that other similar restaurants charge. The prices in their regular menu are also reasonable. Cost of parking was taken off our bill. Great service. Kiera was friendly and attentive, but not intrusive. The Manager (Tim?) came to our table to welcome us. And the beautiful view of the lake enhanced our pleasurable experience."
Dined on 27/01/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, scenic view
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Review 38 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"our waitress was amazing! the food was delicious and the wait for it wasn't long either. I had a really great experience and have recommended it to others."
Dined on 26/01/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, scenic view
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Review 40 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"Bright lights from outside the restaurant were a distraction. Sports screens everywhere. Height of chairs too low for height of tables both in the booth and at tables. Our server was very helpful and courteous. The food was very well prepared and presented. I would try this place again in the summer as it looks like they have a wonderful patio."
Dined on 26/01/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 42 for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay
"Had the Winterlicious menu at the restaurant. Overall, the flavour and portions of the food were great and received great service from the folks there. The only blemish to the perfect night is for their beef ribs, the meat was sticking to the bone quite a bit (so it wasn't "bone off" ribs) and had some very chewy parts. So if the ribs can be more tender, "bone off", it would be perfect."
Dined on 25/01/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, late-night find, hot spot
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Against the Grain Urban Tavern-Corus Quay