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Modus Ristorante Reviews List
Modus Ristorante
Introducing: Modus Ristorante, the plush new Financial District spot for upscale Italian
Modus Ristorante, a new restaurant in the Financial District, might serve Italian food, but refreshingly, no one’s anxious to label it “rustic.” Behind Modus is Sam Genkov, owner of the 16-year-old District favourite Bravi Ristorante, and chef Bruce Woods, formerly of Brassaii.
No stranger to high-end Italian cuisine, Woods worked at Il Posto in the late ’90s, becoming executive chef and co-owner of Centro after taking over for Marc Thuet. Modus’s menu shows Woods back in his element, re-imagining recognizable Italian classics as fine-dining creations.
Behind the restaurant’s 300-bottle wine program is sommelier Ruben Elmer of Profile Wine Group, who has also previously worked at Canoe and Auberge du Pommier. The list offers 10 reds and eight or nine whites by the glass, with a heavy focus on Italian, Californian and South American wines.
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71 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Rating Breakdown 71 reviews
5 stars
(10)
4 stars
(40)
3 stars
(12)
2 stars
(7)
1 star
(2)
Food
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- great for lunch(20)
- special occasion(20)
- fit for foodies(19)
- good for groups(17)
- notable wine list(14)
- romantic(6)
Modus Ristorante Reviews List
Review 1 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Dinner
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Good food, reasonably priced but noisy environment."
Dined on 5/15/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, special occasion
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Review 2 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Cuisine Has Declined
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"i have been going to Modus almost since it opened and have enjoyed the room, the service and the cuisine.
The food used to be "Very Good" but, over the past 6-9 months seems to have lost its' "edge" (particularly the seafood) and is now only Fair to Good (and that has to be a good day)...... somewhat disappointing trend. Several of us chatted after lunch last Friday and we all had similar opinions and hope that the kitchen can get back on its' game soon!
WTS, the service continues to shine and the my opinion is the room is a very calm and lovely place to enjoy."
The food used to be "Very Good" but, over the past 6-9 months seems to have lost its' "edge" (particularly the seafood) and is now only Fair to Good (and that has to be a good day)...... somewhat disappointing trend. Several of us chatted after lunch last Friday and we all had similar opinions and hope that the kitchen can get back on its' game soon!
WTS, the service continues to shine and the my opinion is the room is a very calm and lovely place to enjoy."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: great for lunch
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Review 3 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Just another great lunch at Modus
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Another great lunch at Modus! Food was fantastic and service was top notch as usual. Had the scallops this time. Great choice! Highly recommended. Service was fantastic.
Great food, Great wine, Great atmosphere. What an amazing alternative to the usual spots in downtown Toronto!
Thanks!"
Dined on 18/04/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, great for lunch
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Review 4 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great as usual but tenderloin
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great as usual but tenderloin a snick overcooked, not big deal as we were in a rush to the basketball game. Bunmmed out to realised you were out of Napanook....overall still great."
Dined on 17/04/2013
2009
Special Features: notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 5 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Modus is a higher end restaurant
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Modus is a higher end restaurant which caters to the business crowd at lunch. The food was excellent - tuna tartar and octopus salad for starters followed by wonderful scallops and a rich, but definitely,delicious lobster tagliatelle. Interesting win email list and attentive service."
Dined on 10/04/2013
2012
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Review 6 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good food - buniness lunch
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Good food - buniness lunch or dinner kind of thing"
Dined on 05/04/2013
2011
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Review 7 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great business lunch
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This was my second trip to Modus and I was even more pleased than last time. The food was great and the service was very efficient. It was a business lunch and our waiter timed his visits to the table very well. I have to mention the soup special. It was roasted red pepr and tomaoto. If it is on the menu, order it."
Dined on 02/04/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 8 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Food was fine, but not spectacular.
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food was fine, but not spectacular. Overpriced for what you get."
Dined on 26/03/2013
2012
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Review 9 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
There food and service here
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"There food and service here is exceptional. I have dined her numerous times and I find the quality is very consistent. I highly recommend Modus for lunch or dinner."
Dined on 23/03/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 10 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Titanic failure
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Disappointing, for such a great room and location. Modus is dying, and you can see it passing away, right in front of your eyes. The staff outnumbered the diners - that is, until they cut our waiter, in the middle of our meal. No explanation. No good-bye. No 'Nicolas will be taking over your table' introduction. It's as if it's the main dining room on the Titanic. The food was bland. The service, after our original waiter was cut was near non-existent. And even the biscotti with my cappucino was stale."
Dined on 09/03/2013
2005
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Review 11 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Refresh the menu!
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The restaurant is well-situted and set out nicely with a grate ambience.
The menu items and food were tired and a the staff should taste the items to refresh the menu. I had a beat salad, which was heavy and too busy. Another in my party had the spaghetti and meat balls, which was dry and simply bland, again heavy. My main course was the lamb special of the day, which was delicious.
A greater selection of beer-on-tap would have been nice. The wine list was excellent.
Sam, the manager/(owner?), was excellent, friendly, great for the restaurant."
Dined on 04/03/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 12 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great Spot for Business Lunches
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"A great place to meet for business as it's not too noisy. Great food and service."
Dined on 26/02/2013
2012
Special Features: great for lunch
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Review 13 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food is excellent - people
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food is excellent - people enjoyed their meals. Service was slower than I would expect - our server could have used some more support.
Nicely decorated but noise levels very loud - we had a large table and it was impossible to hear people other than those right next to you. They should address this."
Dined on 21/02/2013
2008
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Review 14 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Third time at Modus, the food
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Third time at Modus, the food and service was better when they first opened.
I advise the waiter of food preparation concerns ( including the onion skins of the onions was still on some onions scallops refrigerator cold in the center...) and he never came back to resolve them. Not sure I need to go back for a while.
I advise the waiter of food preparation concerns ( including the onion skins of the onions was still on some onions scallops refrigerator cold in the center...) and he never came back to resolve them. Not sure I need to go back for a while.
Jean"
Dined on 29/01/2013
2008
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Review 15 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent service, food was
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Excellent service, food was awesome. A bit loud for conversation. Catpeting might dampen the sound."
Dined on 14/02/2013
2009
Special Features: notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 16 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
All dressed up and nowhere to go.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We attended on a Friday night in a bit of a storm. The place was practically empty. Our server was nervous and a bit gruff. The worst part though, was the bar. There was a female bartender working and though she only had three guests the four, bartender included, were louder than the whole restaurant. They were yelling and swearing. At one point the three young men left the bar to go and carouse with the skateboarders outside. The bartender cheered them on from inside the restaurant, watching them in the window. It was terrible. There we were dressed up to celebrate my birthday and listening to a young woman behavelike a sailor. It completely ruined the night. We ended up having to complain to the manager. He was apologetic but ineffective."
Dined on 18/01/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, romantic
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Review 17 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Mixed Experience
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Took client to Modus for a business lunch:
Positives: tasty meals, not rushed, good ambiance, many tables well spaced
Negatives: 20-30 minute wait for appetizers after ordering, small portions (even by lunch standards)
Negatives: 20-30 minute wait for appetizers after ordering, small portions (even by lunch standards)
Will try other places before I go back."
Dined on 07/02/2013
2011
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Review 18 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The menu had no vegetarian
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The menu had no vegetarian options but the chef created a delicious dish for me. I appreciated the creativity and the service.
Nice place but WAY too loud."
Nice place but WAY too loud."
Dined on 05/02/2013
2012
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Review 19 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
The noise level was deafening
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The noise level was deafening due to 2 large groups that pretty much took over the entire space. It was next to impossible to have a conversation. Numerous other tables around us commented on this and we were all told this was an unusual occurrence- reading other reviews however suggests otherwise. The food was overall good but the plating was slapdash at best. We didn't stay for dessert due to the atmosphere and it still cost us nearly $200-2 people , 2 glasses of wine, 2 apps and 2 mains. This feels excessive for what we got. We would not return."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2013
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Review 20 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
service was unattentive and
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"service was unattentive and slow"
Dined on 30/01/2013
2012
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Review 21 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food was delicious, and waitress
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was delicious, and waitress was very knowledgable and helpful. Great experience"
Dined on 26/01/2013
2012
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Review 22 for Modus Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was excellent and priced
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food was excellent and priced accordingly. The four of us in the group all agreed that we enjoyed the meal - arancini, tagliatelli neri, lamb, tuna, sea bream. Loved the desserts - we tried ice cream and chocolate mousse. Appreciated the Valet parking. Waiter was very attentive and helpful with choices. Found the wine to be too pricey."
Dined on 26/01/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Modus Ristorante
Based on the average of (49) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
4 out of 5 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic