I used to have a different area code attached to me.

Although my time in Toronto was mostly spent at our offices on Bay Street (yeah, that’s just what you do when you’re working there), I very much enjoyed the entertainment options and the food selection. I’ve talked a little bit about the place I like to stay when I’m in Toronto. I’ve also talked about the places I’ve experienced some great service at…like Cava Restaurant.

Here’s what I think you should know about this place (and why):

WHAT: Colborne Lane….swank new (ish) restaurant in Toronto

WHERE: Near St. Lawrence market and Church Street

WHY: Service is extremely well done. Knowledgeable serving staff are able to explain intricate details of each dish without going overboard. In my view, any chef who is this passionate about their creations needs servers who can pass that through to its customers (i.e., us)

In terms of food selection, when asked whether we should go with the tasting menu, the server went on to sell it as… ‘It will have you giggling half way thru the 10 courses’. And…it’s very good. After going with his suggestion, we enjoyed the pairing of a very nice Pinot along with a dessert called the ‘nitro bomb’. Yeah, that’s what I said. What’s a nitro bomb, you ask? Put simply, it’s an iced cap wrapped in a candy that virtually explodes when you put it in your mouth. Who knew?

Like any restaurant that has a bit of a ’shock and awe’ factor, Colborne Lane is a place that you kind of just have to ‘experience for yourself’. What stood out from our Toronto writer’s notes in particular is a particular quote that I’ll end this piece with:

Their service has the extra oomph that made me realize Toronto dining still has a spark.

darren