Review The Gabardine - Toronto

Love love love this place. It made me happy. Great food and drinks. Cool atmosphere. Great staff. Just a wonderful little local place. If I lived in the area, I would make it a regular. Had the chicken pot pie and it was delicious...probably best I've ever had. Had the Angry Goat beer and was really nice. Would definitely go back. So glad I came across this place. Now I want to try everything on the menu.

The food and atmosphere were both amazing! The staff was extremely polite and had perfect timing. They also refilled the water very frequently which I always appreciate. I would definitely recommend this place for a date night or a meal with family and friends.

Delicious food. The mac & cheese is definitely the best in the City. The devilled eggs, Falafel Burger, fish tacos & toffee desert were worth down to the last bite. The staff is friendly & the service was great.

Food is good quality but the price is high end. I really like this place and the only negative point in my opinion is the smell of food is too much and it will stay on your clothes for the rest of the day. Perhaps the owners need to invest in a new vent/hood.

I came here for a quick hang sesh with my 2 friends and thought that the plave had a great ambience. Dimly lit room, with somewhat classy decor. Now the food - I wasn't blown away with the chicken pot pie I had.. it ws a little too soupy for my liking and the flavor wasnt amazing. I also dont like the fact that it was made in a glass bowl, when the crust is one of the components to look forward to. My friends had the same thoughts about what they had. One of them had the Southern Fried Chicken Thigh sandwich and the other had Trinidadian Geera Pork sandwich. I wasn't particularly impressed by the service either. The server I had was very cold and was almost rushing us out. Probably won't be coming back.. everything was very meh.

Had a great lunch there. Atmosphere was nice, although the place was rather busy. The service was a little slow but not more than expected during the lunch hour on a Friday. Food was excellent, my grilled cheese was delicious and I'll definitely be back to try their other sandwiches (which is what they are known for). Only issue was that we needed to specifically ask for a split bill after the waiter brought a single one. The process of getting this split bill was harder than at other restaurants. Still 5/5 in my books.

The burger is good and on par with other burgers in the city. Pricy though. Nice atmosphere. Good service. Don’t bother for food. Just come for couple of drinks, watch people go by after work.

Been out of town for a year and I came back recently. I can't believe they are closing down soon! This is such a cute place to go for a date night. The food reminds me of home. Every bite is like a warm hug. Their chicken pot pie and Mac n cheese (must add the ham) is the perfect comfort food. I hope they open up again because The Gabardine will be missed by many

Decent but overpriced for what you're getting. Had a two-course lunch special with maple squash soup and pan-fried cod with potatoes and tomato-red pepper stew. The soup was the better of the two. The main dish had a bit too much salt and pepper in it. $50 for lunch with no drinks.. not a great value.

The Gabardine is truly one of the best places to eat in the city. A few weeks ago I was finally able to stop in for lunch and the cioppino (seafood stew) was one of the best things I have eaten all year. The service and space are great to, go check them out !

Quite possibly the best chicken pot pie I have ever eaten. Wonderful service, too.

Great place great food and the staff are friendly and very accommodating. I have a medical condition and the staff went beyond to make sure my meal was appropriate.

This was our second time there and we loved it once again. We come for the best chicken pot pie you'll ever eat. Can't wait to make the trip again for more!

Highly recommend. Atmosphere, service and food were excellent!

My husband and I really enjoyed our dinner here. The food was fantastic, but the staff and the cocktails were phenomenal!

I go whenever I can... Went today, had the best Caesar in the city and their Taco salad was delicious! Thank you :)

Great food, and excellent service! The atmosphere in this place is awesome, it's open and welcoming.

Haven't been in since my office relocated but stopped last night. Food, had the steak was cooked to perfection and the flavour was amazing. Hope to be back soon

Good food and great service. We had a great time.

We always have a great experience when we dine there!!!! Definitely one of our favorite spots!!!

Love the food, ambience and service. Good home cooking away from home.

The appetizers and mains were delicious... BUT they have NO IDEA how to serve desserts. Fruit pies should not be stored in the fridge and served COLD with HARD, DRIED OUT crusts that can't even be broken with a fork!!! Shame!!

The Mac n’ Cheese came with herbed breadcrumb crust. For $2, you could add smoked ham to it and I was so glad that we did so! (If you come here, you have to add the smoked ham to it as well.) The Mac n’ Cheese was a beautiful portion of macaroni and cheese. It was seriously the best Mac n’ Cheese I’ve ever had!

Went here for dinner before the Swan Lake Ballet. Old school vibe tight spaced but the open kitchen allows for an insightful dining experience. Our server was snobby and pushy trying to get us to order more it was awkward and they hover to much as if I you should hurry and leave. I can see why it would be a good lunch spot but not worth the return for me had the cheeseburger fries very crispy but comfort food can't be equal to fine dining prices.

Intimate and lively atmosphere the gabardine has become an instant classic amongst the Bay St. restaurants. The food will have you leaving full and satisfied. <br/>For a great experience: <br/>Start with the Korean fried cauliflower and pair it up with kolsch or pilsner. <br/>For your main, order the Mac and Cheese with Ham, it will blow your mind.

If you're looking for friendly, professional service, a warm, welcoming atmosphere and and delicious food, AVOID The Gabardine like the plague. After seating us the brusque, disinterested waitress neglected to offer us a beverage - like waitressing 101 in any licenses or unlicensed establishment. The atmosphere is cold from the sparse pseudo-vintage decor, to the servers, four of whom were huddled by the cash terminal glued to their smartphones! Finally got our wine and our orders - Mac & Cheese, chicken pot pie and taco salad. Forget about unwinding with our glass of wine, the food was plonked loudly on the table with no warning! We had to jump to get out of the way. The chicken pot pie was laced with tarragon - total overkill for a chicken dish. The mac &a cheese was rich and creamy with a nice<br/>Crusty top. Wish someone had warned me how HOT the dish was. Forget this joint.

How difficult it is to get a place at The Gabardine  without a reservation is a testament to the quality of the food here. However, the food and service is well worth the wait.  I've been to this place twice in a week and it's become my go-to for mac and cheese in the city, comfort food at it's best!  I ordered the chicken pot pie the second time I was there and it was perfect. My friend ordered the tuna melt and swore by it. For dessert, we decided we wanted to try something different and ordered the corn pudding with poached peaches, strawberries and warm corn bread; needless to say it was absolutely delicious! A unique dining experience created by the low key yet upscale atmosphere where pretensions are replaced with passion for good food.

If you ever find yourself walking down Bay St., casually dressed, and hungry, you may feel like a fish out of water. That's because in the world of the Financial District, full of numbers, projections, and suits, everything feels pretentious and stuffy, until you stumble upon the refreshing oasis that is The Gabardine. This gastropub is where Bay St meets Queen W, where the waiters are dressed in plaid and the patrons don anything from suits to shorts.

Who doesn't love a delicious plate of comfort food after a long day at work when it's cold outside? I know I do!. The Gabardine (@TheGabardine) is located in the heart of the financial district. That sounds comforting especially if you work in the financial district like I do!. With inspiration of their menu taken from old fashioned home cooking, The Gabardine serves up some good ol' comfort food.

I found this restaurant on Instagram and had decided to visit it after seeing pictures of their dishes. The pictures were mistakenly tagged and what they actually had on the menu was over priced and disgusting. I ordered the bacon cheeseburger and it was the saltiest thing I've ever eaten in my life. My friend ordered the chicken sandwich was not any better. I would not recommend this place at all. The restaurant was poorly lit, loud and super cramped.

Let's play a game. A game where I tell you how this restaurant can be described (fantasy) vs reality. <br/><br/>Cozy spot = cramped:<br/>They really pack tables close together. If you are not careful when squeezing in between the tables, your ass can be on top of another tables' dinner plates.<br/><br/>Nostalgic decor = umm, what are you referencing?<br/>I couldn't really see the decor, as the place is so dim at night. I hate dining by candlelight. It's not romantic, it's annoying when I can't see what I'm eating. What I did see walking to the bathroom was stacks of dirty dishes, cleaning products and all the other behind the scenes things you don't want to see as part of a dining experience. Understandable for a small pub, but if they are going to charge $4 for a can of pop, don't break the illusion. <br/><br/>Comfort food = overpriced and unimpressive comfort food:<br/>I ordered the Mac and Cheese (with smoked ham added on) a popular dish I'm told. A big, fat disappointment for $19. A thick layer of cheese on top gives the illusion that this will be delicious with every bite, but once you get past that top layer of cheese, the macaroni was bland. The sauce just tasted like milk, and the breadcrumb crust resulted in a grainy, sand-like texture with every other bite. Even the hot sauce I was offered couldn't save this dish. Actually, the smoked ham was a smart upgrade on my part, as that did give it some personality, but I would suggest that the ham be diced smaller and cooked as part of the sauce, so the flavour is infused throughout.

Really enjoyable casual place in the financial district. I work nearby and for years I have been turned away at the door due to full house conditions. But not tonight! They had an empty seat and I got it. The menu is pub fare and it's delicious! Small cozy spot with a cheerful crowd. Fast friendly service with no Bay St attitude. I can see why It's always full and hopefully The next time there's an empty seat I will a passing by.

Home comfort food and more! Even their dishes and cutlery will remind you of having dinner at grandma's house. We ordered the Mac and cheese and added the smoked ham... Always add the smoked ham!

This place is nice but really needs ventilation and a smoke extractor! The smell is unbearable

We’ve been here before but we learn this time that if you come with no reservations during dinner time, you may have a table but you have one hour to get in and get out. We were ok as we had a game to catch but it also limits the food you can order. We were limited to the risotto and mac & cheese, we couldn’t get any of the protein dishes as they take long to cook. So my friend got the mac & cheese and I had the risotto...

The service is MUCH improved since I was here last! <br/><br/>Delicious food! Great options for any palate! <br/><br/>Busy lunch service - no reservations but not too long to wait. <br/><br/>

Not going back.... Received rude service recently. Waitress was extremely sarcastic to the point of distaste and ultimately disrespect. She constantly asked us if we were done our food, and had a disgusting attitude about our pace of eating when we were only there for an hour and a half. There was no line up so we were completely stumped about why she wanted us to eat so quickly. Also, the mac and cheese was not number one quality, and although I am not from Toronto, I am sure there are better mac and cheese dishes in the area. Since the waitress' attitude turned us off from our meal, we will definitely not be going here again, and will be letting my friends know as well.

I saw this place on 'you gotta eat here' and we were lucky to get in without a reservation. I had the Mac and cheese with ham, which was incredible. My husband had the burger, which was so flavorful. The fries were also great, with a very unique taste (a hint of sweetness). The atmosphere was great and the servers were very friendly! Highly recommend!

The food was great as always. Thanks to the management for an awesome belated b-day dinner for my wife. Definitely coming back again.<br/><br/><br/>-----16 Aug, 2014-----<br/><br/>Steak. Delicious!<br/><br/><br/>-----16 Aug, 2014-----<br/><br/>Roasted Brined Pork. Melts in your mouth!<br/><br/><br/>-----16 Aug, 2014-----<br/><br/>Deep Fried Beer Cheese Croquettes. Yummy for the Tummy!<br/><br/><br/>-----06 Jun, 2014-----<br/><br/>We discreetly spoke to someone about what had transpired. I asked for mgmt. and the owner came up to us. My wife and I couldn't believe our eyes that it was the owner herself that had committed this UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT. She was told of the offence & she righted the situation. Don't get me wrong as I said before the FOOD IS GREAT. My wife and I WILL COME BACK AGAIN FOR A GREAT MEAL.

This is one of my favourite restaurants. Although the service can be slow the comfort food served is amazing! I love the shrimp po boy, Mac n cheese, steak and deep fried cheese croquettes! The atmosphere and decor gives off a hipster vibe. 9/10

Bad Service, Walked Out. I was looking forward to dinner here, but my server was so hostile that I left after just 5 minutes. The final straw was an eye roll I got after a simple question. I travel for a living and have eaten at thousands of restaurants around the globe, first time I've walked out so fast. Other folks seemed to have had better luck. Maybe you can get fed here if they like you.

Amazing comfort food. The Po Boy will change your life.

Terrible service. I'll never go back. The waitress refused to give us separate bills, and instead of apologizing said with unnecessary attitude that it’s "pretty standard" and acted as if I was asking for something totally outrageous. A simple ‘I’m sorry but we can’t do separate bills’ would have been sufficient. She didn’t crack a smile once, and got impatient when we were not ready to order. The hostess was rude as well, when my husband got up to tell a joke and she was walking by, she yelled ‘excuse me sir’ in a really rude way because he was in her way. We were a large group and gratuity was unfortunately included in our bill, otherwise I would not have tipped.

Great experience. Went to The Gabardine with a friend for the first time last night. We didn't have a reservation but were able to get a table. The service was friendly, prompt and respectful as my friend and I were taking our time and catching up. the server also made a great wine suggestion, when asked, for my friend. <br/><br/>We shared the Cod Fritters which were delicious. They were served with a Piri Piri which was a great addition. I had the Chicken Pot Pie which was teh ultimate sinful comfort food. The pastry was flavourful and delicate and the chicken filling was divine. My friend had the fish tortillas which were also a great choice.<br/><br/>Overall, loved this place and will definitely return.

Not sure why this place has any bad reviews. It is best value good food in the business district.<br/>MB rating 8<br/>Also it happens to have a great breakfast.<br/>The peameal bacon sandwich is probably the best breakfast sandwich I have ever had.

Nothing special.... Had the smoked trout appetizer..mediocre. 2 pieces of smoked trout, and some celery root. For $15 definitely not worth it. The service was good so I may come back and try something else, because there was some interesting stuff on the menu.

Wanted to like it. The gabardine is pretty close to where we live so we really wanted to like this place and the menu looked great. First off our welcome to the restaurant was very cool. The service for the rest of the evening didn't get any friendlier. Okay, it was downright frosty. My fried cheese salad was a letdown but my husband's rabbit rillettes was very good. But then came his fried chicken on a waffle. What is that strange flavor? It's like they added ground incense. I heard a couple of girls beside us remark on the same weird taste. The Manhattan chowder was good but it will leave you hungry. Overall – not worth the bill.

Delicious!. After doing an urbanspoon search for lunch in the area I stumbled upon the Gabardine. It had favorable reviews and I must say, did not disappoint. The staff were on top of things and courteous and the food was delicious. I had the Chinese BBQ Pork sandwich with side salad. The pork was tender, the sandwich a wonderful assault on your taste buds and the salad tossed in a light vinaigrette.

Great Spot.. I love this place. <br/><br/>I used to walk by the previous dive-bar which inhabited this spot, it was a dark and dingy (don't remember the name) spot I tell you.... almost scared to venture in. <br/><br/>Alas, The Gabardine sets up shop. <br/><br/>I've been on a number of occasions since it's opening. By far no means a regular but I've used it as a go-to spot for dinner when friends are around the area. <br/><br/>So last week I headed over to have a bite and some pints with a 'suit' pal who works on Bay. It was packed out but the server slid a table out and said we're welcome to sit back and dine. <br/><br/>I'm a big fan of their Okanagan on tap. Using this to wash down the sirloin burger of course, which was BIG. Topped with cheese, tomato, aioli, and some usual fixings. Accompanied by a side of fries which were, well, okay. But I was there for the burger.<br/><br/>I like the layout of the place, not too big, well decorated. Nice sized kitchen in the back which let's you see all the action if you so please. <br/><br/>The servers I dealt with that night were bar none pros. Attentive, friendly, and accommodating given me and my friend did not have a reservation. <br/><br/>t's a well-mixed crowd every time I've been. Considering you're on Bay and given the area you'd expect a room of suits. Not so much. Yeah, suits, hipsters (the Gatsby types), locals?, maybe even a tourist or two? Either way; diverse crowd. I like it. <br/><br/>Hands down, I'll be back.

Amazingly delicious food and cocktails, and great great service. Perfect for a night out with friends or a date. Totally above average, would recommend and go again and again.

OVERPRICED, SLOW SERVICE, BAD ATTITUDE. I went to The Gabardine several times for dinner, and the food was fine. However, I went for lunch recently and it was a disaster: a very long wait for the meal, waitresses who are unprofessional and with bad attitude, and overpriced meal. I will never return to this establishment. The waitress was argumentative and was more concerned with the other customers sitting closely by not to hear my complaints, than with my dissappointment at the very small, high priced portion that took 10 minutes to deliver to teh table. Don't go. Other places are much better in the area and want your busienss.

Great food, not great service. The bahn mi sandwich was incredible, best potato salad i've ever tasted as a side. however, i concur with the other reviewers that service is not the forte at this place... our server was rather unfriendly and at one point filled my water glass to the point where it overflowed and she just simply shrugged and walked away... not that it's a big deal but i just found it to be peculiar behavior from someone in the "service industry".

Good food, pricey, really like the atmosphere. Service was okay but won't be a regular here. Too many other better options in same area.

Great food, bad service. I was drawn by Gabardine from the get go. (The decor is not as 'cooky' as some reviewers insist it is. )<br/><br/>When I came in, I felt that the atmosphere was a bit off. It was around 4 and the place was relatively empty. Yet it took a good 5-7 minutes for one of the people working there to tell us that we could sit anywhere. Ahh thanks! And then the waitress didn't want us to sit at a particular table because she had a reservation there for 6pm...Had she not said "you guys gotta be out of here by 6 though", it would have been a non-issue, but she didn't. <br/>(Small advice, if you come in the winter avoid the tables by the window and in the window nook. There is a ghastly draft that never ceases.)<br/><br/>Service from drinks to plates was super slow, especially considering that the place was empty. It took our food about 30 mins to arrive. The staff were a bit too casual, some may even say disrespectful. When I asked for more freshly ground pepper on my mac-n-cheese (which was okay, not exceptional, and maybe even a bit too cheesy. Yes, that is possible!), the waitress told me "to knock myself out". <br/><br/>As for the food, like I mentioned the mac and cheese was not a standout for me (i got the classic one without the ham). However, my partner had a skirt stake with a wild mushroom ragout and home-cut matchstick fries. That dish was superb! My partner normally discards the mushrooms (which may beg the question of why he chose the dish in the firs place...), but this time around he had a decent amount. As a self professed mushroom connoisseur I revelled the ragout. Seriously delicious! <br/><br/>The wine list was a bit disappointing, but the classic bloody caesar I opted for was spicy and on point. <br/><br/>I feel like this is what some people may call a 'hipster' place with 'hipster' service. I would say that some of the people working here are just not qualified to be around customers. But for the sake of the food I hope that this place will last.

The mains are all fresh and well cooked. Dessert is nothing special.

The Best of Bay Street. The Gabardine is a refreshing oasis from the humdrum of ordinary. I don't speak fluent foodie, I just know that The Gabardine has a unique menu, and a most respectable wine list. The food is well prepared, has a unique plate presentation, and is just down right delicious.<br/><br/>The service is very good. You will enjoy the personal attention from the servers. They're all very talented and competent. They are always very pleasant to have at your table. <br/><br/>You might get a chance to meet one of the owners. They are two very wonderful ladies that epitomize what The Gabardine is all about. <br/><br/>I hope you enjoy The Gabardine. I have a feeling that it will be around for a very long time.

Food a terrible let-down. Ploughman lunch was filling, but left much to be desired. Chicken pate was the only good thing on the plate. Terrine had way too many peppercorns in it, and the rillettes tasted only of the sour cherry preserve. Smoked trout salad was fine, but nothing extraordinary. Ice cream sandwich is indulgent but has no burned marshmallow flavour. Sadly left disappointed.

Pricey for lunch. Close to the office, but not worth trying again.<br/>There are so many other options around this neighborhood I wouldn't recommend this place for lunch given the price and quality.

Decent place. Went in for lunch not bad , a little pricey

Delicious and fun. Great place for breakfast,lunch or dinner.Food is interesting and wonderful,service is friendly and efficient,decor is warm and comfortable--it does not get better than this.Try the mac+cheese,the mussels,the steak,the beet salad;vitually everything that I have tasted is fabulous and fresh.BUT,save room for dessert--they are all incredible.Wines are also interesting and great.Stop in and enjoy!!

Not Bad. I checked it out and its ok , not great , there are alot of choices down here though , so check the other places before this one.<br/>very casual , service ok, the hostess cupcake was very good though i love that and my friend did as well.

Cool spot and surprisingly good food. Didn't know what ri expect from this brand new place but I must say I was very impressed. Service was a bit slow and our server actually a bit "spaced out" but I guess those are the things that will be improved upon as the weeks go by. A plus is an interesting beer selection.

The smoked trout was really refreshing and pretty light, which actually ended up making it a perfect counterpart to our super-fried and heavy sandwich!

This gastropub is where Bay St meets Queen W, where the waiters are dressed in plaid and the patrons don anything from suits to shorts. The menu is filled with Gabardine's reinterpretation of your favourite comfort foods--mac and cheese, cheeseburgers, and chicken pot pie. We opt for the Shrimp Po'Boy  ($16) and the vegetarian  Eggplant Parmesan  ($16) sandwiches as our fine grub and for our libations, we order the Hibiscus Royale  ($12). The Hibiscus Royale was a honey-infused hibiscus flower that never stopped swaying in the bubbly it was topped with. It was evocative of sea wind swaying in the ocean current--a poetic description that matches the drink itself--just o

The Gabardine is known for dressed up comfort food, where classic comfort foods and casual fares are elevated and sometimes reinterpreted. A great example of dressed up comfort food would be Bymark's Butter Braised Lobster Poutine, where the frites are topped with classic bearnaise and chunks of lobster tail rather than the traditional gravy and cheese curds (this will be a future post, once I revisit).

Talk about comfort food, I don't know if I have ever had a tuna melt outside of a road-side diner, but I would do it again if Gabardine made it. The tuna was moist and creamy, and contrasted nicely with the pungency of the cheese. And surprisingly, even though the whole thing was probably pretty mayo-heavy, the bread remained a sturdy base. We both enjoyed the creamy potato salad, especially when eaten together with the citrusy green salad. - See more at: http://www.abbeyskitchen.com/blog/gabardine-restaurant-toronto-review/#sthash.SksHwUU2.dpuf

The shepherd's pie was a delight! The outside was very crisp, the inside was very hot and creamy as well! The inside though was full of richness and chicken flavour, it was delicious.

I never expected to find such a sandwich on earth. The sandwich came with a trusty combination of fried shrimps and tomato relish which highly resembled sweet and sour sauce commonly found in thai cuisine.

The name refers to the tight fabric found on Burberry coats; the references to the industrious working class of Great Britain are uncanny. The ploughman’s lunch loses its lowly roots. It’s a feast of chicken liver, rabbit rillettes and pork terrine in sweet and earthy compotes.

Lunch was followed up with a great dinner at The Gabardine with the always adorable coco*a. They served a lot of great things at Gabardine but I would be remiss if I didn’t devote my review to their amazing dessert, Tres Leche Cake – with pineapple, toasted coconut and chocolate mole ganache:When you slice into it the knife goes through like it’s just pound cake but when you get a bite in your mouth you realize its 75% soaked with creamy goodness. It is definitely more than it seems!

I think I was a little guilty of high expectations on the gastro front. I ordered a terrine instead of hush puppies or a simpler salad, and a cioppino in place of a burger, sandwich or pot pie. All of which, I’m confident are great comfort food. I have a sneaking suspicion that if I returned for any of those alternatives, I’d be a believer. Jury’s still out for me, but I’d come back for another try. Read full review...

I ended up getting the fish pie with clams, mussels, arctic char, smoked trout, mashed potato & a buttermilk biscuit. It is not like a chicken pie where there is a layer of pie crust on top. It wasn't really a pie, just the stuff inside a pie served in a bowl with a biscuit on top. The stew was very good, very rich and creamy and lots of seafood in it. The biscuit was a little salty. The portion was big and because it was so creamy, it was so filling too. I almost finished the bowl but couldn't.

The Gabardine is a relaxed hipster haunt in the thick of cash-money Bay Street. I honestly felt really odd walking into the place as it feels like the space has been transplanted from Queen Street West or Ossington. If I felt a bit awkward (awkward reads, unexpected) I wonder how the "suit and ties" who pop in here for client lunch meetings and late night team dinners feel like when their server is comfortably dressed in plaid and jeans. The staff seem bubbly and full of energy. I'm guessing they feel empowered through their laissez-faire attire and the exemplary food they are serving to the 9-5 stiff-as-a-board bank crowd. While the economy withers and wretches along Bay I'm happy to announce that The Gabardine holds its head high with a creative cocktail list and honest yet indulgent French inspired menu. We enjoyed (* notes my favorites): Maple Old Fashioned * markers mark muddled with angostura bitters, orange peel, maple syrup and maraschino cherry Terrine * house pickles, apple b

One of the problems with working in the Financial District is the sheer difficulty of finding good food that isn't too expensive or pretentious. The Gabardine , located on Bay Street tucked just south of Richmond, is the perfect antidote.

The Gabardine is worth a visit if you’re ever craving some comfort foods! The mac and cheese is a must try. I’ve come to realize that “comfort food” isn’t really my thing. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed my overall experience here but I just prefer other types of cuisines over “comfort food”. This is just my personal preference - Anyways, I highly recommend the hearty mac and cheese! =D

We'll see if the Gabardine keeps me coming back for dinner or lunch. I think they're likely catch me for breakfast (seriously they open at 8am, right before I start!) and after work drinks.

This time, I came here for a tweetup (#TeamBurgerEaters what what!). While we didn't all order their burger (which was huge by the way), we all enjoyed our respective meals. Perfect for the winter chill, deep fried beer cheese croquettes.

Service was excellent at The Gabardine. Our waitress was friendly and helpful- and checked on our table couple times. It's always nice when the service feels genuine and you feel welcomed at a restaurant.

Now the sautéed B.C. black cod with braised lentils and mushrooms is something very special indeed, it’s delicate, mouthwatering, and utterly flawless.

It was like science had created a new substance that has the texture of beef, but the taste of cheese.

I can’t stress enough how delicious and perfectly cooked the pork tasted along with a bite of creamy polenta and vincotto. I soon ordered a Okanagan Spring Pale Ale which I had tried a few times before in Montreal at Lawrence. For dessert, Alison tempted me with the second last slice of Banana Cream Pie with Crème

I started with the Chicken Liver Pâté - with house pickles and toasts ($7). It came with a spoonful of the pâté, a side of greens

We love their selection of panini sandwiches, salads and comfort food favourites likes Mac & Cheese ($13), Beef Stroganoff ($23) and Steak Frites ($23).

I finally made my way to The Gaberdine ( @thegabardine ) last month since I was craving for some indulgent comfort food. It's not a typical restaurant you'll expect to find in the Financial district and it also just so happen to be within 3-5 mins walking distant from Eaton Centre which is perfect for a shopaholic like me (^_^) We arrived there at around 8:30pm on a Friday night and still manage to get a table without reservation (lucky us). I have only manage to snap one picture of the interior since the waitress advice me not to but feel free to take picture of the food.   Fielding Estate Winery 2011Rock File Pinot Gris As usual we love supporting local and not only was it tasty but super affordable. I made a mental note to visit this winery one day :) Ploughman's Lunch $19 We decided to share this and although it's not the fest terrine/pate I had, it was pretty good and I especially enjoy their pairing of the jelly/compote and fruits Mac and Cheese w/ breadcrumb crust $16 (w/ Smo

Ultimate comfort food at The Gabardine. Their mac n' cheese remains to be one of the best, if not the best, mac n' cheese I've had so far in the city.

The Gabardine is not your traditional Bay Street restaurant catering to the suits and ties in the financial district. It’s a more relaxed joint with a passion for all things tasty and yummy, an open concept kitchen and waiters that know their drinks and food really well.

... It was not as spectacular as it had sounded.

We decided on the donuts as this was the newest addition to the menu and they were out of this world. They were sooo good! The secret ingredient was the cardamom which made them delicate and fragrant.

in a sea of suits :Business District: Gigi and I made plans to meet up. As per usual, we had a long wishlist. I left it to her to narrow down the list. The Gabardine won the draw, but we were the ones who got lucky. A lot has been said about this place already. I agree that it doesn't really fit on Bay Street. It's a welcome change from the usual watering holes. From the moment I walked it, I forgot where I was. It reminds me of something I might find in Montreal; a comfortable clean space with white walls, framed images and antique-y hanging lights. It's a bit crowded in the front given the bar area, but the dining tables weren't as cramped as some critics have made it out to be. At the risk of sounding like a superfan, I loved this place. It was warm and welcoming, and the service was spectacular . I'll say that again, because I don't get to say it often - spectacular. Our server anticipated needs, knew the food, was friendly and attentive, and aware of his surroudings (i.e. knew whe

Overall, I enjoyed my sandwich immensely, but the mac and cheese didn't exactly live up to my expectations. That said, I'd definitely want to come back for dinner to try some of their other offerings.

The Gabardine is a polished American bistro with elements that make it more casual: epoxy-lacquered wood tables, white walls, patterned white tin ceiling, mis-matched dishware, and a chalkboard. I stopped in recently and enjoyed some lunch in this bright and airy space. After some debate, I ordered the grilled cheese. I also opted for the smoked ham option and thought it added a nice saltiness to things, but that the ham didn't come up to the front. I'm nit-picking though. This was a quite satisfying sandwich. Came with mixed greens in a light vinaigrette. All very good. For dessert, I got the burnt marshmallow ice cream sandwich. Nice toasty-tasting ice cream (from Greg's Ice Cream), thin chocolate cookie wafer, all sitting on a dollop of dulce de leche (I think). Was happy to have ordered it. The space is cozy with a max of 30ish seated (by my lousy counting skills), and maybe 6 at the bar. Menu includes a ploughman's, mac 'n' cheese, daily soup,

One of the problems with working in the Financial District is the sheer difficulty of finding good food that isn’t too expensive or pretentious. Emphasis on the pretentious. The Gabardine, located on Bay Street tucked just south of Richmond, is the perfect antidote.<br/><br/>Advertising “fine grub and libations”, the menu certainly delivers on both fronts. On this particular day, Kristina and I rationalized ordering wine in order to “cut the richness of the cheese (that we already knew we were going to have)”. Totally justified. Even though some may not consider rosé a real wine (I will not take sides on this debate!), I must admit that the one I got today was crisp, perfectly chilled, and went most excellent-ly with a work lunch.<br/><br/>Going in knowing that their Caesar Salad was ranked as one of the best in Toronto by BlogTO, I decided to give the $12 deconstruction a try. The flavours were well-balanced but more importantly, the textures were great. The perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg was the highlight of the dish for me. Kristina decided to go with a more indulgent option: Deep Fried Beer Cheese Croquettes with Maple Mustard ($12). Believe it or not, these were just as amazing as they sounded. I also loved the wooden board presentation.<br/><br/>And with that, the cheese floodgates had been open. Jonathan selected one of the specials of the day—a hearty eggplant parmesan sandwiched between two pieces of pillowy soft bun. With plenty of cheese. Kristina trumped his cheese card with none other than a grilled-cheese sandwich ($12). This was prepared with a generous smear of sweet onion and tomato jam on the inside (to, you know, cut the richness of the cheese). Although a green salad was an option, the fries were the obvious choice for both sandwiches today.<br/><br/>After already taking down a Caesar Salad and one of Kristina’s cheese croquettes, I was craving something a little lighter…so I got the most indulgent and rich thing on the menu. Ha! As the crème de la crème of comfort food (both literally and figuratively), their Mac and Cheese ($16) was a force to be reckoned with. I could only get through about half, but the half that I had certainly hit the spot.<br/><br/>What can I say? If you are group of wine-and-cheese-obsessed francophiles like us, you will love this place.<br/><br/>You should NOT come here if:<br/><br/>1. You are lactose-intolerant<br/><br/>2. You are going to be conducting a business lunch where important documents need to be passed from one side of the table to another<br/><br/>3. You can’t stand the idea of adorable mismatched plates and cutlery<br/><br/>4. You are not willing to go into a bit of an afternoon food coma<br/><br/>Final Note: They do not take breakfast or lunch reservations, and are closed all weekend. Yes, they are closed all weekend. So please plan accordingly! Also note that the exterior is currently under renovation, so there is quite a bit of unsightly scaffolding surrounding the restaurant at the time of writing. (PS- In April 2014, The Gabardine was featured on the Food Network’s show You Gotta Eat Here! and I saw just how much butter and cheese went into that mac and cheese! It’s truly frightening. But I might order it again anyway…)

A friend and I were supposed to meet for lunch and he suggested we meet at The Gabardine. He asked that we meet at 11:30am because it gets very busy by noon. I arrived at 11:25am and by 12pm the place was packed and there were several people waiting by the door to be seated. <br/><br/>As soon as my friend suggested that we meet her for lunch, I went on to Yelp to find out what dishes this place is known for. After reading several reviews, I decided that I wanted to order their burger. I am always searching for a good burger, so I was excited about the possibility that this would be the burger I have been looking for MY WHOLE LIFE! Can it surpass the #1 burger that currently owns my heart (this burger was eaten in Miami. Boo.. soooo far away!)?<br/><br/>In terms of the clientele, the place was packed with suits. 80% business men in suits with a sprinkle of women. I think I was the only one wearing casual clothing. Well, the staff and I. <br/><br/>We started off by ordering 2 teas at $3.50 a pop. When my friend requested honey for his tea, they offered him a bottle with dry honey in it. My friend tried to squeeze whatever life was still left in that little bottle, but he was only able to manage one drop or so. No honey?! The waiter seemed embarrassed, but no honey? Cross the street and buy some!<br/><br/>After some deliberation my friend decided to order the chicken pot pie for $18 and I ordered the burger, for also $18. I had read a lot about how puffy the crust is and I was so excited to see this "puff." We got our food about 15 minutes later and the crust on his pot pie was flat as a pancake! How disappointing! My mood deflated and I am sure if you could visually see my mood, it would match the crust on this pot pie! Also, the pot pie did not come with a side. I have this weird habit of dipping my fries in the pot pies I eat, so not seeing fries on the side was odd to me. I know, this is not Swiss Chalet!<br/><br/>My burger was not as big as I expected it to be. Mind you, it was still a challenge to fit the whole thing in my mouth, but I managed (not a good sign since my mouth is not particularly big). My dish did come with fries and they were okay. I still prefer the fries from Le Select Bistro. I ate 75% of my burger until I called it quits. The burger came with cheese and bacon, and found the burger overall to be on the salty side. Funny since I felt that the fries needed more salt, and the burger needed another element to balance out the salt from the bacon and cheese. Did I think that this burger was a contender for best burger I ever had? No. The meat was juicy enough even though it was cooked well-done, and the bun was neither dry nor moist. But personally, I like my meat to be cooked medium to rare, and I like soft buns. Yes, I am being super picky here, but I really did have higher expectations for this restaurant. My friend did enjoy his chicken pot pie, though he did not finish it. I tried some of it, and it tasted good, but the filling was quite watery and fries would have absorbed the liquid quite well. ;)

I wish this place was my neighbourhood haunt because I would be there a whole lot more.  I used to go a lot when I worked not too far from there.  They make great fried chicken and have things like devilled eggs and a great charcuterie board.  Well made food and great service.

It has been more than a year since my last, and first, visit to The Gabardine. I have always been meaning to go back, and trust me I'm not just saying that. I remember how thrilled I was when The Gabardine started dinner service on Saturdays :) And seriously, The Gabardine also has this incredible ability to make me suddenly crave whatever they just posted on Twitter and Facebook. It wouldn't even matter if it was only like, 9 in the morning, I would still want it bad. Real bad. <br/>Coincidentally, dinner at The Gabardine the second time around was also with my friend Julia, who came with me the first time. <br/><br/>We shared: Deviled Eggs<br/>Deep Fried Beer Cheese Croquettes with Maple Mustard<br/>Shrimp Po'Boy with Butter Lettuce, Tomato Relish & Aioli<br/>Mac n' Cheese with Breadcrumb Crust<br/><br/>Ultimate comfort food at The Gabardine. Thinly battered with piping hot, melting cheese in the middle, their croquettes with maple mustard are a must-order appetizer. The Gabardine's mac n' cheese was just as good as the first time we had it; it remains to be one of the best, if not the best, mac n' cheese that I've had so far in the city.

I have been wanting to check out Gabardine for a while now but they're actually not open on Saturdays, so that kind of limits their weekend accessibility, but this weekend we had Friday evening open so I made a reservation for 8 PM. The room is small, quaint with a good view of the kitchen and a bar up front. It was a bit loud in there for my liking but I loved the retro pub decor (in the washroom, they had an old 50's advertisement for Tampax- I really, REALLY, want that poster for my washroom at home). Service was friendly, and very casual. Our server divulged that he was really looking forward to drinks after work, which we totally could appreciate, especially given the excessive heat and the nature of his work (in and out of a hot kitchen and on his feet all day- oy vey, I say that cold one is well deserved, my friend!)<br/><br/>We started with a couple cocktails, one Boulevardier (maker's mark, campari, capano sweet vermouth) and a Classic Caesar (vodka, clamato, lea & p, tabasco, horseradish, celery salt, house pickled veg). The Boulevardier, though obviously pretty hard hitting, was surprisingly smooth. Definitely the type of drink that could creep up on you. And that Caesar? Well, y'all know I love my clamato-goodness, and this one was one of the better ones I have had lately. That horseradish added a really nice aromatic heat that takes it so much further than just straight up tabasco. And those pickled veg were a nice "amuse" for the meal (note to bartenders: always give me delicious pickled veg or olives with my Caesar, the acidity is such a nice enhancer to the drink).<br/><br/>Alright, well although we may try sometimes, a gal cannot sustain herself on pickles alone, so let's talk about food. We had: Rabbit Rillettes with Sour Cherry Preserve and Toast: This was a lovely starter served in a very appropriate portion (especially given the large main dish servings to come). I loved the mild gamey flavour of the rillette with the bright sweet and sour preserve, and all of those smooth and chewy textures against the violent crunch of those salted toasts. Oh and G-d bless the chef at Gabardine, thank you for actually providing enough toasts to eat this dish. I find that way too often, terrines, charcuteries or cheese platters are served with FAR too few toasts, crackers or breads. This hardly costs the restaurant anything, and makes the experience of eating these foods far less anxiety provoking (you know what I mean. It's Friday, and I don't want to have to carefully plan and portion each smear of terrine between the limited "carriers"), so just give me enough damn toast! Rant over. Thank you Gabardine for taking this worry away. <br/><br/>Deep Fried Beer Cheese Croquettes with Maple Mustard: This was my first affair with "beer cheese" and dear G-d, don't let it be my last. We got three thick, large cheese sticks prepared from a mixture of cheddar, mozzarella and provalone that were coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and fried to (literally, this is not just a colloquialism) golden perfection. Encased within that light crust, the cheese oozed and melted just enough to yield a creamy mouthfeel, but not make a big cheesy mess on my plate (or face). The cheese itself was mild and comforting with a wonderful hoppy, smokey flavour that paired beautifully with the maple mustard dipping sauce on the side. The sauce was thick, aromatic with an undertone of heat, that had been reduced down so thoroughly that it had chewy, preserve like characteristics reminiscent of stewed dried fruit. In short, this was incredible. <br/><br/>Tuna Melt on Rye with Aged Cheddar and Tomato with Potato Salad and Greens: Talk about comfort food, I don't know if I have ever had a tuna melt outside of a road-side diner, but I would do it again if Gabardine made it. The tuna was moist and creamy, and contrasted nicely with the pungency of the cheese. And surprisingly, even though the whole thing was probably pretty mayo-heavy, the bread remained a sturdy base. We both enjoyed the creamy potato salad, especially when eaten together with the citrusy green salad. <br/><br/>Philly Cheese Steak with Caramelized Onions, Sautéed Button Mushrooms and Melted Provolone with Potato Salad and Greens: Another comfort food classic. While I have never been to Philadelphia, I could recognize that this is not "authentic". But I so do not believe in authenticity snobbery when the food tastes good. I loved the crusty, toasted bun that was moistened with a light smear of mayo, topped with a mountain of surprisingly tender beef and a generous layer of cheese. The only thing I was missing (which again, I know is not traditional), but is some kind of sweet or acidic component. The flavour, while delicious, and indulgent, was a bit one-note, especially because the provolone is not a particularly strong-flavoured cheese. Also, it was a bit difficult to eat, but with a fork and a knife, I was able to manage without any major bad etiquette offenses. <br/><br/>Goat "Icebox" Cheesecake with Rhubarb Jam, Graham Poppyseed Crumble, Honeycomb, Fresh Cherries and Strawberries: Wow. What a stunning example of how to celebrate summer in dessert. This uncooked cheesecake had a luscious smooth texture, with a much lighter consistency than the traditional cream cheese base. Perched upon a generous bed of graham cracker poppyseed crumbs, I loved the crunch and pop I felt as the cheese dissolved on my tongue. Having come from goats cheese, the cake had a pleasant savoury and tangy flavour that really helped balance all of the glorious summer sweet elements. The jam was bright and refreshing, the cherries and strawberries were seductively tender, and that honeycomb was like a nugget of sugary gold. Aromatic and sticky with a pleasing chewy bite, it was easy to slow down and savour the moments before it melted in my mouth alongside a spoonful of contrasting goat cheese goodness. Right now, I'm really into making ice cream and I couldn't spot my mind from thinking of all the ways to incorporate these flavours into a batch at home. Delicious.<br/><br/>So, as you can see, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal, and the best part? We had all of the above (2 apps, 2 mains, 1 desserts, 3 cocktails) plus 2 (perfect) cappuccinos for $125 after tax and a generous tip. Will we be back? Yes. When? Hopefully soon. <br/>

Two weeks ago I ventured into The Gabardine for the first time and was quickly impressed by the venue’s decor and vibe. The Gabardine is not your traditional Bay Street restaurant catering to the suits and ties in the financial district. It’s a more relaxed joint with a passion for all things tasty and yummy, an open concept kitchen and waiters that know their drinks and food really well.<br/><br/>Accompanied by a trio of female foodies, we decided to make this night an unforgettable one and indulge in almost every dish The Gabardine offered, which turned into a four hour ordeal.Our night kicked-off with the Deep Fried Beer Cheese Croquettes.<br/><br/>These bundles of joy tasted like heaven and were oozing with cheese. The batter was delicate and thin and had that extra beer-tasting note one often needs on Thursday night, just when the work week is about to end. We dipped these ooey-gooey creatures in a maple mustard sauce, which brought another dimension to the dish. The result? Double-dipping!<br/><br/>Next up, we ordered the Rabbit Rillettes. This was basically a rabbit pâté sitting on a bed of sour cherry preserve and accompanied by small pieces of toasted baguette. Though pâté tends to be silky-smooth, we did not mind at all the chunky pieces served on the rillette as it gave more texture to the dish. Rillettes are very similar to pâtés but made a little coarser and are traditionally made with fatty pork belly or pork shoulder. Once our palettes were enchanted by all the fried, buttery and fatty goodness from our appies. We decided not to deviate from our goal – have an awesome time with zero worries on fat and calorie intake. As such, we decided to continue on the same tune and ventured into The Gabardine’s infamous Mac & Cheese.<br/><br/>For me, this was the star dish of the night; I’ve yet to try a Mac & Cheese like this one. The pasta is perfectly cooked and baked with tons of cheese and what I assume a cream sauce made with endless amounts of butter and milk. Topped with breadcrumbs and herbs, this dish had flavour and texture like no other.Back on the deep-fried tune, we decided to split in 4 sections (regretting afterwards) the Shrimp Po’boy. A perfectly assembled sandwich with pieces of deep-fried shrimp wrapped in butter lettuce, tomato relish and aioli. What we liked most about this dish was how well balanced it was with the greens and the sauce. Not too dry or mushy, just the most succulent bites of deep-fried shrimp. And since we were kicking ourselves for not ordering more, we settled for devouring the tasty french fries that accompanied the dish. The fries, were almost as good as my fave fries from Marben.<br/><br/>And since we were in a butter and batter comatose, we ended the night by cleansing off our palates with a smooth and refreshing Goat “icebox” cheesecake with roasted almond granola and berry jam coulis. The creaminess and mild sweetness from the goat’s milk ice-cream was probably my favourite part of this dessert. A perfect de-constructed dessert that just hit the spot.<br/><br/>Buen Provecho,<br/>Foodies Inked.

Solid little place for a drink + snack at the bar or a sit-down meal.The food is a refreshing turn from the other options in the area, which has this place packed for lunch from 11.30 am and they don't take reservations. Send an emissary early to grab a table, or plan on stopping in for dinner. There are no black holes in this menu, and one of the best rooms for atmosphere in the downtown core.

A belated montheversary date night was spent at The Gabardine (372 Bay Street) on Wednesday evening. The Gabardine (or The Gab) is a gastropub serving up familiar dishes with new twists. My boyfriend and I had actually planned to go here back on our very first date, but it was already fully booked! (We went to Mercatto instead.)<br/><br/>This time, I had no problem booking our reservation for 6:30 pm just a few days beforehand. The place was already fairly packed though, and only continued to get busier. The small space and large number of people made it fairly loud so my boyfriend and I were somewhat shouting at each other to speak to each other. I’m sure others were doing the same which only increased the overall loudness of the place, haha.We were given menus and pored over our choices of “fine grub and libations”. After hearing some of our server’s recommendations, we decided to share an appetizer and sandwich:<br/><br/>All of the appetizers sounded really exciting to us, but we eventually narrowed down our choices to the rabbit rillettes and the smoked trout. This was eventually decided by a coin flip, haha. And it was a great choice! There were so many different things going on in this salad and yet it all came together so well. It was my first time trying smoked trout and I expected something like smoked salmon, so I initially thought it looked dry when it came out. It wasn’t though and the smoked flavour was nice and strong.<br/><br/>It was really refreshing and pretty light, which actually ended up making it a perfect counterpart to our super-fried and heavy sandwich!The po’boy was one of our server’s recommendations. Note that a shrimp version is offered during lunch time. We both really enjoyed this! It’s a fun, messy eat. The fish was delicious and the sauce, sweet. The sauce did get a little overpowering at times and drenched the bread and our hands. There is a choice between a side of mixed greens and fries, and the fries were great!<br/><br/>We were pretty stuffed after this and didn’t end up having dessert. Overall, service was definitely excellent and timely. We were also immediately given two smaller plates to make sharing easier. As mentioned, the place is a little small for the number of tables and people it holds, making conversation a little difficult at times when the place is crowded and bustling.<br/><br/>This is also noticeable in walking down the aisle to get to and from the restrooms. This didn’t detract too much from the experience though as the food was delicious. :) I’m glad we finally got to try this place out! The rest of those appetizers and their famed mac and cheese look like future items to try.