In our search for a post-show dinner near Comedy Bar, we stumbled upon La Bella Managua by chance. Thankfully, we thought to make reservations, because it quickly became clear this is a neighbourhood favourite.

The space isn’t fancy, more diner-like, but the aromas coming from the kitchen are incredible. Watching generous plates pass by only made ordering harder. By the time we decided, I was fully hungry and ready to dig in. Luckily, both the drinks and food arrived quickly.

The mixed ceviche ($18.95) combines shrimp and fish tossed with peppers, onion, and cilantro, served alongside avocado and plantain chips. The acidity is well balanced, so it’s not overly citrusy. That said, I would’ve liked more fish, as the shrimp dominates the dish.

If you’re dining with a group, the yucca mixta ($21.50), typically a main, works perfectly as a shared starter. The fried cheese is reminiscent of mozzarella sticks, but better, with a higher cheese-to-batter ratio. The crispy yucca is addictive, especially dipped into the onion sauce, which adds a refreshing tang. Even the avocado salad was a hit and was as a great way to finish off the plantain chips from the ceviche.

Ordering a Cajun shrimp stir fry ($25.95) at a Nicaraguan restaurant felt strange, but it worked. The dish blends a lightly spiced teriyaki sauce with creamy avocado, giving it a unique, almost Nikkei-style twist. The shrimp were plump and perfectly cooked, and the rice soaked up the sauce without becoming too salty. There’s even a surprising hint of wok hay that could rival some Cantonese spots.

The churrasco ($32.95) is ideal for a solo diner. The beef tenderloin tips were grilled to a perfect medium rare. While the meat itself is fairly mild, the thick chimichurri adds plenty of flavour. Paired with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and a generous serving of vegetables, it’s a well-balanced plate.

Whatever you do, don’t skip dessert. La Bella’s flan Napolitano ($7.95) is fantastic, with a custard that’s firm enough to hold its shape yet still smooth and creamy. The caramel is light and fluid, adding sweetness without becoming sticky. Flan fans you better fly over to try this.

The three milk cake ($8.50) is equally impressive. It’s fully soaked, rich, and indulgent without crossing into overly sweet territory. I genuinely couldn’t decide which dessert I preferred. Both are worth ordering.

As mentioned, reservations are highly recommended. Despite how busy it gets, the small team runs the dining room with impressive efficiency, making sure guests are well taken care of. With generous portions, affordable pricing, and vibrant flavours, La Bella Managua feels like a rare find. As my first experience with Nicaraguan cuisine, I was struck by the balance of hearty staples like rice, plantain, and yucca with fresh vegetables and proteins, all shaped by Mexican and Spanish influences with its own distinct flair.

La Bella Managua delivers a lively, flavour-packed experience without the frills. Between the generous portions, standout desserts, and efficient service, it’s an easy recommendation, especially if you’re catching a show nearby.

Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse’s new home at CIBC Square is bright and polished compared to its former digs. The gleaming dining room still includes the signature piano bar, complete with live music nightly from 6 to 11 pm, but the larger footprint sacrifices the intimacy the original space had. Fortunately, Chef Danny, who led the kitchen for 16 years at the previous location, remains at the helm.

After hearing about some early growing pains, I purposely waited before visiting. But when Toronto Life hosted a special TL Insider dinner ($225 per person, inclusive of taxes and gratuities), curiosity won out. The prices listed below reflect the regular menu, though portions at the event were likely smaller than standard service.

The evening began with a beef skewer ($31), featuring cubes of barbecued beef glazed in teriyaki and topped with plenty of chives. Unfortunately, consistency was an issue. Other guests raved about how tender theirs were, while mine arrived overcooked. It wasn’t inedible, but it certainly wasn’t tender.

One of the restaurant’s newer additions is its aged fish program, so I was eager to try the dry-aged salmon ($33). Listed as a “crudo,” I expected delicate slices in a citrusy sauce, but it arrived as another skewer. The texture was undeniably smooth, with the dry aging removing any chewiness, but the salmon also developed a gaminess that lingered unpleasantly. A marinade or thinner slicing might help balance things out.

I’m glad their signature Caesar salad ($24) remains excellent. It’s beautifully balanced with acidity, savouriness, and thoughtful touches like buttery breadcrumbs and bacon bits that aren’t rock hard. It’s still one of the better Caesars in the city, though tableside preparation now costs an additional $10.

Fans of tartare will likely appreciate the beef tartare ($41), which is prepared traditionally with minimally dressed hand-cut beef. Personally, I wanted more contrast in texture or flavour, though tartare has never been my go-to dish. I did appreciate the accompaniments of buttery crostini and gem lettuce leaves, which offered a lighter way to enjoy it.

And for fans like me, don't worry their cheese bread puffs still make an appearance (along with their take home chocolate muffins).

What continues to shine at Jacobs is the steak itself. The 40-day dry aged striploin was cooked beautifully, developing a crust that locked in the juices while maintaining tenderness despite being a leaner cut. The seasoning is more restrained, which allowed the volcanic sea salt and chimichurri on the side to actually enhance the beef rather than overwhelm it.

The pecorino broccolini ($22) had me almost finishing off the plate and is such a nice accompaniment with the rich beef. The only disappointment was the duck fat fries ($21), which arrived lukewarm and slightly stale, likely a casualty of serving a packed dining room.

Dessert ended the evening on a high note. The crème brulee ($21) was fantastic with visible vanilla bean specks throughout the silky custard. The sugar topping was thin and delicate, avoiding that overly sweet crunch some versions suffer from. Served alongside a sizeable chocolate biscotti and a fragrant orange shortbread cookie, it’s easily large enough to share.

With the expanded dining room, the front-of-house team has clearly grown as well. The staff is younger and fresher-faced, so any old-school steakhouse stuffiness has largely disappeared. More importantly, the service remains polished and attentive, and we were well taken care of throughout the evening.

Jacobs & Co.’s new location may have lost some of the cozy charm of the original, but it still nails the things that matter most: great steak and attentive service. Not every dish is a hit just yet, but the restaurant still feels every bit like the Toronto steakhouse people know and love.

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• Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
• 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
• 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
• 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
• 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
• 10 - absolute perfection!

• Jacobs & Co. 2023 visit
• Black + Blue

While The Queen Seafood Cuisine’s website highlights lavish set menus featuring jumbo lobster and king crab, they also offer less extravagant options. As a guest at a family celebration, I didn’t catch the exact price of our menu, but judging from similar ones online, I’d estimate it around $798. Before committing to a $1,000+ spread, it’s worth visiting to explore the more accessible offerings.

The roasted suckling pig with jellyfish is a dish of contrasts: warm, rich pork paired with cool, crunchy jellyfish. It may have been my portion, but the pork leaned slightly fatty. Still, it was moist with a delicate, crispy skin.

Instead of the usual deep-fried crab claw, Queen’s serves a scallop with shrimp paste. It’s easier to eat with a knife and fork, and while the sauce softens the crisp exterior, it adds a savoury depth without overwhelming the seafood.

The crispy salted egg yolk prawns were impressively large and well cooked. I don’t usually gravitate towards salted egg yolk, finding it heavy, but here it added a pleasant richness. Since the coating sits on the shell, it’s easy to control how much you get. I also appreciated the inclusion of vegetables throughout the meal. The scallops came with gai lan, while the prawns were paired with broccoli, helping balance out the richness.

Swapping out the usual shark fin soup, the bird’s nest soup with minced chicken and egg white was a welcomed change. The broth was thick and silky, but the minced chicken added some much-needed texture.

The braised abalone with mushroom and snow pea tips was well executed. The abalone was properly rehydrated, tender, and infused with the braising liquid, while the snow pea tips were kept simple to provide a fresh contrast.

Amid the celebration, I forgot to take a photo of the crispy roasted pigeon, which comes three to an order. There was plenty to go around. The skin was glossy and crisp, but the meat had a noticeably gamier flavour than expected, making it more of an acquired taste.

The double stir-fried lobster with Maggi sauce was handled with restraint. The seasoning added flavour without becoming sticky or overpowering. Unfortunately, the lobster itself was slightly overcooked, with the meat beginning to pull away from the shell rather than staying plump.

The steamed twin fish was perfectly cooked, so it was flaky but breaks apart. It’s just a shame that the scales weren’t cleaned properly so you had to remove the skin to make it edible.

Being a sister restaurant to Congee Queen, the portions here are generous. Even after most of us had large servings, there were still plenty of leftovers. The pork and seafood fried rice wrapped in lotus leaf was the stronger of the two carb dishes, packed with ingredients, well seasoned, and lightly fragrant from the leaf.

The braised e-fu noodles, however, were underwhelming. They lacked both flavour and substance. Typically, you’d expect mushrooms and chives, but here there were only a few scattered scallions and minimal mushroom. The result was dry, slightly sticky, and bland.

Dessert helped recover the meal. The hot red bean soup was consistently sweet, perhaps a touch too sugary for some, but it held its own after the heavier dishes. The almond cookies were a highlight - flaky, delicate, and fragrant. If you enjoy shortbread, these will be a hit, but even I appreciated them. The mango pudding was pleasant and sweet, though standard.

They’re known for their private dining rooms, which come with an additional $180 fee, but also a higher level of service. We had a dedicated staff member who regularly checked on tea and water, plated dishes for us, and handled leftovers without prompting. For a celebration, the pacing felt relaxed rather than rushed, though the meal stretched to about three and a half hours, so plan accordingly if dining with children or anyone short on patience.

There’s a friendliness at La Paella that instantly disarms you and puts you at ease. The welcoming service and cheerful, warm décor made it clear right away that this was going to be a good experience. If you’re hungry, be sure to order some appetizers - the paella takes time (about 40 minutes), and you’ll want something to tide you over.

If I see Iberico ham on a menu, I’m always tempted. At La Paella, the plato de jamon Iberico ($42) is cut thicker than usual, making it meatier and chewier than the delicate, thinner versions I’ve had before. The upside is you really taste the sweet pork. The downside? It’s paired with black truffle chips that completely overpower it. Do yourself a favour: eat the ham first, then the chips to wash down your cerveza. Otherwise, you’re wasting the ham.

The croquetas ($18 for six) change with the season. Ours were studded with bits of ham, finely diced into a creamy, almost mashed potato-like filling. The crisp exterior against the soft interior made for a great bite.

I’m glad the server suggested ordering sourdough ($5) alongside the gambas al ajillo ($29), because the garlicky olive oil and sherry sauce was excellent. Specks of guindilla chilies add a subtle but noticeable kick. If I weren’t trying to save room for the main, I would have devoured an entire thick slice of that crusty bread.

You’ll need at least two people to share a paella but a larger table is even better so you can try a couple of versions.

Do not miss the paella de langosta ($100 for two-person portion). It’s a simple but effective combination of lobster tail, prawns, and scallops, all cooked well despite the risk of overcooking such large pieces. The saffron rice is infused with an aromatic seafood stock and dotted with broad beans and peas for colour. It could be a touch drier - I prefer when the bottom forms a crispy crust - but if you enjoy a creamier, risotto-like consistency, this will suit you. Only while writing this did I realize you can request it done socarrat (the traditional burnt crust), which I’d request next time.

As for meat options, the paella matadero ($84 for two-person portion) is not for the faint of heart. You really really need to love pork - chorizo, pork belly, and ribs make it rich, salty, and quite heavy. Without much sauce, the ribs can lean a bit gamey. As a table, we agreed we should’ve gone with the traditional chicken-based Valenciana instead, as this was simply too much.

By the time 8:30pm rolled around the cheesecake was sold out, but who cares as their churros were fantastic! Freshly fried with a light crispy exterior and a soft moist centre, they were coated in cinnamon sugar and served with a chocolate sauce that wasn’t overly sweet. Easily one of the best churro orders I’ve had.

La Paella is made for sharing, lingering, and eating a little too much. Just remember: ham before chips, seafood over meat, and always save room for churros.