Aside from The Keg, Torontonians
don’t have a lot of options for reasonably priced steakhouses, especially those
where weekend reservations aren’t painful to secure. Hence, when pictures of
Smith Bros. Steakhouse Tavern prime rib starting flashing across my Instagram
feed, I vowed to visit the Scarborough restaurant the next time I was craving
beef.
Indeed, the prime rib platter
($35) arrived looking just like the pictures I’ve seen. A behemoth 12oz slab of
medium rare beef with just a small drizzle of au jus placed on
when it arrives so that it doesn’t completely cook through the meat while
transporting the dish. Don’t worry, a generous ladle arrives on the side so
that there’s plenty of salty beef sauce for dipping prime rib or Yorkshire
pudding into. The pudding, although has a lovely taste, was a bit too hard.
Smith Bros. also has a selection
of 28-day aged steaks. The seafood sirloin ($35) looks much smaller than the
prime rib, but since it’s a rather lean cut (less wastage) and topped with a
rich poached lobster and shrimp in brandy cream sauce, it’s a rather rich, so
being smaller doesn’t hurt. It’s served with a choice of potato (fries, garlic
mashed potatoes, or baked potato). Their fries even makes the shoestring
variety seem fat - it’s sort of like a softer and thicker Hickory Stick. While
I would have preferred them thicker, it’s not too bad.
While all the mains arrive with
starches, there’s nothing green and healthy, so an order of the seasonal
vegetable for two ($8) helps to balance the meal. It’s nothing fancy: large
hunks of broccoli with little done in terms of preparation other than steaming.
Smith Bros. Steakhouse follows a
similar model to the Keg – spacious restaurant, serves hot fresh bread, and has
warm and friendly service. Except you’re able to make reservations on weekends
without blackout periods and the dining room is brightly lit, so perhaps a
better option for families. I left satisfied and feeling like I had my fill of
beef for at least a month. Best of all, I got it all without having to pay $55+
for a steak.
How To Find Them
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 880 Warden Avenue
Address: 880 Warden Avenue
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Gastro World's Grading System
- 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!
Is That It? I Want More!
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