Dakota Tavern - Bluegrass Brunch - All you can eat!

So after a night out on the town I decided it was time to head out to a brunch spot.  I have heard from a few people that the Dakota Tavern has a Bluegrass Brunch on Sundays and being one to want to experience something new it was my pick this Sunday.

The Dakota Tavern offers a $14 all you can eat brunch.  The food arrives on platters so it's perfect to go with friends and share.  A simple breakfast, live music, and social atmosphere is what you will find when you head down the stairs.  If you are looking for a formal experience this is not the place for you.  This is a very casual spot with not a lot of seating and there is also a live Bluegrass band that plays so if live music is unnecessary noise to you when hung over you also might want to avoid this spot.

So the platter that came out had scrambled eggs, home fries, farmer’s sausage, and pancakes.    The eggs were very basic with nothing in them, the home fries were good but with no seasoning, the sausages were good, and the pancakes were great.  Salt and pepper was the seasoning used for this breakfast.  Also the fruit that we got unfortunately was cut with an onion knife so it left the fruit with an onion after taste.

Now don't get me wrong the food was plentiful and came out very quickly but was only warm at best.  The service was very good, quick, and pleasant.  I would suggest this place for those on a budget, hungry, or looking for some good live Bluegrass.

I am giving this Brunch location a 6 out of 10.

Here is the website you can check out for yourself if you would like. 

thedakotatavern.com

Also I have posted the brunch menu below.  Please remember I am only critiquing the brunch aspect of the Dakota Tavern not the night life.

SUNDAY BRUNCH MENU

11AM - 3PM

Adults $14        Kids $7

This is an all you can eat family affair, your server will bring you platters of:

Fruit Salad

Scrambled Eggs

Sausages

Potatoes

Pancakes

Orange Juice

Coffee/Tea

And you can listen to some of the city’s best bluegrass bands!!!

Yeehaa!

- The Hungry Ginger

CN Tower 360 Restaurant

Here is a prime example of the tourist restaurant.  I mean who wouldn't want to eat at the top of the CN Tower?  The atmosphere is absolutely stunning as you sit window side to a view of Toronto.  Soaring high above any other building in Toronto you get this feeling of being on top of the world.  An experience that all Torontonians must embrace.  But I am sure you are asking yourself by now about the food.

So when looking through the menu there were some fancy dishes that were very well appointed but it was not very extensive.  There is only one pasta dish on the menu which I found to be very surprising.  The advantage also is that this is a Vegetarian Friendly restaurant.  360 now boasts a Vegetarian menu.  Not vegan, vegetarian.

The price point is high but you have to also factor in that with dinner you get a free ride up the CN Tower which is $35 for anyone just going up to explore the glass floor and outdoor observatory.  All these things are free of charge when you eat at 360 Restaurant.  Wicked perk if you are taking a date to this location.

360 also has a prix fixe menu which is what decided to enjoy when visiting.  It was a four course meal for $68 which is amazing value when you compare to the prices on the main menu.  So for a per person cost it would be $100 for your ride up, an amazing meal, great service, including tax and gratuity.  I believe this is a great deal and if you pass up the opportunity then all I can say is: "It's your loss!"

Meal:  I had a Lobster Tortilla as my amuse bouche, then Smoked Salmon with pumpernickel bread, then a massive piece of cooked to perfection Canadian Prime Rib with Yorkshire pudding and steamed vegetables, finished off with a fruit filled pastry shortcake with ice cream.  Unbeatable!

My servers name was Mohammed.  He is a very good mature server and precise with his tables.  Not the most social server but who needs a server trying to have a conversation with you when you are trying to enjoy the food and view.  Meals were timed very appropriately and were delicious.  His support staff always asked about food quality, topped up water, and will even take your picture for you if you ask.

The 360 restaurant receives an 8 out of 10 for an overall experience, lasting expression, vegetarian menu, and prix fixe option.  Feel free to check out their website at: http://www.cntower.ca/360_restaurant/overview/ 

Enjoy 360 everyone.

-The Hungry Ginger

About The Hungry Ginger

I am just an average guy with an average job that has been in the hospitality industry for over 13 years.  I have worked for companies like Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Cameron's Brewing Company, and Moosehead Breweries.

My career timeline has taken me through many different positions.  From dishwasher to kitchen manager, fine dining server to beverage manager, and from junior marketing assistant to beer sales representative.

Now I want to share with you the pros and cons of my dining experiences.  Have you ever had a terrible dining experience?  Walked down a random alleyway and found a hidden gem?  Enjoy new and different cuisines but are unsure of where to go or what to look for on the menu?  Have you had a server that was so awful or amazing and wanted so badly to tell somebody about it?  Well look no further.

This blog is designed to save you time while deciding where to go or what to eat by documenting my appetizing journey of palate satisfying or destroying locations that I discover.  It might be a restaurant, diner, bistro, pub, gastro pub, fine dining, or the independent 'mom and pop' shop somewhere in the city of Toronto so keep watch as I start my crusade to find you the best places to go or avoid.

I look forward to hearing from you about your experiences at the restaurants I have gone to or hearing suggestions of places you would like my opinion of.

Happy Eating!!!

- The Hungry Ginger