I DON'T KNOW! I just don't know how to rate this place... I've never had such hot and cold feeling about a place in my life! So here is the breakdown:
9:45pm: THE GREETING 1 star
Don't bother looking for an address or name on the door, Spice Route is too cool to identify itself...
We walked in to meet a friend for his birthday but we were a bit early and the birthday boy wasn't there yet. The girl at the front said it was the restaurant's policy to only seat a reservation when half the party had arrived... What a stupid policy! I guess we'll stand!
10:00pm THE BAR 4 stars
I went to the bar twice and although it was packed, I never waited once for my drink. Speaking of drink, both my martini and my rum and coke were good and strong!
10:15pm THE DECOR 5 stars
This place is BEAUTIFUL!!!! The interior designer should honestly pat themselves on the back because the space is immaculate! It actually reminds me of TAO in Vegas... but I think TAO has a better understanding of the differences between a Club, a lounge and a restaurant.
10:30pm THE CROWD 1 star
When did the Real Housewives of Woodbridge and their hairdressers take over King West?! There was a smell of cheap self tanner and desperation in the air, wrapped up in hot stilettos and a leopard print dresses. I didn't think the atmosphere was pretentious as much as I thought of how sorry I felt for these washed up middle aged women who felt like they needed to tart themselves up in their daughter (or granddaughter's) clothing just to have a man approach them. These are not my type of peeps... nough said!
10:45 THE MUSIC 2 stars
This is not so much a criticism of the music played so much as a rant about the volume of the music. Perhaps Spice Route forgot that they are a lounge and as such the music should be background noise... not a soundtrack!
11:00 THE WAITER 1 star
I ordered a martini and the Rock Calamari/Tempura Shrimp. My appetizer arrived steaming hot but no drink in sight. 10 minutes pass and the waiter comes by to see if "everything is alright" I tell him I am still waiting on my martini... he replies "so am I!" Not sure what he meant by that but I don't care! If my food arrives before my drink, it's an automatic FAIL in my books.
11:15pm THE FOOD 2 stars
The calamari was good at first but got progressively saltier with every bite. The shrimp on the other hand needed some flavour and the batter was a wee bit too thick in some spots.
If my calculations are correct, that warrants a 2.5 stars... sadly I don't think it deserves a 3 star rating so 2 will have to suffice!