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| - Wow. This is the stuff. This is the hidden gem of an area that is rather lack luster.
Aviv is hidden away in a somewhat regrettably run-down area near Casa Loma, making it a convenient choice for lunch/dinner before or after trekking through the historical site. At first glance, I wasn't so sure about the quality of food and service when my party parked because even the outside of Aviv remains somewhat unkept. However, lo and behold you're transported to a funky and somewhat high class dining landscape when you pass through the thick velvet curtains at the front.
The service here was phenomenal. Various servers checked up on us on a regular basis, and one of them included a gentleman that I presume is the owner - that's true devotion to keeping it real with the customer experience.
Food-wise, the portions were just right for a hungry hippo and my party was unanimously positive with the flavour of our dishes. I ordered the burger, the cheaper main dish on the dinner menu. The burger was juicy and satisfying, even without any additional condiments. It wasn't a crazy concoction like what you would get from Burger's Priest, but it was a burger that you just couldn't disagree with. Also, the cooks were very generous with the fries that came with the burger as a side. There were almost as many as what you would get in a bag of fries from Five Guys, and that's saying a lot! They weren't those soggy fries that sit in the kitchen either. They were salty and crisp, just like how I like them to be. If I didn't have to go to Casa Loma right afterwards, I would have taken my fries to go instead of feeding them to the restaurant's green bin. The salt is real here!
Long story short, I definitely recommend you to go to Aviv if you're in the area. It's perfect for friends, dates, and family gatherings. You're never going to be short-changed by the service and food, even if it's not in the best type of neighborhood.
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