Went there last Sunday (June 9, 2013) when the weather was beautiful. Island Cafe is a picturesque place with a gorgeous patio, located close to the ferry dock, on the edge of a park on Ward Island. There is so much potential. Our server was quite friendly and accommodating and the setting made it earn 2 stars; but otherwise, it would have been one.
The menu was limited, fries only available on "Frydays", chicken wing special only available after 5:30pm. No big deal as there were other things to choose from. The intention of a smaller menu is usually to simplify work in the kitchen so that speed and quality can be emphasized. We ordered a pitcher of beer, two orders of shrimp, and two orders of nachos. The beer took 15 minutes and our appetizers took 45 minutes to arrive. Each order of shrimp was six or seven shrimp with a side of watery tamarind dipping sauce. The nachos were basically toasted chips with hardly any cheese or toppings. We did opt for two add on guacamole orders at $2.50 each, for about two tablespoons of guac.
The whole thing along with one glass of wine (just some sub-par appetizers and essentially 4 drinks) came to just over $80 after taxes and gratuity. This would have been reasonable for good quality food; but from what I observed, the food gets better attention at a fast food chain.
I sincerely hope that Island Cafe can improve their quality and speed rather than just rely on their location monopoly. Otherwise Torontonians will catch on and save their appetites for the mainland.