| rev:text
| - It's not easy finding a restaurant downtown Toronto that can handle a very large group that also serves incredible food, on a Saturday, at dinner time. Did I mention I had less than a week to work with? Enter Marben. You'll catch me saying the name with the emphasis on the second syllable (I'm part French) but everyone I know emphasizes the MAR.
Allowing 16 people to order food could easily become a disaster. Luckily, the servers told us the chef had a sharing/tasting menu in mind and we did not object. The amazing waitress checked with everyone for dietary restrictions and let those affected know which dishes they could enjoy and which to avoid. There was lots of food coming so no one would starve.
I have often been told that Marben is very expensive, some say too expensive. Therefore, if you have 15 friends (acquaintances will do), I highly recommend this long list of food. It was very affordable considering the quality and quantity of food we enjoyed. About $40 per person, INCLUDING tax and tip. And we were all more than full. Also, we didn't even finish it all.
18 oysters = $45
3 charcuterie boards = $60
3 beet salads = $30
3 cod cakes = $36
6 DNR burgers = $78
3 DNR bass = $51
3 DNR toulouse = $39
2 DNR trout = $36
2 DNR lamb = $42
3 squash = $15
3 fries = $15
3 sunchoke = $15
3 broccoli = $15
3 gnocchi = $15
2 spaetzle = $10
My favourites: the burger, the sunchokes, the gnocchi.
Honourable mentions: charcuterie, beed salad, lamb, squash, spaetzle, broccoli.
Notes: beverages were on a separate bill. They will let you each use a different credit card, if necessary.
This was a great way for our large group to dine. This gave everyone the opportunity to try several items of the menu and also saved us lots of time by not ordering individual meals.
On a second visit I was seated at a high top on the main level. We ordered the burger and the gnocchi. Both were as good as I had remembered. The service was spectacular, yet again. It's good to know their quality is consistent.
I'm impressed!
|