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| - My bf and I wandered into this narrow, appropriately dim little bar/restaurant after FanExpo at the TO convention center. After originally planning to sit on the small but quaint patio we moved in to the bar to enjoy their half off happy hour apps (no alcohol purchase necessary, a bonus in the 85+ heat we were walking in). I've read since our meal that this place can be very crowded, but at 5:30ish on a Sunday it was completely dead for most of our stay.
Ambiance - The place wreaks of old jazz/blues, from the multiple photos of classic musicians in the genres to the giant painting of Billie Holiday to the dark, rich wood work and small, intimate tables. The restaurant is dominated by a long, comfortable bar which had a narrower depth of counter for drinking customers and a deeper depth for those wanting food with their libations.
Food - We decided to order a variety of apps, as we were having trouble settling on entrees anyway, and the half off special sounded too good to pass up. We both got gumbo - a flavorful enough broth, but thin and soupy compared to what I've come to know as gumbo with very little rice and almost nothing else in it. My date's grilled veggie platter was out of this world - a heaping rainbow of bright colored produce, all fresh and tasty, with a creamy dip. I couldn't stop snagging stuff off it! My oysters, served in the shell with a mix of cheese, seasoning and bread crumbs, were rich, delicious and done just right. The real eye opener were the alligator kabobs - gator medallions rolled in seasoned breading and cooked to perfection on skewers. The taste of the meat was like nothing I'd had before and was complimented rather than overpowered by the coating - not too salty, not greasy, and with excellent texture. The gator and oysters both came on beds of mixed greens that were super fresh - if these are intended as garnish they should really take it down a notch. There was SO much I squeezed my lemon wedges on it and ate it as a side salad (bonus for me, but not good price points for the restaurant). The desserts, carrot cake for myself and apple toffee cheesecake for my date, were excellent and made in house. Fresh, great texture, strong flavors, not overpoweringly sweet.
Service - Service easily deducted 2/3 of a star (the other third lost on the weak gumbo). The server was nice enough and okay with speed, but spent 3/4 of our meal sitting at the other end of the bar, eating and talking with his super loud, obnoxious friend (another waiter off duty, or just not doing anything, who wouldn't shut up about his football "knowledge" and dropped multiple f-bombs - I'm not sensitive but that can really be a turn off to some customers). Our waiter also repeatedly made comments to his friend about how empty the place was and insinuated the business was dying a slow death. Not professional. Eventually a waitress showed up, just in time for the first table of folks for the dinner rush to get sat. After she placed their orders she too plopped at the end of the bar and joined in with the loud, non-workplace appropriate conversation which quickly turned to her dating/partying experiences - it was like Jersey Shore after five minutes. I would have lost my job after about two shifts of this at food service places I've worked at, even chain restaurants.
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