I really like Diana's and have been going to the Lawrence Ave. location for a number of years. I was excited to see it close to me in Markham. I have to disagree with some of the other posters about the new ambiance of the restaurant. It actually spoiled the experience for me. Diana is at least a $$$ restaurant. The new place is very big and there is a section down the middle that is stacked with tables - I wouldn't call it intimate dinning. It felt like cafeteria seating. They really tried - but we were seated in a front table where the parking lot lights and cars were shining directly in my eyes - Guys, you need to at least frost that window or put some blinds there. We were also directly under a big screen tv - with a basketball game on. Guys, you need to decide if you are a sports bar, a hamburger joint or a fine restaurant - I found the table was a distraction from the meal and we moved. The TV's were tacky. They had really cool salt and pepper shakers on the tables - they were nicely plated but in an odd attempt instead of candles they had the battery powered fake tea candles from a dollar store. That one was a miss. The wait staff was nice - on the goofy side and knew nothing about what they were serving - " we have two specials but get the lobster" we had to say well, what are the specials - and he found a paper and read them to us - Maybe they should use the tv screens to show the specials (just kidding, kill the tvs) - the restaurant is as bright as a cafeteria as well - guys if you want to add a splash of class, dim the lights- and in a classy restaurant please train your servers to never take your plate away while others are still eating.
The food was the usual Diana's standard - EXCELLENT and with exception of the staff training and eating in a cafeteria it was great.
They really can do some simple things as described above to get it right - and if they are ambitious add some room division to make the experience equal the food and the price.