2. EPIC

I had a VERY disappointing Mother's Day brunch at EPIC (May 11th, 2003). To begin with all the seafood items were served cold with the exception of some halibut was appeared too day to even try. The sushi/sashimi was okay although there was an extremely limited range of items on offer. Carved meats were also pretty dry and servers did not offer a range of "doneness." As we were in the final seating, desserts ran out and were not replaced. The chocolate fountain ceased functioning--at which point staff invited my Mum to dip fruit into the watery "chocolate?" remaining at the base of the fountain. At one point, the staff cleared off our table while we were refilling our plates. I was absolutely disgusted and will NEVER return!

After searching on line for a restaurant for twelve women to celebrate a bachelorette dinner, it was decided by two of us that Epic was the place. Having twelve women gather for a weekend can be challenging and you never know exactly what a restaurant will be like. I could not have been more pleased. We were placed in the Private Dining Room that has glass doors separating you from the main dining room. This was a good thing because at times we did get a little loud. The food, the service, the atmosphere and the good time had by all was far superior than I could have ever imagined. Thank you to the entire staff at Epic. I will be back and many, many people will hear about you and want to dine there. Our joke is that we felt like "rock stars" with the treatment we received.

Dinner at Epic was the highlight of my recent one-week business trip to Toronto. We started with drinks at the Epic lounge, enjoying their live piano, which set a great atmosphere. We then migrated into the restaurant area for dinner. EPIC's design allows for quite intimate corners of seclusion for great conversation. The decor is classic and elegant. Our server was very knowledgeable, attentive and helpful. We began with a fine ice wine and fois gras, which were both spectacular. This was followed, and matched in its perfection by the macadamia-encrusted halibut. This is my favorite fish, and this was, bar none, the finest preparation, presentation and culmination of flavors that I have ever experienced with any similar dish anywhere else in the world. The wine suggested was a fine Chardonnay that could have been slightly more buttery to be perfect, but was none the less a fine addition. Dessert did nothing but continue this crescendo of fine presentation and pleasure to the palate. I would highly recommend EPIC as one of the finest dinner experiences that I have ever had in this great city.