The Rushton - Toronto, Ontario

Disappointed to have to leave this review considering my husband and I specifically chose this spot as it was the place we had our first date 10 years ago and so it had sentimental value. It’s a great location on St. Clair Ave and especially for the Salsa festival. It’s ... bad enough that they upcharge you because of the festival - eg. $14 for a can of beer - but we let that go. Then on top of that they automatically include a 20% gratuity. Not great, but, again, it is what it is. But then the ripping off continued. We paid for our bill in cash, then waited and waited for our change. The waiter claimed to forget. When he finally brought our change he said they didn’t have enough cash and gave us $10 instead of $13. As if that was acceptable. I’m pretty sure, shoe on the other foot, if patrons all of a sudden started paying less than their bill, they wouldn’t be OK with that. And neither should we. So then I said give me back the cash I’ll pay with a card and he said he couldn’t because he’d already closed the bill and that I would need to talk to the manager Frankie. Long story short, Frankie essentially tried to belittle us for wanting $3. I explained to him it was the principle of the matter and he can’t expect people to pay what was effectively $40 for 2 beers and use an excuse saying “it’s a festival”. This was a clear and blatant example of going beyond taking advantage of your guests. We had no issues paying the already inflated prices, but it was the added sneaky behavior of trying to not give us our correct change and belittle us when we raised it. Do better Frankie. Do better. Read more

Great spot. Its simply the perfect neighbourhood restaurant. I’ve loved my fish and the drinks were outstanding.

Fantastic servers and staff, with good attitudes, pleasant and very attentive. The food arrived quickly, and was good in proportion and quality. There were sadly, a few problems. If you take reservations, you should keep reservations, and not make your customers wait in the open doorway of the restaurant. It was a ... beautiful windy day of 9C and the front door was propped open to let the smoke from the kitchen to escape. We were seated near the front door, coats on until it the doors were closed after about half an hour. Until that time the twelve or so seats at the front of the restaurant could not be used as it was simply too cold and windy. Once the doors were closed, and the seats occupied, the room, still smoky, warned up quickly. Unfortunately, this also meant that the noise level went up as did the sound level of the background music. Now, this seems like an Old-Guy comment, but being hearing impaired it meant I essentially ate my dinner alone. Chatting on the way home, I said I would give the Rushton another chance, but the others in my party said they would not. Read more

Loved the neighbourhood restaurant. Food was amazing and fast and service was on point. Totally hit the spot!

The service was excellent, the food was a good big portion; very delicious. The Maple Shrimp, Sear Scallops and Seafood Plates was my personal favourite.