Carisma - Toronto, Ontario

This restaurant has a comforting and elegant atmosphere and our server was really kind! I really enjoyed the pasta of the day which was a truffle linguine. The other dishes however were somewhat lackluster. The carpaccio was a bit bland, the calamarata was lacking spice and the mussels had sand ... in them and the osso buco was super dry in some parts. Overall, this is a decent restaurant but I’m not sure if I’ll come again. Read more

Nestled in an intimate space adorned with elegant design elements and verdant potted plants, including charming small olive trees, this quaint establishment exudes a refined ambiance. From the moment we stepped in, it became evident that exceptional service was the cornerstone of our dining experience—a rarity in Toronto's bustling culinary scene ... of recent years. Our expectations were set high, and they were met with flying colors. We commenced our culinary journey with a delightful gesture—a complimentary offering of fresh, warm bread infused with fragrant rosemary and drizzled with luscious olive oil. A promising start indeed. We informed a server that we'll share an appetizer, and opted for the Calamari Alla Griglia ($22), a dish that arrived elegantly presented on two plates (a standard practice these days that an extra plate or two are brought as well, but properly and nicely presented smaller portions were a great gesture!). The grilled calamari, cooked to perfection, boasted a tender texture, complemented exquisitely by the warmth of Moroccan black olives and the vibrant scallion tomato salsa. Each bite was a harmonious blend of flavors, with the olives providing a pleasing hint of bitterness to balance the dish. Moving on to the main course, the Filetto Di Manzo ($65) stole the spotlight—a grilled beef tenderloin adorned with a decadent foie gras torchon and drizzled with a rich Barolo wine reduction. Paired with creamy mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables, every element of this dish danced on the palate. The steak, cooked to a flawless medium-rare, melted in the mouth, while the seared foie gras added a luxurious touch with its velvety texture and subtle sweetness, perfectly offsetting the bitterness of the wine reduction. It was a culinary masterpiece, surpassing even our most recent steak experiences. The Osso Bucco Alla Milanese ($50), served with risotto, proved to be another delightful surprise. Though not our usual choice, this rendition impressed with its tender, flavorful meat and a tantalizing addition of bone marrow, expertly highlighted by a special spoon provided for maximum enjoyment. As we concluded our meal, the desserts did not disappoint. The Tiramisu and Crème Brûlée were both standout desserts, with the Tiramisu being the best in Toronto in the last five years (although, I have to admit that about a year ago tasted even a better one in Florida, and the Crème Brûlée is taking the top spot in our dessert list for the same period. In summary, this dining experience transcended mere gastronomy—it was a symphony of flavors orchestrated to perfection - in addition to its elegant ambiance - left an indelible mark on our palates and memories. Read more

Fine dining at its finest, romantic and beautiful. If I could give 10 stars, I would. 5 Star restaraunt, all friendly, helpful, accommodating waiter staff. Our waiter, she was very nice and knew right away what we wanted to order. Order came out fresh and quick, surprisingly. Complimentary bread was ... soft and tart. The Spaghettini was the star of the show, with huge tiger shrimp, delicious, palatable and flavourful with Parmesan it turns it up to a whole different level of rare. The chefs here are world class, compliments to the chef. We came here for my wife’s birthday in February and we left satisfied. The wine was delightful, best, number 1. Also you can’t go here and not get the cappuccino, it was all 6 out of 5 stars. Ambience was elegant, comfortable and very classy. I would recommend this to anyone that wants to try a real 5 star restaurant. Prices are very affordable for the quality that you are getting, cheers and enjoy your day :) Top quality, fantastic, amazing. Read more

This restaurant was absolutely amazing, I’ve never been to such a nice restaurant where the food tasted so good. Let me start off by saying the food here is absolutely delicious. The Spaghettini with tiger shrimp was the best pasta I’ve ever had in my life , so tasty and ... filling. The service was amazing, so professional and friendly. The wine is perfect and they have a great selection on their menu, I came for lunch and was very satisfied!!!! I also tried a cappuccino from here which was perfect, I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a real 5 star restaurant that is very classy!!!!! Read more

Great food and amazing people here, margi even gave us a cocktail for coming by. Welcomed with lots of love and professionalism. When we got back the food was spectacular especially for takeout food, would love to eat in person there next time.