Queens Harbour

Perspective is often perfected by lavish surroundings. One superb sample of such a brawny statement is the makeup of a great view. There is consensus that it should evoke awe and wonder. Conjuring up elements that rival the most vivid imagination. It must provide a unique experience that inspires intrigue.

In Toronto, great views are plentiful. From its infamous skyline to the grand appearance of Lake Ontario, there is a scene for every scenario. In the ruthless restaurant landscape, competition is vibrant, and every debut is a duel to outdo the last great view. It's fuel for the masses who trend toward seeing and being seen. A complex space to occupy, but the burgeoning nature of the restaurant scene is undeniable.

Queens Harbour, a recent addition to Toronto's dynamic Harbourfront, has generated buzz around this very storyline. Their attempt at MediterrAsian in a modish, vantage-filled setting is the talk of the town.

Curious and hungry for a new point of view, I found myself on yet another Culinary Adventure.

Fall was flourishing, and although it's the season I treasure most, the cooler days are a reminder of what the next few months would bring. Despite Winter on the horizon, I was in a celebratory mood. The City was alive as three of my favourite things collided. Food, fashion, and sports. October was definitely in overdrive, and Toronto was coping in the most endearing ways. I spent the morning fretting about fashion. Should I top my cozy but chic outfit with a ball cap? It was impossible not to be swept up in the Blue Jays' improbable run to the World Series. After much debate, I opted for no cap. It had been a long time since I documented a Lunch, and I found myself asking, "Why don't I do Lunch more often?"

As morning turned to Afternoon, I found myself with a familiar sense of anticipation. Queens Harbour had come highly recommended from a well-dined It-Girl who has never steered me wrong. I wanted to avoid the Lunch rush and thought 2 pm would be the perfect time to reserve. That turned out to be a terrible assumption.

The ride from Midtown to Queens Quay W was a zippy 22 minutes, somewhat of a miracle given Toronto traffic. I was on time for my reservation and was greeted warmly upon arrival. After a quick survey of the space, I pivoted and asked if I could sit at the Bar. I had reserved standard seating, but the lighting was so beautiful that I couldn't resist. My request was graciously accommodated, and I hastily settled in and took in the surroundings. The scale of the room certainly provokes grand endeavours. After a few moments with the wine list, I ordered a glass of Prosecco, got cozy with the menu, and was ready to document this culinary adventure.

Spacious and spectacular, a step into Queens Harbour is as advertised. It's a grand room, with every inch of its 23,000 square feet on display. Floor-to-ceiling windows create a mirage of the outdoors, while a pulpit-like, crescent Bar anchors the room's many functional dining zones.

Adorned with contemporary lighting and candid artwork, the space exudes a regal exuberance. The furniture is simple, masquerading as minimalist, to complement the room's majestic nature. Despite the room's size, the space is inviting and warm. The splendour is satisfying!

A perfectly balanced trio. The Hummus hummed, the Labneh lulled, and the Muhammera mesmerized. This trio was out of this world. Creamy, smooth textures, paired with smoky-sweet and tangy notes, made this App more than desirable.

What a revelation! The perfect partner to the Dips, these puffs were perfection. Warm with a delicate flavour and chewy yet uniquely pillowy. I'd go back just to try these again.

At first glance, this plate was intimidating. There are so many wonderful parts — where to start? The Chicken was yummy, tender, flavour-filled and moist. The potatoes were so-so, but the tabbouleh and Hummus were on a level worthy of many accolades.

This paired well with the Chicken; its bright citrus notes, crisp, mineral-driven finish, and floral aromatics lingered long enough to inspire ecstasy.

Everyone I encountered at Queens Harbour was lovely. From greeting to goodbye, everybody seemed genuinely invested in giving me a quality experience. That being said, there were some hiccups with the service. It lacked finesse and flow, making the experience somewhat disjointed. The most notable glitches were that my Main came out while I was a third of the way through my appetizer, and it took nearly 20 minutes to clear the dishes after I was visibly done eating. The Bartender who served me for most of the Afternoon seemed heavily taxed. He was making drinks, serving people at the Bar, and he also had a small section. He had some help from what I imagine was the Manager on duty, so I never had to wait too long for anything, but it seemed like a lot for one person. These things will become clear over time with repetition. They've only been open for 3 months, so things like appropriately staffing and taking the correct steps to service will come. It's a work in progress.

My visit to Queens Harbour was one of the more economical Culinary Adventures I've been on in recent memory. The menu is vast and diverse, and is priced accordingly. As usual, I opted for items that were in the middle. The food prices are comparable to those of other restaurants occupying the fusion space. I can usually navigate a menu to keep prices reasonable, but drinks are generally a bit harder to work around. At Queens Harbour, the drink menu is also varied and extensive, but the prices are surprisingly equitable. Overall, the entire meal came in well under the $200 budget(before tip) that I roughly always keep. An absolute bargain!

Overall, the Queens Harbour experience was enjoyable. Gorgeous space, good eats, affordable drinks and views as advertised. If you find yourself in the middle of Downtown Toronto, they're worth a visit.

Queens Harbour is located at 245 Queens Quay W.

Enjoy!