Eatery

A bunch of friends came into town and I wanted to take them somewhere where we could relax with a big group and enjoy ourselves with drinks and dinner. The food was great...a good variety for everyone. And the drink were even better. I'll def be going back!

I've eaten many a meal at E, and many more delivered (a local habit, not hard to get used to though, believe me). They have very good food and will make things to order as well - 'off the menu' - whenever possible. They have some wonderful salads, to which you may also add other things (ie: shrimp, salad, etc). They have delicious chocolate banana spring rolls for dessert, and at lunchtime they also have home-made and hand cut potato chips which are great - and a little indulgence, though not greasy at all (I ask for them well done). For basic burgers, etc, though good, there is much better, much cheaper at Island Burger, just a few blocks further south on the same side - but no ambience at all there. (Also fabulous chicken, salads with chicken on top if you like and great shakes - excellent value there) The Eatery is not what it was when they first joined our neighbourhood, but there are some great favourites, including what's mentioned, they also have a very interesting spring roll appetizer with banana and seafood - delicious - and to be honest I have never had a meal there which I truly didn't like. Not the cheapest around, but it has a nice bar area, a large dining area - not something which many restaurants around here have, so all in all it makes a wonderful place for groups too - which our generally smaller places can't manage. If feeling in the mood for 'comfort food' they make good mac and cheese - though I recommend asking for the 'frizzled onions' they put on top to be on the side, as they can be a little oily and overpowering, though also very good. Enjoy! Just remember that if you're planning a visit, 9th Ave has a plethora of fabulous spots, each unique and special in its own way, and they really all have to be quite good to survive, given competition and rents around here! Those which don't deserve to stick around, generally disappear quickly! By the way, for those of you who aren't aware, there's a sister restaurant to the Eatery (called "E") - and it's called Whym - it's only a five minute walk further north -

Think an upscale diner with a nice vibe and tasty comfort food. Nothing earth shattering, but very acceptable. Service was excellent, not cheap, but certainly fairly priced for what you get. My wife and daughter got the salmon and noodle/tofu salad, and both was ample dinner salads and tasty. I got the meatloaf with cheddar fondue. A little heavy..but I enjoyed it. Would definately go back. Sam L.

I have no idea why so many people choose to eat brunch here. Eatery served me one of the worst brunches I've ever had. I don't know if they ran out of salt the day we came in, but the food was bland. My grits weren't even cooked all the way they were like gritty sludge in a bowl. My boyfriend's food was hardly better.

The built an attractive restaurant with no coat hooks and no coat checks. We went on a rainy evening and there were wet coats all over the place.

$2.50 for a highball glass filled with ice and topped off with Diet Pepsi (not even Coke!) and they charge extra for refills. F*$@ that. Tuna tartare tasted like it was bathed in sugar syrup, and was more avocado than tuna. Burgers weren't cooked to doneness (asked for two mediums, got one fully rare and one totally well). F*$@ that. Service was spacey, spotty, and impolite - they snatched glasses and plates away before they were empty, entrees came out staggered, our waitress acted mortally offended that we didn't want dessert. F*$@ that. Seriously, I haven't had such a painfully subpar restaurant experience in years. Total disappointment.

The drinks here are great! Fresh juices, nice cocktails, top notch. The food is decent but nothing spectacular. Basically it is diner food taken one step higher. Nothing is made fresh and this is soon realized when meals come to the table just moments after ordering. Stick with fried food if possible or red meat, at least that has to be made to order. The prices are high for what is served. Would I go back? Just for drinks and appetizers but never dinner.