Joni - Toronto

Joni is a beautifully designed restaurant with outstanding service that truly impressed me. To begin, we were served delightful milk buns accompanied by salted... read more Joni is a beautifully designed restaurant with outstanding service that truly impressed me. To begin, we were served delightful milk buns accompanied by salted tomato butter, which perfectly showcased the chef's creativity. The freshly baked milk buns were light and reminiscent of brioche, while the tomato butter provided a refreshing twist. The beef tartare surprised me with its presentation on a waffle, but it turned out to be an amazing combination. The hand-chopped beef, complemented by a smooth egg yolk sauce, was enhanced by unique elderberry capers. The lightly sweet einkorn waffle elevated the dish, making it an unforgettable experience—kudos to the chef for this brilliant creation! The halibut was another standout; it was the best I have ever tasted. Exceptionally tender, it featured delightful salty notes from the roe and a wonderful crispness from the fingerling potatoes. Normally, I'm not a fan of potatoes, but I made an exception for this dish! The steak frites, featuring a perfectly cooked medium-rare striploin, didn’t quite live up to my expectations in terms of tenderness. While the horseradish cream added flavor, it didn’t compare to the other culinary masterpieces on the menu. For dessert, the peach torta was a lovely French-style tart—not overly sweet, with a soft texture reminiscent of muffin dough. Topped with airy crème fraiche and mint leaves, it beautifully combined American/Canadian and French baking traditions. Finally, the sea buckthorn crème resembled a Pavlova, featuring a toasted meringue perfectly balanced with white chocolate, a hint of raspberry, and a tangy sea buckthorn sauce that offered a refreshing summer twist. It delivered a fantastic contrast of textures and a delightful medley of sweetness. Overall, I had a fabulous dining experience at Joni and would highly recommend this restaurant. Food: 4, Service: 5, Atmosphere: 5.

Joni made my 25th birthday truly unforgettable! I dined there last night for my birthday dinner, and it was genuinely one of the best dining experiences I've ha... read more Joni made my 25th birthday truly unforgettable! I dined there last night for my birthday dinner, and it was genuinely one of the best dining experiences I've had in Toronto. The ambiance was warm and elegant, the staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, and the space itself is absolutely beautiful. We ordered the harvest chicken and the short rib, both of which were delicious—perfectly cooked and full of flavor. The mashed potatoes were exceptional, and the house bread with sun-dried tomato butter? It might just be the best butter I've ever had at a restaurant, without a doubt. With two cocktails, our total was around $200 before tax, which felt reasonable considering the quality and overall experience. There was a minor issue during dinner—a little sesame seed cross-contamination (I have an allergy)—but the staff handled it quickly and graciously, providing me with a fresh dish without any trouble. After dinner, we headed upstairs to the Writers Room for drinks, but sadly, we forgot our leftovers, including nearly a full serving of those amazing mashed potatoes and the delightful bread and butter. It was heartbreaking to realize that the restaurant had closed for the night when we found out. Overall, Joni exceeded my expectations and offered a birthday dinner to remember. I can't wait to return—especially to reclaim those lost leftovers! Meal type: Dinner Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Joni offers an exceptional experience with a perfect score of 5/5 for food, service, and atmosphere. The menu is filled with delightful options that truly impre... read more Joni offers an exceptional experience with a perfect score of 5/5 for food, service, and atmosphere. The menu is filled with delightful options that truly impress. The average cost per person is around $40–50.