Bar Mercurio

Fantastic food – homemade gnocchi & pastas by Mama Mercurio; 10 gourmet pizzas; great (but price-​y) wine list; warm & professional service by Roberto, Lindsay, & Sarah.

Ate here for the first and last time a few months ago. The reason that I’m writing the review now is because I sent the manager two emails explaining my awful experience, and he didn’t bother to respond – so it’s fair to assume that they don’t really care.
The food is not bad, but the service is awful. The wine is very overpriced so I expected the service to match up to the price, but the staff are so uncourteous and rude. We had to be somewhere and we told the hostess that when we walked in, but the pizza took so long that we had to have our salads and then come back after our meeting to eat the pizza (all of which we had already paid for, by the way). That wasn’t even the issue. When we came back and ordered more wine, the 3 ounces looked like a tester, so we said «go ahead, no need to taste» and the waitress said «no, that’s it!». It was kind of hilarious and we were in disbelief so she decided that she would take a shot glass and prove that the glass she poured was really 3 ounces, which is rude and uncalled for. We told her that it wasn’t necessary and that we believed her. The service just kept going downhill from there. Had to ask for things again and again, and when we got them it was with lots of eye rolls and attitude. The wine glasses smelled like the dirty rag that they used to dry them, which is so gross! I contacted the manager, he gave me his email, I emailed him twice and received no response. So, now I’m writing this review.
You’ll get better service at Fox & the Fiddle next door. I should also mention that the dress code for the girls working here seems to be shirts as dresses… we got an unexpected show with our meal at the bar as the bartender was putting the glasses away. Unprofessional all around. Go somewhere else!

Wow came in with high expectations with prices being pretty high. What a let down. Service was terrible. Had to ask for water a few times to a few different people. From appetizers to mains it took over 38 mins with nobody coming up to us and even asking if we needed more wine. They said that «maximum effort» is all we can give. The food was just ok. Our servicer Rob was very inattentive and seemed like a chicken with his head cut off.

This place was a 50-​foot walk from our hotel, so we figure, why not?! I felt under stressed in a t-​shirt and sweats as I gazed around the restaurant at all the dressy people, but the host definitely made me feel comfortable as I was not underdressed. The restaurant is small, but awesome. It was like a «class hole-​in-​the-​wall». Lol. I ordered the 12oz filet mignon with gnocci Gorgonzola. VERY good. The service was also impeccable. Everyone was working together so seamlessly. I really enjoyed myself there and would highly recommend this place if you’re in the area.

I really really liked this place, but I think that it is a bit over priced for the quality of food you are getting. It has been a while since I went, but I think that I ordered some sort of creamy pasta dish. It was very yummy, but as I mentioned, a bit on the pricey side. I went with a large group, and I found that the staff was very accommodating and polite, and I had a good experience. Our waitress took our order promptly, and the food arrived in good time, despite the restaurant being quite busy.

This place was recommended by the concierge at my hotel. It will definitely not disappoint. The service was very efficient and friendly, but the food was awesome. If you like artichokes you MUST order their appetizer with the garlic and oil and cheese. I ordered the pizza and that was great as well. This is quite the gem in the middle of downtown Toronto. A must if you are in the area.

Incredible meal, great service and great atmosphere, this place (though pricey) is terrific. I had a very memorable experience and recommend it to anyone on a special occasion or looking for a great meal.

Really really good restaurant. I had the arugula salad with crispy quinoa dungeneous crab salad and roasted lamb ribs. The salad was one of the best I have ever had, goat cheese, beets, mandarin oranges, arugula, crab with a avocado lime dressing. DELICIOUS!
They served us bread that was baked with onions and green onions in it with a hummus dip.
My friend had a red snapper fish, cooked to perfection with corn salsa. We had just the right amount of food for the both of us! Really tasty and will definitely go back for that SALAD!

This was the best meal we have had in Toronto. Fettuccine with Morrell mushrooms and sea bass ravioli. Robert was a gracious waiter and host.

Great Italian place in the heart of U of T
Owner is nice and makes sure guess are happy with dishes
Authentic, unpretentious, value, decent menu

We went for someone’s birthday. We got sat at the very back of the restaurant behind the pizza oven, very warm place to sit. But was good for the cold night.
Biggest problem I had with the food is the lack of seasoning. I could tell they were a lil short handed in the kitchen but the need to check the seasoning on everything that goes out of the kitchen. The pasta was very good and cooked perfect.
Sometimes less is more. Everything was well thought out in flavour department. Just the amount of each ingredient on each dish needs to be liked at. I had the insalata with crab, avocado, and quinoa. I finished the salad but still had ½ cup of crispy quinoa still left on the plate. I felt like I ate the much!
The desserts didn’t seem all that impressive, so we decide to skip them. This place could be outstanding with a little more attention details.

Oh how I love this restaurant! If I could afford to live in their neighbourhood I would be there … A LOT. I would feel comfortable sitting alone at the bar or bringing friends-​date-​family-​colleagues for a meal. The food at Bar Mercurio is consistently great. They take great care in their food, its presentation and their attentive service. I have been eating there for several years, and it is ALWAYS great! There is something on the menu for any one (eg, any age, taste) and their wine list is quite exhaustive for a bar/​bistro. I need to eat there more often (and I am going to!) Their pizzas are heavenly and their pastas are amazing. There is a teeny patio out front is you’d like to sit outside. I always get a warm welcome and I am not a regular.

Quinoa and veal salad is amazing

Decided to come here as it was close to where we were staying and based on the positive reviews. Was not disappointed as the food tasted wonderful even if a bit under seasoned. I just wish our server had come around to refill waters and ask how the meal was even once before cashing out our pricey meal. I don’t mind paying for a great meal provided the service is outstanding… but other then the initial greet and taking of our order our server was almost non existent till time came for the bill.
I did not like feeling like a sardine, this place is pretty packed tight with tables, as other reviewers have mentioned. If I were the owner I’d take out a few to allow for more space and maybe require reservations to stagger meals during busy times. Heaven forbid trying to squeeze your way around without bumping into other diners this is no way to create good feel vibes.
Place has great pizzas and plenty of wines by the glass although I wish the prices on them were not so high. I’d of had more then one had that been the case.
I hope the owner or someone associated with this place reads the reviews and seriously takes notice. This place could really shine if just a few simple changes are made.

The service here is unbelievably slow. We waited twenty minutes last night before our server came over in a huff to begrudgingly take drink orders. After that he was aloof and evasive all night. The food was not bad but nothing special.

Awful. Awful. Awful. My boyfriend and I walked in and we were greeted by the host. It was early (about 5pm) and it was empty. We were told we would have to be out soon as there was reservations coming in, but he said we should still have time. So right off the bat, we felt rushed, and he was pretty rude.
We sat down, and the waiter came over to take our drink orders. He was friendly enough, and we told him we just wanted to start with water while we looked at the menu. Next thing you know, we were brought a bottle of water. We ultimately decided that we weren’t going to eat here because they made us feel rushed. We were there for maybe 5 minutes total, and had to pay $ 8 for a bottle of water we didn’t even get to drink. Or order.

There’s something literally dark about this place… LITERALLY. I get it that it’s trying to achieve a cozy atmosphere but I was seated by the corner fearing for my friend’s life… checking fish bones in dim lighting. The place is small and intimate but not exactly cozy.
Their tilapia was delicious and BIG. Tried the pizza too and it was deliciously topped with fresh pears — our server requested for the pear to be added. The servers know how to work their customers (those who tip well).
A three course meal may cost you as low as $ 50 which I think it’s cheap for this type of place. Me and my friend’s bill was $ 200 but we ordered plenty.
My first experience was not good — my seat was lame.
But if I’m going to judge this place just for food… I would have given it four star.

I stumbled across this Italian restaurant on the way back to my hotel and decided to give it a try. Luckily the food exceeded my expectations, everything was so darn tasty and fresh! I found out that the owner is a real Italian and so were the waiter and the manager. The service was great and all the food the waiter recommended me were spot on! Sono tutti buonissimi! Even the simple insalata caprese was amazing, the mozzarella was sooo soft and delicious, it was the best!!! And their pasta is all homemade and perfectly cooked! I loved their orecchiette, one of the best orecchiette I’ve had! I must warn people that this place is not cheap… it’s rather pricey and I must admit I felt it was a bit overpriced… but I’d probably go back!!! Yes it was that good… I’ll give them 5 stars next time if they prove to be excellent again.

Food is good, but a bit over priced. The atmosphere is intimate and quaint and a great romantic place near the annex, but without going to Yorkville.
I went there with my mom on a Friday night for a late dinner. No reservation was required. however, since it was so late, the bread we got, clearly was a little stale.
We got the grilled octopus with chickpeas and pancetta. It was yummy but for $ 19, it’s an indulgence.
My mom got the Capon with frites. Capon is a type of male chicken. I hate chicken breast, but this half chicken was amazing. Soft and tender and juicy, and crispy on the outside. Served with frites, it’s $ 29.
I had the Fettucine with truffle and mushrooms and parmesean. I found that it wasn’t cheesy enough, and it was good, but a bit salty. For $ 20+ however, it was good portions that make you full up, I even took some home.
The servers here are really friendly. And we heard them telling the chef the feedback that the brussel sprouts were undercooked.
Wines are available by the glass, and they have an extensive list including Prosseco. They are a bit pricy at at least $ 9 a glass.
Total bill with appetizer, 2 glasses of Prosseco and 2 mains was $ 91. Too much for a casual dinner.
Although good food, I can suggest a better Italian restaurant to go to.

The pricier cousin of l’espresso, this place is a dine in place. Kind of looks like an italian estate inside as it is designed with marble and statues. I’m fairly impressed with the quality at this place but the service i received was just so uninspired I don’t think I could do it again.
I hate snoot from my server, and I truly think I received that here. poor poor innattentive service. NOT something I’d come back for and I would certainly not PAY a pretty penny to be treated this poorly.