Turf Lounge

Press release:
TORONTO, August 24 — Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) today announced that it is closing its Turf Lounge operation in downtown Toronto, effective Saturday, September 5, 2015.
Turf Lounge, located at 330 Bay Street, opened in 2003 with the objective of offering horse racing and off track betting in the financial district in an upscale atmosphere while providing a fine dining experience.
«Turf Lounge was a concept that a great number of people worked hard to develop and sustain,» said Sean Pinsonneault, WEG’s Chief Operating Officer. «We sincerely thank all of those individuals for their efforts and support over the last 12 years.»
The decision to close the restaurant was made after a careful deliberation of strategic priorities at WEG.
«Consistent with our evolving strategy and recent announcements, the focus is to continue building our world-​class horse racing and entertainment business,» said Pinsonneault. «We are leveraging our tremendous assets and, with our aggressive expansion of the Champions network throughout the province and the strong customer appeal of our live racing products, wagering trends are exceeding our expectations.»
WEG is working with its loyal racing customers and will be offering an enhanced wagering experience at the Shoeless Joe’s Sports Grill, a Champions location at 276 King Street, just a short walk west from Turf Lounge. There will be expanded floor space dedicated to racing, and more terminals, televisions and racetracks available to watch and wager.
In addition, there are several other Champions Off-​Track Betting locations in the downtown core, as well as the newly redesigned HPIbet internet and mobile offerings, ready to serve our passionate racing fans. WEG will be working with them to ensure that they are comfortable exploring the other available options to continue playing their favourite tracks.
About Woodbine Entertainment Group
Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) is the largest horse racing operator in Canada offering world class horse racing at both Woodbine (Toronto) and Mohawk (Milton) racetracks. WEG also operates off-​track wagering through its Champions teletheatre network throughout Ontario, which includes WEGZ Stadium Bar in Vaughan and Greenwood in the Beach area of Toronto. Remote wagering is also available to customers through HPIbet (formerly HorsePlayer Interactive), the company’s telephone, internet and mobile account wagering service. WEG operates HPItv, a CRTC licensed digital television channel that broadcasts its racing product into homes across Canada.
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WEG Communications contact:
John Siscos
416−675−3993×2229

TRIPLE CROWN: TOM BRODI, BEAUTY AND THE BET
We have passed by the Turf Lounge thousands of times, unaware that inside is the Atrium Bar, one of the city’s most architecturally beautiful places to meet for drinks. A spectacular facet was the re-​purposing of the façade of the Savarin Tavern, the iconic Bay St. watering hole of the 1940s and 1950s. There is much to admire: 45-​foot high cathedral ceilings, historic stone walls, and, anchoring the room, a 20-​foot long natural wood bar.
TurfChef Within this suite of rooms is the kitchen with Chef Tom Brodi at the helm. A multi-​credentialed thoroughbred, he has shown us his creative skill right out of the starting gate.
In Post Position, pulling from his Hungarian heritage, exotic radishes thinly sliced, form a necklace around a ramekin of herb butter, and there are Hungarian goat cheese and butter biscuits. Search for the meaning of comfort food, and this is it.
In a tasting menu that is proving to be full of surprises, we are swept away with crunchy avocado sections and luscious lobster fritters. Mill St. Brewery beer batter is the secret ingredient here.
Is Brodi showing off, or just flattering our gastronomic taste buds like crazy? Cool hamachi yellow fin tuna with taro root parfait opens the door to the hot appetizer. Hidden at the bottom of a mound of vanilla and crème fraiche-​napped black beluga lentils is a surprise of velvety seared fois gras. Clever Tom Brodi.
Turfhamachi A palate cleanser is in order, and his Pimms sorbet is a brilliant choice.
Which is the favored entrée? Perfectly done Roasted Halibut or 60-​day aged beef steaks. In our opinion, it’s a Dead Heat. Both are partnered with an awesome sauté of exotic mushrooms including shiitake and the fluffy maitake mushrooms known in Japan as the «Dancing» mushroom and in the U.S. as «Hen of the Woods» because of its ruffled feathers appearance.
des Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla bean ice cream makes us want to run into the kitchen and give Tom Brodi a big hug. «Are you loving your dessert?» I ask the men at the table, knowing full well that what they would really like to do after the last spoon full has been devoured is lick the bowl.
Turf Lounge is a unique concept by Woodbine Entertainment Group. Throughout the lounge, in the vast dining room and adjoining rooms, TV monitors simulcast horse-​racing from Canada’s premier race tracks, Woodbine and Mohawk, as well as tracks all over the world, from Happy Valley in Hong Kong to the Dorset in Delaware. At every moment there is a horse race happening somewhere in the TurfMain world — and we are there. We place our bets electronically and watch the races, seated in chairs designed for comfort. Win some — lose some.
Across the Board, an evening at the Turf Lounge is the most fun you can have on Bay Street.

Came for a group luncheon. Service was very good. This was a business lunch so focus was on other attendees and our servers understood this. For a large group all the food came out together and hot.
Selection they provided was nice with good variety. I enjoyed the meal I selected — mushroom soup and risotto. Only complaint would be that risotto was under seasoned but easily corrected.

Great drinks and atmosphere here! Went here with coworkers and enjoyed an excellent variety of sliders and appetizers!

I am quite sure this will be our last visit to Turf Lounge a spot I have been coming to at least once a year since it opened with great promise at least a decade ago. The prime location, splashy looks and very much above average food was for me a total surprise after enduring years mediocrity (or worse, more on that later) at the many Woodbine Entertainment Group facilities.
It is no longer such a restaurant. Reviews from the four of us ranged from Very Good fish to Okay risotto (me) to two, steak and calamari, in the Not Good At All range. The service, by the way, was worthy of a 4 star rating.
To finish my story hinted at above, this same group of friends visited a WEG facility every Monday night for years. One evening we turned the corner into the buffet alcove with the usual tepid anticipation to discover what had been prepared. What we found was a swarm of fruit flies so thick we were disgusted to approach. Our vociferous complaints brought a refund of the dinning room minimum and that was that, or so we thought.
We returned the next week (we are gluttons, in this case for punishment) to find their resolution was the installation of a number of standing fans to blow the little suckers away from their buffet meal. The damn flies were still in the building seven days later and we were supposed to be happy because only the strong few could fight the torrent.
Adiós Weg.

I went here after work last Monday for happy hour.
It was really quiet in here. I work up the street, so it was a short walk here.
Met someone here and ordered the calamari and a salad.
The food was average. Nothing special.
Service was average.
Ambiance is zero.
The place was full of stiff suits by the time I was walking out.
It looks like a place to book for lunch and learns or a corporate meeting.
The worst part was I think at some point our waitress leaves, and a bus boy comes to take the payment. Took my debit card and ran off somewhere, brought it back with it in a machine and old me to click «ok».. . I want to see what I am clicking «ok» to before I click okay you doorknob. Anyways further more, he said the card did not work and declined. I was freaking out calling my bank. I went across the street after it worked fine. So clearly there is some sort of issue here. Called bank they said my card was not even read there when swiped/​input into machine.
Back to the main point — the food was boring, the place is uneventful and it was filled with suits and not the hot ones you see at trump or blowfish, I am talking like retiree-​back-​as-​consultant-​because-​wife-​doesnt-​want-​him-​home, type suits.

During the second week of Summerlicious, I had a lovely little lunch with a few work friends at Turf Lounge.
Our meal started with complimentary bread and butter, pretty standard. I didn’t have any, I’m more of a bread and olive oil type of girl. As a group, we ordered all three possible appetizer options. My dining companions were excited by the Goat Cheese Puck Salad, with a generous portion of fried goats cheese sitting on a pile of greens. This reminds me of Guu Izakaya’s Fried Brie, which is one of their most popular dishes. They polished their plates, so I’m going to go ahead and say it was good. I had the Tomato Consommé, it was tasty, and very filling for an appetizer.
For the main course, everyone got the Brisket Sandwich, except for me (aversion to red meat, you know). The Brisket Sandwich was described to be decadent and delicious. I was nibbling on my friend’s frites, they were yummy. I had the Creole Tomato & Pepper Crusted Salmon. By «Pepper Crusted», they meant Pepper Crusted, a crust made seemingly with all ground pepper. The pepper crust overpowered the fish enveloped within. But the fish was cooked quite well, not over done at all. The best part of this dish was the cucumber slaw on top, refreshing and serving as a gentle reminder that it is summer time.
For more, please check out my blog, I have photos! ;)

I love this place!
I had a really good experience here. The service was great, and the food was amazing. It might also be because i was here in a private room with 20 other people for a seminar… and we also ate a 3 course meal.
Everything about the meal was perfect — the summer squash soup was amazing and very flavourful, and the chicken breast with quinoa and mushrooms were also very flavourful and delicious! Lastly, the dessert was crème brûlée topped with raspberry, which was very delicious!!!
I have good memories of this place. They also gave us all a $ 2 complimentary ticket to bet on a race horse… it was the first for most of us to bet on a horse race — but we bet, and won! Our horse came number 1 and we won $ 5 :) Not a lot but still a great experience overall.

Went here with some work colleagues for Winterlicious. Very disappointed.
The online menu said ‘chicken and dumplings’, the paper menu at our table ‘chicken stew and dumplings’. In the end the people who ordered received a soup with more broth than anything else.
The fish cake appetizer was really good, but my ‘panini’ was really only half a panini, only one triangle, I wanted to know where the other half of the sandwich went that was cut off.
A nice place, but it took nearly 40 minutes to bring us our water and take our orders. Way too long for price fix menu.

When I first read about Turf Lounge I thought it was it was a seafood surf and turf restaurant. Little did I know it’s actually a restaurant/​gambling lounge. The food was really good. I really liked the bread/​dip. Repeat: yes
Food
Appetizer
Grilled Calamari with ham — ⁴⁄₅ interesting combo
Entrée
Winter root vegetables-​4/​5 I love root vegetables and was in root vegetables heaven. But I was quite surprised to see it as an entrée. I usually think of vegetables as a side

Food is BAD. (for Winterlicious 2013)
Both my friend and I agree.
Panini had a strange metal smokey taste. I had a bite and left it there. I usually finish food altho it was bad but I couldn’t swallow it this time.
Ravioli was really salty, intolerably salty.
Nothing special about the dessert, maybe 3 stars.
Only the fish cake for appetizer is good.
There was even a FLY on the bread spread…
Oh my…

went there for a company brunch, the food was mediocure… my steak was cold, however the wine was great. for the area, and type of place it is. its not worth it. …the only good thing was the wine and dessert…

I’m a fan…
We came here in a small group of six. for Summerlicious We were greeted well and the wait staff were very friendly.
The food was delicious. I had the Kobe beef flank steak. It was a small portion but in the end I was satisfied.
The ambience was very pleasant and relaxed. New décor and trendy. I can imagine it’s a nice hot spot at night… I guess I’ll need to find out. :)

***3.5 stars***
I was at Turf Lounge last night for an event. It definitely has the Bay streeter pub feel. Turf Lounge is known for its horse betting, it is owned by Woodbine Racetracks. You are able get your horse betting fix while still being in the city.
I was blown away by the service, our waiter was attentive and prompt with the drinks. They make a might good Cesar! Unfortunately, the appetizers were mediocre bordering on sub par. The little quiche pies they served were the memorable ones of the lot.
Turf Lounge is a cool after work hangout if you are in the Financial district area.

We went here with a group on a Saturday night for dinner. Place was nearly deserted. But the service was friendly to us.
We had a group meal, so some of it may have been the group portions, but the dishes were just ok. Not bad, but a little heavy on the salt (which is saying something). The chocolate desert was the most memorable part.
It was a pleasant experience and fun. And if you have a group, it’ll be fine. But if you’re in the area looking for something unique — outside of betting, there are better choices.

The best OTB I’ve ever seen. Beautiful old building with vaulted ceilings and ornate chandeliers. It is owned by Woodbine, so horse racing is shown throughout the space, with betting windows at the rear. Slightly high prices, but really not that bad for the bay street area. Plus you can win your money back! Really nice friendly staff. A winner!

I went today for Summerlicious lunch; in fact, I spontaneously organized a departmental lunch and after conferring with another colleague, we chose Turf. Good choice b/​c everyone had fun and that’s what matters.
Because we had a large group, they were very accommodating with my group’s particular needs and put us in a separate room. What I enjoyed about the experience was the fact that everyone enjoyed themselves, from the meal itself to the betting. We had winnings!
The food was very delicious. I heard from everyone how they liked the food, No complaints.
When you walk in, it’s important to mention how beautiful the bar area is. It’s a high end lounge with an off-​track betting facility. I don’t bet, but my table had fun, and to me, having my guests enjoy themselves and have fun, means it was a very successful outing!

My husband and I happened upon Turf Lounge as we were walking down Bay Street from our hotel to another lounge that had been recommended. We decided to go inside. It was a Saturday night, but it was pretty dead. We sat at the bar and the waitress told us that because the location is in the financial district, they are most busy during the lunch time hours during the week.
It was such a neat place though and the waitress was so helpful. We learned how to bet on horses, which neither my hsuband or I had ever done before, and they even gave us 2 free $ 2 bets to get us started and some practice. We ended up winning about $ 10 overall. We had some great drinks and just hung out. We would like to go back when its actually busy so that we can get the whole horse betting environment.
I do recommend it because it was an experience and not like any other bar we had ever been to.

I recently went to Turf Lounge for the first time and was pleasantly surprised, although I was only there for drinks. The drinks are expensive, but no more expensive than many of the other post-​work financial district options, like Reds for example.
The space is really cool. The bar has this spectacularly high ceiling and there are a number of other rooms more suited for sitting down to dinner that are all pretty cool looking.
You also watch horse races from all over the world and bet on them right in the bar/​restaurant. I have no idea how you do this but there was no shortage of people sitting there with a newspaper doing it. So if it’s raining at Santa Anita and you have a good lead on a horse whose mother was a mudder and whose father was a mudder you should check it out.

Great food, friendly service. I came here for lunch and the crowd was distinctly Bay Street and expense account. It’s rather pricy, and the food can be incredible. I had the Artichoke Tart with an olive pesto which was super delicious as well as Atlantic Lobster Carbonara — simply yum! The portion sizes are small, but due to the richness of the dishes, I had no complaints at the end. My fellow diners both had the special which was some sort of risotto with duck confit. I love duck and I can’t say that I was very impressed with the dish. Overall, a very nice restaurant to impress clients, bosses and colleagues with but not an everyday place for a get together with friends!