I’m not sure where to start this review and how to keep it concise because I have so many things to say starting with how welcoming and hospitable Zac was even before I showed up at the door, to the last minute of the service. I booked mystery patio menu and it left me speechless: it felt like we were part of a spectacle that included incredible storytelling, fantastic meals that had so much love and thought put into every plating, and a scenery that doesn’t come often in the city. I am in awe of the whole concept and how fun yet tasty it was. Bonus points for the beautiful skyline views and making the whole crowd feel like they are part of this whole orchestrated experience. I cannot wait to go back!

This was one of my most enjoyable meals I've had in Toronto in many years. Staff were super helpful and polite, giving lots of recommendations and knowledgeable with the menu. The food here is absolutely amazing. I could not find one flaw with any of the dishes served. My party and I left completely satisfied and will definitely be returning soon. They change an item every few weeks on their menu.

Had a fabulous dinner at Lake Inez. The menu is small and eclectic, with fresh seasonal ingredients and unique flavours. We loved EVERYTHING we ordered (hamachi, heirloom tomatoes, corn pudding, meatballs, fried potatoes, and the basil soft-serve). Every dish was full of texture and umami and unique in the best way possible. I loved the creativity and thoughtfulness behind every dish, and the fact that the menu is always changing made me appreciate it even more. They have a great wine list as well in addition to a fun cocktail menu. The service is attentive and the decor is delightful as well. Definitely a must try in this neighborhood.

Follow @bredgyeats for more food posts! Pastrami that's so tender it crumbles in your mouth, with a pleasing fatty and smoky aroma. The tangy thousand island sauce dressing the fingerling potato salad provided a refreshing refuge to potentially weighty bites of brisket. A smooth and savory chicken liver mousse topped with creamy artichoke dip on top, accompanied with a super crisp slice of sourdough bread and none of the gaminess.

Thought that was a super interesting restaurant with a short menu, good wine list, and surprisingly spacious spot. The flavours are bold, the dishes are interesting, and there's some great personality in the restaurant. The fennel was a wonderful surprise, with the different flavours (hello pistachio) and textures working well together. Nachos were certainly more than just nachos. Tempura eggplant parm? Very interesting. Good level of spice too. Pavlova and salmon were surprisingly the closest to average, but that's alright since those are already crowd pleasers. Will be super interested in trying their tasting in the future!

easily one of my favourite restaurants in the entire city, service is impeccable, but steps beyond being a traditional restaurant into the atmospheric realm of community. Each of the dishes, the rotating menu are attached to stories and moods that elevate the experience into moments that are worth the time. The dining room is intimate yet bustling, warm and inviting - but each space feels like a universe of your own, a place to get lost with friends and chatter. The whole team deserves applause, the instagram is aces too A+++

Fantastic experience. We ordered their ham platter and cucumber appetizers, both were delicious with unique flavors. For our main we ordered the Miami fish, the condiments perfectly balanced out the fish. Their dessert was also good but a bit too sweet for us.

This is my favourite restaurant in the city. I’ve been three times and every time I find a new ingredient I didn’t know I liked. The staff are extremely knowledgeable, answering any questions we have. We order 3-4 dishes for two people and usually there’s one that we feel is just ok, but the others are great. The changing menu makes it a fun experience and I’m looking forward to the next time there! Photos are from June, 2023

Our favourite restaurant in the city! The menu is always changing so it never gets old eating here. The food is always delicious and extremely well executed. Their cocktails are fantastic and they have a great wine list. The service is always great, particularly as someone with severe allergies. Allergens are listed on the menu but the kitchen does a great job accommodating when they can and always confirm the dish is allergen free when it is brought out.

Food is tasty and packed with unique flavours, but portions are small. We got 1 of everything from the menu for a table of 5 but left hungry. Meatballs were the fan favourite, the blackened zucchini is tasty as is the pepper dish and liver pate. Please take time to read the wine list descriptions because they may have been the highlight of the evening.

Went with friends. Great tasting/sharing style menu. Food was interesting, tasty, fresh and fun. Staff were helpful, attentive and friendly. Noise level was ok for conversation. Drinks menu was great . Only two things I would change. The order the food came out. Some dishes were savoury and some sweet. As the food comes out when it’s ready I felt I would have liked the some dishes before others. Small complaint. Also no coffee? Will go again. They can accommodate vegan, gluten if you call in advance. Menu changes from time to time.

I first went to Lake Inez almost two years ago, and it has become my favourite restaurant in the city. And in the world, for that matter. The menu constantly evolves with utterly creative dishes. The atmosphere is relaxed, warm and inviting, and the playlist is always fantastic. Also, when it comes to service, there’s no better service in the city. Charming, friendly, knowledgeable and caring staff.

have been here 3 times now and always been surprised and delighted by the dishes we got to try. Staff very friendly and knowledgeable about both the food and drink pairings. . Photos from 2 separate occasions. Still dream about that crab & lobster butter from my first visit.

Dare I say one of the best restaurants in Toronto? Very underrated. Vibes are immaculate. Food is unreal. We got the beef tartar (my favorite dish), tomatoes (his favorite dish), shrimp ajoblanco, pastrami, and the cannoli. 11/10 would highly recommend to anyone looking for casual fine dining or just a good time with incredible food.

Delicious, reasonable priced dishes coupled with amazing service. Each shareable plate was well-crafted and tasty! Vegan options are also available throughout. Their Comme des Poissons is a must try!

A really great spot with very inventive and creative dishes, fantastic service and a beautiful atmosphere. We went for dinner and got most of the menu. The standouts for us were the tuna crudo, schmear, cornbread and biscuits and gravy. Can’t recommend it enough.

We had their takeout tasting menus during the omicron lockdown and it was fantastic. They give you all the ingredients separately and give very detailed plating directions. Would definitely do again.

Loved our time here! Wonderful ambience, delicious food and very friendly and welcoming employees. Highly recommended! P.S.: if you can’t get a reservation, worth to try to pop in, they usually have a few tables reserved for walk-ins.

A late review but went here a few months ago with three friends and was really impressed. I haven't stopped recommending Lake Inez to friends since and have been dying to get back. The atmosphere is perfect - great for a group of friends or a date night - moody and well designed without being overdone. Love the dim, cozy lighting. The FOOD was amazing and very interesting. It was so tasty and a great take on classic items with some ingredient pairings I'd never seen before. We ordered almost everything on the menu and every dish was delicious. Haven't tried cocktails but they also have good and reasonably priced wine, so it's easy to get a bottle or two for the table (along with bin ends for even better deals, which is great to see!). The service was exactly what you want and it helps that it's not a very large restaurant - just big enough to feel lively and small enough to keep the quaint vibe. Attentive and informative but not overbearing. Highly suggest and will be coming back!

The food is absolutely incredible. I don't eat gluten and I was told they can modify all the dishes except one. We ordered the nachos and the clams -- both were spectacular. The flavours are incredible, and the size and temperature of the dishes are spot-on. The service was very attentive and the wine list is excellent. Don't miss out on this gem.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND Fantastic first experience at Lake Inez. Went there for my partners BDay and they were able to make a special cocktail and put a candle on the dessert. Food was phenomenal, both in flavor and visually - certainly eating with your eyes there. Service was attentive given the fact that they had a full house inside and on their patio. Looking forward to our next experience.

A REVELATION. Cannot recommend the Mystery Patio tasting menu enough. The food, the drinks, the wine, the ~vibes~, the service! Everything was just so thoughtful and refreshingly lovely. They've really done something here to capture a wonderful moment in time and space. We were honestly a bit afraid that it would not live up to our expectations but we were so, so happy that it was even better than we could have hoped. Can't wait to be back!!

Lake Inez is a really special Toronto gem. It has thoughtfully presented, creative, and delicious dishes. The menu changes often and highlights seasonal ingredients very well. The menu is also written in a creative and whimsical way which is lovely. The ambiance is dimly lit, warm, and intimate - great for a date night. The space is divided up into different areas so it almost feels like you’re dining in different parts of a home. The food was great and there were veg and pescatarian options outlined clearly on the menu (this makes it feel like the substitutions are more like options- and not like you’re sacrificing anything). My favourite dish was the cornbread-it is not to be missed. I also loved the beef cheek, with scalloped potatoes and pickled radish. Could’ve skipped the fried bucatini- I love pasta and just wish it’s wasn’t fried- but it was a really creative choice. The service was attentive- they were on top of water and offering drinks, but could have benefited from some more confidence with the menu and explanations of the dishes/how many to order etc. The food came out quickly and it was well presented. Also, prior to sitting down for a 7:30 reservation- we were told we had to be gone by 9pm- which is okay but felt a bit unnecessary. Bathrooms are downstairs - clean and thoughtfully done. Overall a wonderful experience and I look forward to returning.

This is a special place, the food is sooo good! The cornbread with lobster butter and corn niblets was AMAZING. Our server was fantastic and everyone working was skillful and knowledgeable.. they made our evening so wonderful. Highly recommend visiting Lake Inez. It’s another great addition to the the fabulous neighbourhood in LESLIEVILLE.

We recently had the pleasure of dining at Lake Inez. This truly amazing restaurant. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was warm and inviting. The Steak Tar Tar was another standout dish, with perfectly seasoned meat that was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The Tuna Crudo was also exceptional, with fresh and delicate flavors that were perfectly balanced. The staff are all genuine foodies, and their passion for the food was contagious. Chris, the owner, has clearly assembled a great team, and it was clear that they all loved what they do. Their enthusiasm for the food and the restaurant was great, and it made the dining experience all the more special. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience.

Another Toronto gem that I found last summer and can’t stop going back to! Their menu changes seasonally with certain staple dishes, so you’re always going to find something new to love. All the dishes are a good shareable size, so you can get a taste of everything and still be full at the end. The dishes are very fairly priced for what you get as well. They use fresh local ingredients and the flavours are definitely Asian-inspired but just done so well and so differently from anything I’ve ever tasted. Today, we had kimchi beef tartare, tuna crudo, biscuit and gravy, clam pasta, the beef cheek and ice cream dessert. The theme of the night was: umami flavour bomb The kimchi beef tartare was excellent, the pickled radish paired really well with the saltiness of rare beef and added a nice crunchy texture to the dish, it was also served with pieces of roasted seaweed that added sort of an airiness to the bite. The tuna crudo was served with endive’s and it was the perfect pairing to mellow out the intense burst of flavour; the umami, tangy sweetness of the crudo. The biscuit and gravy was on the menu the last time I came but I didn’t get to try it and I’m so glad that I was able to today. The most stand out and creative dish today was the clam pasta. It was a breaded and deep fried bucatini. DEEP FRIED PASTA NOODLES people!! You must try this, I can’t even describe how good this is. Beef cheek was braised for 8 hours so you already know that melted in our mouths, and the best word to describe it was umami flavour bomb! Dessert was surprisingly delicious, who would’ve thought vanilla ice cream with passion fruit syrup and dark chocolate sauce would go so well together? Overall 10/10, would recommend over and over again.

Great experience here for my friends birthday. Service was spectacular and the waiters had a good sense of humor. The food was amazing, flavours that I have never tried before. This place was fully booked so book in advance and go with more people so you can try all that they offer .

Lake Inez is just a fantastic place! It manages to be original, spectacular, celebrating yet cozy and and homey. The waiters are friendly and helpful, and the food is absolutely delicious. Great combinations of ingredients and flavors with very appealing serving. They have just updated the menu for summer so definitely come to check it out! Portions are not too large so expect to order about two per person.

The most beautifully curated 6 course food and drink tasting combined with Zach’s highly informative and hilarious notes about each ingredient, each source, every grape, paint the most specific and delicious experience. The rooftop patio is magical and I cannot recommend this whole experience enough!

Amazing food and great selection for this week's alpine adventure take out. And great deal. Easy to heat up with funny instructions and a love letter adding a personal touch from the people who make the food.

I love their ever changing menu and creativity! We just did their front patio menu and all the food was delicious - we got the clams casino, chicken liver mousse and tuna rolls. The portions are perfect sized too. We also got their orange wine which was great. The service is super friendly and casual - they don't pressure you to eat quickly and are really kind. Will definitely come back. I'd love to try their mystery patio menu!

From the outside it doesn’t look that nice or interesting, but the reviews are correct! Lake Inez is a very nice spot in Gerrard st. The atmosphere is warm and romantic. That’s what we needed to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The drinks, varied and well prepared. And the food… oh the food! The perfect combination of flavour, kick, and size. The perfect flavour for the size and the bites. We ordered the salmon, the crunchy salad, and the clams in brodo. Great flavours!! 100% recommended.

Hi Inez! I just wanted to say thank you so much for the wonderful NYE meal. It was so well done and easy to prepare and the wildly delicious and vast flavouring of the foods was decadent! We have two little kids and haven’t been out for a nice meal in a very long time so this was a beautiful way to bring in the new year. Thank you.

First visit and loved most of the tapas (we tried most of the current menu) . We didn't have a reservation, so sat down at the front patio area they just opened. While some umbrellas would be nice, the sun was going down, so there was not much exposure to the sun during dinner time. The food was great, just one of the 7 dishes we ordered wasn't amazing (to our taste). Super friendly staff, many drinking options... Will definitely go back!!

Great people, great vibe, incredible food! Have tried dozens of tasting menus across Toronto and this is the perfect balance of unique and delicious. Highly recommended!

Had dinner here a thursday evening and it was quite enjoyable. We had a reservation, and it got quite busy at around 7pm, so would definitely recommend getting a reservation. Restaurant is very quaint with very unique decor choices and and overall easygoing atmosphere & vibe. Service was pretty good, but they're definitely short-staffed. As it got busier, service became less attentive. They had 3 servers running around doing everything, including bartending; so patience will be important. The food was overall very good! My favourite was definitely the chicken liver mousse and Nachos. We ordered 4 dishes from the dinner menu (they recommend 3-4 for a table of 2). Fennel moment - this was sort of like a fennel sour cream dip with thin crisps to smear the dip on. It was pretty good, but I was hoping for more fennel and fennel flavour as fennal has a strong licorice flavour if eaten raw. Chicken liver mousse - my fav dish of the night. If you've had chick liver mousse before, it can be very heavy and rich. by adding the sour cherry and hazlenuts, it was the perfect combo and when served on the rice crackers, it was delicious! we are depressed thus: nachos: definitely order this, it was VERY cheesy (in a good way) and so delicious. it's slightly spicey but not to the point where you actually feel it... so people who don't enjoy spice (which is unfathomable to me!) can likely still eat it without being torched. wild watercress clams in brodo: this was pretty good, especially the black bird bread and the broth! BUT I wish it was mussels instead of clams, simply because there were about 12 or so clams, and it seemed like a tiny portion after you remove the shells... Clams are expensive and have a tiny yield. Mussels are relatively cheaper and much meatier. The sauce is 100% the star. Lastly, their drinks were quite good. Yuzu margo cocktail was refreshing and unique, and the nothing lasts forever cocktail definitely had a good amount of Johnny Walker black & lagavulin so that you can actually taste it. Big wine selection as well Overall really enjoyed Lake Inez and very solid 4 stars.

Stopped in for a quick beer and an appetizer. Had the Matron lager from Bloomfield in the county which was great. However the Tuna DIY hand roll was incredible and just what we needed. Will definitely be back for dinner next time.

This place was recommended by my brother. The service was very welcoming with food delivered to the table super quick too. Love that about this place, music was a little too loud to do much talking. Now to the food, all in all not bad. The fried artichoke with blue cheese dip topped with nori was yummy. Crispy, soft and sweet inside paired with the salty blue cheese dip. That was yummz. The meatballs was succulent with the ragu full of umami. Didn’t enjoy the pear topping tho but that’s personal preference. The sourdough bread was great pairing with the ragu. Now the hamachi sashimi with kimchi, that was a bit of a let down. For $25, I personally don’t think it was worth it. I did like the texture of the hamachi itself with the soy sauce sauce, but the kimchi and pear was overpowering with the kimchi not fresh and a little more rancid than one would like for a mouthfeel and not in a soup base dish. That was the only letdown. Value wise, it’s great to try new dishes but portions are small and pricey. Not a bad experience but could’ve been better I suppose. Thanks for reading and hope it helped you make a decision.

This was my second time there. Totally different menu which is kinda nice because you never know what you're going to have each time. The flavors are exquisite. I don't know how to describe but to think of a culinary experiment journey. You cannot peg the cuisine type to a specific region. It has so many unfamiliar but very complementary tastes. This time I Jeff the grief green tomatoes, shrimp paste curry, mussels, Rangoon, fried rice, sunflower chips and dip and Szechuan wings. Just when you expect flavors you think you're familiar with, they put a pleasant twist to things. Definitely delicate good creations of art. The atmosphere is very hip. Young crowd but comfortable. Walking by it, it has a NYC flair where is in an older structure with contemporary and very understated front. Only those who know of this place will come and return. A gem.

Long overdue review! I miss Lake Inez. But their food (and vibes - when indoor dining was possible) is so great. I still think about some of the dishes I’ve had here! Their menu changes regularly. Such an East End gem!

Lake Inez is a 10/10 spot and is a gem in the Gerard East neighbourhood! We started getting their finish at home theme dinners during the peak of COVID and have spent many hours on their patio since it opened. Patio hits are definitely the DIY Tuna Rolls and the Chicken Liver Parfait. Can’t recommend this place enough.

Dishes are presented with eccentric names that has a Trader Joe-like feel, such as the Hand Upstream Rolls ($22), which presents the upstream swimming fish, salmon, cured into gravlax form and covers it with cream fraiche and plum sauce. I enjoyed the meaty chunks of fish but wish the chefs weren’t so heavy handed with the sauce, it masked the salmon’s flavours and made it difficult to wrap in the nori. While pairing tomatoes with bonito seems strange, the Tomato Tonnato ($21) was one of our favorite dishes of the night. Somehow, the fish flakes’ umami essence and the juicy heirlooms just work, bringing out the freshness of the fruit but giving it a bit of je ne sais quoi as well. In fact, Lake Inez’s most simple sounding dishes were the tastiest. The Humble Potato ($19) featured big chunks of well-fried, roughed up potatoes that have a lovely crispy coating and tosses it in a flavourful Gouda queso. While the dish may sound heavy, the addition of herbs and anise hyssop (an edible flower) added a freshness to the cheesy potatoes. Along the same vein, the Corn Puddin’ & Baby Shrimp ($23) was a lovely dip of hot gooey Fresno sauce studded with sweet corn and a fair amount of just cooked through shrimp. While it was tasty, it would be even better with more seasoning and salt. Still, the bread plate sized tortillas added a sunniness to the dish that I couldn’t help but smile when seeing it. The Wham! Bam! Thank You, Ham! ($22) started with promise with slices of lightly cured country ham paired with sweet Korean melon and pears. But then the pickled watermelon rind and pickled peanuts were so pungent that after getting a bite of these that’s all I could taste. It seems Lake Inez really likes sour flavours as the Cucumber?! I Hardly Know Her! ($19) was also too tart for my taste. The diced crunchy cucumber was tossed with a cashew cream that seems to contain a fair amount of preserved lemon. Aside from the refreshing cucumber and lemon, the other flavours were rather muted as I couldn’t really taste the curry leaves or much salt. This was a divided dish for the table. The Miami Memory ($28) contained a piece of well-seasoned blackened snapper that had a nice spice but was over cooked. While it was considered a larger “main” dish, there was a scant portion of snapper, and the shredded greens and couscous side didn’t increase it’s substantialness by much. Mama’s Meatballs ($28 for two; $10 for an additional meatball and bread) was more generous and the better of the two mains if you’re hungry. Mama makes moist and not overly dense meatballs and the peach ragu and mostarda lightens the otherwise hearty dish. Serving these with a large hunk of buttered toast was smart to help mop up the sauce.

Book in advance and to the Mystery Patio tasting menu! I won't reveal anymore but it's worth it! Dress warm and know your jackets may leave smelling of smoke so dress accordingly!

Really tasty, seasonal and beautiful looking dishes. Had this ricotta, fish and persimmon dish with crackers and was blown away by the combo. Another time I did takeout (4 courses + wine) and it was one of the best takeout experiences I had. I ate these pumpkin nachos that still visit me in my dreams. I’m waiting to dine in once things cool down again. Staff is lovely as well.

If you get a chance to try their mystery patio, it's worth every penny! So yummy and such a fun night out. Also, I've eaten at their regular dining room a number of time and have never had less than an extremely delicious and unique meal! Highly recommend.

One of our favourite local restaurants when we want a unique, fine dining experience. Small plates means that you get to taste a variety of different foods, and the wine selection often pairs quite well. Great experiences every time.

Came for a date on Saturday and really enjoyed our time sitting at the bar. The service was excellent and we really loved how creative all the dishes were- totally unexpected twists on the classics. We had the tartar which was surprisingly served with nori rather than crostini and it had an Italian/Asian flavour combo. Making the hand rolls was fun. We then had the chicken liver mouse topped with asparagus and served with those Asian sweet/water crackers. The mouse reminded me of a Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, it was savoury and decadent. We had the fennel dish which I think was my favourite, I don’t even know how to describe it. The eggplant Parmesan was my husbands favourite. It was a whole roasted eggplant with a really crunchy Parmesan topping and delicious tomato sauce. The meal and cocktails were perfect. We’ll be back :)

What makes the mystery dinner at Lake Inez memorable is the owner's storytelling, which is delivered prior to each course and serves to introduce the food and drink pairings in an engaging way. The theme of our dinner was "nostalgia". While there were some excellent dishes, in particular a lobster and Ontario tomato bisque, a couple of them fell flat, such as a raw scallop dish, which smelled and tasted of chlorine, and otherwise lacked flavour besides salt. A bit more of a starch component or a bread course would have rounded out the meal better. Of the two cocktails served, one was mediocre, the other so disgusting that none of our table had more than 3 sips. Looking around at the other tables, I didn't see others finishing that drink either. It was the worst cocktail I have had in my life, and I usually enjoy "weird"/interesting drinks. The wines were fine but did not always pair well with the dishes. The meal was capped with a delicious dessert, somewhere between an eton mess and a trifle. Service was pleasant and welcoming, and despite the misses, Lake Inez has potential, and I will certainly remember the evening spent there.

Chefs at Lake Inez continue to deliver the best at home meals. No details is missed and every thing is a real delight. 👌🏼✨👌🏼

First and foremost, this place is filled with character. From the moment you enter the front door you are taken to another place and another time. It is beautiful and the staff are great. Attention to detail is everywhere. And the food and drinks are generally quite good. Portions are on the lean side so don’t expect to be stuffed. But maybe that is a good thing for most of us too. Presentation is good as well. Definitely recommend! The cold mussels however, do not amaze and taste like a shrimp cocktail ring served with mayonnaise mixed with ketchup. Which I do enjoy from time to time…. But definitely no wow factor.

Did the Mystery Patio and it was definitely a great experience. I appreciated the cocktail/wine pairings however we didn't feel as though they complimented the dishes but rather took away from them. The storytelling was great for each dish although the menu as a whole (food wise) did not feel cohesive. I do need to mention that the morels sourdough dish was one of the best things I've ever eaten!

Had a lovely Valentine’s date here. Cozy decor. Friendly and funny staff. Creative dishes that are quite filling. The wine list is hard to read because the text is really small and the descriptions are poems (which are lovely but not helpful). I think maybe you’re supposed to see which poem speaks to you and pick that wine? A minor point, really. Overall, a great dining experience.