Actinolite Restaurant

Fantastic dining experience, would highly recommend for a special occasion. Definitely pricey, but worth it for a treat. Went here with another person, and we each got the 6-course meal. One was vegan the other wasn't. The portions sizes are not significant by any means. However, you can tell time and dedication was put into the ingredients and presentation of every meal. The food was very delicious, fresh, and sourced locally. The pork meal I had was some of the best pork I've ever had. The croquettes were fantastic as well. The atmosphere is nice, with the restaurant decorated well. The staff are knowledgeable about the options, and are also friendly.

MUST TRY The menu, ambiance and service at Actinolite is truly a love story to food and sharing it together. From the get go, walking through the kitchen to get to the terrace makes you feel close to the craft and to the people who put so much work into making it a spectacular experience. The service was without flaw. From the start, all of the employees welcome you to the restaurant and the server is beyond knowledgeable and shares anecdotes about how the food makes its way to the plate, making us feel closer to what we are about to eat. The food was inventive, delicious and most importantly was an expression of the incredible producers we have in southern Ontario. The wine accompaniments were also without flaw and made us discover new types of wines we never even knew existed. Cannot emphasize more how special this place is. Already looking forward to the next time we get to enjoy this place. Thank you to the team at Actinolite for a memorable and special evening!

Everything was fantastic. The back garden is beautiful and cozy. Servers were friendly and informative. Every course was delicious, impossibly fresh and cohesive. The amount of food was ideal. Wine pairings were thoughtful and generous. I definitely want to go back to try in every season.

We had our second meal at Actinolite last night, and chose to also do the wine pairing. The entire experience was fantastic. The food was delicious and interesting and beautifully presented. The service was impeccable. The wine pairing enhanced both the food and the wine. The ambience is wonderful and unique - eating outside is so much more fun! We highly recommend a special meal at Actinolite.

Loved that the ingredients are locally sourced and Canadian. Wait staff were friendly, attentive and knew the dishes well. BUT unfortunately I did not enjoy the food. The flavours were okay, I don’t think they meshed that well. I found the proteins quite bland. I think it was overpriced for what we received. The main protein was chicken breast and it was a very small portion even for a tasting menu. We had to share a tofu dessert for a 300$ meal (no alcohol included). The menu was interesting and I can see their creative process but it was overpriced and nothing stood out.

Visited July 2024. I’m so glad we came in the summer because the outdoor seating is so beautiful and cozy. It felt like we were having dinner in a friend’s backyard. The atmosphere was 10/10. The tasting menu was also amazing. All the courses were so delicious. It was a wonderful experience.

It's unfortunate to write this review as we really hoped to like this restaurant which had plenty of potential but we had an issue that really left a bad taste in our mouths. We visited end of May 2024 and ordered the 6 course set meal. We really enjoyed the concept of local and often foraged ingredients however the majority of the dishes were good but none of them stood out in our opinion. For us, the main issue was the service. It wasn't super friendly from the start, specifically from one woman who seemed generally unpleasant. On one of our later courses (the steak), we noticed a live spider climbing in our plate. I understand that mistakes happen but when I pointed it out to this waiter, she used her hand to remove the spider and then put the plate back down. No apology, no taking the dish back and remaking it, nothing. We didn't complain at the time but it definitely left us shaken up and put a negative spin on the whole night.

Excellent tasting menu, everything tastes really fresh, flavorful and well thought out. The menu changes often as they use locally sourced/grown ingredients and it depends on what they can get at the time. Apparently they even forage some ingredients themselves. Really loved the miso butter and fresh bread. The duck breast dish was perfectly cooked. Never tried quince fruit before but loved it. Overall great tasting and left us full and satisfied. Would love to come back to sit on their patio when it's warm enough next time.

Service and ambiance is fantastic! They changed your plates, cutlery, and wiped down your table between courses. All the servers were very knowledgeable of the food, wine descriptions, etc. The food itself we splurged on. I love the concept of using locally sourced food to create unique dishes that really showcase the natural flavours of the ingredients. Each dish was presented beautifully. Taste wise it wasn't anything that blew me out of the water except for the main duck dish but I appreciated trying new combinations. I had to dissociate myself from the usual "more expensive meals means fancier ingredients". The goal was to showcase what vegetables, herbs, fruits are in season. I left the meal feeling really full! The main duck dish was really memorable. I would come back again for another season like summer to see what they come up with. Winter is more on hearty root vegetables, tart & bitter notes.

Could not ask for a better experience. Never had a conception of what a Canadian five course meal would be, but the courses not only made sense for the terrain, resources, and food ways, but it was tasty, flavorful, unique, and well organized. They grow some of their vegetables in their own garden, but everything is from local producers and in season. The night started with a welcome broth, of a kind of white fish broth with diced rutabaga infused with pine. Next we were offered a Brut Cava to go with our New Brunswick raw oysters topped with pickled seaweed. It tasted like the best olive and steamed shrimp you ever had. The actually first course was a one week smoked Swordfish dusted with sumac and marigold in a tomatillo sauce. Not a Smokey dish, but I think the smoke helped to shift the texture a bit. Lovely palette opener. The following course was bread, Emmer wheat milled in house alongside Orange wine from Nova Scotia. Butter mixed with whey, my friend enjoyed a terrine with duck, pork, and plum. I had cured trout with fermented apple. On the side to balance the heaviness, was steamed leeks and mussels. Absolutely delicious. The next course was roasted celery root with Swisschard! This was my favorite course. The complexity of the celery root gave a taste like meat, alongside the textures slightly crunchy but not over cooked. That matched well with the temperature of the Swiss chard. All this sat in a lobster bisque. Just phenomenal. Next, I had a fresh water crispy fish with Swiss chard and candy roaster squash, a kind I had never heard of. While I wasn't a fan of the fish, it was a little fishy, the vegetables were great. There was also a salad with lots or radicchio with pumpkin seeds. I believe it was slightly chard, adding depth of flavor. My friend had roasted duck with a salted plum. The last course was a Quince, barley pudding, graham cracker and Gouda, with a syrup drizzle that came from a hickory bark. It wasn't the sweetest dessert, however I liked the tension of the flavors and it went well with the wine pairing. They added another tiny dessert at the end, a pumpkin ravioli with chocolate. The food gave a feeling warm winter spice but super elevated. I liked the interiors. It was cozy and made me feel like I was in a family cabin. The service was attentive. We didn't have just one server, but many and they each were so knowledgeable about the food. The sommelier was especially well versed and gave intriguing stories about our wine pairings, which I could not remember all of it. Overall I was impressed and satisfied. They ended with some homemade gummy bears. It is pricey and portions can be small, but they are really building a story. I think it's worth treating yourself every now and then. Especially since the menu changes with seasons.

I had fairly low / no expectations for this place initially, as I had heard from some colleagues that their last meal here was subpar. Apparently they had served some raw carrots and bread as a course... although Actinolite is known for their farm to table cuisine, that would still be pushing it However, we were pretty impressed and pleased this time around. The food was good and the restaurant has a lovely and cute ambiance (lots of fairy lights in the patio with some sort of open grill). Service was also warm and friendly. Our first course was a mix of grilled carrots, raw tomatoes, and pork (in the form of cured meats but also full slivers of fat), topped with a plum sauce. It was quite good - the plum sauce definitely helped to cut the lard fattiness, but even then, I only ate one piece. Health! The second course was some sourdough with eggplant and grated Parmesan, served with ham / prosciutto (smoked in-house) and accompanied by braised vegetable root. The bread was to die for!! The eggplant spread resembled the Mediterranean baba ghanoush, and it was soooo flavourful. I started losing count of all the courses at this point, so can only recall the plates of which I took pictures. We were served octopus with seared / caramelized sweet peppers and roasted fingerling potatoes. It was really good! My main complaint is that there wasn't enough octopus... The next course was my least favourite - it was composed of 2 slices of heirloom tomatoes and topped with cucumber and some sort of green dressing. Honestly, a bit underwhelming. Steak was next, served on some beans and with some greens. I was pretty full at this point so didn't finish all the beans. However, my colleagues were still craving protein and got another full order of steak (it was really nice of the restaurant to accommodate)! This steak was particularly delicious, as it was hot off the grill and perfectly seasoned with salt. Finally, we wrapped up with dessert - a homemade cornbread with corn flavoured ice cream and vanilla whipped cream, along with cooked grapes. It was so unique! The corn flavour of the ice cream really stood out, which I loved as I'm a huge fan of corn! Somehow, it just all worked. What a lovely way to end the meal!

We were seated outside on a nice fall evening. They have a tasting menu which I did not get instead, there is a separate neighbourhood menu which is more on the affordable side. The back patio was very large and unfortunately we weren't seated in the garden area. The service was really professional. We were offered free wine, although we weren't even waiting long. The food was unique and creative. The chefs that came to drop off the food, explained everything thoroughly and everything sounded like it was local and fresh. The portion sizes weren't anything crazy but they packed a lot of flavor. Next time I go back, I want to try the tasting menu to get the full experience.

Absolutely fabulous. Actinolite has a 7 course tasting menu and an option to have matched wine pairings... I assume that the seven courses change regularly, but don't know how often. I do see alot of effort in each dish, so probably not weekly. The food was exquisite. Each dish was carefully thought out and artfully presented. Some highlights include the bread board with duck pate and more; beautifully cooked tender pork with crafted cabbage roll, and for dessert....sweet potato presented two ways with sauce. Delicious! The course progression was perfect, as were the wine pairings. Beautiful meal and perfect service from the many people involved. The room is simple, comfortable and filled with the buzz of people enjoying a conversation with friends. Throughout dinner, the right person showed up to help at the right moment. Wine was dropped off, with detailed descriptions of characteristics. The empty wine glass would later quickly disappear. Same for the food courses. We didn't have a server, we had 6 or 7! This was an experience dinner. It is in my top three best dinner experiences. Beautiful.

Okay, this was not my usual restaurant, I'll admit. I like to know what I'm ordering and, honestly, it wouldn't be any of the things I tasted here. AND BOY AM I GLAD I VENTURED OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE!!! Y'all, this place had some of the most unique food pairings I've ever heard of (and certainly ever tried for myself). Seven courses for $125 and we were STUFFED and happy as clams. Fresh mushrooms and silken tofu in bread soaked broth, house-baked sourdough with house-cured prosciutto and sunchoke dip. What's a sunchoke? I don't know. Do i want to eat it again. ABSOLUTELY! Also, the dessert was, and I quote my husband "The best thing ive ever put into my mouth." The perfect birthday present - thankful to the staff for educating us on what was on our plates, too.

Definitely one of the finest dining establishments I've ever been from food to service to ambiance - everything was done really well and I only really have positive things to say! We found about this establishment through Reddit research and saw people talking about how impressive the chef was with the creativity of his dishes as well as how he sourced everything locally. I usually like being able to anticipate what type of food I'm going to eat, but going in blind for this as the menu is always changing was a fun experience and I'm very pleased with everything we had. The portions were a little on the smaller side due to there being so many courses, but I found each one to be a nice sampling of different types of cuisine and food overall. Course 1: The mussels were a great start and I personally love smoked tomatoes so overall this was a wonderful dish. Everything was cooked really well and went together perfectly. Course 2: I loved how there were chunks of chicken in the rich soup. The bread, butter, and salami were a great neutral add as well. Course 3: I've never had raw beef before and this didn't disappoint - it was really tender and flavored well too. The pickled veggies that went with it were great as well. Course 4: One of the best flavored salads I've ever had - the greens were bitter but the dressing and sweet prunes helped offset it. Course 5: The lamb was cooked well and the greens were unique in their own way too. I'd say the potato was the least appealing part of the dish, but it still balanced things out well. Course 6: This tart was great - not too sweet as it was just the prunes for that part while the cheese balanced everything out well. Our service was immaculate the entire time as well with frequent check-ins and just overall friendly nature. The price of the meal overall is a little steep, but for a nice night out as well as a great dinner, it was worth it. I will say the only thing I wish I could've known about beforehand was the open fire. We sat right next to it and my partner couldn't really keep his eyes open at times due to the smoke. The smell also lingers for quite a while so my jacket and bag still remind me of the night. The ambiance and feeling of the firepit was great in the moment, but just knowing about that piece before choosing what to wear and bring would've been nice. Overall, I would love to come back if I'm ever in the area again - definitely plan ahead though as it seems like this spot is popular. Reserving early is a must (although we were lucky and managed to snag a spot a few days before, probably due to a cancellation).

Just went back to actinolite for a fall tasting- just as great as last time but wanted to say that their wine pairing has been refined and some wines were such a surprise! Very nice play on the pairings. A gem in our city to highlight the beautiful flavours of our province/ country. Highly recommend.

I have first heard about Actinolite from a foodie friend of mine. We were sharing stories about memorable gastronomical experience, and Actinolite Restaurant came up in our conversation! I had no idea the restaurant was located in my home city, Toronto, and it was certainly a very memorable meal. My date and I were seated at the window seat, and it was the perfect spot for photos to catch all that natural sunlight. We each ordered the 7-course Chef's Menu (includes snacks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts), and shared a delicious wine pairing from local Ontario vineyards. It is true about what other Yelpers have mentioned: It is not for everyone. I know some people might not see its true value or are turned off by the raw and cooked plant-based ingredients. But what made this meal memorable for me: 1. The hyper-fresh, foraged ingredients. The colours are so vibrant, it looked almost surreal! I never thought the greens and flowers I see can be edible! #goingvegan lol. The chefs at Actinolite are 'obsessed with freshness and quality that came with picking produce and presenting it on the plate moments later'. Fresh ingredients used were harvested from the restaurant's very own garden, and foraged from the fields around the actual town of Actinolite, Ontario! 2. The creativity and unpredictability of each dish. You don't know what ingredient is going to pair with what, which makes this meal very exciting! The plating is often clean and simple, but I know there is a lot of work and details put into it :) A couple of my favourites were the Halibut with watercrest, mint and kelp, also, the Enoki mushrooms with hemp seed and onion cress! Ooo and the cured salmon... that was fantastic! I would highly recommend this for adventurous, open-minded foodies. Every dish speaks character. It is definitely worth a try :) . . . The All-Ontario, Road Trip-Worthy, farm-to-table Restaurant Series (6 of 17)

Part of a longer review... "Halibut cheek with spring cabbage and white spruce broth had winter comfort written all over it. Yet, its simplicity in presentation made me wonder if it would be satisfying. It was all that and more. The meaty halibut cheek complemented the subdued spruce notes from the broth. The next dish was a testament to the strong relationships Cournoyer has cultivated with his suppliers -- a cornerstone of Actinolite's philosophy. As he presented a single potato, he joked that this was "Greg's potato" because it was grown by Greg Hill, a farmer from Cobourg. Une seule bouchée confirmed that this pomme de terrewas la crème de la crème. The skin's waxy texture combined with the just-cooked flesh were elevated by a reduced whey sauce and wilted spinach. This dish made me appreciate the austerity of local ingredients as they are -- and the heartiness of a single, perfectly-cooked potato."

Disappointed with this restaurant. The price is high and the quality of food is low. Stay away.

Such a great beginning to the night. Wonderful ambiance in the back patio & that lovely smell of wood fire. The rest of the night was a huge disappointment. Beginning with the sparse courses in their 6 course tasting menu. To charge $125 for a few vegetables, bread and one piece of very small pork is outrageous. Our bill came to $450 and we left still hungry and unsatisfied. Service was just okay but a bit slow and often our water wasn't refilled promptly. We will not be returning. This is what's wrong with Toronto restaurants trying too hard to be pretentious and not focused on the actual food. We have been to 2 star Michelin restaurants that are cheaper and offered 15 courses with wine pairings. For this restaurant to keep doing this to people is ludicrous. They should be ashamed of themselves. We had to go to King Slice for pizza on Queen afterwards.

Amazing! Located in a rather residential neighbourhood, actinolite is quite different from other restaurants on Ossington. It's quiet, sleek, and very community focused. The restaurant is actually the first floor of chefs own house, and the mood they are trying to set for you is like you are invited to dine at chefs house. The chef will prepare the food for you and bring the dishes out to every table and introduce his thoughts, ideas, concepts behind the dishes. The ingredients are all locally farmed or foraged. I have to say not many restaurants in Toronto are able to do the same, not even Antler, not even Alo. Flavour wise - super super yum and refreshing. I came in thinking it's all going to be vegetables but we actually had a quite a few meat dishes too including snow crab, halibut, and beef. The dishes are well thought of and executed, balanced,nutritious, and creative. We were absolutely swept off the feet! One of the highlights we had is the charred spinach with some green dipping sauce. We were not served any utensils as the chef explained this dish was encouraged to be consumed with hand. We tried and I've never had any other spinach that's better than this! It's so delicious. We didn't have the wine pairings they offered but the a few drinks we ordered were all amazing. Will definitely come back!

Actinolite is small, comfortable, and unassuming. I felt at ease dining there with my partner. The atmosphere struck the right balance to make our meal feel like the special event that it was without getting lost in pomp. Our meal was fantastic! Each dish emphasized the beauty of the local agriculture. We visited in May and almost every dish encorperated fresh flowers. They weren't just a lovely garnish; the buds were an essential component to the plate, often adding a lightness and slight bittering agent. A couple stand out plates were the raw radish starter with charred lily greens and the snow crab in hay butter. One could feel the chef's passion to share Canadian cuisine with his guests. Utilizing local, seasonal, fresh ingredients really put his point across to diners - local isn't just better for the environment, it is a better way to eat.

Actinolite is a small restaurant tucked away in a residential area at Ossington. The focus of the food is mostly on fresh, organic ingredients sourced from local farmers. The tasting menu was great, playful and different with some flavors weird at the first bite since you don't really expect them to have something like that (corn ice cream) but work out well. The chef and the staff were incredible, explained every dishes, sometimes even talking about how the ingredients was sourced, the inspiration behind the dish and just making us feel comfortable. We went for my birthday and in one of the courses they served housemade bread with butter ( which was divine), so i asked the expeditor if the butter was made in house and he said they got it from a local farm. After paying the bill, they gave me a block of the butter as a birthday gift! Great experience!

Tucked in a residential strip of Ossington (just south of Dupont), Actinolite is not the kind of place you just happen to stumble upon. I had wanted to try it after reading some good reviews (both on Yelp and in print). It makes sense that they take reservations, since it does get busy even on weeknights, and there are really no other options in the area. My first impression was that I was gonna like this place. It's not too big so it feels home-y and personable. It's quiet enough to have a real conversation. The decor is quirky (think vintage signs, an old map of the town of Actinolite where the chef is from, blue walls, and an old-fashioned ice box serving as a reservations desk) without trying too hard. The menu is small: around 4 appetizers, a few salads, 4 or 5 mains, 2 desserts to choose from. It changed frequently depending on what's in season (the current menu is not the same as what is up on their website). I had the albacore tuna appetizer which was served with zucchini and squash slices, artichoke and tiny diced carrots, chives and a small dollop of sour cream. Delcious and refreshing. DC's had the cantaloupe salad and the buttermilk fried chicken, which comes with a huge prawn and salsa -- amazing and not too greasy. For the main course, I had the skirt steak (medium-rare as skirt steak should be so that it doesn't get tough) which was full of flavour and accompanied with mushrooms and fingerling potatoes. DC's had the smoked white fish with lentils (very healthy, but maybe a bit bland) and the lamb chops - nicely done and served with lots of carrots and sweet peas. The portion sizes are good -- not too big, not too small. I was pretty full though and not sure about dessert... SO glad I got dessert because that was maybe the best part of the meal, surprisingly enough! I am a huge fan of panna cotta. Pretty much if it's on the menu, that's what I'm getting. I've eaten a lot of panna cotta, and Actinolite's lemon thyme version with blueberries is one of the best. Delicate flavours don't overpower and the texture is just right - creamy, yet light. I also tried a bite of my DC's dessert - almond cake with poached peaches and almond cream. Again, out of this world delicious! It's a bit pricey, but the quality of the food and service were excellent. A nice place for a special occasion!

All staff were so kind and explained every cuisines.( how did they made, where did they pick up) The atmosphere was so great. I absolutely recommend this for everyone. All ingredients were made from Ontario. They didn't waste anything. They said the menu is seasonal.

In the age of $300 restaurant dinners, it's rare to go out to a place where you actually feel that what you're getting is worth the money. This is one of those spots. Absurdly fresh farm-to-table cuisine. Where the 'farm' in question appears to be quite literally the immediate surroundings. The first few courses of the tasting menu seemed to be straight out of the restaurant's garden. They're beautiful. An incredible array of fresh vegetables and herbs. Carefully selected, lovingly combined and delicately prepared. And it's just the beginning. What followed was a multicourse meal that was well thought out, well timed in it's delivery and paired with an interesting selection of non-run-of-the-mill hand picked wines. Would you like some Juracon with that Asparagus? Yes, please. A bunny rabbit that was clearly sacrificed for our own personal pleasure because he was the undoubtedly the most delicious animal in the forest. Outstanding service and non-rushed ambiance. A cool-dad-rock soundtrack that seemed perfectly picked for the great vibe. The best part. It's a small, warm room that makes you feel a part of the neighbourhood and not just a number on a proverbial meal ticket. Being a few blocks north of Bloor does wonders for removing the douchey sensibilities that plagues many of the restaurants in this part of town. A great find. Strongly recommended.

3.5 So this restaurant is small and off the beaten path and the staff is incredibly warm and genuine. I had a headache and went across the street to the corner store for Tylenol and a waiter remarked that he hoped I was okay when I walked back in. The chef is incredibly thoughtful and explains the dishes in a way that show how much he cares about sourcing locally and knows exactly where all of his ingredients come from which is incredibly admirable. So my issue was that I didn't enjoy the dishes that much, and perhaps that's because I'm not a huge organic vegetable fan. I mean I like them, don't get me wrong, but the dishes seemed rather weak. My favorites were the fish dish, the bread, and the dessert. Everything else seemed like it tried too hard to prove it was a good steward of the environment. Again, I gave it four stars, even though I wasn't a huge fan, because I recognize the amount of work that goes into curating a menu like this and the fact that I'm not a fan doesn't mean the shitake mushrooms or sunchokes weren't cooked perfectly. It's just not what I was looking for in an expensive tasting menu for the one big meal visiting Toronto.

I spent a fantastic evening pampered by their flawless staff, and chef Justin and his magic creations. My friend and I enjoyed the full tasting menu with wine pairing, and was blown away with the complicated simplicity of the dishes. Ingredients we're allowed to shine on their own, yet bask in hints and allegations from perfectly picked spices, sauces, and techniques. W the wines we perfectly paired, but could easily have stood on their own. As it were each wine complemented each dish and elevated it. It's hard to pick any one fish as a highlight, but also pointless as the menu shifts with the seasons. We do loved it that we finished the tasting menu and jumped right back in with the small tasting menu, but at this time chef Justin was excited and we got treatef to some new dishes he was working on, which we then discussed. Four hours of heaven where a simple slice of potato, a piece of bread, a parsnip or an asparagus finally get to be the stars of the show. Try the full menu with wine pairings and surrender to perfection. Where is the Michelin button?

Really don't understand what the all the rave reviews are about. I've been driving by this place everyday and read great reviews so naturally I had to try it. Booked my reservation and already had it in mind to go with the chef's tasting menu with wine pairing. Now, let me just say, I have a great appreciation for chefs that are passionate about local ingredients and convey and share that passion with their customers. From the ownership to the kitchen to the wait staff. That passion is shared. And for that, I will give a 2 star rating. But seriously. About $100 per person with drinks and the serving size is a joke. Spin it however you want, apple 3 ways, cooked and raw locally sourced..you gave me cubed apples. About a spoonful. And that was the theme for the entire menu. Cabbage and Halibut? It was a shred of protein. Squid? Less then an ounce. And this beautiful wine to go with it? Barely 2 sips. If your going to charge $65 for wine pairing at least pour a generous glass once during the course. After 7 courses, we hopped in an Uber and went right to Harry's charbroiled for some substance. Waste of money. Great staff, waste of money on something I can't even consider a snack. Would I ever go back? Nope. Would I recommend? Not a chance. Do yourself a favour and book a reso at a place like Skippa. It's just down the street and over 1000 times better.

I'll start with the conclusion - I love the place. My only quibble is that I wish their wine list was bit more extensive. However, they offer BYOW and thus I can drink my own wine there, so that is no big deal. The food is exceptional, delicious, interesting and weird - crickets anyone? FYI - they taste/texture was similar to crispy rice. However, the chef/owner states, it is not for everyone. However, if you are open minded and willing to be a tad adventurous, I think you will be rewarded as I am every time I eat there. Their menu changes often, so I don't see any point in discussing individual dishes. If you want to see details of the food for one our meals there, you can see it at http://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=129369&hilit=Actinolite#p2041317 Their mission is to only use ingredients from local farms, and at most, ingredients available in Canada. There is no Lime/Lemon or any acid components in the dishes that are not derived from either pickling or fermenting local ingredients. This focus leads some interesting flavours, as noted - hence my "weird" adjective :) It took me a little of bit of time to appreciate their approach - as a person of East Indian extraction, I love my food when the flavours smack me upside the head, and are acid-forward. Subtlety is not an attribute that I possess in any form :) The savoury and subtle flavours really need to be well integrated and even then I have to think about it to really enjoy it. I have taken a giant step in food appreciation due to what I have enjoyed and learned from this kitchen and their food. The service is excellent and very informed. Wine pairings are well chosen and recommended. Since they offer BYOW, when we had a group of 9, we brought about 12 bottles. We also brought our own glassware because otherwise, we would be hogging all their glassware. They washed, polished all the glasses before and after dinner. That is beyond the call of duty and we appreciated it very much. If you are an un-adventurous soul as some of my friends are, do not go there. Otherwise, you will be rewarded.

Atmosphere and service was good, but portion sizes were too small. Paid $350 total (after tax and tip) for the set menu and left hungry. Each course was 2 bites maximum. Drink list was limited - there were no cocktails available. Definitely didn't see the value considering the price point.

As many reviewers have mentioned, Actinolite is not for everybody, but I decided to take my parents here - so it had to be, at the very least, for my folks. And me, of course. We had a total of 11 courses, 2 of which were remarkable. A spinach salad which, with the first bite, exploded with umami, and a grilled perch which incited much joy from Chef Justin Cournoyer (we were the first guests of the evening, and as we finished the dish, Chef Cournoyer excitedly came over to us to ask how the dish was, and told us a story about his own childhood) Actinolite locally sources many of their ingredients, including the seafood - which is important, because Toronto seafood can disappoint. Seafood is certainly not one of our comparative advantages, for a litany of reasons. No, Actinolite is not cheap - and neither is the food traditional. Even so, the food pulls from a variety of influences, a diversity which makes this city so great. A real experience, and one of the great Toronto restaurants.

Stopped in to check out Actinolite on opening night and I think they've accomplished what they've set out to do. Which is (I assume): to provide a neighborhood (seriously lacking quality dining options) go-to spot, with regionally sourced items, a welcoming and intimate atmosphere, with high quality food choices. The menu is divided up into 5 apps and 5 mains, 3 sides, and a couple of deserts. A larger than you'd expect wine list was also a pleasant surprise. Since Actinolite is named after the Eastern Ontario town the chef of the restaurant is from, we chose a pinot noir from Prince Edward County to accompany the meat heavy mains selected. Favorites of the night were the pork shoulder appetizer, the roasted chicken , and veal t-bone with creamed spinach. The plan is for the menu to rotate, so I guess there's not a lot of use going into detail about each dish - but what's important is they were all well balanced, made with the utmost attention to detail, and served professionally. The price point may be a little higher than you'd expect but everyone we saw in the restaurant (including ourselves) left very satisfied. Bonus: the most hottest of all hottest food celebs was also dining (Lisa Ray from Top Chef Canada)...so like...that bumps this place up a few notches, as well.

Don't know how anyone would have anything bad to say about this place. Small and cozy atmosphere. The food was amazing. Service was amazing. Definitely go for the 7 course with wine pairing- it's worth it. Was a little loud in the dining room but there was a large group in there so I'm sure that isn't always the case. Worth every penny.

Lovely decor and great service. We got the 7 course menu and appreciated the care put into making the food and also the presentation. The chef also came out most of the time to give us a detail breakdown of each dish. In those aspects it was a great dining experience. However, despite the creative dishes, the flavour of each dish was too muted for my palette. But I'm used to Thai and other Asian food and I think this restaurant is more about very few ingredients per dish and letting the flavour of the ingredients shine but they didn't shine enough. The menu changes though so perhaps a different combo would be different. However personally I won't go back because of the flavour of the dishes (they're not bad, just too muted and not good enough for me to pay this amount again). also if you want to substitute any dish (from the 4 course menu) it's $10 extra!

Love it! Reading some of the reviews.. People complaint that it's too expensive for the amount of food. I personally think that you get what you pay for. The dishes were creative, fresh and delicious. There was a lot of attention put into preparing the food. I Love the idea that they only offer tasting menu. Let the kitchen be creative, sit back and enjoy! The service was great. Food was amazing. Enough said.

The service was amazing, dishes were creative and well balanced. We learned a few new vegetables during this meal. You can feel their passion and love for food and beauty in nature through the dishes. Only suggestion would be to maybe diversify the protein more, we had two fish dishes. Portion size is typical of fine dining spots and we were stuffed after the 7 course with additional of 3-4 snacks on the house. The rock shaped chocolates at the end were AMAZERS.

What a great place. If you're feeling adventurous, want to learn about new ideas in cooking and localism, then this place is for you. You might not love every dish, but you will love something in every dish. Great staff, chefs, and really tasty food. Thanks guys n gals...

This is the restaurant where natural food flavours come to life. The passion for food that grows locally and organically is shared among all the staff and spread to the patrons. It's the first restaurant in years that truly gave us a unique taste sensation. You need to be into real food to enjoy this place. One of my favourite dishes was a raw turnip where the taste was enhanced by a little pear vinegar and salt.

Ok Here's the thing ,everything is well prepared in the essence of the restaurant. We had the chefs tasting for 105.00 which we felt was fine considering the effort put into preparing food etc.... It was just incredibly small portions. The halibut and duck portions were 3 bites of meat. Everything else not outstanding in any way. The dessert cake was stale. Service, first waiter was underwhelmed and felt annoyed to be there. Multiple thank yous to her;not one your welcome or enjoy. Second waiter was much better although i believe he could tell we didnt fully enjoy our meal and frankly we both were expecting more. It was not cheap, bill over 400 (bottle wine,tip),therefore disappointing. I would suggest to them ;maybe try adding a course ,a pasta dish and tightening up service which was night then day if i compare the waiters. I cooked when i got home Not a redo. If you have tiny appetites check it out for yourselves however their are much better tasting menus in the city.

While the restaurant is lovely inside and has extremely friendly and attentive staff, the food is a different story. Don't get me wrong, it's reasonably tasty food, but the portions are minuscule. I recognize we had the "neighbourhood option" (which is two of the seven possible courses and a glass of wine for $30), but four fiddle heads in a gigantic bowl with a couple tablespoons of oily broth is not an acceptable value for money. The mackerel was also small and unsatisfactory. Asking for bread for the table was an additional amount of money - though the bread was amazing with whey butter. With the bill, they gave us toffee-like sweets that were topped with "green lichen that was hand picked by the chef himself on a recent hike". It was disgusting, weird and all kinds of wrong. At least the wine glass was full - it helped numb my senses and made us all laugh about this place (though the wine had a vague smell of something more acidic). Don't waste your money.

Actinolite is not for everyone. It is both unusual and rather expensive. You can opt for a $60 or $90 tasting menu on a stretch of Ossington that is definitely not restaurant row. Without breaking down every bite, here is what to expect... 1. Local or hyper-local ingredients in season. 2. Those ingredients may be moss, leaves, or something you or I never saw on the Swiss Chalet menu. And.... it works. 3. Surprise! The food is delicious. It manages to be healthy and tasty. If you are looking for granny's Thanksgiving meal pig out, you won't find it. However, you will leave full. More than that, you will have a meal that is uniquely different from every other place in town. Actinolite is distinctive. 4. I agree with reviewer Jay in that I wish the wine list were more elaborate. I also wish they had a couple of beers on draft. All things considered, this is simply a warm, unique experience. Toronto's restaurant scene is much better with Actinolite.

The restaurant is tucked into a residential neighborhood. It's the first floor of the chef's house so it was like we were eating in his living room. We went for the chef's menu and the experience from beginning to end felt very intimate. The chef came out to greet us as our meal started and he explained the philosophy behind Actinolite. The restaurant is named after Actinolite, a community in central Ontario where the chef is from. There was a lot of thought into the menu in terms of the season and where the food was sourced. The menu changes but my highlights were the seafood dishes and dessert. We also asked for a tour of his backyard garden. The chef led us back to the back of the house where he grew some of the herbs that went into our meals.

Loved this place. Fresh fresh fresh. Ingredients were in point and service was great. It also has that element of surprise you seek from a tasting menu. The only drawbacks were the chicken courses and the visible chaos in the kitchen. But I would come back 10000%

We had an unreal meal there last night. To be honest I am not up on my forged food but the owner/Chef Justin couldn't have done a better job preparing the food and making us feel at home. The cuisine was very earthly and simple but cooked to perfection and the combinations worked. The ambiance is quite cool as well and very cozy. Justin lives upstairs with his family so the feeling is you are eating in his house. The prices were very reasonable given the quality. If I lived locally this would be one of my go to spots as the food, ambiance and service were all spectacular.

I love Actinolite. This restaurant is an experience. If restaurants are to be likened to forms of media, a typical restaurant is a trip to the movie theatre, and Actinolite is to experience fine art in a lovely gallery. The latter may not be everyone's cup of tea, especially if "portion size" and "getting super full" are among your priorities for going to a restaurant. (And if you do, there's nothing wrong with that!) But for those who are looking for an experience; something to challenge their perception of what food is, and what it can be, Actinolite is worth a visit (or five). Actinolite's focus on fresh, local, and high quality ingredients means many of their flavours are evocative of nostalgia and intense Canadiana. I've had many dishes here that have evoked strong memories of my childhood, reminding me of aromas and flavours I haven't experienced in decades. This probably makes me sound crazy, but I've had meals here that have brought me to tears. They are absolutely fantastic with dietary restrictions. I have celiac disease and always do a perfect job of adapting dishes for gluten-free diets and avoiding cross-contamination. The courses are beautiful, the wine is perfectly selected, and if you're looking to have a cozy drink or two, their cocktails are surprisingly unique and among the best in the city. Service is warm and personable on a level I personally didn't expect for a place with such refined, artful food. This is not an inexpensive place to eat, but the experience is worth every penny if you can afford it. I've been several times and plan on returning as much as I can. Actinolite is a special place, and our city is lucky to have it.

Actinolite soars above the base mediocrity that is Toronto, and finally offers people from here a legitimate reason to be proud of their city. Having lived in Toronto for the past year, I've found the city to be, at it's most basic level, well...basic. The fourth largest city in North America is one of the continent's least picturesque and lists Drake as it's largest, and perhaps only, contribution to world contemporary culture. The outsider cringes in a mix of pity and revulsion at residents' curious tendency to laud themselves for being "Torontonian" for no other reason than "Home is Toronto." While these fact remain, Actinolite offers a blueprint for making Toronto a city that residents' can legitimately be proud of, that people from the rest of the world want to visit, and that those who do visit actually want to return to. Set on Ossington Avenue, "the Champs-Elysees of dreary streets", the owners have transformed a former storefront into a beautiful, contemporary restaurant that tells a cohesive and compelling story of Southern Ontario. When one enters the restaurant, the sleek interior gives way to an elegant dining room enclosed by warm colored walls and minimalist tables adorned with beautiful, local ceramics. The concept that "Home is Toronto" curiously induces appetite when one is seated at Actinolite. The dining room is stage for a culinary experience that should be featured in a Netflix special. Chef Justin paints agriculture and foraging in Southern Ontario through the brush of cuisine in a way that I have not experienced anywhere else on earth. I have now eaten at this restaurant twice, and enjoyed two "seasons" of locally sourced food in the late spring and fall. I've enjoyed everything from fresh razor clams to delicious enoki mushrooms in a light broth; "forest floor tea"; the freshest squid from Vancouver; various cuts of tender and delicious Enright beef; and finally, some of the most enlightening desserts I've ever enjoyed, which made novel uses of unfamiliar ingredients like the kernels of apricot pits and spent mash from a local brewery to create lightly sweet, savory, and indelibly memorable dishes. The wine pairing is similarly excellent, represented by local champions like Pearl Morissette. Were the Michelin Guide to ever venture off piste into Canada, Actinolite could possibly garner a star and even two. Based on a thorough culinary survey of the city, it is certainly the only restaurant in Toronto worth eating at twice.

It's my new favorite restaurant in town! Service was great and the food was excellent. Each course was beautifully presented and the wine pairing was absolutely perfect. This menu was great for the summer, my palate was so refreshed after each course. Great job!!!

I hate it when restaurants are hyped up, so I'm reluctant to set expectations high, but this meal was the best I've had in a long time. We head here for date night. I am exhausted and cranky due to the new challenges of parenthood. I try to convince my husband to cancel. Nope! Off we went. We arrive at the tiny restaurant and are told our reserved table was still occupied ("you're supposed to HOLD the reservation! Anyone can just take reservations!" -- Seinfeld reference off the top of my head. Probably not verbatim. Sorry, fellow fans). They ask if we would mind waiting at the bar.. Uh oh.. I look at The Husband. He's not happy. We're horribly picky people with obnoxious personalities who get annoyed easily (uhh see my other reviews). Bad start. Ohhhhh wait! What's this? Complimentary champers at the bar (or maybe prosecco or a sparkling wine. whatever! Free!). After a short wait we are seated at our table. Surprise! The Husband wants to order the longer tasting menu. I reluctantly agree. I order a delicious bourbon sour and the meal gets started. Plate after beautiful plate arrives. A few plates in we look at each other in confusion. The plates do not match the menu. The server let's us know that these are surprise plates and the tasting menu hasn't even begun. I'm not going to describe the meal because the menu changes often... Besides, I won't be able to do it justice. I'll just say that the smells and tastes evoke memories from my childhood around Ontario. I loved it. I'm pretty sure I could taste the province in every plate. I'm sure I sound a little nutty but that's the best I can describe it. The icing on the cake was the chef, Justin Cournoyer, coming out with every plate. He also checked in after we were done. I asked him the story behind the name and it turns out it's the small town where he grew up. As someone who also grew up in a small town this tugged at my heart strings. What a lovely place.

The whole experience was delightful. We had the 7 course menu which is only available by reservation. Yes, it's expensive but worth every penny. I also get the impression it's expensive because there is so much time and energy that goes into these dishes and not just expensive for the sake of seeming fancy. This place is the real deal, with the chef coming to the table to explain some of the dishes. Professional but unpretentious service. Well done. Will return as the menus change with the season.

I last wrote a review about this restaurant over two years ago. It is still outstanding. It is also still unique and worthwhile going out of your way to visit. The full tasting menu has gone up from $75 per person to $90 and is still good value. Of the seven items, four were excellent - the summer farm gatherings, essentially raw vegetables with different dips were fun, the green peas with Hyssop were the best peas that we have tasted, the heart was nothing to write home about, the pork was outstanding, and the strawberry/ginger/rose desert was superb. I no longer give it five stars, because the service has deteriorated; now more brusque and indifferent. (The owner, Justin, was not on the premises our evening). The wine list is a bit of a struggle, but we did manage to find a good Oregon Pinot Noir

Some weeks ago a restaurant search around Ossington and Dupont would have yielded scant and disappointing results. No longer. Helmed by a Food Network producer and a chef that worked under Susur Lee, Actinolite adds much needed culinary cred to this neighbourhood. Named after a town on the Skootamatta River in the Municipality of Tweed (can't make this stuff up); Actinolite (pronounced: act-IN-oh-light) is apparently the chef's hometown. It's also a mineral similar to asbestos. Now you know. The small restaurant is well decorated. Lots of natural wood and Canadiana (Ontariana?) on the walls. Our group of four sat crowned beneath a swelling fixture which is why it probably felt a little bright in here for me. That said, it's a swell spot for an intimate dinner or date. It didn't feel too crowded in here, even though every table was occupied. I like that. Service was friendly and down-to-earth. The menu is a single card divided into first and second courses. There were a lot of tantalizing options, but I HAD to start with the pork shoulder appetizer glazed in apple cider, and chose a marinated veal T-bone served on creamed spinach puree as my main. Except for my failure to get the table to call me T-bone, the whole meal was a delight. Everyone else at the table seemed happy too. A bit too expensive for me to become a regular, but this place is a must-visit next time I'm in the hood. Obligatory Title Pun: It'll AMPHIBOLE you over.[1] Menu Readability: I don't normally abide script typefaces, but this was acceptable. Need to mention: Solid wine list features selections from Prince Edward County. What this place teaches me about myself: I'm not likely to be called T-bone anytime soon. Perhaps V-bone? _____ [1] Geology humour. I could also have said, "This place ROCKS!"

Had an amazing night @ Actinolite restaurant with great food and a bottle of vino. The shrimp app was succulent and my main - whitefish - simply melted in my mouth. My husband's lamb was also outstanding. Even though meat is not my thing, I tried it and liked it. The food has been prepared with great attention to detail. Really excited about the opening as we needed a good restaurant in the hood. I just wish there was one more veg main beside pasta. But the menu is seasonal so I'm sure something is coming. Keep up the good work and congratulations!

AMUSE BOUCHE: Onion tart type thing with duck confit inside. Took me on a one-way train to flavour-town but I do wish the fried outer layer adhered to what was inside - the whole thing came out during the first bite. There was some sort of sauce under it too... maybe something buttermilk-y, which was underwhelming and unnecessary. BEET: Char-roasted beet halves were accompanied by a plum sorbet. Nasturtium leaves added a little extra somethin'. Very pretty. Not the best dish on the menu, but very good. Almost wished there was something savoury to cut the sweetness, but my dining partner disagreed. OYSTER: The oyster itself was fantastic -smoky and rich and decently sized. The slaw on top which I believe was fermented apple and turnip was nearly flavourless and lacked any sort of crunch. Whomp. FOIE GRAS: Best dish, hands down. Rutabaga was served three ways: chopped into wands dusted in some sort of tasty coating, then thinly sliced, folded around roasted chestnuts, and finally as a foam, which sat as a crowning achievement atop the assemblage. The foie gras portion was appropriate, and surprisingly smoky. KOHLRABI: My dining partner considered that the whitefish roe broth would make a fantastic broth for a matzo-ball soup. JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE: The cheddar sauce was one of the strongest elements we'd had all night. This was a bold, punchy flavour. The artichoke itself was perfectly cooked, and the pine mushrooms were a nice touch. Great dish, overall. QUAIL: Each serving contained about half a quail, including the breast and a leg (claw still attached - a heads-up for those who might be squeamish). Served in an almond-milk sauce with a cozy pile of grains and seeds underneath. The breast may have been cooked sous-vide and was just the right amount of pink in the middle. JUNIPER: I usually don't like anything which tastes like a tree. Exceptions can be made, however, and this dish was definitely the exception. I almost wish it had been served either in a deeper dish, or piled higher, so that the chocolate sheets were easier to access and the flavours more blended. I understand the idea behind deconstruction, but I did find it a little tedious. The service could have been a bit more attentive and on top of things. A chef promised more bread which never arrived. Additionally, I think for this type of restaurant and price point, plating could have been a little more differentiated. Not saying a restaurant needs to have custom plates for each dish, or anything, but the creativity in dishware could have been amped up.

Amazing cuisine, especially great vegetable creativeness. Very local materials with right choice. Chef's menu,$105 is highly recommendable. I could feel chef owner's passion on all details. Amazing dinner again Thanks chef

I was here for their 7-course dinner with wine pairing and the experience was sublime. Anyone who is familiar with the legendary Noma restaurant would truly appreciate the inventive and progressive cuisine served here. The ingredients are local, seasonal, foraged and sometimes unexpected. Some of the highlights include Raindeer Moss, and mussels in a broth which was both savory and refreshing (highlighted with juniper oil). The presentation is artful but not overdone. I wouldn't go into detail about each dish as their menu changes often and frankly they were all so good and I can't seem to remember all the details of everything I ate. The restaurant itself felt very comfortable, modern, casual and unpretentious. The art and artifacts on the wall describes the small town of Actinolite which the chef is from and has a farm there. The service was very attentive and I highly recommend the wine pairing which featured some unusual varieties and lesser known wineries. If you want to go somewhere on a special occasion or just want to treat yourself, this is the restaurant I would highly recommend. I don't think the food was very expensive given that you can't find dishes like this anywhere else in the city, the food was very fresh and beautifully prepared and presented, and the service was excellent without being stuffy. Going with the 7-course with wine pairing is the way to go for a magical culinary experience -- it's well worth it! Definitely on my list of favorite restaurants.

Dined here with a group of friends and didn't receive the friendliest of service. I don't think they knew how to service a large group. The waitress kept bumping into my friend during service. She did not ask us whether the bill would all be on one or separated according to guests. Seeming annoyed, after separating the bill, she messed up one of the guest's bills, and was very rude about it. Also, she did not give a couple of my guests their change... Gratuity is already 20%. When one of our guests asked for change, the waitress asked how much change she wanted back... and forgot how much our friend had given her. Too bad about the service because the food overall was half okay! Dishes are changed frequently, which is nice variation. Portion size is very small so if you have a large appetite, you'll still be hungry after. One of my friends didn't like her dish and voiced it. The waitress tried her best to remedy the situation, which was much appreciated. Good job on that one! Nonetheless, I wouldn't recommend this restaurant to anyone just because of how they treated all my guests. It left a sour note in my mouth. I feel this is not a good restaurant to bring people to because I fear they would also be treated badly. I had high hopes for this place, and felt they were too stuck up to receive the average joe. Go somewhere else if you want to be treated with respect.