The Wood Owl

Follow @bredgyeats for more food posts! No matter how much you hate carrots, you'd be lying if your lips touch these beautifully roasted Mexican adobo carrots. With such a strong yet pleasant smoky texture, each bite is fork tender and slathered with an adobo sauce that culminates the best of savory, smoky, sweet and slightly acidic. The layers keep piling on with the herby cashew and avocado green goddess dressing that adds body and creaminess, and the chayote herb salad adds some crisp to each bite. To top it all off are smoked honey almonds that are simply divine. Following such a brilliant star, the chicken liver mousse was a respectable 2nd place. Its ridiculously smooth texture is accompanied by a rich, buttery and umami mousse that doesn't have any unpleasant off-flavours at all. Its pungent taste is nicely balanced with a crisp toasted challah, sweet honey jam, and some pickled vegetables for a quick palate cleanser. The excitement doesn't stop at the appetizers, because as I brought my knife towards the short rib, the tender beef just slipped right off the bone. Each bite, when paired with the pungent beef jus, each bite is a ticket to the cow town, where the return ticket is the refreshing lime pickle, peashoot salad and diced cucumbers to refresh your palate. Then, dig into the onion baji rings, coated in a crispy chickpea flour seasoned with an Indian flair and tender rings of onion. The velvety smooth parsnip puree is cooked with vadouvan, heightening its pleasant anise sweetness to make each bite of beef more substantial and complete. The seared duck breast, along with the braised red cabbage, catalyzed a phase of braising the latter to a fork-tender bite, and a distinct red wine sweetness that balances the slightly sulphurous notes of the cabbage. It's the perfect palate cleanser for the 2 strips of expertly cooked duck breast, still blushing pink in the center, like when I try and talk to girls, and a crisp, flaky skin similar to when I try and make plans. Anyway, the fat has rendered for a rich, buttery bite that perfumes your mouth with a distinct but mellow duck aroma, heightened with a touch of acidity and even more meaty umami thanks to the cherry duck jus. This place has perfected their purees, as the potato celeriac puree keeps me coming back for more for its smooth butteriness and faint sweetness. Finally, a tactical placement of red mizuna leaves adds an herbal, peppery edge. The night ends with a smooth and fudgy flourless chocolate cake, which exudes a distinct dark chocolate aroma that is slightly bitter with some pronounced fruity notes, a sign of a good chocolate for a good cake. It's balanced with a tangy yet creamy dollop of creme fraiche, and a crispy hazelnut coffee brittle, lightly salted while magnifying the roasted aromas of the chocolate that's especially prominent in the aftertaste.

Had no idea this was owned by the same people who own The Wren, which is one of our favorite restaurants in Toronto. Place looked super interesting from the outside. Tried it out and it exceeded our expectations. Love that they do different specials everyday too just like The Wren. It’s going to be hard to choose from now on which one we want to eat at!

an absolutely incredible dining experience, every single dish was memorable and packed with flavour, from the mains, appetizers to even the bread and butter. would definitely be coming back, and highly recommend others to visit. price to portion ratio is extremely fair, with some dishes even being generous. we ordered: bread and butter crispy potato rösti & manchego smoked trout dip yellownfin tuna, aji Amarillo & Cara Cara orange steak and frites tagliatelle cocktail: antics for two people it was quite a decent amount of food, i barely made it to the mains with any room left!

Incredible. Let's just start out with the vibe. Immaculate lighting and interior, like an old library/bar with an almost romantic woodsy feel. The service was great, attentive, all of it. Where this place made my day, was the food. The lamb ribs were one of the best bites of food I've ever had. Don't get me wrong, everything else was fantastic, but the lamb ribs BLEW my mind. Order 2 of them.

Lovely space in Danforth serving elevated Canadian fare. They’ve got a Michelin mention but they’re not bragging about it. Great service and excited to taste the rest of their menu. I had the Tuesday steak frites special and while the beef was on the chewy side, the peppercorn sauce was delicious and the fries were amazing. The fries were triple blanched apparently. Will def come back.

The Wood Owl is a cozy spot that, for some inexplicable reason, hasn’t gone viral on social media (yet). The atmosphere is relaxed, with rustic, 70s-inspired retro decor and the seasonally rotating menu offers a well-balanced selection of small and large plates, making ordering decisions difficult in the best way. We started with the seared branzino over harissa and tomato-braised chickpeas, shaved fennel, salsa verde, and saffron aioli. The fish was perfectly cooked, and the chickpeas were packed with flavor. The aioli felt a bit disconnected, but overall, we really enjoyed it. Next came the crispy brussels sprouts with whipped silken tofu, smoked shiitake mushrooms, puffed wild rice furikake, and bonito. This dish fulfilled all my umami dreams—the smoked shiitakes, in particular, added a depth of flavour that truly blew me away. Our final dish, braised beef cheeks with yellowfoot mushrooms, sunchoke soubise, peppercorn sauce, and crispy sunchoke chips, was sublime. The beef was melt-in-your-mouth tender, rich, and so delicious that ‘orgasmic’ wouldn’t be an overstatement. If it were socially acceptable, I might have licked the plate. From the atmosphere to the friendly service and beautifully executed menu, The Wood Owl offers an exceptional dining experience. I’ll definitely be back!

Location was great by the Danforth however the place is really small. It was uncomfortable due to cozy attempt just not enough space to lift arms properly. Service was a mix, one rude server but the other ladies were great and kind to us. The timing was great too. Food was a little disappointing, tasty but it doesn’t live up to the way people hyped it. The dishes we ordered were good but not great. Nothing stood out except for the trout dip and chips. I wish it left an impression but everyone agreed it was mediocre.

Went here for a birthday and had an INCREDIBLE time!!! The food here is incredible! If they've got the smoked trout dip on the menu when you go, it's a must have! Everything arrived with perfect pacing for the meal, and our glasses were never empty. Everything we tried was delicious and the staff were welcoming, knowledgeable, and kind. A must go in the East End!!!

oh my days -- i've never had so many sleeper hits from any restaurant because every single dish blew me away. chicken liver mousse is hands down my favourite though, it's silky and savoury which makes it the perfect spread on their house baked challah. beef tartare is also now my new fave in the city.

Cool vibe, good food. Came here for dinner and got a bunch of stuff, with the standouts being: - Shortrib: Smoked perfectly, cooked tenderly. Kimchi gave it a nice pop. - Bread and Whipped Butter: Not joking. That butter is memorable. - Chocolate Cake: Soft and smooth. There's a citrusy dash to it which, along with the hazelnut and coffee brittle, is a great contrast to the sweetness. Service was excellent, place was narrow but well laid out, atmosphere was casual and welcoming. I get why so many people like this place.

Food: yellowfin tuna tiradito - artfully plated and incredible, the seared picanha with romesco and shishito peppers - a showstopper, and masala lamb - this was good but did not shine like the other items. Finished with a chocolate cake topped with hazelnut and coffee brittle that was decadent and the perfect end to our dinner. Service: prompt and friendly Ambiance: sat outside which was nice, moved inside when it started raining, very cozy vibes inside

COZY RESTURANT WITH GREAT VIBE ON THE EAST SIDE! I arrived at around 5:30pm on a Wednesday and was seated at the bar, which I found it a bit odd since the restaurant was almost empty at the time (thus I was expecting a "sit wherever you want" type response instead). Then we figured out why at around 6pm when we saw waves of people (with reservations) coming in! The place was fully packed shortly after, so make sure you make a reservation even if you plan to go early on a weekday night! I started with a glass of wine while waiting for my partner. The staff is very friendly, energetic, and caring! They took the time to brief me on other "wine by the glass" that's not on the menu - it was a Pinot Noir that day, and it's definitely an above average "house wine". Since I was waiting for my partner to arrive at that time, the staff also popped by from time to time to have little chats which certainly made me feel comfortable and relaxing (especially after a long work day)! The food was quite astonishing! We started with steak tartare and scallop crudo. The steak tartare was probably our favorite - great texture and very smooth when mixed with egg yolk. Too bad it's meant for sharing, as I swear I can finish the whole plate by myself lol :) The scallop crudo was very refreshing - the hints of sourness from the sauce certainly made us even hungrier! In a hindsight, we should have finished the scallop crudo first before we dig in the steak tartare - lesson learned for next time! Then, we ordered the pasta with sausage and the steak with a sauce made with black pepper / soy sauce. The pasta has a very rich taste and the sausage blended in very nicely. The steak is tender and flavorful. The sauce is well made - it doesn't quite fit my liking, but that's just my personal preference and not their fault. The overall experience has been excellent, and we definitely would be visiting again in the future!

This restaurant was cosy and cute right beside The Wren. We had a reso on a Wed night at 8:30pm and it was packed. The service was really good. Our Server was charismatic and genuine who was attentive without being intrusive. We were the last table yet they never rushed us but tastefully shared that they close at 11pm. The food was hearty and rustic. Menu is not big but each item was thoughtfully prepared. Surprisingly my favorite was the smoked trout dip with crispy chips. The Vieux Carré cocktail was also tasty. A great neighbourhood gem that's well priced for its location especially compared to all the inflated prices dining out downtown.

Came here recently with my bf to celebrate his birthday. This place felt like the perfect spot for a relaxing evening meal, with dim light and cozy seating. Service was on point, staffs were very welcoming and attentive. Food was great and their price was pretty reasonable. Location is very convenient as well, 2 mins walk from greenwood station. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a delightful dinner.

Went in for some late night snacks and drinks. Wow ... they have really nice ambiance of retro style Ossington strip vibe. Since we ordered cheese plate, it would be a right choice to go with wine but we were very curious about some cocktail choices. Both Spanish Fizz & Sazerac were delicious. Raw goat cheese ( Treizeme Apotre from QC on the cheese plate was fantastic. When dipped in honey, it was like I was in heaven. Rosemary crackers were also soooo good, we had to order extra. Staff kept coming back to our table to make sure we got everything we needed. Would recommended this place for great wine sipping, cocktails, small plate food for a date night or girls night out.

It was my first time dining in the east end since the pandemic started, and I'm really glad to have chosen the Wood Owl. We were well taken care of- service was excellent. We were there from when they opened at 5 PM, until well after 10. The conversations just kept flowing. The wine list is extensive, and the server had great recommendations for the table. I wasn't drinking so they gave me a special bubbly fermented berry something that was quite tasty. For food, we had the zucchini fritters, Branzino crudo, chicken liver mousse, ricotta carrots, and cheese plate. All plates were generous and shareable. I had sent one of the cheeses flying onto the floor while trying to cut through it- oops! And they were kind enough to bring us a new piece. I really enjoyed the sweet and zesty spice of the crudo, and the subtle mix of flavours and textures of the ricotta carrots. The food and vibe are great here- I'll be back for sure in the near future.

The Wood Owl is incredibly charming on the inside. It's classy and cozy. You can really feel that comfort inside. The staff was incredibly friendly, and our server was so knowledgeable about the entire menu and wine. My friends and I tried various dishes off the menu. We were finding that the dish range went from either exceptional to then decent. There was no bad dish. But when we liked a dish we all agreed it was good. But when a dish was okay, we all agreed on that as well. The best dishes were the beef tartare and short ribs for us. I do suggest coming here if you are in the area.

We walked down to The Wood Owl on only its sixth night since opening and were delighted with this new addition to the neighbourhood. A fledgling spot on the Danforth, The Wood Owl has the same ownership as its older sibling next door, The Wren, and a cross pollination of talent from The Wren's talented culinary staff. The decor is circa 1930's diner with a touch of romance thanks to the soft light and warm wood accents. If you remember a lovely but now defunct spot on Queen West called Peter Pan, the feel of the place is similar. In fact, "Queen West comes to the Danforth" although cliched, rings true on the decor alone. A minor demerit on the ambiance was the music selection. Edgy alternative 90s is not my bag and seemed incongruous to the atmosphere but I survived and if the staff dug it, we'll then, ok. It wasn't too loud. The drink menu was refined, even artisanal. My companion had a nice French white wine by the glass. I opted for the pale ale by Slake. I'm usually sceptical of the oft overly hopped local brew craze but this was crisp without being bitter, light without being bland, and had a hint of citrus and the body of a wheat beer. Nice. Oh yeah, the food...We started with the bread, which was crusty and fluffy, served with whipped butter supercharged with extra grains of coarse salt. Well played chef! Next was the butter beans with semi dried tomatoes (more nuanced than sun dried tomatoes) and a kind of olive tapenade dressing. Beans were perfect. There was a hint of too much vinegar in the dressing for my taste, perhaps introduced by the suspension the olives or tomatoes came in. But it was redeemed by a decent about of heat and bite. Ultimately, the beans proved a able foil to the feisty dressing. The highlights were next. Eggplant fritters. Perfectly done with soft and delicate eggplant innards and a crispy but not oily outer crust. Served with a green tahini and a sweet onion relish, the textures and flavours interplayed beautifully. Finally, the charred trout in a cucumber buttermilk dressing was outstanding. Trout was cooked perfectly (not over cooked as is the common folly of lesser kitchens). The charred skin of the fish delighted the palate and the similarly charred spanish onion offered some sweet crispness. The buttermilk cucumber dressing was a nice cool contrast with a hint of honey sweetness. An inspired and perfectly executed dish, much like the Wood Owl on the whole.

The wood owl doesn't take reservations, it's first come first serve. Once we got to the restaurant, we put our name on the list. The wait was maybe 30 mins tops before it was out turn for dinner. Defiantly worth the wait! They have amazing croquettes, nice and crunchy on the outside, and perfectly soft on the inside. I wouldn't skip out on the bread either, the butter it comes with is so deliciously flavourful. We also got a charcuterie spread, and steak with fries. The Sommelier was super knowledgeable and was able to help us narrow down the type of wine we would enjoy. Would love to come back and try a few more things off the menu.

Great for price point. Had their trout dip, which was excellent. Beef tartare was slightly above average (but the bread with the tartare was amazingly flavourful on its own). Short rib was pretty good, rich in flavours with a tasteful purée. Chocolate cake was just alright. Great service and cozy environment making a great date place

Great look inside, not too many tables. Food is very good quality and flavours. Smoked trout spread w dill was super, only not with enough chips n they charged for more . Steak n skinny fries cookec perfect and chick pea eggplant unique flvrs.

Visited the Wood Owl for the first time recently. Long time fans of sister restaurant The Wren. The ambience was lively, but also relaxed feeling. Not too noisy. Service was excellent and we had some wines by the glass on special which were well curated and well priced too. The food was outstanding - flavors were complex without being fussy. We will be back for sure.

To the hostess who was working front of house at 7:30 pm today: Please develop some emotional intelligence when dealing with customers. To her bosses: Please make sure your staff are trained professionals. I asked the hostess a simple, very common question in restaurant service: "How long will the wait be?" (Wood Owl doesn't take reservations.) She proceeded to sarcastically say "this much" while pinching the air to indicate the number of names on the wait list. When I politely followed up and asked, "Are you able to give me an estimate?" she replied, "I forgot my crystal ball so I wouldn't be able to tell you." When I asked her to clarify her (rude) remark, she finally explained why she couldn't give me a firm estimate because it ranged from maybe 15 minutes to several hours. Um. You could've saved us both a bunch of wasted time and unpleasantness if you just told me from the get-go, "Unfortunately, I can't give you a firm estimate but it ranges from 15 minutes to several hours." This negative experience really dissuades me from trying to eat at the Wood Owl again -- even though I've eaten here before and had a great meal (I'm also a longtime and regular customer of The Wren, which has the same owners). I was pretty surprised by the hostess' attitude given that the Wood Owl is still trying to make a name for itself. It's a pandemic so everyone is stressed but you gotta get your stuff together if you want to be a sustainable business (that's what I and so many other people in this city do). I'm a community leader in this area as someone who plans local events through our neighbourhood association, so I won't hesitate to relay this experience to others.

This is my second visit to the Wood Owl and it won't be my last. There's an impressive wine selection and very knowledgeable staff. It's a great antidote to the danforth's mostly generic, boring beer pubs. The food is outstanding. Standout is the ricotta carrots and the croquettes.

Was my first choice of place to go once restaurants re-opened from lockdown. The restaurant does a beautiful job of balancing a casual, chill atmosphere with artfully prepared and wickedly delicious food at very reasonable prices. Having actually been twice now, having ordered most things on the menu, can say nothing disappoints. As a pescatarian, my favs were the seafood dishes: trout croquettes that were crunchy, salty magic, and mussels in a silky buttery sauce that I wanted to drink by the pitcher. They specialize in good wines to accompany their dishes and the staff are knowledgeable and friendly. I believe they opened just before the pandemic so give this restaurant some love.