Gatsby by Windsor Arms

Review summary

1. M

   Marls

   Toronto

   9 reviews

   2.0

   9 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 5

   I will start by saying I don’t believe our experience will be everyone’s experience. I will add the ambiance is great, it is is a beautiful building. The food was plated nicely but for the cost did not taste high quality. We initially had fair seats, the live music wasn’t visible, the manager without prompt asked if we would like to move and placed us in what I believe were the best seats in the restaurant. It is unfortunate that from that point our service was quite poor. We had ordered drinks and had water before we moved seats, our starter and main course both came before water was given (on our request) and our drinks we also had to request again. Next to us was a table that arrived after us and received their drinks and each course far before us, it was quite easy for the waiter to see we had no water, the amount of times he was standing right in front of our table serving another couple. I understand Valentine’s Day is busy, but our dinner was late in the evening and it was more than manageable for the staff I saw present. The issue was mis management and the visible arguments the staff was having. Staff were annoyed while serving us and mentioned they were being “sabotaged” by other staff. I was there to enjoy a relaxing evening, not to be involved in politics of the staff. When our drinks finally came, my partners was very good, she enjoyed it. Mine however had no alcohol. When I complained about the service, a different manger, went to the bar shouted at our intial server before we moved seats, a black woman and not either of the two white males serving our current area. When I walked to him and corrected his mistake he lied to me “I was not shouting at her.” The experience unfortunately was quite bad. I was annoyed that staff was disrespectful to each other in earshot of customers. I was disappointed seeing a table right in front of us getting fair service while our was so poor. I was offered a free drink, declined. I will not be going back.
   

   Is this helpful?

2. V

   Vadim

   Toronto

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   We visited Gatsby by Windsor on Valentine’s Day, expecting an exceptional fine dining experience. Ambiance & Service The interior exuded old England grandeur—fabric and leather-adorned walls, intricate ceilings, and elegant chandeliers set a refined tone. However, the service did not match the setting. Our waiter handled cutlery with bare hands instead of providing fresh ones. Our table was unstable and was only fixed when we pointed it out. Another noticeable lapse was the lack of attentiveness—our glasses were never topped up, an oversight at a venue of this caliber. Food Quality The evening started on a high note. Starters were beautifully plated, evoking Michelin-star standards—small portions, but crafted with sophistication. However, the experience declined with the main course. The halibut with potatoes was disappointingly average, lacking depth in flavor, and the raspberry mousse was underwhelming. The most concerning issue arose when we found a hair in our meal. When reported, we expected a sincere apology or a more thoughtful response. Instead, we were merely offered a replacement dish, which we declined. By that point, our appetite was gone. For a fine dining establishment, the handling of such a matter should have been far more professional and considerate. Price & Value The final bill came to $400 for two, including two glasses of wine. An automatic 18% gratuity was added, leaving no choice in tipping. Given the disappointing aspects of the meal and service, this felt unwarranted. Overall Experience & Rating Gatsby by Windsor impresses with its aesthetics, but it falls short in execution. The lack of consistency in food quality and service etiquette prevents it from reaching true fine dining standards.
   

   Is this helpful?

3. w

   wayne

   Toronto

   4 reviews

   3.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   Lovely olde school restaurant with live music. We felt rushed through and out. Two courses were delivered at same time. Meal order take. With cocktail order. Just wish we could have enjoyed it more.
   

   Is this helpful?

4. B

   Brian

   Toronto

   7 reviews

   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Classic old style elegance. A pleasure to be surrounded by and cradled with the ambiance. Food was of the highest order. A wonderful evening out.
   

   Is this helpful?

5. D

   Dominic

   Toronto

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food and service. The waiter was very attentive to our needs Would recommend this as a romantic evening
   

   Is this helpful?

6. H

   Heather

   Toronto

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   An oasis in the heart of Toronto. Excellent ambience, great service and food.
   

   Is this helpful?

7. G

   Godfrey

   Toronto

   5 reviews

   3.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on 8 February 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   We had reservation for 6:30pm, when we walked in, no one is at the front so we waited a few minutes. When the girl pop her head from the bar to greet us, we told her we had a reservation. She asked what experience do we want, fine dining or lounge.I didn't expect that so I asked what did she mean and she repeated what the same questions without explaining further and looked at us like we had 4 heads on our shoulders. I then told her my reservation was for the Winterlicious. She basically say, I know, it doesn't matter and asked us once again which of the 2 options did we want. Since we are meeting a friend, we asked if she has arrived to which she said, ah! I know exactly where she is..kind of sarcastically...it's just the attitude that really threw us off....My friend was greet by a hostess but were not asked the same question so we very confused. We proceed to order. We sat at the table for 4 people while we are a part of 3. When the first course arrived, he placed their order on the table from my friends' side. To my surprise, he reached out across the table to hang me my plate, expecting me to receive it..it's not hot plate so it's ok but I was a little taken aback as this is not a fast food type of restaurant. When he came to collect the plates when we finish the course, more surprisingly, he asked me to hang the plate over to him while he was standing at the other side of the table. And in the process, his arm is right over my friend's head as he walked around behind him. Just kind of a weird experience and definitely not what I would expect from a high end restaurant. And it was not really a busy night as well.
   

   Is this helpful?

8. R

   Rose

   Toronto

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 8 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We really enjoyed our lunch! We went for winterlicious and all three courses were amazing! Delicious and great portion sizes. Nice selection too, easily accommodated our dietary preferences. My family was very impressed! Our server was really great! Very friendly, attentive, professional, and knowledgeable. I really appreciated that they took the time to explain items on the menu and checked in with us to see if all was going well. Such a positive experience! The room is lovely. It's a beautiful, calm space. Perfect place for an intimate meal with family! Would definitely come back.
   

   Is this helpful?

9. M

   Michelle

   VIP

   Toronto

   5 reviews

   1.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on 7 February 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   We booked for a lovely dinner and live music as advertised on the website, social media and even tabletop promotions in the restaurant. Arrived to an empty restaurant, no live music and limited promotional menu. It's fine to have this in place but there is zero communication on any outlets to let people know this was the case. We had one drink and left. Weather was awful but we cane out anyway. Went to another restaurant for a nice dinner. What a disappointment.
   

   Is this helpful?

10. M

    MELANIE

    Toronto

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Pleasant ambiance. Excellent service. We couldn’t have asked for a more pleasant, professional and helpful server. Thank you, Leon. The food was well prepared, however, we would have preferred a few more vegetables. Overall, it was a delightful Winterlicious lunch experience at the Gatsby and I would recommend.
    

    Is this helpful?