Quinn’s Steakhouse & Irish Bar
96 Richmond St. — The Sheraton Centre
446-367-8466
www.quinnssteakhouse.com
Rating: ***
Dinner & drinks for two: $75
Quinn’s Steakhouse is kind of what you’d expect from an Irish bar — dark wood, lots of beer and whiskey, and rowdy drinkers.
What is surprising is how tiny the tables for two are. How are we going to get two steaks on this? Also, it is way more pub than steakhouse. At these prices, you get what you pay for — a good, but not stunning steak — so go with friends to eat and hang out, not to swoon and savour.
The Smoked Salmon on Irish Soda Bread ($11) mostly disappoints. While the salmon is fresh and delicately smoky, the bread is a crumbly, dry, mess.
Lemon dill cream cheese, red onions, capers and greens round out the plate.
Quinn’s steaks are 100 per cent Canadian, aged in-house and grilled to order. The difference in ours was the 8 oz. Top Sirloin ($19) was richer in flavour, while the 7 oz. Filet Mignon ($29) was much more tender and juicy. The Salt-Baked Potato is fine, but the vegetables — carrots, brussel sprouts and green beans are absolute perfection.
Calling Quinn’s a “steakhouse,” with the raucous crowd at the bar and Shopsy’s right through the open doorway is a stretch.
Calling it okay is not.
Dining out
Deli-cious Caplansky’s Delicatessen (356 College St.) lives up to the hype. This mecca of smoked meat sandwiches, all-day breakfasts and dinners to die for is not only top notch, it is extremely affordable. Be sure to get a homemade soup. www.caplanskys.com
Beachcomber At Sutra Tiki Bar (612 College St.), you can enjoy a bevy of cocktails served in traditional tiki glasses or coconut shells. Take you drink out onto the back porch — a floor of sand awaits you.
