I came here for the first time tonight and it was truly a great experience. The atmosphere was cozy, our server was lovely, and the food was incredible. As a vegetarian, it’s hard to find a decent variety on a menu, but this restaurant offers vegetarian substitutes for every dish - and they are amazing. My partner eats meat and had the same experience. Do yourself a favour and try out this restaurant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jordan Benegbi
Between the main dining room and the mystery patio, Lake Inez is a special place. The menu is constantly rotating, so it’s exciting to anticipate new items (tbh mostly for the puns) each time. Creativity is unmatched, from the menu itself to Zac’s stories during the tasting menu, this place has character and that’s what makes it shine. Friendly service, a bit of banter, delicious food, a stellar atmosphere, and an indescribable playlist, you never know what you’re gonna get and it rocks every time <3
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emma Dehez
EDIT: I just came back and it’s a different menu. Same incredible staff but holy moly more bonkers food. If you’re looking for a Keg, go to the Keg. I am home.
Where do I start? This is clearly a labour of love from Zac. It shows in every way, including the service from all the incredible staff, the decor in the beautiful restaurant and the amazing food.
Some people are claiming the small plates aren’t worth the price. I say they’re mean to be shared, you can order more to enjoy the journey they take you on, and it’s different than anything you’ve ever had. I promise. The service speak for itself (besties) and the food is incredible (amuse my bouche). And of course we can’t forget the drinks…they’re as poetic as the owner and as tasty as the environment.
I will say it with my full chest - lake Inez is my favourite restaurant in the city.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
L A
We went to Lake Inez last night for a friend’s birthday and it was perfect. You can instantly see how much care goes into the menu, the drinks and the overall experience.
We ordered one of everything and kept reordering our favourites. The best part was declaring every new dish the “new favourite” because everything was genuinely that good.
The cocktails were just as impressive, super creative and so well made. You can tell they put as much thought into the drinks as the food.
Service was amazing from start to finish. Everyone was warm, attentive and genuinely enthusiastic without ever feeling over the top.
Our friend just moved to the neighbourhood, so we’re already planning our next visit. It has been on our list forever and it absolutely lived up to the hype. One of the most memorable dinners we’ve had in a long time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steph Izzett
I keep going back. The only complaint I have is half baked, at best. The rotating menu is always amazing, but it does mean that my now-favourite salad (Mr. Greenjeans) is off the menu for now. I never thought a salad would be my favourite thing on the menu, and it's not as if the other menu items are not all amazing - they are! It's just that the salad is probably one of the best things I've ever eaten.
The service is always great! Warm, friendly, and very helpful without being overbearing.
The wine menu is also really good. They have some really great red and orange wines. They likely also have great white wines, I just haven't made it that far yet.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Isabella
This restaurant has been on my hit list for awhile now. I went yesterday for my partner's birthday and the food was extremely disappointing. I'm all for fusion, but this felt like a highschoolers food experiment gone wrong.
To start, the crudo was overpowered by a mountain of gigantic herbs which weren't dried properly so it diluted the entire dish. The herbs seemed to be the star of the dish and the hamachi and lobster was an afterthought. Needed editing and refinement. (common theme throughout). This should have been called a salad, not a crudo. Ratio was way off.
The falafel fried eggplant. Again, a gigantic pile of herbs with unseasoned plain yogurt. Nothing was really jiving.
The scallion pancakes was probably the best dish for me. Squash was fresh and tasty, but yet AGAIN with the herbs... I don't understand. Also, the yuzu kosho leaned towards the sweeter side which overpowered the dish.
Lastly, the halibut. Yeah, again, nothing jived. You had a grainy sauce that was bitter and curry like. Then a viet inspired fish meatball. Also, mushy fried green tomatoes that were unseasoned, on a bed of limp herbs and greens used throughout all 3 dishes we ate.
The thought process seemed like ya'll wanted to incorporate a Vietnamese twist and decided to throw in a bunch of stuff that just didn't work. It's like one person worked on the protein, one person worked on the sauce and one person worked in garnish and ya'll just threw it together and hope it worked.
Overall, everything needs editing and refinement. Also, the dishes were uninspiring.
I will say, the overall space and ambiance reminds me of a Montreal restaurant, which we loved. But the food is nowhere near that caliber.
Skip and head to Wynona down the street.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Adam Kendal
The food was very good, especially the shrimp dip, steak tartare and crab rangoon. I found some of the prices to be high for the portion size and the music was too loud for the comfort of our group.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Jess Lee
the best hidden gem in the east end!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marie Vibar
My husband and I finally checked this place off our places to go list and we are so glad we did! Service was quick, and our server was attentive! The yuzu margaritas were so good we had to order a second round lol.
We tried 4 dishes, and it was the perfect amount for the two of us. Each dish was a delicious twist on classic flavours both familiar yet exciting to eat.
A heads up though: if you’re looking for a quiet date night, this might not be the spot, as it does get pretty lively. But if you’re out with a group of friends and want a fun, energetic atmosphere, this place is perfect!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Sherry GG
This is absolutely not the best restaurant in the city. Service felt unexpectedly rude, and the food had nothing to stand out. Guests are allotted 2 hours according to their website, but we were pressured to leave after 1 hour and 35 minutes. As soon as the last main dish arrived, the staff began signaling that our time was up by placing the bill on the table, bringing the POS and asking us to pay, and removing plates before we were finished. It created a very stressful and uncomfortable atmosphere.
If you’re looking for a relaxed evening out, I’d recommend BATIFOLE on Gerrard or THE WOOD OWL on Danforth instead. The recent 3-star google reviews of Lake Inez tell similar concerns, so I encourage everyone to read them before visiting Lake Inez.
Tonight made it clear how this restaurant operates: • Dishes come slowly (20min waiting time between mains). • Service feels extremely transactional with little effort toward hospitality. • Portions are small(2 spoons per person for one dish), so clients naturally speed up the meal. • Although the website promises a 2-hour seating, the actual system limits guests to 1 hour and 45 minutes(according to the explanation of the owner).
Here is how our 1 hour and 35 minutes look like: 5:15 Arrived 5:20 Seated 5:45 First dish 5:55 Second dish 6:10 Third dish 6:32 Fourth dish 6:33 Bill placed on the table 6:35 POS machine brought and payment requested 6:42 Dessert served 6:48 Partner’s plate removed before we finished dessert 6:50 Informed that we needed to leave
We got kicked out from the restaurant after paying a $165.16 bill. I asked that the tips to be refunded, as the experience felt far below the reasonable expectations of courtesy and it was just simply rude. For anyone who values a respectful dining experience, I would highly suggest choosing another restaurant.
If you’re looking for a tasting experience this is the restaurant for it. Small portioned plates are available with a couple of mains and a dessert. Apparently the menu changes seasonally. My scoring is low only because you won’t be able to have a consistent experience here, and all of the plates are experimental, so while there are varying textures and flavour profiles I only had a couple items I’d considering reordering if that were even possible. It’s hard to get a reservation here due to the hype so it’s very busy and noisy, and unfortunately for us we were there on a night with parents who thought it was alright to bring their screaming infant (wouldn’t normally bother me but it was non stop).
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 4
Gregg Vertes
Fun atmosphere and unique dishes. Apparently the menu turns over quite regularly. Dishes were hit and miss. We got about 8 and 4 were really nice. The dishes were quite small and prices were kind of what you’d expect these days for these types of shareable setups. There were 4 of us and only two people ordered 1 cocktail and the bill was around $300 after tax and tip. The staff were very friendly and explained the dishes. The experience was nice overall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Rameez Akbar
One of the best restaurants in the city! They are very accommodating if you have any allergies or preferences. Place has a great vibe and the food and cocktails are stellar.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robyn M.
Really inventive, rotating dishes with fantastic service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anonymous Reviewer
We’re vegetarian and have been twice. This place has very high food quality, creative dishes that make you wonder what in the world you’re eating. They’ve had 4 or 5 veggie options, all delicious. Highly recommend.
Downside is that portions are small, expensive, and after spending $270 for dinner and drinks for 2 (15% tip) I honestly felt like a slice of pizza before heading home. Still hungry.
I came here for the first time tonight and it was truly a great experience. The atmosphere was cozy, our server was lovely, and the food was incredible. As a vegetarian, it’s hard to find a decent variety on a menu, but this restaurant offers vegetarian substitutes for every dish - and they are amazing. My partner eats meat and had the same experience. Do yourself a favour and try out this restaurant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Between the main dining room and the mystery patio, Lake Inez is a special place. The menu is constantly rotating, so it’s exciting to anticipate new items (tbh mostly for the puns) each time. Creativity is unmatched, from the menu itself to Zac’s stories during the tasting menu, this place has character and that’s what makes it shine. Friendly service, a bit of banter, delicious food, a stellar atmosphere, and an indescribable playlist, you never know what you’re gonna get and it rocks every time <3
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
EDIT: I just came back and it’s a different menu. Same incredible staff but holy moly more bonkers food. If you’re looking for a Keg, go to the Keg. I am home.
Where do I start? This is clearly a labour of love from Zac. It shows in every way, including the service from all the incredible staff, the decor in the beautiful restaurant and the amazing food.
Some people are claiming the small plates aren’t worth the price. I say they’re mean to be shared, you can order more to enjoy the journey they take you on, and it’s different than anything you’ve ever had. I promise. The service speak for itself (besties) and the food is incredible (amuse my bouche). And of course we can’t forget the drinks…they’re as poetic as the owner and as tasty as the environment.
I will say it with my full chest - lake Inez is my favourite restaurant in the city.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went to Lake Inez last night for a friend’s birthday and it was perfect. You can instantly see how much care goes into the menu, the drinks and the overall experience.
We ordered one of everything and kept reordering our favourites. The best part was declaring every new dish the “new favourite” because everything was genuinely that good.
The cocktails were just as impressive, super creative and so well made. You can tell they put as much thought into the drinks as the food.
Service was amazing from start to finish. Everyone was warm, attentive and genuinely enthusiastic without ever feeling over the top.
Our friend just moved to the neighbourhood, so we’re already planning our next visit. It has been on our list forever and it absolutely lived up to the hype. One of the most memorable dinners we’ve had in a long time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I keep going back. The only complaint I have is half baked, at best. The rotating menu is always amazing, but it does mean that my now-favourite salad (Mr. Greenjeans) is off the menu for now. I never thought a salad would be my favourite thing on the menu, and it's not as if the other menu items are not all amazing - they are! It's just that the salad is probably one of the best things I've ever eaten.
The service is always great! Warm, friendly, and very helpful without being overbearing.
The wine menu is also really good. They have some really great red and orange wines. They likely also have great white wines, I just haven't made it that far yet.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This restaurant has been on my hit list for awhile now. I went yesterday for my partner's birthday and the food was extremely disappointing. I'm all for fusion, but this felt like a highschoolers food experiment gone wrong.
To start, the crudo was overpowered by a mountain of gigantic herbs which weren't dried properly so it diluted the entire dish. The herbs seemed to be the star of the dish and the hamachi and lobster was an afterthought. Needed editing and refinement. (common theme throughout). This should have been called a salad, not a crudo. Ratio was way off.
The falafel fried eggplant. Again, a gigantic pile of herbs with unseasoned plain yogurt. Nothing was really jiving.
The scallion pancakes was probably the best dish for me. Squash was fresh and tasty, but yet AGAIN with the herbs... I don't understand. Also, the yuzu kosho leaned towards the sweeter side which overpowered the dish.
Lastly, the halibut. Yeah, again, nothing jived. You had a grainy sauce that was bitter and curry like. Then a viet inspired fish meatball. Also, mushy fried green tomatoes that were unseasoned, on a bed of limp herbs and greens used throughout all 3 dishes we ate.
The thought process seemed like ya'll wanted to incorporate a Vietnamese twist and decided to throw in a bunch of stuff that just didn't work. It's like one person worked on the protein, one person worked on the sauce and one person worked in garnish and ya'll just threw it together and hope it worked.
Overall, everything needs editing and refinement. Also, the dishes were uninspiring.
I will say, the overall space and ambiance reminds me of a Montreal restaurant, which we loved. But the food is nowhere near that caliber.
Skip and head to Wynona down the street.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
The food was very good, especially the shrimp dip, steak tartare and crab rangoon. I found some of the prices to be high for the portion size and the music was too loud for the comfort of our group.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
the best hidden gem in the east end!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I finally checked this place off our places to go list and we are so glad we did! Service was quick, and our server was attentive! The yuzu margaritas were so good we had to order a second round lol.
We tried 4 dishes, and it was the perfect amount for the two of us. Each dish was a delicious twist on classic flavours both familiar yet exciting to eat.
A heads up though: if you’re looking for a quiet
date night, this might not be the spot, as it does get pretty lively. But if you’re out with a group of friends and want a fun, energetic atmosphere, this place is perfect!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
This is absolutely not the best restaurant in the city. Service felt unexpectedly rude, and the food had nothing to stand out. Guests are allotted 2 hours according to their website, but we were pressured to leave after 1 hour and 35 minutes. As soon as the last main dish arrived, the staff began signaling that our time was up by placing the bill on the table, bringing the POS and asking us to pay, and removing plates before we were finished. It created a very stressful and uncomfortable atmosphere.
If you’re looking for a relaxed evening out, I’d recommend BATIFOLE on Gerrard or THE WOOD OWL on Danforth instead. The recent 3-star google reviews of Lake Inez tell similar concerns, so I encourage everyone to read them before visiting Lake Inez.
Tonight made it clear how this restaurant operates:
• Dishes come slowly (20min waiting time between mains).
• Service feels extremely transactional with little effort toward hospitality.
• Portions are small(2 spoons per person for one dish), so clients naturally speed up the meal.
• Although the website promises a 2-hour seating, the actual system limits guests to 1 hour and 45 minutes(according to the explanation of the owner).
Here is how our 1 hour and 35 minutes look like:
5:15 Arrived
5:20 Seated
5:45 First dish
5:55 Second dish
6:10 Third dish
6:32 Fourth dish
6:33 Bill placed on the table
6:35 POS machine brought and payment requested
6:42 Dessert served
6:48 Partner’s plate removed before we finished dessert
6:50 Informed that we needed to leave
We got kicked out from the restaurant after paying a $165.16 bill. I asked that the tips to be refunded, as the experience felt far below the reasonable expectations of courtesy and it was just simply rude. For anyone who values a respectful dining experience, I would highly suggest choosing another restaurant.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
If you’re looking for a tasting experience this is the restaurant for it. Small portioned plates are available with a couple of mains and a dessert. Apparently the menu changes seasonally. My scoring is low only because you won’t be able to have a consistent experience here, and all of the plates are experimental, so while there are varying textures and flavour profiles I only had a couple items I’d considering reordering if that were even possible. It’s hard to get a reservation here due to the hype so it’s very busy and noisy, and unfortunately for us we were there on a night with parents who thought it was alright to bring their screaming infant (wouldn’t normally bother me but it was non stop).
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 4
Fun atmosphere and unique dishes. Apparently the menu turns over quite regularly. Dishes were hit and miss. We got about 8 and 4 were really nice. The dishes were quite small and prices were kind of what you’d expect these days for these types of shareable setups. There were 4 of us and only two people ordered 1 cocktail and the bill was around $300 after tax and tip. The staff were very friendly and explained the dishes. The experience was nice overall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
One of the best restaurants in the city! They are very accommodating if you have any allergies or preferences. Place has a great vibe and the food and cocktails are stellar.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really inventive, rotating dishes with fantastic service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We’re vegetarian and have been twice. This place has very high food quality, creative dishes that make you wonder what in the world you’re eating. They’ve had 4 or 5 veggie options, all delicious. Highly recommend.
Downside is that portions are small, expensive, and after spending $270 for dinner and drinks for 2 (15% tip) I honestly felt like a slice of pizza before heading home. Still hungry.
Worth visiting 1-2 times per year.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...