Four Restaurant review (Downtown TO)

[LaymanX]

Four Restaurant
187 Bay St., lower level

This relatively new restaurant replaces Soul of the Vine in Commerce Court, and features a medium sized sit down dining area with an extended bar in the central area. The decor was ritzy and tasteful, although the loud downtown business crowd kind of ruined any type of soothing effect the ambiance might've had.

Four prides itself on it's health conscious menu, and claims that every item on that menu is less than 650 calories. Prices ranged from roughly 12 dollars for a "Bison Burger" to 26 dollars for beef tenderloin for the entrees, and $4-20 dollars for the appetizers.

The prices themselves were not out of the ordinary for an eating establishment in the downtown core, and I was impressed by the fact that the Bison Burger I ordered was going to be a guilt-free 650 calories. Naturally, there was a catch.

"Sir, the entrees are pretty small. You should probably order an appetizer as well". the server flatly stated.

Small? For 12 bucks I can buy an entire box of burgers and buns to go with them! I decided to take my chances, as I wasn't terribly hungry at that point anyways.

The server then opened up 6 bottles of carbonated water for our table (unrequested), and started pouring water for us. Our table began exchanging uneasy glances with each other, and the situation only grew worse when the food actually arrived. The portions were roughly 1/3 the size of what you would get at Jack Astors (a sister restaurant of Four), and in lieu of actual taste, most of the food was bland and watery. My burger lacked any type of condiment and only was dry and shriveled.

The meal ended up costing $400 for 10 people, with 6 bottles of carbonated water being charged to us for 8 dollars a bottle.
I ended up going home, more hungry than when I entered the place and $40 poorer.

In Summary:

Pros:
- Good decor

Cons:
- Portions are absolutely tiny
- Food itself is bland and watery (like hospital food, but with smaller portions)
- They automatically charged us with their fancy shmancy bottled water

*** / 10 stars

[uvadtmfub]

Woah, sounds like you got jipped, thanks for the heads-up!

[YLSF]

Thanks for the review. I have a giftcard and was looking for a sircorp restaurant to use it at. Guess I will stick with Far Niente upstairs during winterlicious.

[Magoo]

Give it one year before this establishment folds? What's the deal with "fine" dining and small portions?