65 Degrees, Toronto ~ Winterlicious

From Toronto.com ~ Named for the ideal temperature at which to serve red wine, this new steakhouse is as beautiful and sultry as its predecessor, Brasserie Aix. An ante room opposite the kitchen shows off a handful of cozy booths, outfitted with newly installed red leather banquettes and velvet curtains for the ultimate in plush privacy. And, the main dining room still dazzles with an antique iron chandelier, imported from Russia. Dark wood tables and red leather upholstered chairs further emphasize the aura of old-school steakhouse.

Tonight Gord and I checked out 65 Degrees as part of Winterlicious. It's not too far from home so we walked there and back (about a half hour each way). We had a 9:00 reservation as that's all we could get. It was jam packed! We kept expecting someone to knock over something on our table as they were whizzing by. And it was also very loud. The back room where we were seated about 100 people ~ and by the noise factor, it was obvious.

I had tomato bisque and Gord had cream of broccoli soup. We both went with the steak with a dab of mashed potatoes (the other choices were a chicken thigh or trout) and chocolate torte for dessert.

We probably won't go back because it was so jammed and loud. Granted it was Winterlicious but we weren't impressed enough to go back. It's on the trendy College Street strip and there are so many other choices.