The Octagon

Visited Dec 17th, 2024 - 07:00 PM - first visit... An establishment of the community. A must visit due to its history. Parking lot is large but during the holidays its tough to find a spot, so we just parked in the Farmer's Market lot. Very convenient. Ambience is perfect; well lit but not bright, beautiful wood interior, comfortable seats at our table and of course, the encapsulating octaganol shape surrounds your evening. They must renforce their attire policy. Wearing track pants and a hoodie to an establishment like this cannot be tolerated. Truly a micro sign of a macro problem we see in society today; loss of class and standards. If the restaurant requires you to use cutlery, make a reservation, offers wine, or has waiters in suits, you should at a minimum have a collar on your shirt. Service was as expected; timely, professional, accomodating and knowledgeable. Great wine list. Sipped on a Rhone. Starters & appetizers were conventional, and I would say the same for their main offerings. However, they were prepared and presented nicely. Nothing new here. It feels like they've been providing the same experience for 50 years and this is not a bad thing. Sometimes, that's what you want. Consistency and reliability; especially from a steak house. That is what keeps people coming back. Ordered steak & lobster; both cooked to perfection as requested. If you are looking for a new spin on steakhouses to post on Instagram, this is not it. If you are looking for a meal with dignity & class at a reasonable price, you'll be satisfied, just leave the hoodies at home. No funny business. Just good service, good food, and good people. 4.0 stars

December 25, 2024 on Google

An absolute pleasure of a dining experience. Takes me back years to when a restaurant actually wanted customers to feel welcome, comfortable and happy with their choice in fine dining. With close attention to detail and table service that is second to none. The Octagon will leaving you feel satisfied beyond your expectations when it comes to food and drink. Their skilled staff in professional attire and experts in hospitality will look after everything from start to finish. Thank you for making this a birthday celebration that will never be forgotten.

December 14, 2024 on Google

Overall the food was decent, but doesn’t feel high end. Steaks were cooked very well and good cuts of meat. Potatoes were forgettable, but not bad, just something you’d expect at IKEA’s cafeteria more. Dessert was alright, nothing special. For what it is, definitely over priced on that end of the meal. Presentation is nonexistent and the food looks like it’s from a diner. The space is very nice, almost church like with the stain glass and ornate wooden decor. The service is not good, I’d say even rude. The host seating us basically nodded towards us and jogged away, I didn’t even realize he was seating us and he walked off so fast. He basically slammed the menus down and shrugged “here’s your table” and walked off abruptly. It was awkward and weird. Main waiter was in a terrible mood, seemed like he didn’t want to be there. Felt like he was annoyed and just miserable being there. Other waiters who dropped off the beer and such were better, but interacted only briefly with them. Overall, felt unwelcome to be honest.

November 8, 2024 on Google

Came here to celebrate anniversary. The experience was superb from the moment we entered to when we leave. Food was delicious , server was friendly and everything tasted fresh. The reviews speak for themselves. Would come back before they close for good

October 9, 2024 on Google

This is my second time back and I loved it as much as I did the first time around. The interior is stunning as usual with a classic look with rich wooden walls and beautiful chandeliers. The service is excellent. We ordered the escargot to start, for dinner we had the 8pm NY strip and the prime rib. We had a bottle of Chianti to accompany our meal and it was nice and smooth.

September 14, 2024 on Google

I went here for my birthday with my friends. When we arrived, we had our private room, which was great since it was our first time coming here. Our server was very polite and attentive. We ordered drinks and appetizers (escargot & greek salad). We also got our complimentary bread and side dishes, which are fresh and great. For mains, I ordered the prime rib w/ veggies and garlic mashed, and the rest of my friends ordered steaks. Portion of the meat is great and cooked properly. The mashed potatoes portion was smaller than I expected, but it was ok. Overall, it was a great experience and will come back here for special occasions .

August 25, 2024 on Google

We attended this establishment for my brother’s birthday and we were sat near where the waiting staff come in and out the kitchen. The atmosphere of the place is not warm/inviting. They play random French music and it is clear they have their regular clientele and if you do not fit within that then the service is lacking. I mentioned upon being seated that it was my brother’s birthday to which the hostess said his dessert would be complimentary. Later on I was pulled aside by our waiter and told they would just bring him a scoop of ice cream and whatever dessert would be extra. Imagine paying $400 and they can’t throw in a complimentary dessert. Moving on, the steaks mouthwatering, garlic bread, soups, tiramisu and my cocktail (despite it being mostly ice) were all good. I did not like the cut of the fries. The staff could be more pleasant; they mostly appeared miserable. One with bushy eyebrows came to lay down steak knives and did not even have the manners to greet us. It’s the little things like rushing to clear the table, standing over you while you pay and having to ask for the dessert menu more than once which sabotaged the experience. The food could also be plated/presented better. There is definitely room for improvement for a place of this calibre. I would not return.

August 22, 2024 on Google

The Octagon Restaurant in Thornhill is truly a hidden gem. I recently attended a friend’s birthday celebration there and had an exceptional experience. The food was amazing, with every dish prepared to perfection. However, the salad stood out as being on another level, impressing everyone at our table with its freshness and flavor. The restaurant’s ambiance is top-tier, creating a perfect setting for special occasions and intimate gatherings. The elegant decor and warm atmosphere made the evening even more enjoyable. Combined with the attentive and friendly service, The Octagon Restaurant provided a memorable dining experience that I would highly recommend.

July 16, 2024 on Google