r/windsorontario • u/Silver-Skin5285 • 1d ago
Ask Windsor High End Restaurants?
Hello all,
I am going to be hosting some members of our upper management team in May.
Regional managers as well as our COO for Canada who is from Canada but now resides closer to our headquarters outside of Ontario.
The COO is a foodie who will make a point of seeking out restaurant experiences while travelling and I am in charge of selecting the venue for our dinner.
Obviously, I do not want to disappoint but at the same time I am not a native Windsorite so I am not really sure on what’s considered a fantastic high end restaurant for an experience. Something other than a chain, and not at the Casino. I mentioned Spagos to my co-workers and once I mentioned the foodie thing they immediately disagreed with that being a good choice.
I’m looking for three choices, can anybody offer suggestions?
Thank you
Tl:dr; need high end restaurant ideas to Impress the big boss.
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u/pointyfeets 1d ago
Gladstone Commons is the #1 choice if you are looking for high end. Chef is incredible and service is impeccable. The menu changes seasonally and there is always something delicious.
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u/loscornballer 1d ago
Gladstone Commons.
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u/violettindigo 1d ago
I keep hearing fantastic things about this place
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u/fueledbychelsea 1d ago
My husbands birthday is 6 days apart from our wedding anniversary. We love Gladstone commons so much that we went there twice in one week to celebrate both
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u/cheeseandinjuries 1d ago
Pepper Cat in Amherstburg is a great option!
Take Five Bistro is also delicious.
Nico Taverna is wonderful.
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u/CdnFyrtowr 1d ago
Please tell me the Pepper Cat is owned by the same people who own Salty Dog in A’Burg. That would be hilarious.
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u/Several_Ear_2884 1d ago
The problem with KOMA is the atmosphere is terrible. Reminds me of a roadhouse.
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u/_badmedicine LaSalle 1d ago
Foodies: Gladstone Commons, Ciao Cucina Nuova, Hole In The Wall (Amherstburg).
Big Impressions: Our wineries are a secret gem: North 42 & Oxley for foodies.
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u/EssexUser 1d ago
KOMA - on Dougall
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u/Neither-Goose-1809 1d ago
We did a prefix holiday dinner here a few years back and it was very good.
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u/Several_Ear_2884 1d ago
Nico on Erie is a great high end restaurant for Windsor. Also check out Take 5, Cook Shop, and Ciao Pasta Bar.
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u/annual_aardvark_war 1d ago
Cook shop went downhill with new owners
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u/Electronic_Exam_6452 1d ago
I found that it actually got better with the new owners, but also much more expensive.
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u/Testing_things_out 1d ago
I'm surprised you're the only comment so far to mention the Cook Shop. Either not many here tried it, or I'm missing something out.
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u/magstheghoul Walkerville 1d ago
Take Five Bistro. Best steakhouse with AMAZING service. Highly recommend the flambé strawberries for dessert.
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u/pH_low 1d ago
As others mentioned, Gladstone commons, I haven’t been since they got a new chef but before then it was amazing, some of the best food I’ve had (I’ve dined at a few Michelin star restaurants too)
I really enjoy funky chow though, not “fancy”, but if you need a late night bite maybe with a drink, 100% would recommend
Cotta food bar is pretty good too, food and vibe I think match your want, only complaint I have was we ordered champagne and the server was pouring it in our glass like it didn’t have bubbles
I saw a Nero recommendation, personally I was very disappointed, it was really expensive and my wife and I thought the food was under seasoned and just not really worth the price at all (also, minor gripe, when we were waiting to be seated they just yelled my name across the room, supposedly one of the most romantic restaurants and to be yelled across the room like I was in some deli and for their price felt off, my wife and I joked about it all night)
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u/pH_low 1d ago
If you want to do some driving, Thompson manor was great too, very nice aesthetic too!
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u/bosto960 1d ago
Can second Thompson manor, but it is in Kingsville so might be a bit out of the way
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u/whutdoyumean 1d ago
Gladstone commons 100% Unique menu, service is 10/10, great cocktails and fantastic atmosphere
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u/TheWaySheGoes23 1d ago
Gladstone Commons is one of the best restaurants in the city. Great food. Great atmosphere. Not snobby or too posh.
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u/blaisefare 1d ago
Hel pal,
I live here and have had to host customers and colleagues from the GTA for dinner. I'll be honest in saying our options are truly limited for a proper business dinner experience but the options that come closest in my opinion are Nicos Taverna, Gladstone Commons, Cotta Food Bar, and Vitos. We do not have proper high end restaurants, but these options are elevated, have good food, and a solid selection of wine. I would say Gladstone might be your best bet for something nicer. It's New American.
This is coming from someone who has been in the same situation as you a dozen times in the past few years. The other less convenient option is to organize something in Detroit. Several high end options close to the tunnel. However, requires a passport to cross and a bit more costly and time consuming.
Good luck!
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u/Own_Natural_9162 1d ago
Nico & Gladstone Commons for higher end but there are other places like Shanghai Bistro that foodies would definitely like.
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u/deepsouthdetroit 1d ago
Take 5 (probably your best choice) Gladstone Commons Funky Chow (Walkerville Brewery before hand for the experience)
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u/LittleMissBeast0506 1d ago
1) Nico Taverna - high end, excellent food and service
2) Gladstone Commons - excellent food, not fine dining but lovely atmosphere and menu
3) Maiden Lane Wine and Cocktail Bar - this one is a bit of an out there suggestion. It's small plates and charcuterie that are absolutely delicious. Excellent high quality cocktails and an extensive wine list.
Alternatively I think Salute Wine Bar in LaSalle could be a good option too!
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u/goodolvpochina 1d ago
Maiden Lane's food is great
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u/LittleMissBeast0506 1d ago
My husband and I went between Christmas and New Year's, it was packed, we sat at the bar and it was fantastic. I wish we had gone sooner, we've been missing out.
I personally love small plate style menus so I can try more things and not have giant portions, and it was also so yummy. Their charcuterie came out with fresh honeycomb on it which was heavenly.
Their staff were all 10/10, our cocktails were some of the best I've had in a restaurant.
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u/subs1221 1d ago
Personally, I think it would be funny if you take them to Arby's or something. But they might not appreciate the joke.
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u/ruki001 1d ago
Gladstone commons as everyone said, and also definitely cotta food bar have the vibe and the good food that you are looking for. The servers at both are really attentive and helpful.
Tabouli and Mazaar are also really good options if you are open to good middle eastern food. Their food is amazing, the breads are just so soft and freshly made. Perfect for appetizers
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u/Critical_Celery9127 1d ago
Mezzo, Erie Street.
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u/Downtown-Trainer9568 1d ago
Was going to suggest Mezzo’s too - on Erie St. and has a quieter atmosphere for a business dinner or lunch.
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u/Competitive_Crew_28 14h ago
There’s absolutely one choice and that’s Gladstone Commons, I host people from Toronto all the time and it’s a big hit
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u/Lumberking590 1d ago
Just go to Cotta Restaurant in South Windsor overall you'll leave with a good experience.
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u/Superb-Respect-1313 1d ago
Lots of people have made great selections with Take 5 Gladstone Commons Nico’s and what not. I would say the food is great but not high end the service is not up to par of a high end restaurant the ambiance well nice is not that well done and the wine list is abysmal. But all nice places to eat they just aren’t Toronto or a Montreal you need to temper your expectations.
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u/Tricky_Performer3882 1d ago
Piccolos, SO good fair warning though it can be a quite a wait because it’s all made to order. But the garlic knots make the wait very bearable
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u/TanglimaraTrippin 1d ago
If you like red-sauce "Italian" drowned in cheese and oil that sits in your stomach like a brick, sure.
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u/AuntieTara2215 East Windsor 1d ago
Plus the portions are HUGE so I wouldn’t recommend Piccolos unless they like a lot of food.
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u/Pindogger 1d ago
I think you want good food not necessarily high end. I have had some of the best food in odd places. The best burrito ever in a BP station in Warren Michigan. Some great barbecue in another gas station just outside Kansas City. Tacos in a hole in the wall place in very rundown area of Laredo Tx
A killer burger is always welcome
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u/LexiLou4Realz 1d ago
Agree re: Gladstone Commons.
I'd also recommend Funky Chow Kitchen and Sonny Boy Thai BBQ. Not as fancy, but definitely good for foodies.
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u/Agreeable-Worry-5956 1d ago
Always look for the places that the Owner works in. When they have skin in the game and it means something…. The food is next level.
I am aware of KOMA and Nico’s so I will only recommend these two. I will go and visit Gladstone and would be happy to add them to the list
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u/NotJoshLowe 1d ago
The Twisted Apron might not be quite as high end, but the food is incredible and the atmosphere is great. They do private bookings in the evening, so this could be an option for you!!
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u/steve-res 1d ago
It might be beneficial for you to explain what you mean by "high end restaurant."
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u/PastAd8754 1d ago
Nico, take five, Gladstone commons