Named after owner John Maxwell’s mentor (Joseph C. Allen), Allen's is a restaurant, informal in style, but utterly civilized, specializing in local food and drink. The Danforth Avenue haunt has been serving local residents and visitors since 1987. “It occupies the status of an institution,” says John. “It’s institutional because of its legendary hospitality, warmth of welcome and a VQA wine list, which is one of the largest — if not the largest — in the world.” Allen’s is also renowned for its beer selection (140 strong, many microbrews) and a whisky list that numbers 300.
John has been in the restaurant business for more than 50 years. He opened his first Toronto dining establishment Joe Allen in 1980 and later opened Italian hotspot Orso in 1985. Both are now closed, but today John owns one other bar in addition to Allen’s, Dora Keogh’s on the Danforth.
Many members of John’s staff at Allen's have been with him for more than 20 years. This guarantees, he explains, that customers are not just welcomed, but recognized and feel like they are part of a family. “We know a large proportion of our customers,” John says proudly. “As with other restaurants that succeed by making guests feel welcome, we don’t 'wow’ them, but instead comfort them.”
Allens Famous Hamburger with Matchstick Yukon Gold Fries
All burgers are topped with lettuce, tomato, dill pickle and onion
7oz Brian Morrison Angus Tenderloin Steak
Hormone and Antibiotic Free, dry-aged 28 days
Served with rosemary-garlic roasted potatoes, green beans, red onion, cherry tomato and a thyme-marsala sauce
Mongolian Fire Free-Range Half Chicken
Served with mashed potatoes, rosemary gravy, green beans, red onions and cherry tomatoes.
Lager-Battered Halibut and Chips
Chef Vijis Butter Chicken
Served with naan and turmeric-scented rice
Penne with Wild Mushroom Ragoût
With oyster mushrooms, shitake mushrooms, button mushrooms and portobello mushrooms
Dublin Lamb Shank
served with champ
Chocolate Guinness Cake
topped with sour cream icing
Cuvée Peter L.Huff 2011
Huff Estate
The Fence Sparkling Rosé 2017
Lighthall Vineyards
Whitecap 2017
Hinterland
Cabernet Franc Violette 2018
Pearl Morissette
Cabernet Franc (Natural) 2018
Tawse Winery
Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Greenlane Estate Winery
Insieme 2016
Colaneri
Gamay Noir Small Lot 2017
Malivoire
Notorious PTG 2017
Rosewood Estates Winery
Pinot Noir Parfum 2015
Bachelder
Pinot Noir Unfiltered 2016
Grange of Prince Edward
Syrah Iconoclast 2016
Creekside Estate Winery
Chardonnay The Fifty 2016
Leaning Post
Chardonnay 2016
3XP (Pearce, Predhomme, Pender)
Pinot Gris 2017
Fielding Estate Winery
Riesling 2016
Stanners Vineyard
Riesling Picone Vineyard 2010
Charles Baker at Stratus
Sauvignon Blanc Sand & Gravel 2017
Ravine Vineyard
Caesar Salad
topped with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano and house-made croutons
Manhattan Capon Wings
Served with blue cheese dressing
Calamari
deep-fried, served with a Mongolian fire sauce
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I first visited Allen's back in the 80's, not long after it opened, and I was instantly smitten. So much so, in fact that I moved into the neighbourhood! First I was a regular, then a nuisance, and finally a piece of furniture. I finally moved back to Markham in 1998, and cannot justify going anywhere south of Steeles Avenue without stopping into Allen's for lunch. The food is imaginative, superbly prepared, and so delicious, that even when I'm full, I often look at the menu again, just to see what I'll be ordering on my next visit! And the patio? Don't get me started......
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