Mother Tongue

This was my first stop for food in Toronto and the food was amazingggg. Ordered several dishes with a group of people and everything was so good. The sea bass was my absolute favorite. Our server, Theo was super sweet and extremely knowledgeable about the menu in its entirety.

Passed by so many times and end up giving a try. No reso but luckily got seats near the window. Bartender / waiter Theo really attentive and friendly recommended some signature dishes. The whole sea bass is to die for. Goes so well with the golden curry. Menu got quite an mixed Asian fusion food definitely need to try more next time. Looking forward to the next visit!

If you're looking for a dining experience that is truly unforgettable, then look no further than Mother Tongue in Toronto. This restaurant is a must-visit for foodies and anyone looking for a unique culinary adventure.Each dish is bursting with bold and exciting flavours that are sure to delight your taste buds. Whether you're in the mood for small plates, shareable dishes, or entrees, you'll find something that suits your palate perfectly.The atmosphere at Mother Tongue is also something to be praised. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, with an elegant and contemporary feel that sets the mood for a sophisticated night out. The lighting is just right, creating an ambiance that is both warm and inviting.But what really sets Mother Tongue apart from other restaurants is the exceptional service. The staff are friendly, attentive, and always willing to go above and beyond to ensure that your dining experience is nothing short of perfection. Whether you need recommendations for dishes or drinks, or have dietary restrictions, the team at Mother Tongue will accommodate your needs with ease.Overall, Mother Tongue is a gem in Toronto's dining scene that shouldn't be missed. From the exceptional food to the elegant ambiance and top-notch service, it's a dining experience that will leave a lasting impression.

Theo was completely awesome. This meal is the best I’ve had in the Toronto area. The ambience is a completely a vibe, from the music to the drinks to the good and topped with excellent customer service! HUGE RECOMMENDATION.

Went here for summerlicious and found the service and the food really good. Had the longganisa bola bola, salmon crudo, truffle fried rice, fried sea bass and duck confit with leche flan ice cream as dessert. Our server Theo was really nice and attentive while we were eating and was always available if we needed help.

A memorable experience as usual! We always pick Mother Tongue for birthdays and events - the atmosphere, staff, and food is perfect. Dorian was covering our table for a birthday and she was fantastic. She met the energy of our party so well and was so fun to have as our server. She helped us order for a table of 11 and was so accommodating the entire night through to sorting the bills at the end. Every plate was delicious - and being a frequent visitor of Mother Tongue, it was great to see everyone else enjoy their first duck dumplings with their own 'food moments'. The short rib was also something special - Already can't wait to come back.

I was really looking forward to trying this place for summerlicious on a Thursday evening. I had seen great reviews. However, our experience was completely different. They have a small patio at the front, a bar area inside, then more of a restaurant room in the back, and a cocktail place downstairs. That restaurant room in the back is crazy loud. The music is very loud so every body has to speak loud and the noise level is not enjoyable. It was hard to hear even the waitress.We ordered some drinks and our food. I had the Berde beauty. I loved that they have mocktails on their menu. I also love that they have pandan flavor. My cocktail was not bad but it was too sweet even though I love sweet things so much. Maybe the balance was off. We waited for our food for the longest time ever, 1 hour and 45 minutes. We saw the people at the table next to us who had arrived way after us get their appetizer. So we ask the staff if they can check on our food. It’s not normal. They come back a while later with the check. The noise level issue… We said that we are hungry and want our food, we had not asked for the check. Finally, they come with the food BUT they serve the main dish first. That’s ok cause we’re so hungry. Then when I’m not even done eating my main dish, they bring the appetizers. It has never happened to me in my life. And the tables are so small that there is no space to leave a water bottle on it and you have to rely on staff to refill your water glass.We had the Korean Beef Short Rib which was good as the meat fell off the bone, and the Hoisin Duck Confit which was an interesting mix of French style duck confit and pekin duck. It was not bad but we thought that for both dishes, they could serve more sides. The mini salad and cucumber portion on my plate was disappointing.We got Steelhead Trout Crudo and Longganisa Bola Bola. The longganisa is served in the shape of a meatball. I am aware that there are quite some fatty elements to Filipino cuisine but inside the balls were a lot of big chunks of fat. It’s too much fat to my liking and maybe it’s not for everyone.Then we got our desserts. The Lemongrass Crème Brûlée was good. I liked that there is a twist with the flavor. However, when you eat it with the sugary top layer, the lemongrass flavor goes unnoticed. The Peach Mango Pearls was enjoyable.The staff did apologize multiple times and said there had been a mix up which caused this unpleasant experience. They did end up comping our food, which we appreciated and even left a tip on what the total value would have been. Hence the 2 star rating. However, I don’t think I would come back. I feel that for the price of the dishes, you can have better value for your money and better service elsewhere.

Oh boy. I was excited for this experience based on the reviews but..I think the reviews are fake?The restaurant itself is nice. Nice decor, nice ambiance, good music. Small, cosy. Love the hidden dining room in the back.The food is not good for the price point. The duck dumplings are meh. Very under seasoned and gamey? Almost tasted like chlorine. The crudo was ok - should have been chilled. The flavour was not the greatest. The short ribs saved this review kind of - fantastic bulgogi short ribs with beef literally falling of the bone. Simply amazing. Definitely get the short ribs.The drinks were terrible. Terrible red wine. Okay cocktails.There was only one server for 5 or 6 tables?There’s only 2 bathrooms and someone was having a phone conversation in one of them, so we had to go to the cafe next door..If a restaurant is empty on a Thursday night at 8 pm.. especially in this location..you know there’s a problem. Skip this, save your money. Lots of great options out there.

It was my first visit and it was a great atmosphere, delicious food (loved the mapo tofu and brussel sprouts) and Alvin gave us great and true recommendations! Also the dessert of the custard cake was a great end to the meal!