Motto

Motto

764 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1E9

(416) 368-7429

Over all: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Service: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Motto, a new spot specializing in Middle Eastern cuisine, has recently opened its doors and shows great promise as a comfortable lunch and breakfast destination. It’s clear they are still finding their rhythm a common and expected phase for a newly launched restaurant, but the foundation is certainly appealing.

The first impression of the dining room is great: it’s fresh, clean, well-lit, and spacious. The bright, modern setting creates a cozy and comfortable atmosphere perfect for a relaxed start to the day or a casual midday meal. Motto offers a focused menu, providing variety through classic Middle Eastern items like shakshuka, pistachio pancakes, and smoked turkey sandwiches, alongside a standard selection of coffee and teas.

The restaurant demonstrates skill, particularly when handling specific requests.

Hot Chocolate (10/10): 

Though not formally on the menu, the staff’s ability to accommodate the request was a great sign of customer service. The drink itself was well made and had a perfectly balanced sweetness, securing a rare 10/10 rating a strong positive indicator for their beverage preparation.

Mediterranean Breakfast (8/10):

 This dish is a hearty and satisfying offering. It’s a fairly large portion that successfully combines several excellent components: two fried eggs, sausage, a zucchini fritter, and olives, complemented by a fresh salad topped with bright pickled onions and creamy feta,
alongside toast. The condiments were nice and contributed to an overall very good dish.

As the restaurant continues its "tweaking" phase, there are several key service and menu adjustments that could significantly enhance the dining experience.

Service Refinement (Dish Explanation):

 A crucial area for improvement lies in the service execution. When the dish is delivered, having the staff briefly explain the contents is highly beneficial, especially for first time guests. This small detail ensures diners understand the components and appreciate the chef's intent, elevating the service from just delivery to hospitality.

Menu Flexibility (Egg Styles): 

The Mediterranean Breakfast is strong, but offering diners the option for different egg preparations is highly recommended. The current default of fried eggs works, but including choices like scrambled eggs would appeal to a broader audience and is generally standard for breakfast menus of this type.

Expanding the Drinks Menu: 

Currently, the coffee and tea selection is solid, but the addition of fresh, non alcoholic drinks would be a welcome and thematically appropriate enhancement. Expanding the menu to include items like mint lemonade, fresh orange juice, or a fruit cocktail juice would perfectly complement the fresh, vibrant flavours of the Middle Eastern menu.

Motto is off to a solid start with its clean, bright ambiance and a few standout items. While there is room to improve in overall service polish and menu variety especially the drinks and egg options, these are minor adjustments that can be easily addressed as they gain experience. The strong flavours (like the 10/10 hot chocolate) suggest a capable staff. It is definitely a comfortable spot to keep an eye on, and I would encourage another visit to see how they evolve.