My Side of the Valerie Restaurant's Errors Story at X Hotel, Toronto
- L J Louis
- Jun 25, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 14
Ah, dining out—a delightful escape from kitchen chores, a chance to try something new—or at least, that's the theory. But my recent visit to Valerie Restaurant at the X Hotel in Toronto was a stark contrast to this ideal, turning out to be an adventure in culinary catastrophe. A series of disappointing dishes and lacklustre service quickly replaced the anticipation of a fine dining experience. Here is My Side of the Valerie Restaurant's Errors Story at X Hotel, Toronto
First up, the XO Fried Rice. Everyone loves good Japanese fried rice with crispy shallots, right? Except at Valerie's, they have mistaken fried rice for flavour bombs of regret. The spice level was through the roof! Trying a spoon of rice felt like embarking on a one-way trip to Mouth-on-Fire land. And just in case your taste buds weren't sufficiently shocked by the spice, the dish was utterly drenched in oil – the wrong kind! Presumably, vegetable oil, which, as you might know, isn't the healthiest option. Picture an oil sponge bowl of rice that looks divine but hell to the taste buds. Mmm, not so delicious! It was a surprising and unpleasant deviation from the expected quality of a fine dining establishment.
And then there was the Wagyu beef. Now, wagyu beef is supposed to be like a symphony for your taste buds – rich, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth. But here, it was more like a sad solo kazoo performance. Tasteless and underwhelming, it left us wondering if it had somehow lost its way en route to the restaurant.
Let's not forget the salmon rolls. Typically a crowd favourite, these mini seafood delights should be fresh and bursting with flavour. Instead, Valerie's versions were more like two tiny rolls called at a school for boredom—small, uninspired, and utterly forgettable.
But the pièce de résistance of our tragic evening was the Chicken Nanban. Upon arrival, it had all the makings of a crispy, delicious dish. My confidence was misplaced. It tasted like someone had tried – and failed – to deep-fry actual cardboard. If you've ever wondered what eating a school art project might be like, this is your chance.
Amidst this symphony of sighs, there was a glimmer of hope: Edamame. These humble little soybeans were the saving grace of our meal. Perfectly cooked, lightly salted, and enjoyable – all just as edamame should be. Who knew that the simplest dish could end up being the star of the show?
Needless to say, our dinner at Valerie's wasn't exactly a feast for the senses as it advertised itself. It was more like an endurance test for our taste buds. And a disappointing dent to our wallet. The other side to the story is the one the website and the glossy pictures don't say—the reality of the food and the atmosphere. Despite the lovely ambience and the chic interior of the X Hotel, we were expecting, the experience at Valerie's was missing that vital ingredient – decent food. And I didn't expect to have people in their bathrobes drinking next to me at dinner. The service, while not terrible, was also not exceptional. We had to wait quite a while to change our reservation from the rainy rooftop to the Sunroom, and the staff seemed disorganized. This added to the overall disappointment of the evening. The food might be pricey, but it is not a fine dining experience, at least not in the Sunroom.
So, would I recommend Valerie Restaurant? Well, if you're in the mood for stellar edamame and can overlook the rest, perhaps. But if you're seeking a truly satisfying dining experience, you may want to explore other culinary adventures elsewhere in Toronto. Valerie's left us truly hungry—but for better dining experiences!
My Side of the Valerie Restaurant's Culinary Errors Story at X Hotel, Toronto.
L J Louis is an aspiring international trade lawyer, writer, foodie, and women's advocate with a double major degree in psychology and criminology, a Bachelor of Law(Hons LLB) degree, and an advanced fitness and health promotion diploma. She writes and creates content about human sexuality, sex positivity, health, psychology, and Meghan Markle.
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