Upper Deck by Fran's - Toronto

Attended a small retirement gathering on the top floor of Frans restaurant and found a unknown gem. Two flights of stairs brings you to a large comfortable bar/dining area. Good basic food (pizza, bruschetta, etc.) cold beer, and a cozy space that is an oasis from the bustle two stories below. The roof is the best part; it was closed on this March night but staff confirmed it is retractable, making the space open to the sky when the weather gets warmer. I will definitely be returning to check that out. Overall very suitable for the small gathering of 25 that celebrated a colleagues retirement.

As we waited patiently for the Santa Clause parade by Queen's Park, a slight northern gale ushered in the first wave of snow; perhaps to augur the start of the holiday season. After the floats and the marching bands and the jolly man in red, we decided to head east and came upon the Upper Deck.The rooftop patio was only opened last summer and they did a great job in winterizing the floor. It's a great ambiance, and the overhead heaters were ideal for defrosting. Out server Kristina was great and took care of us. The food was hot and savoury. With the great view of College Park, it was a great way to end the afternoon.

Upper deck is a funny and unexpected place on Yonge and college. Considering the size of the space and what it offers I was surprised it was not packed.

When dining at the Upper Deck, it is important to remember not to judge it based on the quality of the lower level.

We went to this restaurant with a friend who was familiar with Toronto and I must say it was easily the best dining experience we had in the city. I ordered a lemon chicken and avocado sandwich with salad, while everyone else opted for nachos or salads. The food was outstanding. We mostly drank water, except for DH who had two pots of tea. The restaurant had a spacious upstairs seating area with wide open louvre windows, which kept us cool even though we were indoors. I would consider this place a hidden gem. The total bill came to $65.99 for five people, excluding service charge. This is a great place to eat, and I would love to have that sandwich again as it was really delicious.