Restaurant Ricky+Olivia

“Ricky + Olivia’s delivers one of the most inventive and genuinely fun dining experiences in Toronto. The food and drinks are creative, playful, and full of surprises, yet the atmosphere remains relaxed and unpretentious. You get Michelin‑level service without any of the stiffness—just a knowledgeable, courteous team who clearly love what they do. We visited for a birthday celebration and ordered almost all the appetizers because they were too intriguing to pass up: Chicken Liver Mousse, Carrots + Ice Cream, Steak Tartare, and French Fries. Many dishes nod to familiar fast‑food classics but are reimagined in a smart, elevated way. Our server even helped pace the meal so the Chicken Liver Mousse could be enjoyed last, almost like a PB&J-inspired dessert. Every plate felt like its own little adventure, and it’s been a long time since dining out felt this fun. The cocktails are just as impressive. “The Best Part of Waking Up” is a standout—clear, refreshing, smooth, and a brilliant alternative to the usual espresso martini. The Jumbo Video experience was another highlight, with popcorn‑infused whisky, green tea, and salted caramel coming together in a way that shouldn’t work but absolutely does. Toronto needs more restaurants like this: creative without being pretentious, thoughtful without being fussy, and genuinely exciting from start to finish. Ricky + Olivia’s deserves every bit of recognition it’s getting. Highly recommended. I also love their A-Soap humour. Clean washrooms always a win.”

“Ricky + Olivia completely lived up to the hype. The concept is fun and nostalgic, but executed at a really high level. The appetizers were a stand out. The chicken liver mousse was incredibly smooth and rich, with the gummies and cake adding a playful touch that actually worked without being too livery. The carrots + ice cream was another highlight; it sounds unusual but was one of the most memorable dishes of the night, must get. The R+O burger is a mus order indulgent in the best way (imagine Marshall eating a burger inHow I met your mother). The fish and BBQ celery root were also well executed and showed how creative the kitchen is without overcomplicating things. Dessert sealed it, the chocolate mousse/ cinnamon crackers were nostalgic and a perfect ending. Overall, everything we had was great, with the chicken liver mousse, carrots, burger, and chocolate mousse being the highlights. Thoughtful, creative, and just a really enjoyable meal.”

“Follow @bredgyeats for more food posts! After tonight, Ricky + Olivia have become synonymous with inventive and flavourful cooking, spiking unique twists to the traditional staples that etch their spot in your memory. First impressions are always important, hence the steak tartare - hand-cut to offer a distinct chew and strong beefy aroma, and mixed with a tangy, creamy mayo-based sauce that strikes a nostalgic resemblance to a Big Mac sauce. Mouthwatering and buttery, it’s embellished with iceberg lettuce, cornichons, cheddar cheese whiz, leek oil, sesame seeds and fresh dill that steer it further in a direction that I’m lovin’, paired with deep-fried saltines dusted in herb powder for a perfect crunchy, salty contrast. The chicken liver mousse, smooth as silk, melts effortlessly in your mouth. Delivering a rich and creamy flavour with a pronounced - but not the slightest gamey - liver aroma. The beet tahini and wildflower honey add a nutty, creamy undertone with a floral sweetness, while the gummy bears on top add a fun, chewy bite perfumed with wine. On the side, sour cream bundt cake donuts are worthy to stand on their own - fluffy, moist and lightly sweet - a generous smear of the mousse elevates the whole experience. To continue, the burger is a juicy indulgence, with two perfectly cooked beef patties that overflow with fatty, savory beef aromas that are caught by the eggy brioche bun, adding a subtle sweetness as well. The cheddar cheese whiz adds a familiar, nutty, cheesy flavour, and the pickle mayo adds a tangy, sweet kick. Next, the sound of the graham cracker crumbled pork incites an “!” speech bubble. Not knowing what to expect, I was surprised by the fork-tender sous vide pork, contrasted with the subtle crunch of the buckwheat graham cracker crust. The savory onion sauce is savory and fragrant, while the apples bring freshness, and the Parmesan cracker adds a salty, sharp flavour. The peach-apple butter provides a refreshing sweet edge, cleansing your appetite for more. More it shall be, and vegetarians get a little share. Fried firm tofu, whipped tofu and a melody of mushrooms decorate this plate, painted alongside chilli crisp, bringing a familiar, comforting taste. The chocolate mousse at the end is like luxury dunkaroos, rich and velvety, the chocolate flavour lunging forth as it melts in your mouth. Salt flakes cut through the rich cocoa aromas, and are paired with fried saltines coated in cinnamon sugar.”

“My partner and I came here for dinner (2 adults), and from the moment we walked in, we knew we were in for something special. The space is quirky with effortlessly cool vibes, a long hallway layout with different sections as you move through, each styled with a mix of tables, couches, and high-top seating. We were lucky enough to sit in the very back by the kitchen, which ended up being such a treat because you can actually see the cooking in action. The menu is simple but absolutely packed with punch. We decided to order everything to share: steak tartar, carrot and ice cream, fries, burger, fish, chocolate mousse, and banana bread pudding — plus a bottle of wine for the table. Every single dish was incredible. The flavours were bold yet balanced, creative yet comforting. You can truly taste the thought, care, and love that went into each plate. I genuinely can’t pick a favourite because they were all extremely delicious in their own way. The portions are on the smaller side, but by the end of the meal, we were completely satisfied and full. What made the experience even more special was how each dish was presented, either the owner or the server would bring it out and describe it with such detail and pride. It added a personal, intimate touch that you don’t often find. The owner came by multiple times to check on us and was so warm and pleasant, just like the servers. Her husband is the chef, and if you’re seated near the kitchen, you can watch him at work, which adds to the charm and authenticity of the experience. The bathrooms were clean. I would highly recommend this restaurant for date nights, dinners with friends, or even a cozy family outing. Amazing food, genuine hospitality, and effortlessly cool vibes, we’ll definitely be back.”

“Thank you, Ali! And Ricky + Olivia and team! My partner and I booked a reservation to celebrate our anniversary. We wanted to try something new, unique, and high quality and this spot hit the nail on the head. Service was fantastic (our server was Ali, super attentive, kind, but not overbearing at all). Food was delicious, the flavours were super fun and well balanced. The burger was to die for! Highly recommend you step out of your comfort zone and try this spot out. Oh ya, amazing wine list and great cocktails and mocktails - whole package really. We will be back.”