Carman's Dining Club, 1959-2009 (Photo courtesy of Google)
Arthur Carman’s storied and troubled steak house on Alexander Street went into hibernation this summer, never to wake up. This makes the restaurant—credited with introducing Toronto to garlic bread—the latest Village establishment to disappear in recent months (the list also includes Crews and Tango, Bigliardi’s, Il Fornello and Zelda’s).
When we called the restaurant this week, we were greeted with this voice mail message:
This year, Carman celebrated his 50th anniversary in the one and same location. He has decided he will not be reopening after 50 years and thought it was time to say goodbye and to say thank you this fantastically beautiful country of Canada. What he accomplished here he could not have accomplished in the country of his birth at that time. Thank you to the countless number of people who made this possible. Peace begins at home, Carman.
It is a truly sad day those loyal to the landmark restaurant. Toronto Life food writer James Chatto documents eating at the 19th-century mansion in his 2000 memoir The Man Who Ate Toronto, which includes a brief bio of Carman (born Athanasios Karamanos), who immigrated from Greece in the ’50s. Although Chatto describes the restaurant as one of the best in Toronto, recent on-line reviews suggest that the sizzle had gone from the steak house: “Sad to see this formerly packed spot deteriorate so dramatically,” wrote a Chowhounder in 2008. “Once the notoriously garlicky purveyor of hospitality, now it is insipid, unsophisticated and expensive.”
The celebrity clientele once featured on the restaurant’s menu and Web site (no longer functional) included Al Green, Nat King Cole, Lorne Greene and Sammy Davis Jr., a sign that this was a boys’ club hangout for the real Don Drapers, not his modern-day fans. (Sara Waxman once wrote about being the only woman in the place.) The decor, as most people described it, was dark, medieval and, as another amateur reviewer writes, “something out of a vampire movie.”
In the end, 50 years is many lifetimes in the restaurant industry—especially in Toronto. We hope that Carman’s will be remembered as the joyful, high-end steak house with the perpetual aroma of garlic, rather than the relic that was left behind during its neighbourhood’s gentrification.
Please also add Il Fornello to your ever-lengthening list of Village establishment to disappear in recent months.
November 19, 2009 at 12:34 pm | by WendyHi Wendy –
We checked it out, and it’s true. Il Fornello has also closed. We’ve added it to our list.
Thanks,
November 19, 2009 at 12:39 pm | by Torontolife.com StaffTorontolife.com Staff
I am very upset to hear that the BEST steak house in Toronto has closed.I have 40 years of wonderful memories of dining at Carmans. They had the best ribs in town. If you are reading this Carman, I want your rib sauce recipe. I will miss dining beside the clown picture in the back room.
November 19, 2009 at 8:23 pm | by MollieThank you Mollie, I will make sure Carman sees your note and as for Toronto Life the fact that they chose to put a negative slant on a beautiful lifetime of a honest genuine successful venture that lasted 50 years speaks volumes. They got there facts wrong as usual he retired as early as August and did not go out of business and of course the website would go down when he retired and at 83 he deserves a rest . Perhaps this is more about Mr.Carman having the courage to challenge Toronto Life and their duality of soliciting advertisement from restaurants and then rating them. For at least ninety per cent of his 50 years running Carman’s Dining Club he was at the to top of his game so to highlight the fickle few who took personal attacks is indeed malicious. Do your homework properly and objectively and you will discover CARMAN’S was rated consistently well and most important there were his loyal customers who were not swayed by the many trends of so many of the new restaurants. It was time to say goodbye and he did so with grace and was the recipient of many enroute awards ,the Key to the city of Toronto,many many travel book excellent ratings over the years and a lot of thank you from his customers . He often said I need your money but I need your thank you’s more and he did receive them. He stood alone at times and was not swayed by Walter Winchell types ,remembering when Walter Winchell from New York threw a coin down on the street in front of a estauranteur and told him to pick it up insinuating to the restauranteur if he didn’t he could close him down with a review. We all get older and we should not be punished for it. Was this article Blog really necessary,was it true reflection of 50 years of a successful business? Carman passed so many kindnesses on and so many people know this.
November 19, 2009 at 11:14 pm | by kathleenUpset? Disappointed? Depressed? These don’t even come close to how I feel. I would go here once or twice a year on special occasions and was easily my first choice in the steak houses of Toronto. The service was tops, the steaks were the best, and I *loved* the decor (Ruth Chris, a place some of my friends really enjoy and rave about, is sterile and vanilla in comparison). Plus the appetizers at the beginning of the meal were top notch – something you would never see a chain like Ruth Chris ever doing.
What will I do now? I have no idea. I need direction. I feel I lost a best-friend who said “Don’t worry … I’ll be back in a few months” and then was never seen again.
I need a moment. Where does one go now for a good steak in Toronto?
November 20, 2009 at 11:24 am | by Zoltan HawrylukCarmans was an amazing restaurant with great service, high quality and 5 decades of memories.
November 20, 2009 at 12:36 pm | by Maria JudasMy uncle worked there as a busboy when he was 17 when he came to Canada. He returned to Spain a year later.
Last year, he came to Toronto for a visit and we all ate at Carmans. He returned after over 40 years. It was a special moment for all of us, especially for him.
Thank you Carman and all staff.
Carmans was so great for so long – it’s so depressing that it is actually closed for good now. I have had so many great pieces of beef there over the years. I remember being taken there in the late 70’s by my uncle and I thought it was the most magical place in the world, then felt so amazing every time I returned as an adult with my own money. But my last few visits there last year were really depressing in there own right. Everything had gone downhill, even the service. It was pretty empty and really kind of vampireish, like the article says. All good things must come to an end, I guess, but it’s a shame that it went out with a whimper, not a bang. Still, I think I will always think of Carmans when I smell garlic! I think I will just remember it the way it used to be!! Farewell Carmans and thanks for all the good years!!!
November 20, 2009 at 1:07 pm | by ARPI am very upset to hear that the BEST steak house in Toronto has closed.I have 40 years of wonderful memories of dining at Carmans. They had the best ribs in town. If you are reading this Carman, I want your rib sauce recipe. I will miss dining beside the clown picture in the back room.
November 20, 2009 at 1:18 pm | by newbrunswicksteakZoltan: Go to The Fifth or to Jacobs & Co. They really are the best in town, even better, I’d say, than Carmans, although they lack that old-skool feel that you can only get in an room that’s been worn down for fifty years!
November 20, 2009 at 4:34 pm | by ARPNo way, no way.
Tom Jones is the best of the rest. The only place that can compete with the Carman’s atmosphere.
November 20, 2009 at 5:11 pm | by ItsNotUnusualToBeLovedByAnyoneCarol who posted a message to Toronto Life on November 17,2009 please call and leave a voice message at CARMAN’S. Paid gift certificates are fully refundable. He advertised on 96.3 F.M. for two weeks saying goodbye and thank you to his customers.
November 21, 2009 at 10:07 am | by kathleenIt’s too bad the headline on on this piece neither reflects the article itself, nor reality.
November 21, 2009 at 4:10 pm | by GarethShame on Toronto Life, bravo to Carman’s.
Thank you, Carman, for the good times and great food.
Wow – I did not like your negative article and the headline was terrible – Toronto has lost a landmark when Carman’s closed. You failed to mention his endless support of the Variety Club and other numerous charities. He was a humble most courteous person and dedicated to his customer who he considered his friends. My two daughters grew up in his restaurant and learned what great food tasted like and to respect the mighty garlic. My younger daughter had her wedding reception in his beautiful dark wood back room 26 years ago and is full of many wonderful memories. Paull and I send kudos to Arthur and so many thanks for all those wonderful memories. He will be sadly missed but remembered with great fondness.
November 23, 2009 at 9:18 am | by Sandy GerringThe headline really is too bad. Rather than focus on what might have been a short negative – it might have been more fair and accurate to talk about the majority of the 50 years that Carmens was at the top. We will always remember not just the great steaks and infamous garlic bread but the many family milestones and occasions that were celebrated there since the original Carmens Club opened. %0 years as a Toronto restaurant really is quite an accomplishment. Too bad some people only see the negative.
We will miss it dearly!
November 23, 2009 at 2:40 pm | by Lauraim sorry kids. i have been following these comments and feel i have to weigh in. theres no doubt that carmans was once great, but had you been there recently? the prices were appallingly high for what was served. and the place was not clean, not nice and, well, almost totally empty on a saturday night. i dont want to do any disrespect to the place because i really did love it once. very old-school and all that. but it stayed open and miserable for way too long after it went downhill.
November 23, 2009 at 3:14 pm | by TDOTFoodieOh sure it looked a little tired towards the end, but I thought it was value for the money, especially the wine markups, which were minuscule compared with the newer glitzier steakhouses. Let’s hope Carman has a comfortable and long retirement after 50 years of great work.
November 24, 2009 at 8:55 am | by JeffTDOTFoodie’s justification for this negative headline is an oxymoron. It reflects a customer’s reaction to the restaurant in its declining years. Yet there weren’t that many customers in it’s declining years and that’s why it’s closing. His article is meant for people who never frequented the restaurant!
I first visited Carmans in about 1962 when it was still known as Carmans Club and the Toronto Maple Leafs, located around the corner, were in their glory years. Like many people, I would visit Carmans once, twice, maybe three times a year. We were never actually members of The Club, but would respond positively when asked and that seemed to be good enough.
I moved to Winnipeg in ‘74 for about 10 years. Winnipeg had an upstart restaurant there called Hy’s and, although good, was definitely second best. Carmans was one of my first stops after returning.
I doubt that TDOTFoodie ever experienced the joy of dining at Carmans before it could be called “very old-school and all that”. Carman, thanks for the memories.
November 24, 2009 at 8:57 am | by MelPlease make sure that Mr. Carman sees this:
I lived in Toronto for 16 years, leaving in 1991. I met my wife there, and we went to Carman’s about once or twice a year. Our daughter was born in Toronto, and is a Canadian, German, and US citizen.
She just moved back to Toronto, at 24, and will be very disappointed to learn that Carman’s Club has closed.
When she was about 2 years old, we went to Carman’s with a bunch of family & friends, who were visiting from Germany.
At one point, Carman came out and took our daughter to the kitchen, to be with “The Boys”, for about 15-30 minutes. We were so happy that he had “adopted” our daughter, and had thought enough of all of us that he “kidnapped her” for that great experience! We loved him, as he would come out, many times during our visit, each time with more & more “drink” in him. He was truly a “real” guy.
It was priceless.
We came back to Toronto between Xmas & New Years, in 2007, and just had to visit Carman’s during our trip.
True, it wasn’t as good as in years past, but the warmth and feelings we had before were rekindled during our visit, and the only part that was missing was Carman, himself.
My heart goes warm with thoughts of the place, the man, the food, the shrimp cocktails, the artifacts, and the way we were treated. Being a mixed couple, with a very beautiful mixed baby, Carman showed that it didn’t matter, if you were good people.
He IS “Good People”!!! We’ll miss you, Sir. Thanks for the wonderful memories, along with the tasty food.
We’ll never forget you . . . . :-)
Love, from Pebble Beach, California
November 24, 2009 at 1:44 pm | by Pebble Beach FamilyKathleen, thank you for your post re my gift certificate. I have left a voicemail message (I hope – the option is not really offered, but there is a ‘beep’). We are going to miss Carman’s soooo much. I cannot understand anyone who says Carman’s was “expensive”. With all the goodies included with your meal, it was terrific value for money, and ALWAYS delicious!
November 24, 2009 at 1:53 pm | by CarolThe title of this article is essentially why I have not bothered with a TO life restaurant review in over a decade. Over the past 20 years my wife and I have eaten at Carman’s probably at least 40 times (it might even be closer to 60). It was our all time favourite restaurant. It was a place of great food, friendly service, and fair prices. Those that looked down on its old-world, men’s club charms, and the retro atmosphere simply didn’t get it (and you never will). You can get the bland, McDonalds, cookie-cutter atmosphere, zero-taste, and bum’s rush service of a Ruth’s Chris, Hy’s or Keg anywhere. Carman’s was a place (much like Barberian’s) where a couple could spend a long evening of eating, drinking, talking, etc., and never feel rushed. The waiters all knew us, and big smiles would show as soon as we walked through the door. For years I went by the nickname listed for this post, as the “sidecar” was often my drink of choice, (and I was apparently the only one to order said cocktail since the 60s.) Losing this place was like losing a close friend. There were many on-line posts in the last few years left by bitter little children knocking the man for getting on in years, and being “odd”. … well, if chatting up repeat customers such as ourselves, and offering to buy us “anything” we wanted from the bar is odd, then sign me up every time. …Goodbye Mr. C.
November 24, 2009 at 2:23 pm | by SidecarI am deeply disturbed by the headline chosen by Toronto Life to announce the closing of Carman’s restaurant. When he opened his restaurant 50 years ago, Carman’s was one of the very few places to get a great steak in the city of Toronto. Prior to Carman’s, you needed to drive to Buffalo to get a decent steak. Carman took a big gamble in much more restrictive times – it wasn’t easy to get a liquor licence back then – and he worked extremely hard over the years to build his business. My own restaurant was open for over 30 years, which is an unusually long time in the industry, so for Carman to operate his restaurant for 50 years is nothing short of remarkable. Carman deserves a much more respectful headline, one that honours an excellent restaurant and the lifetime work of an exceptional restaurateur.
George Bigliardi
November 26, 2009 at 8:24 pm | by George BigliardiI agree with Mr Bigliardi.
November 26, 2009 at 9:38 pm | by DAKarjalainenI have been to both fine establishments, and you did an injustice to Carman’s by stating only the negative.
Most restaurants don’t take pride in their food, service or are generally happy to look after their customers.
I love the old school way of doing things and Carman’s will be sorely missed.
I am very saddened to learn that Carman’s is closing its doors. I have so many wonderful memories – brunches and dinners and birthday meals celebrated at this wonderful establishment. I grew up having dinner here with my late grandmother and our extended family.
The headline of this article is unnecessary and disrespectful. It’s difficult to find restaurants with unique charm and history – something that Carman’s is known for. I will truly miss this place!
November 27, 2009 at 10:59 am | by Ashley BartlettI am so very sad to hear about Carman’s. All the important occasions in my life were celebrated there. I would do anything for one of their wonderful salads regardless of the rest of the good things to savour. I was recently out with my family and told them that I needed to return to Carman’s. I miss the restaurant so much. Of all the places in Toronto, this was my favourite memory and I am so sorry that it is closed. Will anyone in Toronto be able to match the salad, the wonderful food and great service that I remember? Oh, please, let it happen. Happy retirement wishes to Carman – you will be truly missed. Best to you, Virginia
November 27, 2009 at 11:36 pm | by Virginia ScottIf you want a fantastic steak house with an old school “men’s club” feel, try Harbour 60. It is by far the best steak in town, and the restaurant has a men’s club feel with warm wood panelling, huge overstuffed chairs and an all-men staff service, just like the old days. Great steak, warm and authentic ambiance, superb service.
Just like Carmen’s in the old days.
December 8, 2009 at 10:51 am | by AlexandraI was on my way there next week – Dec. 23rd/09 Wanted my nephew Brad and his girl friend Amy to experience the BEST steak & ribs house ever. I was sick to hear it closed. Carman was great in every way. I was so looking forward to those pickles and ribs – would sure love to have that rib recipe.
December 14, 2009 at 9:58 pm | by Maureen CometteBarberians will make you all forget about Carm… bon voyage
December 15, 2009 at 8:58 am | by JackSo sad… The most delicious food and my favourite atmosphere of any restaurant I’ve ever been to – worlds better than Barberian’s in my humble opinion!
My parents went to Carman’s when they got engaged in 1967, and we used to go there as a very special treat as a family when I grew up in Aurora. So glad I got to take my boyfriend there before it closed.
January 4, 2010 at 5:28 pm | by ChloeGrey Cups and Carmans.
January 9, 2010 at 9:39 am | by Kim ImoughRevisited with my family last year. Awesome food and time. Nothing changed, it still held the mystical feeling of 40 yrs ago.
Enjoy your retirement Carman and thanks for the memories.
Be well
Man, its been almost 2 months since this news hit, and I still can’t get over it :(
January 14, 2010 at 3:15 pm | by SidecarWow, very sad to hear about this. It’s very shameful of TO Life to treat Carman’s to this “headline,” but sadly, not surprising that they bite the hands that feed. Those who don’t have the passion, ideas and drive to contribute something of value to the city become its critics.
Carman’s is an historic landmark for Toronto – one with special memories for all of us who were fortunate enough to be part of it in some way. The warmth, wisdom, and hospitality of Carman and Kathleen holds a special place in my memories.
Carman’s made the heart of downtown Toronto feel like a cozy neighbourhood, safe and inviting. Will miss it terribly.
January 20, 2010 at 12:21 am | by ireneThank you for the memories of the smell of garlic …mmmm and those delicous juicy steaks…so tender! I’ll never forget our two visits..one I shared with my two children …a cozy evening at the table next to the fireplace… all the delicious pickles, cottage cheese and bread etc…and then the fantastique steak arrived! Another time my son and I treated my mother to a wonderful birthday dinner – she was enthralled with every bite! Mom and I still reflect from time to time on the wonderful memories! Thank you Carman – you are special for having created a masterpiece that will linger in our hearts and minds forever ~ All the best! Penny,Ohio,USA
February 16, 2010 at 5:05 pm | by PennyThank you so much, Kathleen, for refunding my unused gift certificate. I have been keeping the money aside to use for a steak dinner at another Toronto restaurant, but just cannot think of anywhere that I want to use it. Nothing can or ever will replace Carman’s! :(
February 21, 2010 at 2:01 pm | by CarolKathleen,
March 15, 2010 at 4:22 pm | by MollieThis is Mollie. I was one of the first on this long list of sad people. I left my message many months ago and you answered me. I also left a message on the answering machine and you said Mr. Carman might contact me. I wanted to puchase the wonderful clown painting that hung beside our favorite table along with hopefully the best rib sauce recipe ever. Please if you could contact me I would be so grateful. The phone no longer takes messages. I will check this site.
Thank you and I hope Mr. Carman is enjoying a happy and healthy retirement.
Best reguards, Mollie