The Ace (restaurant)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant, Gastropub |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | Greg Boggs, Maggie Ruhl |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
Key people | Rafael Badell (executive chef), Maggie Stackpole (owner) |
| Products | Homestyle comfort food, French cuisine, Bread baked on-site |
The Ace operates as both a restaurant and gastropub situated in Toronto's Parkdale district, part of the city's West End.
History
Established in late 2011 by local entrepreneurs Greg Boggs and Maggie Ruhl, The Ace replaced the previous Ace Chinese Restaurant, removing "Chinese" from its title. The new proprietors maintained the original 1950s diner aesthetic while revamping the menu to include homestyle comfort dishes alongside French culinary staples. The kitchen was initially headed by Chef Peter McKnight, who served offerings such as steak frites and fried chicken accompanied by collard greens.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the establishment temporarily closed and was put up for sale in mid-2020. By December of that year, ownership transferred to the husband-and-wife duo Rafael Badell and Maggie Stackpole. They relaunched The Ace in January 2021, appointing Badell as executive chef. Drawing on his expertise in baking, Badell prepares a significant portion of the restaurant’s bread on-site.
Recognition
The Ace received a Bib Gourmand accolade from the Michelin Guide at Toronto's 2022 awards event and successfully maintained this honor through 2023 and 2024. This distinction is awarded to eateries delivering "exceptionally good food at moderate prices." Michelin specifically commended the brunch menu, highlighting items like the duck confit and wild mushroom toast on sourdough, as well as lauding the French toast topped with caramelized pears, vanilla bean whipped ricotta, and toasted pistachios as "likely the city’s best." The owners have attributed this acclaim with enhancing patronage and facilitating post-pandemic recovery.
In 2013, The Ace was featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, where Fieri praised its mac-and-cheese burger alongside the deep-fried pork belly.