Diner's Corner is a Jamaican restaurant eschewing the usual plastic cutlery and styrofoam boxes of takeout joints for table settings and live DJ nights. 

Casual Caribbean spots run aplenty in Toronto, making this upscale yet laidback sit-down spot a rarity, especially so close to Yonge and Bloor. 

Formerly located in a quaint house on St. Nicholas Street (and before that, Gloucester Street), owners and brothers Merrick Aries and Antovin Aries took over the business which had been run by its previous owners Cliff and Naomi for over 15 years. 

Wanting to break the stereotype of oxtail meals served as rushed portions solely eaten on-the-go, the brothers established a space where you can have a candelit Caribbean dinner.

Every third Saturday, you'll find a DJ playing some mild dancehall and reggae tunes at night. 

The menu has all the favourites from your mom-and-pop counter, but with slightly larger portions, like their delicious oxtail ($19.25).

Served with rice and peas, the oxtail is tender, with super flavourful gravy and butter beans. 

Jerk salmon ($22.50) is a heft piece of Atlantic salmon with a subtle jerk rub, green beans, and a side of mashed potatos.

A mango strawberry salad ($10.50) is a huge portion of fruits and greens with vinagrette that you can add to taste. 

The ackee and saltfish is my favourite ($16.75) with a delicious serving of the meaty Caribbean fruit with oily fish and a trio of festival. 

They have jerk chicken too. Their chicken is marinated for up to two days with their jerk blend, and served with a side of gravy, rice and peas, and a festival dumpling. 

Rasta pasta ($16.75) is a penne dish with a coconut milk Alfredo sauce and veggies.

Drinks like the rum punch ($8.75) will knock you out, while their version of a screw driver uses housemade ginger beer. 

Communing over food is one of the life's greatest pleasures, so it's nice that Diner's Corner offers the opportunity to do it over Caribbean food (outside of homecooking, anyway) once in a while.