As others have said, if the choice is between “toy-like” track or no layout at all, then “toy-like” is the way to go. Any layout is better than none.
Besides, a lot of it depends on what you run. Modern passenger trains will never look right going over R1 switches and curves, even though they can be made to do so. But small, industrial narrow gauge equipment would look right at home.
On a similar note, a layout on a bare shelf looks toy-like, regardless of how realistic the track may be.