I’m in Toronto in a week for a few days helping to judge the CCC. I was there recently but didn’t do too much in the way of getting out and about (video). I’ll probably be writing a feature about my trip, and would really like to take the restaurant pulse while I’m there. I’m staying at the Soho downtown, and word is my cab fare is taken care of (I regret Eigensinn Farm will be too far). What restaurants should I visit that are somehow emblematic of where Toronto is as a food city these days?
Michael J wrote @ January 30, 2008 at 7:05 am
Michelle’s, Proof, Avenue - Yorkville Wateringholes
Gio Rana’s(dinner), Joy Bistro (brunch) - Leslieville Musts
Pravda, Jamie Kennedy, Resevoir, Irish Embassy - Front Street
Adam wrote @ January 30, 2008 at 7:06 am
try cowbell restaurant at 1564 queen st w.
the owner/chef spent some time on salt spring, and the sous (an elementary school friend of mine) spent time in england working at l’enclume.
they’re aiming for sustainability, and focusing on local, seasonal ingredients.
Matt Daw wrote @ January 30, 2008 at 8:24 am
Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar is my favourite when I’m in Toronto. They don’t take reservations, so it tends to be easiest to go early (6:30).
Cava (Chris McDonald) is quite good too.
Jeff wrote @ January 30, 2008 at 8:30 am
Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar is great. Small plates, casual, does not take itself seriously but has serious food.
I have also heard great things about recently-opened Lucien.
kelly wrote @ January 30, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Hi
Must eat at list for me is
-Niagara Street Cafe (king west area, incredible seasonal menu and killer wine list)
-Amuse Bouch (can’t beat the room and the owners are uber talented!)
-Veritas local Food (king st east area, fantastic and great prices, uses local seasonal product kitchen very French Laundry very scrumptious)
-ki modern japanese (if you are into a great japanese meal within a totally sexy atmosphere-big “scene” on Thursday nights)
Joel wrote @ January 30, 2008 at 1:41 pm
If you want street eats between 2-10 bucks max, you should check out these places.
Jamaican Beef Patties - Randy’s @ Oakwood and Eglinton ave W.
Jerk Chicken - Soul Food @ 582 Landowne Ave or Albert’s Jamaican food @ 558 Queen St W.
Burritos - you have tons of those in the Van, but in TO not so much, but Burrito Boyz @ 120 Peter st @ richmond st. is the best rolled up brick around.
Chilean Empanadas - 245 Augusta Ave in Kensington Market
Poutines - Chip truck @ City hall with the NOW MAGAZINE award poster on the truck.
Papusas - Beside the Empanada place is a Latin Market. On weekends they have old mexican ladies in the back playing latin tunes and cooking papusas all day.
Churassco Of St Claire - 679 St Claire W. Just order any cut of bbq chicken with the rice and roasted potatoes. Oh i miss those potatoes
Go to any Portuguese bakery and order Natas. its a custard tart. Nobody knows what they are here in vancouver
For awesome Chinese BBQ Pork or Duck - Kom Jug Yuen @ 271 Spadina ave. Don’t let the hole in the ground dodgy setting scare you. For 4 dollars you could feed 2 no problem. Open till like 4-5 am. Don’t bother getting anything else besides pork or duck.
For Pizza i like The Magic Oven. they use to have one location but i think they’ve opened several new stores in the last 10 months.
As far as restaurants go, i really like.
Caju - 922 Queen st w. Modern Brazillian Bistro
I can’t think of any others at the moment. My mind is set on all the cheap eats right now.
Joel wrote @ January 30, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Oh and i forgot about Fish and Chips - Chippy’s @ 893 Queen St West. has different variety of fish and shell fish.
But for more traditional fare and less scenester more asian mom n pop wrap my fish n chips in a newspaper variety, hit up Harbord Fish n Chips @ 147 Harbord st.
Only quib is the tartar isn’t home made. So if you want, grab a bunch from chippy’s and ride to Harbord.
Alysa wrote @ January 30, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Cava, Lucien, Cowbell - STRONGLY agree.
Thuet for brunch or lunch or at the very least bread. Oh my God, the bread…
Do not put anything in your mouth in Yorkville other than champagne, unless someone else will pay for your meal at One.
Splendido still very good for a big ticket.
Czehoski/Coca for cool brainy food and boozy fun.
Kaiseki-Sakura is artful and delicious.
Torito for Kensington Market vibe and very, very good Spanish/South American.
Lai Toh Heen for high-end Henry Wu Chinese.
Quince or Trevor Kitchen for San-Fran-style unfussy goodness.
I could go on…all this being said if you are going to fly halfway across the country you should probably just saddle up and get your butt up to Eigensinn. There is no way you will regret it.
Say hi for me…
jennifer wrote @ January 30, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Colborne Lane! Amazing food (recently featured on The Nature of Things) and how can you not love a young chef whose favourite band is The Stone Roses?
Katana wrote @ January 31, 2008 at 4:52 am
Have a look at enRoute choices
http://www.enroutemag.com/e/november07/next20_c.html
brian wrote @ January 31, 2008 at 4:18 pm
try AMAYA the Indian room. supposed to be TO’s Vij’s and very good
artie wrote @ January 31, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Just got home yestarday from 3 nights with good experience by both Lisa and I. Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar, Starfish Oyster bed and grill ( razor clams la plancha), BoBa had a very nice atmosphere with very well prepared food and finally suser the food was incredible, but sadly the cyborg service made a lesser experience than the food deserved.
CD wrote @ February 2, 2008 at 12:13 pm
For me it’s all about the old school “Mom & Pop” shops in TO where honesty and simplicity is the name of the game . There is nothing like indulging in a messy hot veal sandwich from “Califonia’s” at their original Claremont St. location in Little Itay (for a more ethentic experience). Or sampling some rustic type fare at the Polish restaurant the “Polonez” in the High Park area, the eptiome of comfort food. Boy, what I wouldn’t do for a dozen perogies, a hot beef sandwich and some nalesniki right now……
May you have “good eats” where ever your adventures should take you.
Andrew Morrison wrote @ February 2, 2008 at 12:16 pm
California’s! Oh, man…I forgot about that place!
Thanks for all of the responses so far. A huge help.
John Carson wrote @ February 5, 2008 at 1:04 pm
If you’d like to escape the city for a night, head to Hooks in Port Credit. Always packed, reserve ahead!
Hooks Grille
26 Lakeshore Rd. E. L5G 1C8
905.278.7665
Award winning Chef Brad Clayton presents an eclectic French/Cajun menu in his intimate dining room. Fresh-picked, every day, produce, meat & fish. Carefully planned wine cellar.
poivre media wrote @ February 5, 2008 at 1:40 pm
JAMIE KENNEDY AT THE GARDINER MUSEUM - UNIVERSITY AVE
LE SELECT BISTRO - WELLINGTON ST WEST
TERRONI - BEST SOUTHERN ITALIAN - QUEEN WEST
FARE BISTRO - LESLIEVILLE
THE FIFTH - RICHMOND ST
ROSEWATER SUPPER CLUB - TORONTO ST
FAT CAT - EGLINTON AVE WEST
ZUCCA - YONGE & EGLINTON
KAJI SUSHI - BEST SUSHI IN CANADA - SERIOUSLY. LET HIM COOK FOR YOU! LAKESHORE ROAD EAST ETOBICOKE
TONY DE LUCA’S - NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
poivre media wrote @ February 5, 2008 at 1:41 pm
forgot to mention, Le Select is 1/2 block from the Soho Met - as well as Mark Thuet’s Bistro Bakery on King St. & Blowfish - sushi on King St.
Lynne wrote @ February 5, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Sorry, but I still like the “old tried and true”, expensive, maybe, but never had a bad meal or bad service, North 44, Canoe and Pangaea
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