The wait is over. Liberty Entertainment Group has successfully swept away the ghosts of Movenpick and Flow. Now this prime location is Ciao. Those seeking an alternative to high-cost Yorkville dining will find a warm welcome and cozy seating on leather and tan suede banquettes and chairs. Illuminated by clever polished wood light fixtures, the room seems to be more open and spacious than before. ...

133 Yorkville Ave.
(647) 258-9432

For the purpose of good feng shui, and harmonious fusion, we are told “99” is required in the name. While there is no indication on the door that this is a restaurant, inside we find a surprisingly ornate lounge and dining room of pastel colour and light. The menu lists many appealing items. Reasonable pricing enables a variety of choices. A healthy mound of shredded Chicken Tinga ($9.99) a...

810 St. Clair Ave. W.,
(416) 787-7999

Think global-eat local. More than a slogan, it's a means through which regional cuisine develops. The locavore trend is, therefore, a welcome one-for cultural, as well as economic reasons. Stripped of pretence, Earth is the latest interpretation of this movement. The monochromatic design of simple off-black walls and ceiling is like polished earthenware. Simple and elegant, natural light pours t...

1055 Yonge St.
(416) 551-9890

Florence is not only magical for its art and architecture, but for its fabulous food. Its robust specialties include wide pappardelle noodles in a rich, meaty sauce, wild boar, rib-sticking ribollita bean soup and a show-stopping steak, Bistecca alla fiorentina. Such hearty fare is perfect for a Canadian winter, but you won't find it at Florentia ristorante on Mount Pleasant. Though the owner, an...

579 Mount Pleasant Rd.
(416) 545-1220

Expansive and inviting, Quinn's Steakhouse is situated on the lower level of The Sheraton Hotel. Family matriarch Anne Quinn whisks us away to our table. This is another burgeoning restaurant scene one of her sons, Gavin, has acquired. A rich, dark cocoon-ish space, it's a modern interpretation of the classic steakhouses of the sixties. The dining room is fronted by a very busy bar. Then, the op...

96 Richmond St.
(416) 367-8466

The backward lettering of District’s signage caught my eye. It made me want to go to the District in The Riverside neighbourhood, adjacent to Leslieville. It made me think they’d have something a little more special than the average sushi joints. The decor theme is an elegant room in black, white and red. The moody vibe is supported with amusing silent era flicks playing on a rear wall. Black...

806 Queen St. E.
(647) 260-0800

Located on Avenue Road, between Lawrence and Wilson, is my old stomping ground from the 80's. Interestingly, The Lobster Trap, Black Cat Fish & Chips and The Little Bistro are still there! Thankfully, these days there's a little more diversity represented especially by the clean lines and bright, modern feel that greets my guest and I when we arrive at Mela, the Fine Art of Indian Cuisine. My g...

1921 Avenue Rd.
(647) 258-9439

Every week a new restaurant opens in Toronto with a new look, new cuisine, new schtick and new scene. Inevitably this is the way of the culinary game, with over 10,000 restaurants city-wide, Torontonians clearly love eating out. Anything beats cooking at home. Well now in an extensively renovated (and questionably haunted) Victorian home, chef Therese DeGrace(winner of The Pressure Cooker, Toront...

634 Church St.
(647) 258-9390

Amidst Ossington’s sea of city favorites and recently opened, Chef Teo Paul opened his Union. The mixed ambiance of faded murals, an open kitchen and a marble topped bar is a part of Paul’s life-drawn formula that seeks to establish his experiences as a statement on Toronto’s dining scene. This is what happens when plucky French bistro meets Michael Stadtländer’s culinary offspring; a wel...

72 Ossington Ave.
(416) 850-0093

You might not find it from the street. Down a long alley we walk, unsure, until a great glass door reveals a world below. For twenty years this old warehouse boiler room lay empty. As we descend the staircase into Toronto's latest dining hot spot, we feel like we've just been welcomed into a hip new hide out. Buca, means "hole" in Italian. Within sand-blasted brick walls and 30-foot high ceilings...

604 King St. W.
(416) 865-1600

It was once the site of Toronto’s first women’s prison, now Ame—“rain” in Japanese—is this city’s latest restaurant and cocktail lounge concept by Charles Khabouth and Guy and Michael Rubino. It would require a thousand more words to adequately convey how inspired and impressively this space has been transformed. For now, I’ll stick to the food. Chef, and co-owner, Guy Rubino, ...

19 Mercer St.
(416) 599-7246

Brock Shepherd managed to transform the once vegan Rice Bar into the very meaty Burger Bar in less time than it takes to change the restaurant name on the top of the bill. Each of the restaurant's dozen or so tables is decorated with a flower in a vase. Newspaper covers the red checkered table linens and strips of Marilyn Monroe wallpaper can be found throughout. The semi open-concept kitchen...

319 Augusta Ave.
(647) 258-7459

I was bitterly disappointed walking into Toufik Sarwa’s latest venture, Cinq 01. I was expecting to have a similarly bizarre experience as I once did at Amber, where a meal of fried Halloumi and lamb burgers made way for crimson lighting, Ben Mulroney and drunk drag queens. How A got to B that night is still a mystery to me but that is Toufik’s reputation – well partly. He is the city’s pr...

501 College St.
(416) 964-1555

For over six years, Milton Nunes’ growing mini-chain of Le Gourmand cafes and gourmet groceries have set a standard in the downtown for brilliant Americanos and tasteful take-away. His newest concept, Yonge and Eglinton’s LG3, became a midtown favorite soon after opening and, to be honest, it has nothing to do with the coffee. In a curvaceous space, LG3 is uncommonly ambidextrous; 7am coffe...

2177 Yonge St.
(647) 259-8634

Midway between Toronto and Hamilton, Ritorno has become the popular meeting place for lovers of good, honest Italian cooking. Opened last year, it is fast becoming Oakville’s go to place for classic Italian cuisine. We are told that its name refers to a return to the ideals of preserving and honouring a way of life dedicated to family, food and love. Owner Julia Hanna, has been a successful r...

261 Oak Walk Dr.
(647) 258-7978

Zemra Restaurant Lounge has always offered a casual menu. Now, partners Nadia Ghandour and Mario Simoni bring consulting chef Frederic Hoffman and new chef Jeffrey Brunke to add more dazzle to the dining scene. “Discover Local Flavour” is their latest promotion to celebrate food, wine, and beer in the St. Clair West neighbourhood. As Nadia says, “We’re not just a restaurant, but not just ...

778 St. Clair Ave. W.
(647) 260-0635

Arriba can be defined as an exclamation of approval or elation. Certainly with the unbeatable views from our dinner table that is an appropriate name. Even before entering the space we are immediately struck by its openness; the floor-to-ceiling windows that run the length of the restaurant and provide an awesome view of the stadium; and the iridescent accent of colours from the bar to the sea...

1 Blue Jay Way
(647) 258-6170

Aggie Martin, on Brampton’s Main Street, is one of the city’s only French restaurants and probably the most famous to boot. After an episode of Restaurant Makeover, this Brampton brasserie had heralded the touch of celebrity designer Glen Peloso. Now a new makeover has taken place. Already possessing a reputation as one of the better French restaurants in the GTA, Debi Vance and her team have ...

15 Main St. N.
(905) 595-4563

Let’s start with the good stuff. If you’re a beer drinker and like to tilt a fine pint of Belgian wheat, German lager or Irish ale back, Fionn’s on Front offers a great place to do just that. The motherland’s most famous are front and centre—Guinness, Kilkenny, Harp and Smithwick’s—and will set you back just under $8 a pint. Erdinger, a delicious white beer, or what the Germans refer...

310 Front St. W.
(647) 260-0526

Welcome to The Keating Channel Pub - with the well known vast waterside patio, and that million-dollar view of the city as a backdrop setting, co-owners Shakir Omar and Chef Balan Balavijith have a winning new vision. A fresh outlook and a fantastic new menu successfully establishing themselves as a Premier Steakhouse and Old-Town Toronto Pub. The crowd is largely made up of film crews and oth...

2 Villiers St.
(647) 260-0798

As a child, Nick Creatura remembers the method his mother used every time she wanted his three sisters to get in the family car faster. “She would always describe them as the tre bellezze, or the three beauties,” says Nick. So when it came time to pick a name for his new, upscale Italian family restaurant in the heart of Vaughn, the name came easy: Tre Bellezze! Nick has been passionately ...

9200 Weston Rd.
(905) 303-4922

Awards and accolades are nothing new for Dine.TO’s “Best of TO” winner, Via Allegro. When proprietor Phillip Sabatino set out to open his restaurant, his goal was to open one as big as his passion for food and drink -- not to mention his personality. In eleven short years, Sabatino's Via Allegro has earned four diamonds from the CAA/AAA, won Whisky Magazine’s "Great Whisky of the World" ac...

1750 The Queensway, Suite#443
(647) 260-0398

I walk into the tipsy shaped doorway of Piazzeta Trattoria into the cool, darkish terra cotta hued room. The late sun of the day gives it a photographic feel. All I need is a black dress, let my hair down and, best of all, be the tall elegant twenty-something I once was – just like the woman in that iconic Italian Ruth Orkin photo. The Vespa’s are parked in front of Piazzeta, but the only othe...

3441 Yonge St.
(647) 258-6990

Behind the white picket fence, beyond the shell studded walkway, is a pretty white clad cottage with a little red door. Its petite charm belies the rustic warren of nooks, crannies and a long bar inside. I can hear the staccato heels of the Irish step dancing school snuggled behind The Ceili Cottage. Add some sawdust on the floors and take away the flat screen TV from over the bar and this could b...

1301 Queen St. E.
(416) 406-1301

"As soon as you walk through the front doors, we want you to feel as if you've been transported to Italy," says Nino Cioffi, who, along with his wife Dominika, own Sorrento Ristorante. It's true, upon entering the aura of Italian sophistication is apparent. It starts with the décor. An open concept dining area, hardwood flooring, romantic lighting and very warm colours all combine to make the ro...

3265 Yonge St.
(647) 260-0648

The finer things in life occasionally require travel; such was the case with Kleinburg’s The Doctor’s House. A once historic home is now a sprawling all encompassing rental facility. Beautiful gardens enclose the perimeter of the property which includes a chapel, patio, a bar and several dining rooms – each with their own characteristic and flair. Originally built in 1867, The Doctor’s H...

21 Nashville Rd.
(647) 260-0538

It all begins with fresh from the oven baked bread with olive oil and rosemary. There is anticipation when dining at Il Mulino, because we expect the best. “A lot of people still like to have the real thing,” co-owner Michael Pagliaro tells me. Indeed from the clean palladium architecture to the impeccable service, we can immediately recognize the difference between where we are now dining, an...

1060 Eglinton Ave. W.
(416) 780-1173

Monday night, the atmosphere is foxy, the flow of people indisputably slow and even though we were some of the only people there, Zoltan Szabo made the night a party – Prosecco sabering and all. That's just how it goes at Eight Wine Bar, a trendy upscale resto-bar with the attitude of a club, the menu of a five-star restaurant and the sultry sophistication that only wine can provide. There is a...

8 Colborne St.
(647) 260-0813

Anxiety is not something I normally experience before a meal but sitting in the lounge of O.Noir is mildly stressful. The two hours that stretch out before us will mark my first blind dinner and not knowing what to expect makes my palms sweat and my knees jitter. The lounge isn’t so scary. It’s lit, which helps, but the odd room also distracts from the darkness that waits. It’s a mix of fre...

620 Church St.
(416) 922-6647

As I walk through the front doors of the Sheraton Four Points on Toronto’s Lakeshore Boulevard,the first thing that catches my eye is the open door to CEO Bistro and Martini Lounge. The clink of glasses draws me in and Sandy Pavao, the hotel catering manager, shows me to my table before the room fills up. ”We’re expecting a group soon,” she says smiling. An intimate and elegantly appointed...

1926 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
(647) 260-0793

Kensington Market has long been the cultural mosaic that best reflects the heart of Toronto’s ethnic diversity. Recently emerging, along Augusta Street, is a collage of cuisines that are kneading this arm of the market into an eclectic dining destination. In keeping with this global village theme, Waterfalls Indian Tapas has an exotic flow of flavours fusing Indian ingredients with Mediterranean...

303 Augusta Ave.
(647) 258-8642

The paradox of choice is overwhelming in a city, such as Toronto, where the dining options are as vast as the trends they support. From comfort food to charcuterie, the city embraces it all. However, enter the "locavore" and a dining style dances the fine line between social movement and lifestyle choice. Often farmer's markets are heralded as the driving force behind sustaining a 100 mile diet...

77 Adelaide St. W.
(647) 260-0623

On a stretch of Danforth Avenue, between Greenwood and Coxwell, there are a surprising number of restaurants, bars and take out joints. Ethiopian, Mexican, Italian, and Somali restaurants are mixed up with a couple of shady looking joints and then, there's a shining new bar to make you stop and take notice. Taps and Tales is a neighbourhood pub that recently opened its doors in the dark of winter....

1282 Danforth Avenue
(416) 461-3020

Toronto Barbeque has come a long way in the past few years. The city boasts a number of restaurants each competing for the coveted title of “Best Barbeque” - a loosely earned honour that has yet to prove it has any meaning, what-so-ever. It's not that there isn't some great places to get a decent rack of ribs in Hogtown, The Stockyards, Memphis, Highway 61 and even Phil's Original Barbeque (on...

7-2001 Thickson Road S.
(905) 436-6986

Just like in any family, there is a time for each child to leave the nest and make their mark in the world. Over the years, the Salad King restaurant at 335 Yonge Street has grown into a thriving downtown institution, crammed each night with hungry university students, tourists and shoppers. The restaurant's sleek and minimalist interior paired with a fast and consistent kitchen has produced a wel...

11 Karl Fraser Rd.
(416) 971-7041

In Toronto's vibrant Greektown where restaurants abound, quality is revered and the dining experience is cherished, stands the longtime favorite, Pan. Vibrant, energetic hosts welcome patrons to scintillating aromas and breathtaking food that, for over 25 years has separated Pan on the Danforth into a class unto itself. Upon entering the restaurant one immediately feels welcomed with open arms ...

516 Danforth Ave.
(647) 258-7466

With travel budgets squeezed so tightly sometimes a culinary adventure is all a would-be jet-setter can afford. Lucky for Torontonians, Mambo Lounge is a little piece of Havana tucked into the Danforth, just minutes from Broadview station. It’s the perfect place to spend a sticky summer night on the recently completed backyard oasis, refreshing mojito in hand and an array of authentic Cuban tapa...

120 Danforth Ave.
(647) 258-7223

Toronto's love with BBQ goes hand in hand with our perverse obsession with trashing virtually every establishment that claims to have “Southern BBQ” in the city. Heedless of the inevitable complaints, Highway 61 bravely opened it's doors to the public in February 2009. Since then the internet has been littered with comments questioning everything from the accuracy of the restaurant's name to t...

1620 Bayview Ave.
(647) 260-0504

It could be those big, beautiful, imposing wood doors at the front that make you think it is either too exclusive or not for you. It could be that there's no sign outside and so you've had no idea what was behind those doors all this time. Maybe you think of it’s still a nightclub, or perhaps you still remember it fondly as the Bamboo where live music and cheap drinks were always at the ready. ...

314 Queen St. W.
(647) 258-7252

In the heart of Liberty Village, where the young, professional and affluent have made their community, Brad Moore has arrived and opened School. This brash chef has always brandished a style that is always de rigueur in Toronto. No-nonense pairing of comfort foods with fine dining is the style that has crowned him the people's master chef. This School Bakery and Cafe sits in the shadow of Lamport ...

70 Fraser Ave.
(416) 588-0005

Just passing through the Ossington neighbourhood, feeling like an accidental tourist, I stumbled upon the Lakeview by happy accident. The neon attracted my attention and the big old doors yielded an escape hatch to another world. It was a dark, quiet night then, but a couple of months later, I’ve made it back to the west side of T.O. When I walked into the room, it was like entering a post-prohi...

1132 Dundas St W
(416) 850-8886

"Have you eaten here before? You should get the calamari—it’s fabulous." I have just arrived at Insomnia Restaurant Bar Lounge and am led to the bar before being seated. John, a headhunter, is a regular who "comes here every Friday after shiatsu", always gets the calamari and just can't wait to tell me how much he loves it here. "Other bartenders come here to hang out after work. The che...

563 Bloor St. W.
(647) 258-7953

“Take five” is playing when I walk through the doors of Table 17. Old Dave Brubek is still an arbiter of cool jazz and so suited to the room I find myself in. Fronted by a casual dining space, the bar is beatnik black with an intimate feel and echoes of classic bars. Mediterranean riffs present themselves in the form of a pannini sandwich board, displaying a selection of the daily wares to ent...

782 Queen St. E.
(647) 258-7977

A Renaissance is happening at Yonge and Dundas with a 21st century makeover that is transitioning this tourist hub into Toronto’s answer to Shibuya and Times Square. Overlooking the electricity of this development is Woo Buffet Restaurant & Lounge. Not your average Chinese buffet, this is an ambitious break from the traditional Chinese restaurant. It’s a fusion of Pan Asian cuisine with a puls...

10 Dundas Square E. Suite 500
(647) 260-0846

One day, Zane Caplansky craved a smoked meat sandwich. A friend travelling to Montreal promised he would bring back some of its renowned smoked meat. He didn’t. “I kinda got a little bit frustrated,” recalls Zane with measured restraint. Aloud he cried the age old question, “why can’t I find this food here!” Necessity being the mother of invention, our hero realized there might be a wa...

356 College St.
(416) 500-3852

There was a point when the mere suggestion of Mexican food would illicit an unconceivable excitement in me. Repeated disappointments have calmed the eager palpitations since Mexican usually means the liaison between Tex and Mex. However, the craving for a more authentic Mexican cuisine never subsided and it lead me on a cross Toronto search that landed me on the doorstep of Yonge Street's Cocina ...

523 Yonge St.
(647) 260-0534

York Region may not immediately spring to mind when referencing Ontario's wine country – the vast majority appears to prefer Niagara. However, the quaint Whitchurch-Stouffville winery, Willow Springs, is not only a picturesque destination preparing for a summer of wine tastings, tasting menus and weddings, they are VQA recognized wine producers who defied the odds to grow, harvest and process th...

5572 Bethesda Rd.
(905) 642-9463

Kit Kat 2 may be located only steps from the original favorite, Kit Kat, on King West but this John Street extension is more than an affable echo of the original. Three floors of sun warmed patios, give way to summer libations and comfortable anti-pasti preparations, while the interior heralds the most charming elements of a family run Italian restaurant, complete with blue checked table cloths an...

117 John St.
(647) 258-6986

It was impossible to ignore. The roar of scathing reviews flooded my way. Usually I can keep myself immune from other restaurant reviews, but there was no escaping the frenzy that's surrounded the opening of Le Petit Castor in Rosedale. So I was aware that it was loud and people were really disappointed in the food. But I wanted to check it out for myself and besides, I don't believe eve...

1118 Yonge St.
(416) 968-7366

On an electric Friday night spent surrounded by girlfriends and celebrations, I realize that finding good food is just like dating: you have to get out there, entertain a few hits and even more misses, but hopefully, you end up with what you’ve always wanted. Of course, on your search for “the one”, first-date impressions are always important. Yuzu Sushi and Sake Bar on 236 Adelaide St W. st...

236 Adelaide St. W.
(416) 205-9808

I never miss any of the new spots to open up in Leslieville. They lie in wait for me, it seems, until the perfect situation presents itself. The recent cold weather return might keep most people cocooned but when it's time for Pho, count me in. Inside Hanoi 3 Seasons, that is, if you're lucky enough to snag a seat. We open the Asian gates into Hanoi 3 Seasons when I arrive with my friends. Br...

588 Gerrard St. E.
(416) 463-9940

While there is currently a clear awareness of young chefs capturing the attention of both paper and public within the city core, there is one young executive chef who has virtually skipped under the radar. Blacksmith's Bistro, a Unionville staple since 1995, may be considered too “out of the way” to be of note, but the food by Executive Chef Thomas Shanoff, is light, bright and wonderfully unc...

166 Main St.
(905) 754-0555

Blu, Italian for blue, is the colour of mystery. On the quiet eastern front of Yorkville, set back behind a brick façade, Blu is an Italian restaurant based on classic cuisine presents a warm and modern flare. Warmly lit faux stone walls and grand mirrors surround cozy leather seating and dark wood tables. The 135-person room is part upscale bistro, part informal lounge, with a hip, urban...

17A Yorkville Ave.
(647) 258-6992

Somewhere between the honesty of authentic southern Spanish gastronomy and the hypnotically intricate rápido flamenco footwork, is the passion of Embrujo Flamenco. Spanish cuisine is made up of very simple, basic ingredients, and when combined with its complex musical and cultural tradition, creates a memorable dining experience to share. From the wooden entrance to the warm brick interior...

97 Danforth Ave.
(416) 778-0007

While, bistros abound in the city, French dining does not. Since opening in 1984, Chef Fabien Siebert's King West Bistro continues to operate as a casually reliable destination for “what the French cook and eat.” In 25 years Marcel's has been a staple on the strip, attracting legions of individuals to dine on steak frites, Toulouse sausage, escargots and creamy crème brulée. On this ...

315 King St. W.
(647) 260-0638

I used to shop at Pasquale Bros., housed in a classic, one-hundred-year-old brick building on King Street East. It made me feel like I was in a foreign film, shot in black and white. Impossibly high shelves, filled with a multitude of Italian goods, always entertained me and I never left the store unhappy. Fabulously restored, the first floor has appropriately been re-born as The Chefs’ House, a...

215 King St. E.
(647) 260-0496

Amidst a busy service of hungry noon hour diners there is hardly an empty table at Mercatto's Toronto Street location. In this economy, one may assume that serious eaters are grappling with the negative effects thrift spending has to the their noon hour budgets. Clearly, pasta is recession kryptonite, because all I'm seeing is a procession of pizzas, pastas and coffees making their way to each hun...

15 Toronto St.
(647) 259-8684

There seems to be 2 ways to do a steak restaurant these days: 1. Travel back in time to the days of iceberg lettuce with blue cheese dressing, baked potatoes swathed in layers of butter and sour cream and steaks the size of your torso, complete with gristle and a thick band of fat. 2. Go completely modern and have everything come out on white oval or square platters, do onion rings with pan...

12 Brant St.
(416) 366-0200

What used to be a glum furniture store has been completely transformed into The Local Company, a new swishy, spacious 2-story restaurant-lounge that feels way more King West than the Danforth. This is a new direction for the Danforth, as Creative Director Aleksandra Jassem attests to. “[The Local Company] is very lofty and contemporary, a big and open space. It’s very different than othe...

511 Danforth Ave.
(647) 258-7234

The idea of charcuterie has been floating around Toronto's food periphery for a few years now. Back in the early 2000s, it was heralded as the dominant emerging food trend. Sadly, the movement didn't materialize, regardless of notable chefs, such as Mark Thuet, doing their best to propel the art of cured meats, terrines, pates and sausages into every foodie's vernacular – but it rarely popped of...

928 Dundas St. W.
(416) 551-8854

Forget about California, the Mediterranean, or even Muskoka. A new retreat awaits us in Unionville! Within the rustic ambience of this wine-country inspired restaurant is a well kept secret that has to be uncorked. With their focus on wine, local ingredients, and their wood fired oven, a short drive here will give the feel of a weekend cottage getaway. Awarded the Wine Spectator award of excell...

4261 Highway 7
(905) 475-6999

You know the old adage...good things come in small packages. Well that certainly applies to one of central Toronto's hottest new restaurants, The Harbord Room,. Hot pink walls poke fun at the whole designer concept and an elegantly cheeky painting of Sid Vicious swaggeringly winks at me from the wall opposite the bar. Co-owner Dave Mitton (Chehoski fame) mans the bar; Cory Vitiello and Curt Mar...

89 Harbord St.
(647) 258-7956

I walk through the doors at 5pm sharp. I've been warned to get to Pizzeria Libretto early as I'm told they fill up pronto. Lime green walls, dangling lights, rustic banquettes, and a communal dining table make for lots of conviviality. There's a buzz in the air and while I wait to be seated, I lean on the bar to inspect an interesting looking bottle. The bar man tells me it's "just reverse osmosis...

221 Ossington Ave.
(416) 532-8000

Last summer, Grace Restaurant opened on College Street in the space formerly occupied by Xacutti. It was well received, while also becoming the eye of a media storm due to published photos of celebrity on-and-off couple Rachel McAdams (who lives in the neighborhood when she's not making movies abroad) and Ryan Gosling. But that's not what makes Grace attention-worthy. After Xacutti closed in...

503 College St,
(416) 944-8884

The world has a lot to say about the AGO's new restaurant, FRANK. With a bizarre distaste for Frank Gehry's influence on the restaurant, the space has been likened to a subway, a train station and an airport. However, while a pervasive aura of modernism does exist in the restaurant, it still remains that it isn't always where you sit, but what you eat, that is the focus of the AGO's new restaurant...

317 Dundas St. W.
(416) 979-6688

Who is Mildred, and what is the connection between her temple and kitchen? The answer is as individual as our own dining experience. After much anticipation from its devoted patrons the new Mildred re-opened in Liberty village, with a new philosophy: to move away from meat, potatoes and starch towards a healthy, clean living food style. It is green without being scary. Like many interesting s...

85 Hanna Ave., Suite 104
(416) 588-5695

Tucked inside a pretty Yorkville courtyard is a new destination for those who keep tabs on the pulse of the city. An acronym of her two children’s names and a passion for cocoa, MoRoCo, Kelly Kimel’s new labour of love, is Toronto’s new indulgence. Hip and romantic, this former art gallery has never been more artfully tended. Every nuance, every accoutrement of the French inspired decor, has...

99 Yorkville Ave.
(647) 260-0503

In the good ol' days of the American Goldrush, there were bars and there were barkeeps... and then there was the pioneer, “Professor” Jerry Thomas. Not only was he the author of one of the first books on cocktails, The Bon Vivant's Companion, he was also the man responsible for establishing the image of a bartender as a creative professional. Over 100 years later and Toronto has its own pio...

472 Queen St. W.
(416) 868-4800

When you think of hotel restaurant, you either think: 1. way too uppity and expensive, or 2. there’s no way it’s nice enough for a night out Well, that’s all changed now that Trios Bistro has come to town. Located in the Downtown Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre, it is a stunning dining room and lounge with beautifully sculptured lighting, bright modern art and spacious, cozy seating. W...

525 Bay St.
(416) 204-9018

It’s Friday night in Thornhill and this place is hopping. The darkened room is filled with table of friends, families and couples enjoying a romantic meal. A trio plays jazz standards and will soon be followed by a DJ scheduled to entertain the late-night crowd. Laughter peals out and glasses clink as my companion and I sit in a cozy banquette in the front; i.e., the most requested spot in the r...

8199 Yonge St.
(905) 695-9034

Picnic. That's a word that evokes a spread of food on a long table in wonderful weather from spring to fall. There are even some hearty souls that would rough it in cold weather as long as the day is sunny. Alternatively, you can just make your way over to PicNic Winebar in the Riverside/Leslieville part of Queen Street East. You'll find yourself in a room that's modern but rustic and as open as t...

747 Queen St. E.
(647) 435-5298

Indian food warms your body—and what a welcome reprieve from a cold wintery evening. For those of us who are drawn to the exotic spices and curries of India that paint a spectrum of colourful flavours, they’ve got it all here. It’s a perfect introduction for curious foodies—both the adventurous and the tame. Eighty different items, prepared by a team of eight chefs each with their own resp...

8150 Dixie Rd.
(905) 595-2597

To many in the city, the penultimate Italian dining experience is marked by robust plates of spaghetti bolognese that posses little more then rustic charm in a homey atmosphere. At Folco's Ristorante in Markham Village, a chef's inspiration elevates Italian dining to proliferate a subtle fusion of international flavours into weekly features that sing. Opening Folco's in 2002 was a venture that ne...

42 Main St. N.
(905) 754-0559

Stepping into Chic Chinoise Lounge is like stepping into a bubble. To be more specific, a pleasing silvery bubble that makes me think of the sparkle of champagne. Silver leather and beaded curtains; cascades of glass bubbles line chocolate cream walls with circular cutouts that give an Art Deco feel. Somehow, this manages to promote the most pleasant calm. The sound system plays elegant jazz that ...

214 King St. W.
(647) 259-8681

Ali Meghji owned a doughnut shop, a bakery and a variety store before he trained to be a mechanic. But he has found his true calling with his current restaurant, British Style Fish And Chips. Ali, who was born in Tanzania, first bought the restaurant two years ago and, with the help of his family, has turned British Style into one of the best spots in Toronto for authentic fish and chips. Lo...

73 Coxwell Ave.
(416) 698-7778

Miriam Cosalini loves people. It’s clearly what she is meant to do—talk with people and make them feel good. Miriam owns La Scala Ristorante along with her restaurateur husband, Hector, and for the last four years, they have been serving a loyal clientele that seem more like extended family members than customers. “Customers are like my guests. We give them the very best,” Miriam s...

2-2601 Matheson Blvd. E.
(647) 260-0631

Last year I went to Amaya the Indian Room and was stunned by the sheer excellence of the food. So when I heard that Hemant Bhagwani and Derek Valleau opened another location with a twist, Amaya’s Bread Bar, I was excited but tentative— could they recapture the same excitement and ingenuity in a location north of Lawrence on Yonge? I am happy to say yes they did. The food remains Indian ...

3305 Yonge St.
(416) 487-1100

A restaurant team doesn’t get much better than this: Executive Chef David Lee, General Manager Yannick Bigourdan and Franco Prevedello are the proprietors of the new Nota Bene Restaurant located at Queen and University. The idea behind Nota Bene is to bring the quality of food from Splendido - their “sister” restaurant -to those who might not want to pay Splendido prices. That is not to...

180 Queen St. W.
(416) 977-6400

On the desolate and rather industrial looking Sudbury Street, you would only find Oasi if you knew it existed. Without any obvious signage, the plant enclosed patio might tempt the curiosity of the odd passerby, but it is November. Cold and grey November. However, walking inside 99 Sudbury Street from the dreary outdoors is like walking out of the desert and into an oasis. There's a big party g...

99 Sudbury St.
(647) 258-8635

Every neighborhood in the city deserves a hangout. A convivial spot where the drink is always flowing and staff knows patrons by name. On the outskirts of Mississauga lies just such a place, Sky Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge. As a plaid carpeted haven for power lunchers, it attracts a steady daytime clientele, however, the evenings, such as on the Tuesday I visited, the restaurant often falls vi...

2680 Skymark Ave.
(905) 625-9896

At a time when the dining out experience has been mired in traffic and parking, it’s high time we ask: why schlep all over town when there’s a culinary gem right in our own neighbourhood? Within the quiet Forest Hill village enclave, Matt Schein has provided the answer. Hope Street Café, on the northeast corner, is his popular restaurant from breakfast onwards, so to accommodate the overf...

413 Spadina Rd.
(647) 260-0614

A fresh white space with room to lounge is a welcome change to the normally cramped, dark venues in what I call the “Barmuda Triangle” or as it’s more commonly known—the Entertainment District. At Dazzling Modern Restaurant & Bar, the light, airy, modern feel is a perfect setting for both the office folks of Bay and King Streets, and the tourist, theatre and club crowds. There are 3 ...

291 King St. W.
(416) 506-8886

Anticipation is a delicious word. It’s that current of excitement that courses through the air, making each intake of breath a little richer and a little more palatable. It’s what one would imagine Diana Sideris and Rony Goraichy, the wife-and-husband duo, felt as they renovated and reopened their restaurant, Tabülè, in early October, much to the delight of their loyal midtown patrons. ...

2009 Yonge St.
(647) 258-7961

Benihana is housed in the elegant grand dame of Toronto hotels, The Fairmont Royal York. As one of the first Japanese restaurants in Toronto to offer the teppanyaki dining experience, Benihana is still pulling in crowds and wowing them. Classic Japanese decor calms at first. The walls wear kimonos as art and both the intimate cocktail bar and the sushi bar beckon me to opt for sushi before hea...

100 Front St. W.
(647) 259-8689

It’s easy to forget true flavours when we are so used to preservatives, additives and hidden ingredients that we can’t even pronounce. We often don’t know where our food is coming from let alone what’s in it. True promotes organic produce as much as possible, without any chemicals, antibiotics, pesticides, genetic modifications, preservatives or nitrates and you can really taste the diffe...

69 Yorkville Ave.
(416) 925-8783

Vesuvio’s Pizzeria & Spaghetti House is the first and oldest pizzeria and spaghetti house in Toronto. And Piera Pugliese and her husband Ettore know Italian food. Ettore and his brother Corrado have had the restaurant since 1957 – over 50 years! And Ettore, who just celebrated his 70th birthday, is still making the pizzas! Piera, her beautiful daughter, Paola and Corrado’s wife, Rita...

3010 Dundas St.W.
(416) 763-4191

For 50 years, Camarra Pizzeria Ristorante, the iconic Italian pizzeria has been offering Toronto a delicious slice of Italy that is envied by many, and matched by none. A family restaurant in the true sense of the term, Camarra is still run by Elisa Camarra Valentini, whose family owned a supermarket and pastry shop in Abruzzo, Italy. In 1958, six months after Elisa and her family moved to Toronto...

2899 Dufferin St.
(647) 258-7975

Don’t be afraid to venture outside of the downtown core to find the best Italian in the city. It’s been over a month since I found myself sitting at a table at St. Clair West’s favorite family-run Italian eatery, La Bruschetta. Since then I’ve fell asleep dreaming of pillowy soft home-made gnocchi and woke up craving zucchini flower fritters – a shared affliction amongst locals, celebri...

1317 St. Clair Ave. W.
(647) 260-0816

The first thing you'll notice upon entering Le Pain Quotidien at 580 Eglinton Avenue West, is the sheer breadth and space of the bistro. Rustic in both charm and décor, the restaurant serves simple pleasures such as coffees in bowls and trios of homemade, 100% pure fruit jams; the bistro has a relaxed, yet chic atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re still part of the city. The wo...

10 Yorkville Ave.
(416) 926-7555

For many, the perception of what can be considered Canadian cuisine occupies an area including fries, gravy, cheese and occasionally beer. For those seeking something more authentic than the local chip stand’s poutine, dining at Le Papillon has always been a reliable choice that exuded rustic charm and traditional Québec fare. Now, Sandra Kane, one of the restaurant’s original owners,...

69 Front St. E.
(647) 258-7964

It’s certainly an interesting concept – every dish made at Four Restaurant is less than 650 calories. Where better to launch, this concept, than in Commerce Court South at the corner of Bay and Wellington. Here in Toronto’s downtown financial district, hurried business people strive to grab quick and healthy lunches in between conference calls and urgent emails. And it’s clear; there...

187 Bay St.
(647) 260-0755

Just because there are framed hockey jerseys on the wall and televisions over the bar and throughout the restaurant, do not think for a second that Meating at the Bottom Line Steakhouse Restaurant is a sports bar. Yes, it is owned by an ex-NHL hockey player (Wayne Cowley, who retired from the league in 2001, but still plays 20 games a year), but this is a place to connect with friends and colle...

22 Front St. W.
(416) 362-7585

There are few restaurants that I think really take your breath away upon entering. However, C5 Restaurant Lounge really is a place where your mouth drops open and you turn from left to right, taking in the space’s awe-inspiring beauty. The restaurant is located at the “pinnacle” of the new Michael Lee-Chin Crystal in the Royal Ontario Museum, and provides an ultra modern, bright white setti...

100 Queen's Park
(647) 260-0531

A misprint rallied lovers of fine dining to Susur this past spring. Apparently the restaurant was closing after eight gastronomical years. However, a quick turnaround saw Susur reopen in July as Madeline's, precipitating a collective sigh of relief, as waves of excited foodies returned to 601 King St West. Although Susur Lee is indeed opening a new restaurant in New York’s lower east side this O...

601 King St. W.
(416) 603-2205

"Kin khao rue yang?" a greeting common in Bangkok means: “have you eaten?” Sit in Bangkok, Toronto's newest Thai restaurant, poses a contemporary spin to this query. “The old style is not our style,” owner and hostess Sutthilak tells me, adding that if we were to travel to Bangkok today this is the kind of restaurant we would see. Although there are no golden Buddhas or traditional ornamen...

713 College St. W.
(416) 533-9932

Cowbell Restaurant’s Co-Owner and Executive Chef Mark Cutrara is all about going back to the way food and farming used to be. "We are treating all ingredients as precious commodities, as farmers did." And supporting local farmers is what Mark truly believes in. "We're offering different product than most restaurants," he says. For one thing, he's challenging your preconceived notio...

1564 Queen St. W.
(416) 849-1095

August’s gemstone is peridot, so there’s no better time than the present to celebrate Peridot Resto Lounge, conveniently located steps from the corner of Yonge and Bloor. Formerly, there hasn’t been much in the way of fine dining in the area, but Peridot’s changed that with their chic décor, fresh and local cuisine and expansive space suitable for everything from private events to ...

81 Bloor St. E.
(647) 260-0643

It's rare these days that you come across a family-owned restaurant. Here at El Rincon Mexicano Restaurant on St. Clair Avenue West, you get to meet the whole family - Mom, sons, daughter and daughter-in-law! Luis Morgado and his family do everything. "I do the numbers. My sister Cristina takes care of the staff, George the kitchen." And Mom, also named Cristina, works in the kitchen in...

653 St.Clair Ave.W
(647) 260-0797

The walls are made from chunky stone blocks reminiscent of mid 19th century Toronto. Large wooden beams accent the room, and provide contrast to the glitzy chandeliers. The bar-length mirror sweeps broadly across the room. What we have is a spot that can come to the rescue of almost anyone wondering about the wonderfully restored neighborhood known as the Distillery District. I've been to Tappo...

55 Mill St. Bldg. #3
(647) 258-7241

I have no idea if anyone ever went to Versace’s Driveway on College, but it’s gone now anyway. In its place is Sidecar, a new restaurant owned by Casey Bee and Bill Sweete, who is also Executive Chef. Brick on one side, old tavern on the other, it’s an odd space, but surprisingly homey. A curved, open kitchen at the back and curved bar in front keep it interesting as does its size (seats j...

577 College St.
(416) 536-7000

Like the characters in Alice Through the Looking Glass, patrons passing through the heavy antique doors of Spice Route enter a space vast enough to be considered another land. Born of the visionary duo that is Charles Khabouth and Nick Di Donato, Spice Route brings together Project Creative Director, Nadia Di Donato, Executive Chef Winlai Wong and artist Douglas MacRae to create an exotic world of...

499 King St. W.
(647) 260-0803

Owner Amir Karmali calls Coquine a “casual upscale restaurant. We consider ourselves as European – the menu just happens to have a lot of French dishes.” It’s a confusion that has plagued the restaurant since its beginning, but it hasn’t stopped the lines outside or the dining room and bar from being packed. “We don't claim to be bistro,” Amir tells me. “We are modern with ...

2075 Yonge St.
(416) 322-6767

It’s hard to be wowed by seafood in Toronto. It’s not like being in Cape Cod or Vancouver, areas situated right on the shore and the fish that is brought in is only hours old. But at Chiado, a Portuguese restaurant on College that is celebrating its seventeenth year in business, the seafood is flown in from Portugal daily, so that you are receiving the freshest fish and oh my, the variety!...

864 College St.
(416) 538-1910

In Toronto, new restos get a lot of initial attention and press and Kultura was not immune. But unlike some flash in the pan establishments, 2 years after opening Kultura continues to draw people for drinks, dinner and, while it was available, brunch. This is due to the highly successful team of Hanif Harji and Roger Mooking. The duo Operating Managers recently opened Nyood (pronounced nude...

169 King St. E.
(647) 259-8628

There aren’t too many genuine, family-owned and run businesses these days, but here is one that has been around for over two decades. Manager Randy Mickevicius (formerly of the Beaches Spiggia) is proud of his family’s accomplishments. His uncle Allan and his wife, with their son John and nephew Randy run the business now, but “it was originally purchased by Allan’s brother in the eigh...

263 Lakeshore Rd. E.
(289) 291-5302

It's not often that you see Nepalese dishes on the menu. But thanks to Mount Everest Restaurant, just east of Spadina, we can revel in the wondrous and unusual spices and flavours that Nepal has to offer. Owners Niraj Adhikari and Dibesh Regmi have created a unique place that offers both dishes from Nepal, where they are both from, and India. Both owners studied hospitality and decided to...

469 Bloor St. W.
(416) 964-8849

Lil’ Baci is one of those neighbourhood joints where you can take the whole family, yet get a really good homemade meal for a decent price in a warm, fun atmosphere. Sitting down at one of the tables up at front, I check the chalkboard. It states the Antipasti, which changes daily. Choose 1 for $4, 3 for $10 or 5 for $16. There’s balsamic oregano roma tomatoes, roasted red peppers, roa...

892 Queen St. E.
(416) 465-4888

Dewan Haider has been in fine dining for a long time now. He worked as a waiter from 1999-2003/4 in some of the cities finest restaurants – Truffles, Four Seasons, Jump and he helped open Canoe and then stayed on there for 2 years. “I looked into all the details at Spendido, North 44, Bymark,” he tells me in his newly opened restaurant Jaadu at Yonge and St. Clair. “We went with...

1415 Yonge St.
(416) 944-8885

When you walk into a place that you’ve never been and feel like you’re at home, you know they’re doing something right. I’m at L’unita Restaurant and it’s a Monday night, seemingly an early dinner hour, but the place is busy. The boys behind the counter, David Minicucci and Sam Kalogiros, are the Co-Owners and Partners, yet they’re making drinks, taking folks to their table, joking...

134 Avenue Road
(416) 964-8686

309 Dhaba Indian Excellence’s Owner and Executive Chef P.K. Ahluwalia is inspired by people on a daily basis. That’s why he created the Tasting Menus (including French Rack of Lamb with fresh papaya, Winter Warmth Menu (Mmm - venison!) and comes up with drinks and dishes on the spur of the moment. “All of my food is inspired by people,” he says. P.K. decides upon a drink for me. There ...

309 King St. W.
(647) 260-0770

When you taste Chef Sasi’s style of cooking, you realize her devout dedication to perfection and excellence. Growing up in a small village in Thailand, cooking was what made her heart beat faster. Her love was one thing, but learning to be the best in her country was quite another. Mengrai Gourmet Thai at 82 Ontario St. is brand new. Word has spread, and people are saying it’s the best t...

82 Ontario St.
(647) 258-6993

Vijay Karumanchi was designing fashion and working in interior design in India during the mid-Nineties, but he has long been into the 3 basic necessities: food, clothing and shelter. So it’s not entirely surprising he ended up here in Toronto owning 5th Elementt Restaurant on Bay Street. A place where the sleek décor welcomes you and a menu of Italian and Indian fusion delights your sens...

1033 Bay St.
(416) 923-8159

Unless you were under a rock this past year, you know that Sassafraz burned to the ground from a fire in the kitchen on December 13, 2006. It left only the bare bones in the rubble. The space was rebuilt, reconfigured and redecorated in only 9 months. The menu and food was reconsidered and changes were made. The kitchen evolved into 2 levels. And it was transformed into a newly wheelchair acc...

100 Cumberland St.
(647) 260-0850

Amaya the Indian Room is smaller than you might expect. It has only 46 seats, including the bar, and looks more bistro than fine Indian. But Amaya the Indian Room has been packed since its opening, due to the owners Derek Valleau (from Crush) and Hemant Bhagwani (Mantra in Burlington, Kamasutra Indian Restaurant & Wine Bar) and Executive Chef Kirti Singh’s exquisite dishes. This section o...

1701 Bayview Ave.
(416) 322-3270

Sometimes a chef’s popularity can precede their latest establishment. We’ve seen this happen with Mark McEwan, Jamie Kennedy and Greg Couillard. Well now people will have to forget about Tom Thai’s spectacular sushi from his days at Tempo (the first non-Italian restaurant on College) and Youki. Sure he was a master, but he’s onto new things now and he is excited about them. But peo...

207 Ossington Ave.
(416) 534-8520

There are tons of Greek restaurants on the Danforth between Broadview and Pape. But nothing that offers dishes like these. I should know. I live nearby and have tried most of them. But here at Avli Restaurant, you can get things like Lamb Shank, Vegetable Moussaka complete with chickpeas, celery and green beans, and get ready for it - Rabbit Pie! Sure you can get souvlaki of any kind here...

401 Danforth Ave.
(647) 260-0524

The Grille Restaurant & Bar is a casual, yet elegant restaurant that is open 24 hours a day. This is fantastic for the area, being right on the Queensway in “Downtown West”, as it’s being called, there is steady traffic whether it’s 3 pm or 3 am. Which means, you can have an all day breakfast, brunch lunch or large dinner at whatever time of day suits you. This is great for our pr...

1596 The Queensway
(647) 260-0505

Dining at Vertical Restaurant and Bar is one of those memorable culinary experiences that you will come to think of often. Whether you are sitting in one of the dramatic, modern private dining rooms out on one of the chicest covered patios this city has to offer (complete with nearby waterfall and so large it can accommodate small groups) or in the main dining area where it feels like you are f...

100 King St. W.
(647) 258-7985

September is electric with the arrival of the annual Toronto International Film Festival. Party-goers and celebrities know that after the red carpet events they can come to Lolita’s Lust & The Chinchilla Lounge where they can have a great time and tuck into a sexy, yet comforting, meal. Owner Sam Scanga likes this time of year and all the events surrounding the festival. “I always look fo...

513 Danforth Ave.
(647) 260-0789

Up above the world so high sits Great Cooks on Eight, a restaurant and cooking studio atop the Hudson’s Bay Centre. The panoramic view from the restaurant is breathtaking - I am eye level with the top of Old City Hall and it is humbling being next to such history and architectural beauty. And then there’s the sleek, open space that is warmed by blonde wood tables. Quite the place to spend y...

401 Bay St.
(647) 258-7980

Continuing the rigorous precedence established by sibling restaurants On the Curve Hot Stove & Wine Bar as well as Ten Restaurant & Wine Bar, West 50 Pour House & Grille operates on a similar principal; the perfect pairing of drink to meal is synonymous to a fine dining experience. However, at West 50, it is the over 105 varieties of draught beer available to pair with any of chef Olaf Mertens h...

50 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W.
(647) 260-0607

It is not often that you get a view of the Lake in Toronto, but today is especially exciting. It is the first really warm (no jacket required) and sunny day in the city and people are out in full force. The bike path is full of riders, walkers and rollerbladers enjoying the city scape. The sun is streaming into the dramatic black-and-white dining room of Casa Mendoza despite the dinner hour. ...

2161 Lakeshore Blvd. W.
(647) 260-0818

The exotic tastes of India travel well, and they’ve found a cozy home in the bustling, King Street entertainment district. With owner/chef P.K. at the helm, nothing is lost in translation. Dhaba means a little roadside restaurant in India, and they are a common sight. But what bonds the hungry wayfarer in India with the foodie adventurer in Toronto? It is the search for good Indian food that...

309 King St. W.
(647) 260-0770

People are always telling us about special restaurants. In the last month, five people have told me how much they absolutely loved Politica Restaurant and Bar. Nick Dominelli greeted us. He is the owner, builder and recently ran for City Council. We loved this restaurant so much we stayed there for five hours. The food and ambiance are superb. I have had ribs before. They are okay. The Mang...

127 Strachan Ave.
(416) 366-0990

Globe Bistro is changing the face of the Danforth. With its fine dining experience that takes place in a converted old cinema, it is both warm and light all at once. The space is bright and open when most establishments are changing to dark and heavy fixtures and furnishings. The high ceilings and subtle lighting lend a sexy feel to the space, though the paintings covering the walls might he...

124 Danforth Ave.
(416) 466-2000

The last time I went to Kokkino, I was joining a group for a casual dinner on a frigidly cold winter night. The warm Mediterranean vibe and the parade of plates that continued to grace the table soon changed the impact of the weather on my pysche. That's the thing about Greek food. It's an experience of abundance. Fast forward to summer and overflowing patios and the vexing question of which Greek...

414 Danforth Ave.
(647) 260-0836

Never before have I been to a restaurant that has featured as much as Ten Restaurant & Wine Bar. Maybe it’s because it’s a large space – 195 seats downstairs (including the patio and bar) and 80 seats on the second level – but look at the incredible versatility of the place. General Manager Jody Ashton takes me through the dizzying array of events, specials and features of the restaur...

139 Lakeshore Rd. E.
(647) 258-7256

Dreams are a way of reaching for the sky and beyond. John and Vivian came from Mexico with love in their hearts to Canada three years ago. Today they run Johny Banana Restaurant at 181 Bathurst St. This is one authentic Mexican restaurant. You must start with the Licuados. This is the Spanish word for shakes. With over thirty to choose from, I think I am a kid again. Not all nachos are created...

181 Bathurst St.
(416) 304-0101

From the outside it looks like a family restaurant chain, but here at St. Clair and O'Connor, this is the one and only location for Jawny Bakers. For the last 15 years, in fact. Brother and sister team Tom and Olga Zoras have owned the restaurant since its opening 15 years ago, and to make it truly a family affair, "Mom helps with the cleaning and Dad shops at the market everyday,” accordin...

804 O'Connor Dr.
(416) 285-1165

A little bungalow off the beaten path might not be your idea of fine dining, but just wait until you have the food. Just past King and Bathurst, along Niagara Street, sits a small burgundy house, the colour of an old Chevy. As you enter Niagara Street Cafe, the butter yellow accents and simple tables and bistro chairs make you feel like you are visiting someone’s home. And you are. Owner...

169 Niagara St.
(647) 258-7237

Should you find yourself driving east of Toronto (or want to sail away from a downtown yachting location!) take a detour to the Waterfront Bistro on Liverpool Road. Pulling up to the restaurant, I feel as if I'm in another country, instead of just driving in off the 401. There’s something 'far away' about it. Cape Cod, Florida's intracoastal waterway...that type of feeling. The bar area ove...

590 Liverpool Rd. S.
(647) 260-0602

WE'RE LOOKING for fun in all the right places-so we head to Danforth. Since the news of the week is so grim we are becoming paranoid, we need an evening of music, dancing, good food and wine to regain our equilibrium. Christina's patio is enclosed by window walls for the winter, and though there are adequate electric heaters, these tables are favored by those who get over heated by the action ...

492 Danforth Ave.
(647) 260-0502

It's not often that both great French food and affordable land in the same sentence, but Chef and Proprietor Paul Biggs wants to make his food accessible to everyone. "All things considered, it's reasonable," he says. Most entrees are about $20 - $24 and there is a 3-course pre fixe dinner for $29.95. Brunch and lunch options are also affordable. Paul, who grew up in Don Mills, has almos...

30 Baldwin St.
(647) 260-0758

Single mothers face incredible life challenging decisions daily. Ruth Fertel, a New Orleans divorced mother, faced a dilemma in her life. She could not afford to send her boys to college in her situation. What she did was borrow enough money to open up a small 35-seat restaurant. Today that restaurant is called Ruth's Chris Steak House. Appetizers here are a true testament to good food. Mu...

145 Richmond St. W.
(416) 955-1455

We did our first TV show at Joso's Restaurant. Joso, himself, was our first guest on our radio show. In short, for me, it's a place to treasure. As it is for anyone who dines there. Joso's calamari really is one of the best. Ask Robert De Niro or any of the other Hollywood stars who frequent the restaurant when they're in town. Once you taste Joso's clams or mussels, others will be thr...

202 Davenport Rd.
(416) 925-1903

When I step into La Vecchia Ristorante, I feel as though I'm back in Italy. It reminds me of old fashioned Italian restaurants, especially with the movie photos of famous Italian stars hanging throughout the place. It feels warm and full of life and that's another hallmark of the country for someone like me. The menu is old world, with a strong focus on fresh, quality cuisine. There's no fooling ...

2405A Yonge St.
(647) 258-7472

Lights, camera, action. All eyes are on Nipun Sharma, owner of Rasoee -- The Indian Kitchen. He is to give the performance of his life. Great Indian food with prices much below others, cooked with passion and tradition with memorable flavours never overbearing and fiery. Chicken Tandoori is served with rice or homemade naan bread. My goodness Elizabeth, they do make their own bread! My fav...

140 Spadina Ave.
(416) 868-6200

Imagine for a moment you are at a Polish/Jewish wedding. Everyone is there and they are ready to laugh, talk, share stories and eat. Free Times Cafe on College has a Jewish buffet celebration on Sunday. It is called "Bella Did You Eat," and boy do they eat! This place is out of the past with its three small rooms. One room has a stage and it's there Klezmer music is played. I think it ...

320 College St.
(647) 260-0493

Many immigrants have come to Canada with a dream in their soul and determination in their hearts. Peter Hatzis came from Greece with nothing. He started working in the kitchen as a dishwasher. One day he told everyone he would build a palace. The Palace Restaurant on Pape is made up of dreams and kindness. Appetizers are plentiful and authentic. The Dolmadakia is ground beef and rice, rolled in...

722 Pape Ave.
(647) 260-0449

We’re here . The taxi driver stops at a grungy laneway between two downtown warehouses. I know my guest is thinking, “for this I got dressed up?” And while some people might feel intimidated by the burly gatekeeper at the velvet rope, I simply smile and say good evening. secure in the knowledge that we have a reservation at The Fifth, the hottest, rooftop terrace in the GTA. Half the fun ...

225 Richmond St. W.
(416) 979-3000

If you have never tried Dim Sum before, Spadina Avenue’s Bright Pearl Seafood Restaurant will give your taste buds the ultimate treat. Guarded by two giant stone lions, the entrance on St. Andrew St. will lead you up to the second floor’s cornucopia of delights. After being seated in the expansive dining room, listen to the chatter of happy customers and the clicking of china and chopstick...

346 Spadina Ave.
(647) 260-0812

“To have a restaurant where you’re involved in every department – we have total commitment to our clients and they keep coming back. They can sense it.” These are Owner and Executive Chef Mario Vena’s words. And he and his wife, Claire, are here in the morning to make sure everything is done properly. They are totally dedicated to the business and have had this upscale, Medit...

8432 Leslie St.
(905) 695-9036

B.Y.O.W. And just for the thrill of trying something that was forbidden by law until recently, we did just that. In fact, my friend Margaret, who does everything the right way, brought three different bottles in a portable wine caddy so that we could choose the appropriate wine with dinner. Toni Bulloni is a sliver of a restaurant. In front, there's a long bar on one wall, then it's up a few s...

156 Cumberland St.
(416) 967-7676

Didier Leroy is a French chef who does not bend to the whim of foodie fashion and taste trends. To simply call Didier a French chef is like saying that a Porsche is just car. Fifteen years ago when he emigrated from France to Toronto for the love of a woman (and how French is that) his first kitchen was Bistro 990, then Auberge Gavroche and on to the city’s finest French restaurants. Didier k...

1496 Yonge St.
(647) 260-0830

Ole. Ole. Ole. Thursday nights at Casa Barcelona they make the rafters sing with live Spanish music. Chef Eduardo Riviezzi Cohen is proud of his outpost of Iberian cuisine deep in the heart of Bloor West Village, though he insists he’s just an employee and that the real boss is his wife Nivia. After tasting one of the “must have” items at the top of the menu, “Our Nivias Sauce,” a coa...

2980 Bloor St. W.
(647) 260-0603

The city is like a giant board-game, and every decade or so, the pieces get shuffled by unseen forces of evolution. Right now, downtown is in transition, and temporary hoardings will soon be replaced by steel and granite multi-purpose skyscrapers. The condo population will need to eat. Will they stay downtown for dinner in the countless, restaurants that will come, or will they fan out to seek eth...

938 College St.
(647)260-0829

A friend of Caren’s called to me from the steps leading to front door of the restaurant, and asked if I wanted to see something very pretty. Intrigued, I followed him into the converted Victorian house, one of the few left standing in the area. We walked through the tiny restaurant, past the stairs leading to the second floor dining room, and out to the rear. To describe this sunken garden te...

158 Cumberland St.
(416) 962-5158

His name is on everyone’s lips. Mark McEwen, risk-taker, creative entrepreneur and master of gastronomic taste, whose career I have been documenting for about twenty years, has taken a step of enormous magnitude. Once again he is spinning the wheels of fortune and has gone way downtown. Though McEwen dabbled at diversification in the past with Marketta at Ave and Dav, and the extraordinary Terra...

66 Wellington St.
(416) 777-1144

Life does not play fair. We’re all in agreement on that. To balance the equation however, once in a while I feel the need to give a second chance. To be fair. First, a little history. Last February, I reviewed Brassai on the first night it opened. That’s something I don’t normally do, but I was given to believe it had been open much longer. At that time, service was irritating, several di...

461 King St. W.
(416) 598-4730

Why do people line up to get into Chez Cora for Sunday Brunch? While I’m waiting to find out, retired high school principle and franchisee James Kohles, doles out samples of the days smoothie to keep appetites at bay. He is busier and happier than ever since he bought into the Chez Cora chain that began in Quebec in 1987. Too bad however, about the end of those two-month, school days summer holi...

277 Wellington St.
(647) 260-0759

A small crowd has gathered on Front Street, their eyes glued to a trio of television monitors. Hockey game? Nude news? No. It’s Takesushi head sushi chef, Susuma Wada, doing a sushi video. Takesushi is now under new management by the owners of Nami and it has a whole new personality. Looking around the dramatic black and blue restaurant, with its latticed privacy walls between tables and a gr...

22 Front St. W.
(647) 260-0777

A photograph of Lucy and Ethel joyfully stomping grapes in a gigantic vat greets as you enter the vestibule of Crush Wine Bar. Very apropos to use that quintessential vintage scene from I Love Lucy. It's a visual cue for the patrons—they will easily enjoy the wine, warmth and casual sophistication of the updated space. As any good wine evolves and develops in the glass, Jamieson Kerr, proprie...

455 King St. W.
(416) 977-1234

“It gets pretty wild in the bar,” says the hostess with concern, “ maybe I should escort you through.” Could a slight twenty-something girl protect me from a wild bar? I can’t imagine that owner Jeff Stober, who spent $6 mil redecorating this down-at-the-heels hotel, would be happy to hear that his bar is full of rowdies. Forewarned, I expect to run the gauntlet through a scene of drunke...

1150 Queen St. W.
(416) 531-5042 x113

The best places to be last Friday afternoon to watch the opening of the Olympics were both called Athens. One, in Greece, the other at the Athens Restaurant on Danforth. Greek culture and traditional food reigned supreme. On Danforth, you could have danced naked in the middle of the empty street, and hardly anyone would have taken their eyes off the television screens this afternoon to pay attent...

707 Danforth Ave.
(416) 465-4441

You do not have to pour your own water or wine at Bellini’s, or ask for more fresh bread, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar or butter. The table is cleared between courses, and while no server hovers, there is a sense that they are there, watching, anticipating, ready to bound to your elbow before your needs become impatient demands. There is no need to request that the lights be di...

101 Yorkville Ave.
(647) 258-7959

Canada is a place where you can become anything you want. As a young boy, Peter Mueller delivered newspapers for two dailies. Many years later he became a waiter at Morton’s, where today, he is the general manager. In the past, Morton’s has been a place for me to celebrate so many things, but my most recent visit was just about three friends celebrating life. Appetizers at Morton’s are...

4 Avenue Rd.
(647) 260-0763

You are seventeen years old and saying goodbye to your parents. You feel a single tear fall down your face. Canada is your next destination and you are alone, an immigrant in a new land. Roberto Santillan left Peru and kept his dream alive until he became executive chef of Ba ba lứu Cuisine of the Americas and Supper Club. The tapas here are plentiful and original. Guacamole will make any...

136 Yorkville Ave.
(647) 260-0769

Something interesting happens when you walk along Roncesvalles Avenue. It takes you back to another time when Polish and German immigrants made the street a place where they could share their culture with others. Anna Pandor, who is of Polish descent, brought her passion for food and music to her new country, Canada. As a child, Chopin was the music of her life - everything about the great comp...

165 Roncesvalles Ave.
(416) 536-6228

Customs and traditions are the backbone of many cultures and religions. Everyone brings part of their culture to a new country. Romandeep returned home to India to meet his other half. Arranged by others, two people with great gifts of warmth and love were introduced and left to decide about their future together. Today, Pamilla and Romandeep Singh are married and own a delightful little restauran...

3034 Dundas St. W.
(416) 769-5460

It is life’s stories that make a place alive and Mama Martino’s is energized with real, heartfelt, tender love stories. Sitting across from me was Bruno Martino. His family and his staff shine with a brightness that reaches down to your heart and soul. Never in my life have I heard so many testimonials about what a restaurant has meant to so many people. We were sitting beside an enormous s...

624B The Queensway
(416) 251-3337

Breakfast is such a great start to the day. When I was a kid, my mom, Chicky, would have a breakfast celebration. Everyone would be at our house eating French toast and eggs. I didn't know half the people. My mom would say that's a new neighbour from two blocks away. Please, mom, I am still in my PJs! The Purple Onion Steakhouse and Grill brings back memories of breakfast at our house...

2998 Dundas St. W.
(416) 760-8208

Memories of our childhood are like lasting pictures in our minds. As a child, Bruno Colozza was always at his mother’s side at her hair salon, washing hair, cleaning up, and doing whatever was needed. Sadly, his mom Pierino passed when he was just 19 and the hair salon, The Maple Leaf Beauty Salon, is a memory. What Bruno has are the images of being with people and making them feel better when t...

111 Queen St. E
(416) 866-2111

High school was the most exciting time of my life and one of my fondest memories is winning the School Spirit Award at Central High School of Commerce. In high school, I acted in my first play, made new friends, and discovered Marty. However, the most important part of school was meeting my best friend Julius Ciss. I had never met anyone like him. He was talented and funny and most of all, he l...

1544 Bayview Ave.
(416) 932-0655

Everyone wants to go home sometime in their lives. Rosa Marinuzzi and her son, Vito, take you home every night to their restaurant 7 Numbers. Rosa is a wonderfully caring, warm, devoted person whose two loves are cooking and people. No one ever leaves her restaurant without an enormous hug and then a kiss. She touches your heart with her warmth and all the homemade food from her kitchen. Sh...

307 Danforth Ave.
(416) 469-5183

One person who sees you as you really are is your brother. He is usually your first friend and someone you can trust. George and Spiro Bozikis know how to work together. They started as young boys working in the kitchen of their father's diner and now they own a thriving business called Baton Rouge. After only a few minutes with the Brothers Bozikis, you know they have spent years together a...

216 Yonge St.
(416) 593-9667

This Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Nathan Phillips Square, the Thai Trade Centre of Toronto presents Tastes of Thailand, a celebration of the Thai people’s queen Sirikit’s 72nd birthday. This will be a day of Thai cultural dancers, music, performers and chef demonstrations. And, of course, 11 authentic Thai restaurants from around the Toronto area will be there demonstrating and selling th...

350 Bloor St.
(416) 924-7444

Mario Cassina grew up in Brazil with seven brothers and sisters. His life was filled with the love of his family and the dedication of two loving parents. Saying goodbye to them to leave for North America was one of the hardest things he ever had to do. Life in Canada was difficult at first, but Mario saved every penny and opened up Caju Restaurant at 922 Queen St. W. Caju serves Brazilian food...

922 Queen St. W.
(416) 532-2550

Pride is about being comfortable with who you are. Gay Pride week has begun. For many, it is the time to share their lifestyle with those around them. For Billy, one of the waiters at O’Grady’s Tap And Grill on Church Street, it is a time to celebrate with his family and friends who know he is gay. Billy takes pride in working at a restaurant that caters to all people. O’Grady’s is t...

518 Church St.
(416) 323-2822

College Street is known around the world. It is the street Johnny Lombardi nurtured, and it inspired a love that touched everyone’s heart. Immigrants came to Toronto and College Street and became a beacon in the storm. Sometimes when people leave their native land, there is the fear their spirit will be lost. College Street is a neighbourhood where the spirit of the community is a pulsating remi...

546 College St.
(416) 923-4138

It is my birthday and it is Mother’s Day and I debated where to go to celebrate my arrival in this world. Birthdays are a special time to me because they commemorate the starting points of new lives. Parents realize instinctively, even before birth, that every child needs their love to grow and birthdays are a celebration of that love. I chose La Passione Italiana at 1423 Yonge St., whe...

1423 Yonge St.
(647) 260-0849

Massimo Capra is a name that is special to many people who have visited his place, Mistura Restaurant. Massimo is also one of my most treasured friends, not to mention one of the stars of my television show, Beer Buddies, on Global TV Sundays at 3:30 p.m. For Massimo’s story you must imagine a boy leaving home at the age of 14 to follow his dream. This boy travelled thousands of miles on a jo...

265 Davenport Rd.
(647) 260-0656

Neighbourhoods are the backbone of life in Toronto. The neighbourhoods around Dundas and Dovercourt are rich in history and culture. Countless immigrants have come from around the world and made this part of Toronto their home. As is the case in our multi-cultural city many of these people came here in search of something, and all were hoping to start a new life in a new place. Julie Llewellyn ...

202 Dovercourt Rd.
(416) 532-7397

Just a hop, skip and jump from downtown Toronto is a wonderful, warm and inviting Italian restaurant called Aielli ristorante. Aielli is a great combination of both the comfortable neighbourhood eatery perfect for a weekday lunch, and a lovely destination restaurant suited for a romantic dinner or the celebration of a special occasion. This year, Aielli is celebrating its 30th anniversary, a true ...

286 Lakeshore Rd. E.
(905) 278-2183