CCAE 2012 Restaurants
RESTAURANT SUGGESTIONS
Salad King
340 Yonge Street, 2nd Floor
Tel: 416-593-0333
Type: Thai
Website: http://saladking.com
Price Range: $30 Gourmet
Closest to: Delta Chelsea
The return of Salad King, just under a year after the restaurant was forced to abandon its crumbling original premises, has been an exciting event for lovers of cheap and cheerful Thai food. The brightly coloured interior has a happy, caffeinated energy that’s even louder and more enjoyable than the original joint ever was. The food is the same: cheap, competently made, relatively fast and reliably filling. And yes, you can still get your spicing on a scale from mild (none, essentially) to 20 (best you wear an adult diaper). While the deep-fried spring rolls don’t quite cut it—there’s not enough filling and too many layers of wrapper—the spicy squid, with kefir lime leaves, sweet basil, bamboo shoots and bell peppers, is perfectly balanced: a bit of sweet, a bit of sour, some salty, earthy depth from fish sauce and plenty of chili spice. Tom yum soup is a bit too salty, and the shrimp, though not offensive, taste like they’ve been in the freezer a bit too long.
Adega
33 Elm Street
Tel: 416-977-4338
Type: Portuguese
Website: http://www.adegarestaurante.ca/
Rating: Good, 1 star
Price Range: Mains $18-36
Closest to: Delta Chelsea
In the moody calm of this dimly-lit room, couples connect over linen-covered tables, and Bay Street suits throw down over pricey bottles of wine. On a dual-identity menu, the traditional seafood dishes are more successful than the contemporary, Asian-tinged experiments. An amuse-bouche of raw tuna drizzled with sesame oil doesn’t have much flavour. A special of whole sea bass comes to the table with its spine in, its salty, grilled skin on and its moist white flesh simply accessorized with a sprinkling of capers. A good portion of squid is pleasantly charred, but the grilled pineapple alongside is mushy and superfluous. The sweet, caramelized fennel topping slices of house chorizo is a nice touch. The heavy dessert offerings are unthinkable after such big portions. A respectable selection of heady ports rounds out a massive, Mediterranean-focused wine list. Mains $18–$36.
Oro
45 Elm Street
Tel: 416-597-0155
Type: Continental
Website: http://www.ororestaurant.com/
Rating: Very Good, 2.5 stars
Price Range: Mains $20-40
Closest to: Delta Chelsea
Exposed yellow brick, starched white tablecloths and a candlelit hearth set the tone for the most polished option on Elm Street’s restaurant row. Tourists snuggle into the intimate banquettes for a romantic night; regulars hold court at the round tables, sipping cult cabs and broody barolos. The wine program goes well beyond the big-ticket reds: each dish is thoughtfully paired. Chef Stanley Yung’s sophisticated take on northern Italian cooking harkens back to the heyday of ’80s Cal-Ital cuisine. Grilled black cod falls into big, moist flakes at the touch of a fork; miso—an inescapable complement to this fish—amps up the umami of crisp roast fingerlings and lip-smacking butter sauce. Pistachio-crusted lamb, cooked perfectly medium, brings five melting ribs, pulled lamb in an intense tomato jus, light ricotta gnocchi, al dente green beans and asparagus. The plate, like the cod dish, is flavourful and beautifully executed. Service walks an unwavering tightrope between friendly and formal. Mains $20—$40.
Mercatto
220 Yonge Street
Tel: 647-352-3390
Type: Italian
Website: http://www.mercatto.ca/
Rating: Good, 1 star
Price Range: Mains $13–$26.
Closest to: Delta Chelsea
Mercatto has brought new life to the culinary dead zone of the Eaton Centre. Tourists seeking heavy spaghetti and meatballs will be thwarted by a more refined brand of artisanal Italian food. Mercatto exudes a casual and relaxed mood with a dark, industrial-chic space of exposed I-beams, filament lights and concrete floors. Although the menu largely consists of pizzas and pastas, the kitchen shows some ambition. The execution, however, needs fine tuning. A block of rosemary-infused pork belly has a beautifully crispy skin, but the meat is dry. Clumps of whole, fresh rosemary leaves are overkill on a pizza of smoked scamorza, spicy sausage and onion, though the crust delivers excellent chewy texture and good toasted flavour to complement the cheese. Toothsome tagliatelle is tossed in a tasty but overly oily almond-basil pesto. Desserts shine, especially a concoction of house-made caramel ice cream, caramel sauce, salted peanuts and whipped marshmallow served in a Mason jar. Mains $13–$26.
Matagali
69 Elm Street
Tel: 416-599-999
Type: Indian & Sri Lankan
Rating: Very Good, 2 stars
Price Range: Mains $10-15
Closest to: Delta Chelsea
There’s a ragged hominess to this basement room, with its ripped leather banquettes, but the food continues to sparkle. The chicken tikka kebab appetizer sets the bar high—huge pieces of white meat are deeply marinated, beyond tender and flavourful with a gentle smokiness from the tandoor. It’s worth a visit for this dish alone. The menu intersperses a few Thai dishes among the Indian ones, but the Thai spring rolls (with shrimp, crab and chicken) disappoint. Happily, Indian entrées are good: eggplant bharta is fragrant, smoky and creamy, with a touch of tomato. Lamb vindaloo, nicely spicy as requested, is a drier style of curry. Its sauce clings to chunks of lamb and potatoes. For sweets after the spice, gulab jamun, usually such a throwaway, is superb, dense and almost chewy. Mains $10–$15.
The Queen and Beaver
35 Elm St.
Tel: 647-347-2712
Type: Gastropub
Website: http://queenandbeaverpub.ca/
Rating: Very Good, 2 stars
Price Range: Mains $15–$23.
Closest to: Delta Chelsea
In a city dominated by foxy faux pubs, the Queen and Beaver stands out like a bright red telephone box. Manchester-born chef Andrew Carter puts to rest the tired notion that English food is a joke, delivering boldly flavoured, modern British fare. Fish and chips stars perfectly cooked haddock in a light, crispy coating with a herbaceous tartar sauce (unfortunately, the accompanying chips are soggy and over-salted). On one evening, a grilled pork chop is thick, pink and succulent, with sweet peas and verdant gnocchi-style dumplings soaking up the rich pan juices. The selection of subs is excellent, but the diverse wine list is better. Mains $15–$23.
Guu
398 Church Street
Tel: 416 977 0999
Type: Japanese tapas
Website: http://www.guu-izakaya.com/toronto/
Closest to: Delta Chelsea
Go early (by 5:30 pm or after 9:00 pm)
Terroni Adelaide
57 Adelaide St. E.
Tel: 416-203-3093
Type: Italian
Website: http://www.terroni.ca/
Price Range: Mains $18–$25.
Closest to: Eaton Centre - South near Queen side
Mementos of the Bel Paese accent the grandeur of the dining room, a 19th-century courthouse, but after 10 minutes of admiring the slick design and hipster servers who zip by with nary a nod of attention, the grandeur begins to fade—it’s hard not to feel ignored. The thin-crust pizza is among the city’s best, but the food is as inconsistent as the service. A summer special of a mixed grill meat plate, requested medium-rare, features a tiny, limp medium-well lamb chop apparently butchered with a letter opener, and a knob of beef, cooked blue, masquerading as a pancetta-wrapped tenderloin. The wine list is absolutely brilliant, featuring interesting bottles from every region of the boot at bargain prices. Mains $18–$25.
Joey Restaurants
1 Dundas Street West, Eaton Centre, entrance on Dundas between Yonge & Bay
Type: Canadian/American
Website: http://www.joeyrestaurants.com/food
Closest to: Yonge Dundas Square
Jack Astors Yonge-Dundas
10 Dundas Street East
Tel: 416.263.9800
Type: Canadian/American
Website: http://www.jackastors.com/locations/18/toronto-restaurants-yonge-dundas.html
Closest to: Yonge Dundas Square
Milestones
10 Dundas Street E
Tel: 416-598-2800
Type: Canadian/American
Website: http://www.milestonesrestaurants.com/home.php
Closest to: Yonge Dundas Square
Elephant & Castle
378 Yonge Street
Tel: 416-598-4003
Type: Pub
Website: http://www.elephantcastle.com/
Closest to: Yonge Dundas Square
Mr. Green Jeans
220 Yonge St., Toronto Eaton Centre
Tel: 416-979-1212
Type: Various
Website: http://www.mrgreenjeans.ca
Closest to: Yonge Dundas Square
Classic fish and chips, International starters, gourmet pizza, noodles, salads, signature sandwiches and burgers, fresh fish, grilled steaks, chicken and ribs, our extensive menu of over 200 items, will surely whet the most discriminating palette!
Baton Rouge
216 Yonge St., Toronto
Tel: 416-593-9667
Type: American
Website: http://www.batonrouge-restaurant.com/
Closest to: Yonge Dundas Square
Whether it’s a date, an office lunch, before the theatre or Sunday night with the folks. The service is always prompt and genuinely caring and the price is right, no question. Featured on our menu are premium-quality steaks selected from the Sterling Silver Program (the top 20% of AAA beef)."
Bannock
401 Bay St. ,
Tel: 416-861-6996
Type: Bistro
Website: http://www.oliverbonacini.com/Bannock.aspx
Price Range: Mains $12–$23.
Closest to: Eaton Centre – South near Queen St.
This casual Canadian comfort food place aims to update our idea of the nation’s cuisine. Are pickerel tacos wrapped in Chinese steamed buns and twanged with tamarind and chili sauce Canadian? Absolutely, if Bannock has anything to do with it. And so are fried bologna and eggs, grilled Alberta lamb rump and tofurkey scallopini. The menu is fun, with a great balance between light (chinook salmon served with watercress and lima beans) and colon crushing (the brilliant roast duck poutine pizza). Service is fast and friendly. Mains $12–$23. "
The Gabardine
372 Bay St.
Tel: 647-352-3211
Type: Gastropub
Website: http://www.thegabardine.com/
Price Range: Mains $13–$23.
Closest to: Eaton Centre – South near Queen St.
This friendly and inexpensive new gastropub feels more like an antidote to Bay Street than a part of it. The room is small, with just 50 seats, and the prices aren’t for masters of the universe: you can get a Stoli and tonic for $6 and a 600-millilitre bottle of Beau’s All Natural beer for $8. Even the wine list has plenty of interesting bottles under $50. But the cooking, by the young chef, Graham Pratt, is the clincher. On a good night, The Gabardine serves up some of the city’s best pub food. The umami bomb of a cheeseburger comes topped with intensely savoury oven-roasted tomatoes and old, stinky cheddar. The mac-and-cheese, baked with aged cheddar, provolone, chèvre and Parmesan, is creamy, salty perfection with a crumbly, heavenly top. Mains $13–$23.
Modus
145 King St. W.,
Tel: 416-861-9977
Type: Continental
Website: http://modusristorante.com/
Price Range: Mains $22–$38.
Closest to: King West-Entertainment District
Owner Sam Genkov and executive chef Bruce Woods follow the Financial District restaurant blueprint impeccably: polished servers, a protein-heavy menu, a lengthy wine list that will push—but not burst—the expense account, and an elegant interior of inoffensive neutrals. Woods, who made his name at Centro, creates high Italian dishes with modern flair. The first dish, seared tuna ringed with sweet pepper caponata, is under-seasoned, but the food improves with each course. Homemade duck and truffle squash agnolotti mixes sweet with gamy. Crunchy roasted celery elevates fork-tender lamb shank to the sublime. To finish, warm banana cream–filled fritters are simple and wonderful. Several bottles of wine under $40. Mains $22–$38.
Queen Mother
208 Queen St. W
Tel: 416-598-4719
Type: Thai
Website: http://www.queenmothercafe.ca/
Price Range: Mains $13.95 - $19.95
Closest to: Queen West
The Queen Mum, as the restaurant is affectionately known by its many regulars, was established in October 1978. It is housed in an historic 150+ year old building in the heart of the Entertainment District. We are famous for our fresh and flavourful Lao-Thai and pan-global cuisine, and sinful desserts. They can be enjoyed in our cozy and timeless cafe, or on our beautiful back GARDEN PATIO
Pizza Rustica
270 Wellington St. West
Tel: 416-260-0200
Type: Italian
Website: http://pizzarustica.ca
Closest to: King West-Entertainment District
Pizza Rustica hits the sweet spot between the Rogers Centre and clubland, offering an alternative to Dome grub and a solid foundation for a night of crantinis. The decor evokes a late-’90s suburban chain (jalapeño lights), and most of the menu follows suit. The portions are huge: mounds of pasta smothered in hearty sauces fill wide-lipped bowls, and loaf-sized panini ooze rivers of cheese. Calamari rings are beautifully fried and served with aïoli (decent) and Frank’s Red Hot (weird, but it works). The 20 pizzas on offer are reassuringly current. The thin crusts ably support thoughtfully combined, fresh ingredients. Rustica, the house special, is a highlight reel of a Mediterranean market in pie form: sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers and slivers of salty prosciutto meld with goat cheese over a tangy, thick blanket of tomato sauce. Service is swift to ensure prompt attendance for the first pitch. Mains $11–$16.
Korean Grill House
214 Queen Street West
Tel: 416-263-9850
Type: Korean BBQ
Website: http://www.koreangrillhouse.com/
Closest to: Eaton Centre – South near Queen side by Yonge Dundas Square
It’s go big or go home at this carnivore’s paradise. The boisterous split-level dining room is filled with the aromas of browning meat and char. The traditional Korean DIY setup makes for a fun, low-key evening: diners are surrounded by plates of raw food for cooking over an open flame at the table. Assorted banchan—pickled, preserved side dishes including kimchee, sprouts, and brilliantly crisp pickled daikon radish—whet the appetite for the main event. Sweet soy-marinated beef short ribs and ox tongue are delightfully chewy and tender. Chicken and pork are equally flavourful and fare better on the grill than bland, waterlogged fish fillets. The seafood bi bim bap is served in a hot stone pot that’s crammed with scallops, shrimp and squid swimming in spicy paste stained rice. The fiery heat is quelled by a cool tumbler of fresh, thirst-quenching lime soda with ice.
Korean Grill House
369 Yonge Street
Tel: 416-596-9206
Type: Korean BBQ
Website: http://www.koreangrillhouse.com/
Closest to: Delta Chelsea
It’s go big or go home at this carnivore’s paradise. The boisterous split-level dining room is filled with the aromas of browning meat and char. The traditional Korean DIY setup makes for a fun, low-key evening: diners are surrounded by plates of raw food for cooking over an open flame at the table. Assorted banchan—pickled, preserved side dishes including kimchee, sprouts, and brilliantly crisp pickled daikon radish—whet the appetite for the main event. Sweet soy-marinated beef short ribs and ox tongue are delightfully chewy and tender. Chicken and pork are equally flavourful and fare better on the grill than bland, waterlogged fish fillets. The seafood bi bim bap is served in a hot stone pot that’s crammed with scallops, shrimp and squid swimming in spicy paste stained rice. The fiery heat is quelled by a cool tumbler of fresh, thirst-quenching lime soda with ice.
Real Sports Bar and Grill
15 York St.
Tel: 416-815-7325
Type: Best Bars
Website: http://www.realsports.ca/bar
Eaton Centre – South near Queen side by Yonge Dundas Square
A sports bar on steroids, Real Sports is a 25,000-square-foot amphitheatre of game-watching excess with 199 HD flat screens, including one that’s two and a half storeys tall. The beer menu is supersized, too. With more than 70 domestic and international options, everyone from the Steam Whistle ($6.50) devotee to the Belgian Früli Strawberry Wheat Ale ($5.75) enthusiast leaves happy. The adventurous can try the beer blends, like Darth Maple ($7.55), which mixes Canadian, Murphy’s Irish Stout and tears of defeat.
Bar Volo
587 Yonge St.,
Tel: 416-928-0008
Type: Best Bars
Website: http://blog.barvolo.com/
Closest to: King West-Entertainment District
Father-and-son team Ralph and Tomas Morana run their 23-year-old Yonge Street bar with the zeal of new converts to the cult of brewing. A sort of town hall for Ontario’s earnest microbrew crowd, Bar Volo offers a rotating array of Ontario drafts and cask-conditioned ales, posted daily to Twitter. Denison’s Weissbier ($7), a hazy golden ale with spicy notes and citrusy freshness, is usually on tap, and a safe starting point for initiates. There’s also a staggering selection of international bottles, and something unusual is always emerging from the Moranas’ on-site nano brewery. They have two or three casks at a time; just ask for the house ale.
The Ballroom
145 John St.,
Tel: 416-597-2695
Type: Best Bars
Website: http://www.theballroom.ca/
Closest to: King West-Entertainment District
A Saturday night in the neon-and-flat-screen-lit Ball Room brings a barrage of retro bowling paraphernalia, inappropriate dancing, nearly naked club girls and C-list star spotting (mostly character actors from Being Erica). Although the beer selection is uninspired (Canadian, Moosehead), it’s still novel to have it delivered right to the lane. The overall mood is somewhat hallucinatory—like that gutter ball dream sequence in The Big Lebowski—especially when the servers tell you how much it costs to rent a lane for an hour (up to $65, plus shoe rental).
Spin Toronto
461 King St. W.,
Tel: 416-599-7746
Type: Best Bars
Website: http://toronto.spingalactic.com/
King West-Entertainment District
Entering the lower-level space—through unmarked steel doors down a barely marked King Street alleyway—you feel like you’re infiltrating an illegal Ping Pong ring. Tables are hard to come by (members, who pay $50 a month, often book them), and drinking in a basement while half-heartedly batting the ball is eerily reminiscent of adolescent Saturday nights. But, as they say, it gets better. The bar snacks are remarkably good. Grilled cheese sandwiches are the perfect accompaniment to an Ontario craft brew list that reads like a children’s book: Lawn Chair, Mr. Huff and the Barking Squirrel (all $6.25). After a few of those, you get very good at Ping Pong.
The Thompson Rooftop
550 Wellington St. W.
Tel: 416-601-3595
Type: Best Bars
Website: http://www.thompsonhotels.com/hotels/toronto/thompson-toronto/drink/rooftop-lounge
Closest to: King West-Entertainment District
Nowhere in Toronto can our world-class status be more easily confirmed than from a perch at the Thompson’s rooftop bar. Even in winter, the view is really that impressive, and it’s best enjoyed with a sophisticated drink. The Millionaire #3 ($15) —with Belvedere vodka, Cointreau, grenadine and raspberry syrup—is sweet but not cloying, thanks to whipped egg white. A pub grub–style menu (spring rolls, calamari) is adequate if uninspired, but, hey, that’s what the view is for.
Fionn MacCool's
181 University Avenue
Tel: 416-363-1944
Type: Irish Pub
Website: http://university.fionnmaccools.com/
Price Range: Mains $11-$19
Closest to: King West-Entertainment District
180 Panorama
51st Floor, 55 Bloor Street West
Type: Continental
Website: http://www.eatertainment.com/restaurants/panorama/
Closest to: Bloor & Yonge
Toronto's Best View and Highest Patios, Best cocktails, best view, most romantic ... the Toronto press rave about Panorama. Set atop the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre at Bay and Bloor, 180 Panorama offers guests a stunning view of both uptown and downtown Toronto as well as two of the country's highest patios. Our award winning cocktail menu and tapas style menu, created by Executive Chef Zack Jacobs, are matched with unsurpassed service for a truly outstanding experience.
Richtree Market
220 Yonge Street,
Tel: 416-351-8783 ()
Type: Various
Website: http://www.richtree.ca/
Closest to: Eaton Centre – South near Queen side