World City Guide

Restaurants

The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.

The city council passed a by-law requiring that all restaurants must be smoke-free. The exceptions to this new and somewhat contentious rule are eating establishments that define themselves as ‘bars’.

Restaurant prices are subject to a provincial sales tax (PST) of 8% (10% on alcohol) and a federal goods and services tax (GST) of 7%. All taxes are usually added to the bill at the end of the meal. In addition, it is customary to tip at least 15% for good service.

The prices quoted below are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they do not include service charge, tax or tip.

Gastronomic

Chiado
Located smack in the middle of Little Portugal, Toronto’s sizeable Portuguese community could not ask for a better ambassador. The simple, elegant decor is accentuated by the paintings that adorn Chiado’s walls. Seafood dominates, with fresh fish flown in daily – anything with tentacles finds a worthy end on the grill. Those partial to land-bound critters will find solace in the braised rabbit, pheasant or veal. No lunch weekends.

864 College Street, Little Portugal
Tel: (416) 538 1910. Fax: (416) 588 8383.
Price: C$65–70. Wine: C$30.

North 44
Named after Toronto’s latitude, North 44’s location in Toronto’s safe and franchise-ridden uptown has not stopped this internationally acclaimed restaurant from being the city’s most posh eating place for over a decade. Cold and steely from the outside but with a warm and artful interior, the menu changes with the seasons but everything – such as charred tuna sashimi, grilled quail and roasted venison rack – will be prepared to perfection. A recent renovation will likely keep the momentum going for another ten years. No lunch. Closed Sunday.

2537 Yonge Street, Eglinton
Tel: (416) 487 4897. Fax: (416) 487 2179.
E-mail: north.44@rogers.com
Website: www.north44restaurant.com
Price: C$70. Wine: C$26.

Opus
A meal at Opus, in an unassuming townhouse on a quaint, leafy street, is much like dinner at a friend’s house – only with waiters and an outstanding chef. Servers are attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. The menu changes monthly and reflects the seasons – traditional French fare, such as smoked duck and rack of lamb, made with regional ingredients, often makes an appearance. No lunch.

37 Prince Arthur Avenue, Yorkville/Annex
Tel: (416) 921 3105. Fax: (416) 921 9353.
E-mail: tony@opusrestaurant.com
Website: www.opusrestaurant.com
Price: C$50–75. Wine: C$30.

Splendido Bar and Grill
Lamborghinis pull up and good-looking people step out and immerse themselves in Splendido’s bright yet sophisticated dining room. These discerning patrons come mainly for the adventurous Italian-influenced menu. Dishes include a starter of Tunisian octopus salad and mains like charcoal-grilled New York strip loin with sweet potato, Portobello mushrooms and peppercorn sauce or whole market-fresh fish cooked in a wood-burning oven. Another option is to try one of the tasting menus – five courses for C$65 or seven courses for C$85. There is a large international wine list with New and Old World selections. No lunch. Closed Monday.

88 Harbord Street, Annex
Tel: (416) 929 7788. Fax: (416) 929 3501.
Website: www.splendidoonline.com
Price: C$75. Wine: C$35.

Truffles
The award-winning restaurant of the Four Seasons’ flagship hotel (see Hotels) and Toronto’s only CAA/AAA Five Diamond restaurant (it has won the accolade for nine years running), Truffles is, as its name suggests, a celebration of the gourmet. Every detail – from the exotic Uffizi boar sculptures to the exotically sculpted starters, such as rare seared tuna or sautéed foie gras – has been seen to. Fish, fowl and meat are prepared with equal aplomb, with the fresh, light and aromatic cooking style rooted in authentic French flavours. A five-course tasting menu is available for C$85. The long wine list reaches deep into the wallet but includes an impressive selection by the glass. No lunch. Closed Sunday.

Four Seasons Hotel, 21 Avenue Road, Yorkville
Tel: (416) 928 7331. Fax: (416) 964 8699.
Website: www.fourseasons.com/toronto
Price: C$60–80. Wine: C$40.

Business

Canoe Restaurant and Bar
If there is one truly Canadian restaurant in Toronto, this is it. Canoe takes ingredients typical to Canada and creates contemporary gourmet dishes. Maple sugar, Saskatoon berry compote and partridgeberry jus are accessories to such daring and delicious offerings as venison and caribou. Canoe’s warm, woody tones adds to the whole experience, although the view of Toronto Harbour tends to capture one’s attention more. Prices cater to expense accounts and the wine list leans towards New World selections. Reservations are essential. Closed weekends.

54th Floor, Toronto Dominion Bank Tower, 66 Wellington Street West, Financial District
Tel: (416) 364 0054. Fax: (416) 364 4273.
Website: www.canoerestaurant.com
Price: C$75. Wine: C$30.

Courthouse Market Grille
Although the Courthouse once held trials and housed a jail, chandeliers now hang from its grand high ceilings and the food is anything but jailhouse rations. Businesspeople and other diners who frequent the Courthouse will be able to delight their palate with fresh market cuisine, the selection of grilled meats and rotisserie chicken is certain to please. Reservations required. Closed Sunday. No lunch on Saturday.

57 Adelaide Street East, Financial District
Tel: (416) 214 9379. Fax: (416) 214 1715.
E-mail: courthouse@libertygroup.com
Website: www.libertygroup.com/restaurants.html
Price: C$45. Wine: C$28

Indian Rice Factory
The Punjabi-influenced dishes here will appeal to vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. Regular selections include pakoras (deep-fried fritters) and dishes such as chicken khashabad – a chicken breast stuffed with almonds, cashews and raisins in coconut milk-cream. Antiques and mahogany furnishings contribute to the fine dining experience. Reservations recommended. No lunch weekends.

414 Dupont Street, Annex
Tel: (416) 961 3472. Fax: (416) 962 0199.
Price: C$25–30. Wine: C$31.

Jump Café and Bar
With its neatly placed palm trees and natural light, this place can be festive, loud and ebullient, although its tucked-away tables allow for a tête-à-tête as well. Since its inception, it has been the hangout for Toronto’s brokers and traders, so it should come as no surprise that Jump serves up meals so delicious they alone might secure any deal. Dishes might include sirloin steak with Yukon-gold potato frites, roast chicken or lemon risotto. Fish dishes and other, lighter choices also grace the menu – but if calories are really a concern, the decadent desserts are best seen and not tasted. Reservations required. Closed Sunday. No lunch Saturday.

Commerce Court East, 1 Wellington Street, Financial District
Tel: (416) 363 3400. Fax: (416) 363 3830.
E-mail: jump@oliverbonacini.com
Website: www.jumpcafe.com
Price: C$40–50. Wine: C$30.

ZooM Caffe and Bar
At one time, this beautifully lit and beautifully peopled restaurant was a bank. Like its award-winning design – featuring small cocktail tables, low lamps, high ceilings and state-of-the-art lighting throughout – the seasonally changing menu is precise. A starter of sesame seed crusted prawns might be followed by red miso marinated pork chops or peanut and coffee crusted beef tenderloin. Four- and five-course tasting menus are available for C$65 and C$85, respectively. Wines tend towards the expensive but there is a large selection available by the glass. ZooM is popular for private functions so reservations are recommended. Closed Sunday. No lunch Saturday.

18 King Street East, Financial District
Tel: (416) 861 9872. Fax: (416) 861 9251.
E-mail: zoom@zoomrestaurant.com
Website: www.zoomrestaurant.com
Price: C$50–60. Wine: C$50.

Trendy

Bar One
An island of chic in this up-and-coming part of town, the tall ceilings and narrow walls of this young but firmly established eating place match the converted loft apartments that surround it. The interior is simple and crisp, as is the Italian and international menu, which includes soup (such as spinach and potato), fish and classic pastas like bolognaise, carbonara or marinara. Brunch and dinner only Saturday. Brunch only Sunday. Closed Monday.

924 Queen Street West, Queen West
Tel: (416) 535 1655. Fax: (416) 535 4620.
Price: C$45. Wine: C$24 (per litre).

Lolita’s Lust
In an increasingly franchised part of Greektown, Lolita’s Lust remains a perennial favourite. This intimate, dimly lit hotspot is frequented by stars when they’re in town – the signage is subtle and diners should look for a pea-green building with blocked-out windows. The food is mostly Mediterranean fare, including a delicious pan-seared tuna with lentils on the side. Reservations are essential. No lunch. Closed Sunday and Monday.

513 Danforth Avenue, Greektown
Tel: (416) 465 1751. Fax: (416) 465 8574.
Price: C$35–40. Wine: C$23.

Teatro
Decorated in olive green with a red trim, Teatro is a lively but intimate (the small bistro tables are very close together) restaurant in Little Italy. It is also as popular as they come, because it offers diners a refuge from the storm of pastas and pizzas in the area. The French/Mediterranean bistro menu includes classics like bouillabaisse, steak-frites, seafood paella and rack of lamb. Food is served until midnight, although the bar remains open until 0200. No lunch. Closed Sunday and Monday.

505 College Street, Little Italy
Tel: (416) 972 1475.
Price: C$30–40. Wine: C$38.

Tempo
Low levels of funk music play in the background, while dim halogen lighting and simple metal chairs and tables against muted green walls all give Tempo a modern, simple style. Menu items like the tempura, sashimi and sushi may sound distinctly Japanese but the daring, acclaimed food at Tempo veers towards fusion. Expect hand rolls (like California Rolls) flavoured with truffle oil or oyster tempura sushi. Daily specials tend toward grilled seafood dressed in strong but not overpowering Thai flavours. And to wash it all down, there are premium domestic or Japanese beers, a thoughtful wine list and a small army of single malts. No lunch.

596 College Street, Little Italy
Tel: (416) 966 5282 (day) or 531 2822 (evening); Fax: (416) 966 2525.
Website: www.tempotoronto.com
Price: C$40. Wine: C$24.

The Paddock
The sumptuous, wooden 1940s decor of this bar/restaurant tends to get obscured on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights by crowds of youngish drinkers. They congregate at the large L-shaped bar in search of draught beer, a well-shaken martini or their inner Humphrey Bogart. On other nights of the week, it is a bit quieter. The menu changes seasonally but highlights might include cassoulet, grilled veal tenderloin with marsala sauce or smoked pork tenderloin with baby turnip, rösti potatoes and a maple-preserved apple jus. No lunch.

178 Bathurst Street, Queen and Bathurst
Tel: (416) 504 9997. Fax: (416) 504 9110.
E-mail: info@thepaddock.ca
Website: www.thepaddock.ca
Price: C$35. Wine: C$35.

Budget

7 West Café
Open 24 hours, this place somehow retains its casual café feel over all three floors. Homemade pizza bagels, delicious sandwiches and salads are good choices during the summer. During the winter, nothing warms as well as the Moroccan chilli con carne (a vegetarian option is available), while the chocolate banana cake satisfies late-night sweet cravings. As well as a decent wine and beer list, herbal teas and speciality coffees are also house favourites. Reservations only accepted for large parties.

7 Charles Street West, Yonge and Bloor
Tel: (416) 928 9041.
Price: C$20–25. Wine: C$30.

Bar Italia
Beyond the bar, choked with well-dressed, good-looking types downing martinis and pints of beer, there is a warm yet minimalist restaurant that serves superb Italian fare. Insalata di funghi (warm mushroom salad), panini Cubano (pork tenderloin sandwich) and daily pasta specials are but some of the more popular dishes. The wine selection is mostly Italian and French with a decent domestic beer menu. In the summer, a patio seat cannot be beaten for watching the world go by. Brunch weekends. No lunch winter weekdays.

582 College Street, Little Italy
Tel: (416) 535 3621. Fax: (416) 535 2348.
Price: C$25–40. Wine: C$21 (per litre).

Fresh on Bloor
Anybody who wants to eat at this packed health-food restaurant – decorated in relaxing greens and blues – must be prepared to queue. However, despite wooden tables that are set very close together (love thy neighbour!), it is definitely worth the wait. With over 40 different juices from the fruity to the bizarre – including ‘Date Almond’ for C$6 – there is definitely something to tempt everybody’s palette without any guilt. Fresh, organic food is the point here. Portions are plentiful – the Buddha bowl of tofu, rice and organic sprouts being a crowd favourite. Those who can handle a little guilt on the side should go for the sweet potato French fries, served with super-tasty miso gravy. Reservations are not accepted. Fresh on Crawford, 894 Queen Street West, offers a similar experience, while Fresh on Queen, 336 Queen Street West, is an unlicensed café/juice bar (open daytime only).

521 Bloor Street West, Annex
Tel: (416) 531 2635. Fax: (416) 531 2481.
E-mail: info@juiceforlife.com
Website: www.juiceforlife.com
Price: C$20. Wine: C$13 (per half-litre).

La Tavola Calda
Situated in the heart of Little Italy, La Tavola Calda serves better Italian food than most of its neighbours – at half the price. Pasta dishes range from the delicate to the robust, while vegetables are ordered as side dishes – the rapinni (a type of spinach) is excellent. The sausage or the grilled veal must be tasted. The restaurant is long and narrow, with a sparse, bistro-style decor and exposed brick walls; there is a great patio in summer. La Tavola Calda offers one of the cheapest and best meals in town. Closed Monday in summer. Closed Sunday and Monday in winter.

671 College Street, Little Italy
Tel: (416) 536 8328.
Price: C$20. Wine: C$24 (per litre).

Pho Hung
Frequented by students and businesspeople alike, Pho Hung offers superb value for money. Authentic Vietnamese selections include tasty beef-broth soups (served with or without noodles) and grilled chicken or pork with vermicelli noodles and spring rolls. The restaurant is bright and airy, with large windows overlooking Bloor Street. Closed Sunday. Visa only.

200 Bloor Street West, Annex
Tel: (416) 963 5080.
Price: C$20. Wine: C$19.

Branch:
350 Spadina Avenue, Chinatown
Tel: (416) 593 4274.

Personal Recommendations

360 The Restaurant at the Tower
Floor-to-ceiling windows, 114 storeys above the lakeshore, with a view as good as it gets – blue lake as far as the eye can see to the south and Toronto spreading out in every other direction. And because 360 is the world’s largest revolving restaurant, none of the view will be missed. The food isn’t quite as memorable but it is good enough. Lamb shank, seared salmon and prime rib all make the grade. A reservation at this restaurant also includes a post-dinner walk on the glass-floored lookout – for those who can stomach it. No lunch during winter.

CN Tower, 301 Front Street West, Downtown
Tel: (416) 362 5411. Fax: (416) 601 4895.
E-mail: info@cntower.ca
Website: www.cntower.ca
Price: C$45. Wine: C$35.

Brownes Bistro
Prized by the well-heeled residents of Rosedale, this long-lived neighbourhood bistro might be lacking in culinary adventurousness and is equally as unpretentious in décor – hardwood floors and wood panelling reflect the casual bistro ambience – but its longevity speaks for its quality. Pastas and pizzas change daily, while the straight-up meat-and-potatoes dishes, such as braised lamb shank, are regulars. No lunch weekends.

4 Woodlawn Avenue East, Summerhill
Tel: (416) 924 8132. Fax: (416) 924 8145.
Price: C$40–50. Wine: C$30.

JOV Bistro
Situated uptown, this New York-style restaurant – sparsely yet crisply decorated with wood trim – offers a unique dining experience. A minimum of two people may choose a tasting menu, which contains four courses per person for C$62 each. Choices include an exotic array of dishes – emu, rabbit, tiger shrimp, liver – to name but a few. A new glass of wine, specifically chosen to match the dish, arrives with each course; the cost is C$20–33 for four small/large glasses of wine. The standard menu infuses modern French cuisine with Asian touches, applied to really good fish and seafood, as well as the likes of duck confit. The coup de grace, however, is the sauces, applied to game, fish or meat – the chef is a master saucier. The restaurant is always busy, so reservations are recommended. Closed Monday and Tuesday. No lunch.

1701 Bayview Avenue, Uptown
Tel: (416) 322 0530.
Price: C$50. Wine: C$30.

Rol San
Rol San is easy to overlook amid the hundred or so Chinese restaurants that line Spadina Avenue between College Street and the Lakeshore, especially as it has the same large round tables, plastic tablecloths and bright cardboard signs announcing specials in Chinese. However, Rol San serves delicious dim sum – such as deep fried shrimp and chive cake – by day and crave-worthy portions of fried rice, Szechwan shrimp and crispy chicken until the wee hours (0400).

323 Spadina Avenue, Chinatown
Tel: (416) 977 1128.
Price: C$30. Wine: C$22 (per litre).