Toronto eats
I will be in Toronto for one night only and I need a recommendation for dinner please. I was thinking either Italian or Japanese but I am open to anything. Nothing super fancy, but not really cheap either. Maybe around $30/person. I would appreciate any suggestions that you all have. Thanks a bunch!
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18 Comments:
I have an old boyfriend whose wife is Italian - they live in the downtown area. What part of TO will you be in - I will ask them immediately for recommendations - but it is a big city so knowing the neighbourhood will help.
Not on your list, but restaurants on the Danforth tend to be very good, but often Greek. Good portions, good food, not overly fancy but not divey either.
Maureen at 3:17PM on 05/21/08
@Maureen: We will be staying about 4 miles from the downtown area on Roncescalles Ave. It looks like it's right around the intersection of King street west and Queen street west. Thanks a lot for the help! I love Greek but my husband is not so crazy about it. I might have to have some baklava for dessert though!
Kristin H at 3:32PM on 05/21/08
Ok you are in a great place - I'l be in touch. Old boyfriends have to be good for SOMETHING!
Maureen at 3:39PM on 05/21/08
Will you be doing public transit or will you have access to a car? Nearby there are some fun places, like Daddy O's Milk Bar, a place that has both fish and chips and Thai food which is said to be really good, and some pubs and such. Around the corner on Queen Street in Parkdale there is a place people are raving about which I haven't tried yet called Cowbell - lots of local food used there. Their menu. Not Italian or Japanese but for really great sushi you'll pay a lot here and being a Boston girl I have not found a lot of Italian I love (still looking).
wellred at 4:05PM on 05/21/08
Whoops - Milk Bar and thai/fish place are two different places. The fish/Thai place is called something like Vicky's Fish and Chips and Sue's Thai, or vice versa, or something. :-)
wellred at 4:07PM on 05/21/08
@wellred: Yes, we will be driving around or using the subway. Thanks for the suggestions. Cowbell looks like a lot of fun!
Also, if anyone has any suggestions for dining in Montreal I will be there for one night as well.
Kristin H at 4:22PM on 05/21/08
Roncesvalles is a great neighbourhood. You could eat at a number of places there, or in High Park or in Parkdale.
Try Freshwood Grill in Roncesvalles (aka "Roncesvalles Village" or "Roncy"), or Bar One (Italian), Rhino (a cool bar/restaurant) or Cajú (Brazilian) in Parkdale. If you're around Parkdale check out the GalleryDK photo gallery. You can't eat there but the photos are nice and it's a small gallery that doesn't take much time to visit.
You could always just take a walk and look at menus posted outside restaurants.
Too bad it's only one night. I hope it's a great experience so you come back (and eat) again.
CanadianFoodieGirl at 6:26PM on 05/21/08
Ok Kristin - here is what my old boyfriend had to say...
"Oh where to begin? Italiano: "Grano" near Yonge/Eglington (sp?) was a favorite
when I lived uptown--linguine and mussels in squid ink--seriously yummy!
Also, Sotto Sotto in Yorkville's mighty fine indeed, and a fave celeb
hangout during the film fest (he is referring to the Toronto Film Festival, for which he is a reviewer, contributor, and attendee!). Of course, I live near Little Italy, where
just about every street corner hosts the real deal (I need to get a street address for you). Japanese: Fune in
the Richmond/John area, where the sushi comes to you in little boats!
The restaurant at the Prince Hotel is great, but man, it's a chore to
travel up that far if you're just visiting--ditto "Memories Of Japan",
which sounds touristy but don't let that fool you...Bikkuri's a good one
on King. When are you in the GTA next?"
Not sure when I am next in TO but hey, if the man is ready to pay for dinner, I'm ready to take the compensation for all the crap I suffered through!
Maureen at 7:01PM on 05/21/08
Um, hands down flat out http://www.terroni.ca/
If you only have one night and you want the most authentic/delicious Pizza/traditional southern Italian Cuisine, that's your best shot.
I live and work between where you'll be staying and Terroni, which happens also to be situated in one of Toronto's more gem saturated strips. This one offers another Toronto rarity–atmoshpere.
In fact, if you'd like company/a chance to see more things on the menu get ordered, we'd be happy to see if we can join you that night.
PS: This is the best comment on Food in Toronto I've seen yet:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/431037
Either way, make sue to also order the Funghi salad.
Barry Martin at 7:39PM on 05/21/08
Sorry, I just read the rest of the posts and realized I could be of more help.
Do not eat Greek in Toronto if you're going to Montreal. For a really fun Meditteranean bent experience here in TO try Tomi-Kro (former owners of Lolita's Lust, Pan and others).
In Montreal hit Pharos. One of the chefs from Milos started it. It's half the price and almost as good.
There are many great lesser places that offer all kinds of atmo and patio dining goodness.
For Italian in Montreal Eduardo's at the corner of St. Denis and Duluth is a tradition that will run you $20 for 2 people. You can buy a bottle of wine at the dep (depaneur–slang for corner store) next door while you're in line. Great cozy atmo.
For that matter, both of those streets offer plenty of adventures. There's a charming place on St. Denis called Fondue Mentale that features–you guessed it A full fondue menu. Cheese, Chinois (broth), and chocolate. They used to make a great Caesar too (like a bloody Mary but with Clamato instead of Tomato–serious Canadian tradition–spicy delicious).
Then there's less than stellar far but what a Patio on Duluth at Jardin de Panos if it's still around. Again, a stroll on either street should net great finds.
Speaking of a stroll, you may want to start at the corner of St-Laurent and prince Arthur, walk North up St-Laurent to Mount Royal, East to St Denis, South to Prince Arthur, then back west to St Laurent.
Do stop at Schwartz's for the best Smoked meat sandwich in the modern world.
The neighbourhood you're in in TO has great antique-y stores.
Sorry @Maureen: Don't go to Daddios. Foods not great. I go because they're ultra kid-friendly and I have 2 little peanuts.
Cowbell's good enough.
I like Delux or Foxley on Ossington.
Reposado is fun for a drink there too.
Gotta go.
B
Barry Martin at 8:03PM on 05/21/08
I haven't been to Cowbell yet but a major foodie coworker went and said it was both very expensive and very disappointing. He loves simple cheap food straight through to crazy expensive and is really adventurous so I trust his review.
lexophile at 10:16PM on 05/21/08
Also if you can get reservations at Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal it is so worth it. Only problem is that it will run you about $100 for two people.
lexophile at 10:18PM on 05/21/08
Hm, I smell a Toronto Serious Eater meetup in the future. I need to try more places, obviously.
I wasn't pleased with Freshwood the last couple of times I went. Undercooked chicken one time and just kind of sad-looking food the other. We used to go all the time with friends who live around the corner.
wellred at 10:28PM on 05/21/08
@ lexophile:
Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal was featured in the Toronto Star's food section yesterday. Or at least, the chef was. He claims that his fois gras is orgasm-producing. That's one hell of a claim.
@wellred: I've never actually been to Freshwood, just heard good things. There are so many places in this city I love. It would be interesting to see how many Toronto Serious Eaters there are!
CanadianFoodieGirl at 10:27AM on 05/22/08
Thank you all for taking the time to give me suggestions. I'm going to have a really hard time deciding where to eat now :-) Luckily I live in Michigan so I will have the opportunity to visit Toronto again in the future.
Kristin H at 11:12AM on 05/22/08
@canadianfoodiegirl - he was in town doing the james beard foundation dinner. i read the article and ran to try to see about getting tickets. haha. $300 a person, sold out. pricey!
lexophile at 6:34PM on 05/22/08
@CanadianFoodieGirl: He was on Q on CBC tonight.
Barry Martin at 11:42PM on 05/22/08
Lolo
http://www.lolorestaurant.com/
flootsmith at 4:41PM on 05/23/08