Toronto's top 50 restaurants
I have to come up with the top-50 dinner restaurants in downtown Toronto for a travel guide.
Below is my preliminary list (in no particular order).
I'd love to hear Hound opinions on what doesn't belong, or what I've missed. Thanks!
susur
splendido
canoe
jamie kennedy x3
pangea
scaramouche
senses
thuet
rain
chiado
north 44
bymark
c5 (rom)
perigee
didier
town grill
rosebud
harbour 60
george
amuse-bouche
cava
auberge du pomier
colborne lane
greg couillard's spice room & chutney bar
mistura
sopra upper lounge
milagro
czehoski
celestin
rodneys
oyster boy
starfish oyster bed & grill
fifth
truffles
crush wine bar
barbarian's steak house
ruth's chris
xacuti
teatro
windsor arms
rosewater
sequel
globe bistro
kaiseki-sakura
hiro sushi
cucina
coca
king's garden
grilledcheese
Aug 24, 2007 02:37PM
Wine access just did a scoring/ranking of the top 100 restaurants in Canada, but I can't find a link to it. Anyhoo... that's a good list.
Matt
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Margaret swaine, one of the contributing writers (for Toronto), ate at the restaurant I work at at least twice in the past 6 months (taking notes, etc.), so I would be hasty to judge Wine Access' list as some kind of popularity contest.
Matt
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I picked up that issue of WA today, It's a pretty good list for Toronto. Thanks for the tip.
btw, how do you know she was in your restaurant? Did she identify herself while there?
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I have been to wine tastings that she has attended before.
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I can only comment on one of your choice - was only in Toronto for a few days for a business conference- but I loved Bymark.
Went twice over the 5 days we were there and each time was fabulous. I especially loved that they went out of the way for us to find a wine that would complement both our meals. Food was wonderful, we were thrilled with the wine and the service was great.
:-)
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Lai Wah Heen, Vertical, Red's, Chez Victor... seems like some very fine chefs/establishments are not represented on that list...
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Sushi Kaji is one of the city's very best although it is not downtown! I would put it on a Top 10 list.
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I didn't see Burger Shack on your list. Shame :-)
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Exactly the same sentiment I was thinking! Not to criticize your list too much, but it's not exactly "chowhoundish" to me. I would like to see more cheap, homey, ethnic, neighbourhood joints on any list purporting to be a "best of".
I don't need to know where the yuppie sheep go to eat, unless it's for the purpose of avoiding whatever tragically hip scene is currently in vogue.
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Ha ha ha .... bring it!
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Please, please, pleaseeeeeeeeee remove Pangea and although I haven't been in many years, very surprised to see the Towne Grill. I would think that should go also. Not familar with King's Garden either but I would def. add Pastis to your list.
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I'd remove Ruth Chris's in a heartbeat. A chain, and according to steak afficionados on this site (other boards), not a very good one at that.
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Completely agree. Ruth Chris's is just plain corporate - if you are going to put them in that list then ya might as well include Baton Rouge and other such under-acheiving but expensive places designed to sucker in the the out of town business crowd (who only go there because they are spending company money and can't agree - amongst themselves - to try something indie - so they make the "safe" choice)
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I had dinner at Pangea for the first time last year for my 50th birthday and it was one of the best meals I'd had in a long long time. The service was friendly and attentive; the ambience was pleasant; the food was fabulous from beginning to end. The wine pairings recommended were enjoyed by all; the cocktails were fun and very tasty. We were a party of four. We still talk about it! I'm surprised to see so many negative comments and wonder now if we just had a great night by luck.
My last few dinners at Scaramouche were so disappointing I don't think I'll ever bother to go back. Back in the day, that was 'the' place to go for special occasions and the more we could manage the better. For years, food was great, favorites consistently on the menu; wait staff a tad overbearing but tolerable. I had many fine meals there over many years, so no regrets, but I stopped going after my 45th birthday dinner was the final disappointment.
Had someone else's birthday dinner at Ruth's Chris last month. Yuck. Awful environment; mediocre supersized food; absolutely nothing to recommend it. If I want to eat in a basement... never mind.
Thanks for the list! I've been to a lot of them and look forward to trying more.
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I am really surprised to hear that you've been disappointed at Scaramouche. I think this is the first negative post I've read on it. But then I couldn't help but notice you've given praise to Le Paradis and Bistro Tournesol - now it all makes sense. Like they say, to each his own, eh!
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Nix Pangea, Ruth's Chris, and, unless things have changed since the reopening, Windsor Arms (willing to admit that things might have changed). Add FatCat Bistro (the resto on Eg.W., not so much the wine bar on Roncesvalle). I'm tempted to add Pastis, as well.
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Why are so many people adament on removing Pangaea , how come ?? Also I would Via Allegro and Opus to the top 50.
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I've only been to Pangea once, and that was enough. It was about 2 years ago, and it may very well be what I consider my worst meal ever. Okay, I've had worse but not at that price point. We were with a group of 6 and everyone felt the same way. The food was overcooked, tasteless, boring and bland. My husband ordered rare beef, don't recall the cut but it was so over done he sent it back. He had tastes of everyone elses dish until his arrived. Even the 2nd order was overcooked. We were excited about the deserts and even they were dismal. Someone else in the party had liver, which was awful....again overcooked, shoe leather - you know the kind your mother use to make. I've heard the odd person recommend this place and it really surprises me. There are other negative examples I could provide but why bother. Honestly, it was just bad all round.
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Pangea is completely forgettable. Once was enough for me, boring food, rude condescending waiter and cold design.
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Thanks so far, folks. Lots of good insights and suggestions.
I should clarify that I have to focus on high-end dinning, so sadly Burger Shack is out. Sorry, acd & bogie. :(
As for "downtown", yeah, Auberge is too far north. I think my cutoff will be in the Centro/North 44 area. (Not that there's anything wrong with Auberge.)
Keep the suggestions coming!
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Commenting on your "focus on High-end dining", I'm not sure why Hiro Sushi and Japango would be on your list. They have excellent quality food reputations, but their decor seems lacking for so called High-end status,....that is, if you exclude other establishments with top of line food for their bigger picture review then you should be consistent, imo. Perhaps defining your specifications would result in a better list and suggestions from CH.
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Japango is not on my list (yet).
I agree about the decor of (at least ) Hiro.
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Sushi Kaji is a must. I'd submit that it's the best sushi in Canada, let alone Toronto. If it were in Markham, I'd still at least attempt to convince you to include it. :) It just feels wrong otherwise.
And FWIW, I also feel Pangea does not belong.
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While Kaji is good, have you been to the places in Vancouver? There are at least three places that are as good if not better than Kaji out there.
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Which places?
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On further reflection, I'm not tempted, I *DO* recommend Pastis. Arguably it is not the most creative cooking in the city, but it has, in my experience, a high level of consistancy of very good technique and product, and has never once disappointed me. The room is lovely, the service is attentive. Must be on your list.
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I totally concur! BTW, the fish soup, the calves liver and the profitoros are just a few of their awesome tasting dishes.
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What about their escargot ravioli - fabulous!! And the service is impeccable.
The salmon is always cooked to perfection also. In fact, we haven't been in a couple of months - must put it on the list.
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In a travel guide, I'd probably want to put the Drake Hotel on the radar. I'm not arguing that it's one of Toronto's best places to eat, but it's become kind of a landmark, and worth a visit for out-of-towners who like that boho scene.
BTW - who is your audience... is there a specific tourist demo that you're targeting or a certain feel you want for your guide (Wallpaper guides are pretty different from Lonely Planet)?
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I hear you about the Drake.
Demographic is "well to do".
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I would add Noce over a few of those on the list.
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I second Noce, had a great meal and enjoyable evening due to decisive friendly service...although a little traditionally decorated for my taste, a nice room regardless.
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are we talking about just food? or about the whole experience? because, as great as they are, i wonder if your "well to do readers" would enjoy/fit in at places like coca, czehoski, even xacuti (so college st!) or the supperclubs and lounges. do they like dim lights and thumping bass? and as for ruths and barberians, might they be put off by the steakhouse vibe? just a thought.
and i might give c5 and spice room a little time before making any binding judgements.
that being said, i would love to see Riz, Across the Road get some airtime. (or JOV or Square...oh wait....RIP)
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JOV is closed!!
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RIP means Rest In Peace - as in closed. So not sure why they were added.
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King's Garden is closed aswell!!!!!!!!!
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King's Garden on Front St.?
When did it close???
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Do you mean King's Garden on King Street...I just called their phone #, but only got a "mailbox full" response. Can we get confirmation about Lolo's post?
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Right, King St. It is closed. I went by.
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sorry, was just feeling wistful for my favourite restaurants long gone. shamefully off topic.
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..I believe Teatro recently changed ownership, might want to check how it is doing, & based soley on a review I read here The Fifth sounds awful these days...
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I would definitely exclude chain steakhouses such as Ruth's, and if you're looking for consistency, both Truffles and Windsor Arms have changed exec chefs in the last year, so should be reassessed.
Among the missing from the list, I would agree with Lai Wah Heen and Fat Cat, and suggest as well Zucca.
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one of my new faves is foxley.
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What about Centro?
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I've been to Centro several times over the last couple of years (as a guest of someone) and found it to be pretentious and over-priced for a so-so level of dining. Entertainment can be very good.
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I do not believe that Cucina belongs on this list. Mediocre Italian and not "upscale".
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I was there sunday afternoon about 2 weeks ago, espresso was excellent, pizza crust was thin & doughy, personally I prefer more of a light crispness...
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I was there in the winter and both my dinner guest and I felt that the pizza lacked some oomph in terms of basic tomatoey flavours and the salad was oily and flavourless. Even if it was better, it's a mid-range trattoria, therefore, I don't believe that it falls into the fine dining category, which the OP seems to be gearing this list towards.
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...agreed...
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Have to agree with the other's on the removal of Ruth Chris(chain restos are blah) but not too sure on anothers suggestion for the Drake even though I'm there religiously. Good list. Lots I've been to and many on my "to do".
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Take Rain of that list. Terrible, how are they still in business?
Tourists I guess.
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I have to agree. The food is all show, too fussy, and has 137 ingredients, so no real flavour.
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I'd remove czehoski. I agree with adding Kaji and Via Allegro.
I'd like to see a list of top 50 restaurants where two can dine with a glass of wine for under $80-100.
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Its incredible! Only 3 months after the initial posting and the listy is already way out of date!!
Agree with DDD, Czehoski should be out. King's garden is closed, should be replaced by Lai Wah Heen. Lucien and One should also be added. Though a bit far, Sushi Kaji should be on ANY Top 50 list!
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Celestin and Kaji, both excellent
There are many on the list that I really don't think belong on any list, but would rather be positive.
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ORO ORO ORO!! THE BEST ITALIAN FOOD I VE EVER TRIED!! A MUST!
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Zucca anyone. I thought it was delicious and I was on one of the worst dates of my life.
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The thrill of victory...and the agony of defeat!
At least it wasn't a total waste. Adding Zucca to the repertoire was one of the best resto experiences I've had in Toronto.
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