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Toronto Dining
Downtown Toronto's many neighborhoods and districts offer an array of restaurants that are favorites with locals and undoubtedly memorable for tourists. Yorkville, an upscale and trendy area, has Sassafraz, where locals enjoy the upbeat vibe and people watching from the outdoor café in the summer months. Indoor diners are delighted with a contemporary décor and an innovative menu of fine French and California fare. Locals love good wine, and the selection here is outstanding. This also is the place to go for movie star sightings. The city hosts the Toronto International Film Festival each fall, which draws a lot of celebrities to the city, and many film stars have chosen Sassafraz as a place to be seen when in town.
Another Yorkville favorite is Truffles at the Four Seasons Hotel. Timeless tradition, outstanding cuisine, flawless service and an exceptional location all are key elements to the success of this restaurant. For years critics and locals alike have associated this fine dining room with the best the city has to offer, and it continues to delight diners as a showcase of the finest in food and ambience. The changing menu reflects the changes in the demands of diners and shows an innovative blend of taste and flavor sensations.
South of Yorkville on Elm Street, a restaurant row of Toronto, is Barberian's Steak House. Residents never tire of good beef, and Barberian's is always the first choice to slay cravings for juicy steak or prime rib. It's not just the food that attracts the locals, though; the unique and comfortable ambience created in this historical old house, still standing in the city's center, also is a big draw. The menu includes such traditional favorites as French onion soup, escargot and jumbo shrimp cocktail to start, great steaks as main courses and a tangy relish tray accompanying all meals.
In the outskirts of Chinatown you'll find Lai Wah Heen. Like tourists, many locals enjoy walking the streets and sampling food in Toronto's colorful Chinatown, but when they look for outstanding Chinese cuisine, they often select this restaurant in the elegant Metropolitan Hotel. This upscale dining room features a contemporary design and an extensive menu ranging from simple to exotic Asian fare. Torontonians know it as a great place for family gatherings with full course meals and as a place to sample such menu items as jellyfish and swallows' eggs. Not to be missed is the Peking Duck trio, a specialty of the house.
Toronto's Entertainment District offers nightlife, shopping, sports, theater and restaurants. Hockey fans may be disappointed with the lack of year-round hockey, but they still flock to Wayne Gretzky's Restaurant for a ton of firsthand memorabilia about the "Great One" and a fun menu of casual fare. Since the restaurant is ideally located in the heart of the district, it is not to be missed during the hockey playoffs. You'll also find locals catching the sporting networks and munching on tasty wings and finger foods at the sports bar. The ambience is great for families and before or after sporting events.
Shopsy's Delicatessen Restaurant also is nearby in the Entertainment District. This well-established deli has been serving Torontonians hearty deli fare for generations and is a first pick for those heading to the many entertainment venues in the immediate area. Locals find it the perfect spot to grab a sandwich before or after a show or sporting event. In the summer months you'll find the business crowd enjoying the lunch hour on the popular outdoor patio, where the bustling atmosphere invites people watching.
Toronto's downtown lakefront area is home to the CN Tower, one of the city's many popular attractions. Inside is 360 The Restaurant at the CN Tower. It's often the first pick by locals for celebrating special occasions. A meal becomes an event at this landmark as diners enjoy an exciting ride up the glass elevator to the revolving restaurant at the top of the tower. The contemporary design of the restaurant accents the city skyline, and diners can indulge in fine continental fare and a changing menu incorporating fresh local and regional ingredients.
In the nearby financial district is Canoe Restaurant and Bar, which comes through for the local business diners at lunchtime. The office staff of the TD Centre need not look any farther than the 54th floor for a great power lunch and a stunning view of the city. After hours the bar bustles with the martini crowd and then transforms into the perfect spot for a dinner date for professional couples. The upbeat activity suits the rhythm of the city, and the chef's innovative menu changes with the pace of Toronto.
Downtown Toronto offers three more favorites for great meals. The Keg Mansion, a restored house that is now a popular steakhouse, is a city landmark, offering the great menu for which this chain is known regionally. For years Torontonians have been enjoying tasty fresh-to-order appetizers as well as sizzling mesquite-grilled steaks and seafood in a homelike setting. The upstairs lounge is a main draw, where diners always enjoy a drink and appetizers before heading into the mansion rooms for their main course.
Mr. Greenjeans Restaurant, a well-established eatery, has been pleasing Torontonians after a fun day of shopping at the ever popular Eaton Centre for years. The tasty homemade "Buffalo Chips" (homemade potato chips) are served up in heaping portions, making a tasty side to the huge burgers, sandwiches and wings. The bright, colorful décor and large windows add to the fun, relaxing atmosphere. The bar also is a favorite hangout for watching televised sporting events.
New York City, eat your heart out. Toronto has Susur Lee cooking up a fabulous creation each evening at his innovative and contemporary dining room, Susur. The foodies of Toronto flock to this hot spot to sample a wonderful mix of the chef's tasting menu, which is unique to each individual diner, not just the table. The element of surprise in tastes, textures, presentation and flavor combinations guarantees repeat customers. Susur remains the buzz in dining in the heart of the city. This really is adventure dining for the gourmand, and most regulars will opt to let the chef decide upon the feast they will experience on any given evening.
Toronto also offers a good selection of restaurants beyond downtown. North York has Cuisine of India in the expanding uptown area. Locals agree this eatery is well worth the trip when seeking fine Indian cuisine in a casual setting. Lunchtime guests are treated to a daily buffet featuring freshly prepared fare such as curries, vegetarian dishes, spicy meats and hot Nan bread. A main attraction is the open glass window allowing diners to watch the chef's cooking techniques in the unique Tandoori oven. An expansive à la carte menu also is offered. It is a perfect example of the outstanding variety of ethnic cuisine the city has to offer.
Many Toronto residents have attended a special occasion or a wedding at The Old Mill, a well-established and timeless restaurant. When you're looking for an outstanding Sunday brunch, The Old Mill should be the first place that comes to mind. The Tudor exterior gives way to a classic wood-beam dining area where expertly prepared contemporary European dishes are memorably presented. Enjoy creamed spinach and wild mushrooms with a grilled Alberta beefsteak. Excellent choices are also available from the sea.
Located in an uptown residential area, the well-established Scaramouche Restaurant is a longtime favorite with Torontonians and their guests. The restaurant's location on a slight hill offers diners a panoramic view of the city skyline. As good as that is, it's not really what draws them here though--it's the food, the consistency and the choice of fine dining in the main room or savoring a more relaxed atmosphere in the pasta bar. The chef is always showcasing a new menu, and the desserts are exceptional, particularly the coconut cream pie, made in-house by the resident pastry chef.
No list of the favorite restaurants in Toronto would be complete without recommending a trip to the city's "Little Italy," and Trattoria Giancarlo has been pleasing the locals in this bustling area for years. In the summer the area beats with activity, and diners enjoy the outdoor patio, where they can feel the ambience of the area, a unique ethnic village. The food is fabulous and rivals any kitchen with fine Italian fare. It boasts a romantic flair with its coziness and has earned a reputation as a great spot to take a date.
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