subject: Toronto Dining | From Upscale to Frugal Fare [print this page] From elegant and chic to inexpensive and family-friendly, the restaurant options in Toronto are as varied as the city itself. Here are some top suggestions that will suit those looking to indulge as well as foodies seeking more thrifty yet flavourful fare.
Canoe
Named the top restaurant in the city in 2009 by Toronto Life magazine, Canoe is a constant favourite with gastronomes. High on the 54th floor of a tower in the citys banking district, Canoe features incredible views of Toronto, al in a sleek setting. Highlights from Chef Anthony Walshs contemporary Canadian menu include honey mussels from British Columbia, lamb loin from Alberta and suckling pig from the praised St. Canut Farms. Entrees are priced in the $38 to $44 (Canadian) range. The menu for Canoes can be found at their parent company Oliver and Bonacinis website.
Canoe is located at 66 Wellington Street West at Bay Street. For reservations, call 416-364-0054.
Conviction
Chef Mark Thuets bistro features upscale dining with a twist. From the front of the house to the back of the kitchen, Conviction is staffed with former inmates. Wanting to give reformed ex-cons a chance to turn their lives around, the alternative staff work under the direction of Thuet and his wife and business partner Biana Zorich. The restaurant opening was filmed as a TV reality show called "Conviction Kitchen". The menu showcases Thuets dedication to local ingredients and offers French favourites such as cassoulet and choucroute. Dishes are priced from $20 and $40, and tasting menus are available. Visit the restaurant's website for more information.
Conviction is located at 609 King Street West. For reservations call 416-603-2777 ext. 1.
Mistura
Chef Massimo Capra's midtown Toronto hotspot offers a modern Italian menu with delights such as Nova Scotia scallops, Ontario rabbit and Alberta lamb ribs. Highlights include beet risotto and wild boar agnolotti with sour cherries. After dinner, head upstairs to their sister restaurant Sopra for some live jazz. Entrees range from $30 to $50. Visit their website for the most current menu.
Mistura is located at 265 Davenport Road at Avenue Road. For reservations, call 416-515-0009.
Pizzeria Libretto
Have a craving some real Italian pizza? Try Pizzeria Libretto in Ossington Village. With its energetic dining room packed with cozy booths and shared tables, this family-friendly, boisterous and fun eatery draws foodies from all over Toronto with its genuine Neopolitan wood-fired pizza is often called the best pizza in the city. Chef Rocco Agostino brings in fresh San Marzano tomatoes and Ontario Fiore di Latte mozzarella for his pizza pies each day, which are then baked in a oven that was built in Naples especially for the restaurant. There is a pizza to suit every taste on the menu, from the Prosciutto and Arugula to the Rapini topped with goat's cheese, black olives and mozzarella. Pizzas are priced between $10 to $16.
Pizzeria Libretto is located at 221 Ossington Avenue at Dundas Street West. Visit the pizzeria's website for more information. Reservations are not accepted.
El Trompo
This taco bar in Torontos vibrant Kensington market is wildly popular with both tourists and localslooking for a delicious lunch under $15. Traditional Mexico-city style tacos with marinated pork are served on corn tortillas with pineapple and onion coriander; the menu also features beef, mushroom and spicy tinga chicken versions as well as horchata, the traditional Mexican cinnamon-flavoured sweet milky rice drink.
El Trompo is located at 277 Augusta Avenue. Visit their website for hours of operation.
Whether you are looking for a great meal in a formal dining room or on a casual patio, the Toronto restaurant scene offers something for everyone!
