Winterlicious 2017: $48 dinners
With more than 40 restaurants offering three-course dinners at $48, Winterlicious 2017, produced by the City of Toronto, is a great opportunity to sample some of the best menus in Toronto without breaking the bank. From authentic Italian to French, Japanese and Canadian, there’s a wide variety of outstanding options to indulge in, whether it’s for a romantic dinner or a night out with friends. Enjoy!
America Restaurant
325 Bay St, Toronto, ON M5H 3C2Modern-meets-luxury at this sophisticated restaurant and lounge. Take in spectacular views of Toronto’s glittering skyline from the 31st floor over bites of decadent twists on classic American cuisine. For Winterlicious, menu options include the Wellington County beef tenderloin, Bradford Bay chicken, Hayter’s Farm barebcue turkey, vegetarian pumpkin ravioli and a vegan PB&J trifle.
Annona Restaurant
4 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 2E8Dine in style at Park Hyatt Toronto Yorkville, and enjoy gourmet and international cuisine created by award-winning executive chef Joan Monfaredi. Named for the Roman goddess of harvest, this chic, 65-seat restaurant offers an intimate setting with a secluded bar area and stunning floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the streets of fashionable Yorkville. Winterlicious menu options include seared five-spice scallops, chargrilled beef medallions, cannellini bean ragout, fried Brussels sprouts, red wine braised pearl onions and Oreo cheesecake.
Aria Restaurant
25 York St, Toronto, ON M5J 2V5From the owners of highly regarded Noce Restaurant comes Aria, offering genuine Italian fine dining in a contemporary urban setting. “Aria” means “air” in Italian but also references the most Italian of art forms – opera. Both themes are evident inside Aria, which boasts a dramatic 35-foot ceiling and is situated adjacent to the Air Canada Centre and Maple Leaf Square. On the Winterlicious dinner menu you’ll find beef tartare with crema di bufala and tartufo nero; red wine braised Ontario lamb shank with root vegetable ragu, honey and herbs; and cannoli siciliani.
Auberge du Pommier
4150 Yonge St, North York, ON M2P 2C6Auberge du Pommier, the original jewel in the Oliver & Bonacini crown, has been serving Toronto diners since 1987. Constructed around the rustic vestiges of two 1860s woodcutters’ cottages, this exquisite restaurant offers modern French cuisine, professional and personal service, and a 500-label wine selection. The Winterlicious menu includes cellar root vegetables; Cornish hen with Northern Woods mushrooms and truffled cassoulet in a Riesling reduction; and salted caramel ganache with caramelized banana, cashew crumble and muscovado crisp.
Azure Restaurant & Bar
225 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2X3Dine under a canopy of glass with spectacular views of the Toronto cityscape in the heart of downtown. Azure Restaurant features seasonally inspired, modern Canadian cuisine in a relaxing, contemporary space. For Winterlicious, menu options include the port and black cherry braised veal shank, octopus escabeche, grain mustard coated salmon, and lemon cheesecake.
Biagio Ristorante
155 King St E, Toronto, ON M5C 1G9Located in one of the most beautiful buildings in Toronto, St. Lawrence Hall, Biagio has been serving upscale classic northern Italian food and an extensive array of wines since 1989. Enjoy an elegant dinner in the gorgeous dining room or on the intimate garden patio with gas lampposts. The WinterIicious menu includes oranges mixed with fennel and black olives; Euro sea bass in lemon garlic and caper sauce; rich, creamy risotto with seasonal vegetables; and Sicilian cannoli filled with ricotta cream.
Bosk
188 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5H 0A3Bosk, the signature restaurant at Shangri-La Hotel Toronto, brings to life freshly harvested ingredients from a network of selected local and global suppliers. Expect Asian-inspired cuisine that is still distinctly Canadian and served with genuine and caring service. On the Winterlicious menu, options include butternut squash with roasted endive and pecans in maple vinaigrette; albacore tuna tartare with wasabi tobiko, sesame ginger dressing and cilantro; heritage breed pork loin; and caramelized apples with ginger mousse.
Brassaii
461 King W, Toronto, ON M5V 1K4A sophisticated, cosmopolitan destination, Brassaii Restaurant and Lounge is nestled amidst a romantic cobblestone palazzo courtyard and charming outdoor patio in the heart of Toronto’s King Street West neighbourhood. Brassaii offers a tantalizing menu inspired by Mediterranean fare and crafted by Executive Chef Marcus Monteiro. Winterlicious options include braised beef short rib with sundried tomato and chipotle sauce, creamed corn, pickled pearl onions, chimichurri sauce and potato croquette; vegetarian lasagnette; and baked lemon pudding.
Bymark
66 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON M5K 1K2Bymark, a world-renowned restaurant by celebrity chef Mark McEwan, reflects the dynamic energy of the financial centre in Toronto’s downtown core. The dining room is intimate and the bar is active and exciting. The menu offers a contemporary touch with a core of classic cuisine and is matched by an extensive wine list. For Winterlicious, menu options include Fogo Island cod cakes with horseradish, dill crème fraîche and citrus endive; braised rabbit tagliatelle with roasted root vegetables, baby spinach and toasted walnuts; and chocolate éclairs.
Café Boulud
60 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, ON M4W 0A4Located at the exquisite flagship Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, Café Boulud serves a menu inspired by Chef Daniel Boulud’s French roots and inflected with international flavours. Dishes are timeless and expertly executed by Boulud’s talented team of chefs. Winterlicious menu options include boeuf bourguignon – red wine vine-braised Ontario beef, with pearl onion, carrot, potato and mushroom – and pear and chocolate charlotte with ladyfinger biscuit, poached pear and chocolate mousse.
Canoe Restaurant & Bar
66 Wellington St W, 54th Floor, Toronto, ON M5K 1H6Critically acclaimed as one of Canada’s best restaurants, Canoe boasts a unique location high atop the Toronto Dominion Bank Tower that affords a breathtaking view of the city and Lake Ontario. The design is clean and simple, yet absolutely stylish – a brilliant reflection of Canada’s rich, raw environment. That same brilliance is captured through the flavours and textures of Chef John Horne’s inspired regional Canadian cuisine. For Winterlicious, menu items include Ontario beef tenderloin and chuck flat with brown butter rutabaga fourchette, heirloom carrots and sweet and sour kale, and vegetarian flourless chocolate fondant.
Chiado Restaurant
864 College St, Toronto, ON M6H 1A3Chiado is a beautiful blend of old world charm and timeless elegance. Chef Silva’s traditional Portuguese cuisine features fresh ingredients, bold flavours and creative presentation, specialty fish and Portuguese wines. On the Winterlicious menu, options include grilled squid in coriander, garlic and olive oil; tartare of salmon with avocado mousse and fresh apple; risotto of field mushrooms and winter vegetables; and a dark chocolate cherry tart.
EPIC Restaurant
100 Front W, Toronto, ON M5J 1E3EPIC takes its reputation for innovation and quality and infuses it with premium ingredients. Fluid, contemporary design is an effective backdrop for a menu that features the best of Ontario’s growers. Seasonally, hand-nurtured herbs from the rooftop garden 15 stories above Front Street, brighten each dish. Menu options for Winterlicious include lamb shank with squash, polenta, pearl onions and mint gremolata, and white chocolate cheesecake with salted caramel.
Fring's
455 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1K4Fring’s is the Bent-Lee boys’ latest and most ambitious venture, a breathtaking dining space on King Street West with a cool and global fine dining vibe and aesthetic. The menu at Fring’s combines comfort food and Toronto foodies’ appetite for palate-expanding world cuisine. Accompanying the menu is an extensive wine and cocktail list, curated to further complement the vast diversity of flavours and textures. The Winterlicious menu includes organic salmon crudo with apple ginger, jalapeno and ponzu; Asian marinated skirt steak; and cardamom dark chocolate mousse with chocolate crumble and berry compote.
Kasa Moto
115 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 1C1Kasa Moto is a beautiful, contemporary Japanese restaurant and lounge located in the heart of Yorkville. Guests will enjoy an izakaya style menu, innovative cocktails and a vibrant atmosphere. On the menu for Winterlicious: prawn and chive soup; misoyaki chicken with karashi potato puree, spaghetti squash and a garlic ginger sauce; and Sweet Sensu, a combination of lime ginger cremeux, green tea cake, kinako and Japanese sweet pickled plum.
Leña Restaurante
176 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5C 2L7A Chef Anthony Walsh creation, Leña pays homage to his Argentinian mother-in-law, Elena, from whom he has drawn great culinary inspiration, and embodies what he experiences in her kitchen. Leña’s cuisine showcases the vibrant essence of South American cooking, with unique Spanish and Italian influences. For Winterlicious, menu options include kohlrabi and palmito salad with shaved cabbage, sunflower seeds and bravas dressing; braised pork shoulder and white beans with guajillo pepper marmalade; and candied orange and almond cake.
Michael's On Simcoe
100 Simcoe St, Toronto, ON M5H 3G2Michael’s on Simcoe, located in the heart of downtown Toronto, is an upscale, modern steak house with an Italian touch. On the Winterlicious menu you’ll find roasted pear topped with toasted walnuts, arugula and gorgonzola on arugula pesto; grilled Ontario pork chop served with apple cider jus and topped with apple and Brussels sprout slaw; and a whipped ricotta cheese cake with red wine fig compote and cocoa shortbread crumble
Miku Restaurant
10 Bay St, Toronto, ON M5J 2R8Miku Toronto boasts over 7,000 square feet of space, including a raw bar, sushi bar, large patio and private dining rooms, bringing contemporary upscale design to the southern Financial District. Miku’s cuisine combines traditional Japanese flavours and techniques with local, East Coast elements to create a truly unique dining experience. On the Winterlicious menu: aburi sashimi salad with ikura, baby market greens and an umami soy mustard vinaigrette; petite beef tenderloin with pan-seared miso foie gras; and chocolate croissant bread pudding.
Momofuku Shoto
190 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5H 0A3Daishō, an Ontario-inspired restaurant located on the third floor of Momofuku Toronto, occupies a glass cube overlooking University Avenue. Menus change often based on market availability and are inspired by the diversity of Ontario’s ingredients and growing relationships with local vendors. Winterlicious menu options include a pakora bun (sweet potato, cilantro, spicy yogurt); spicy seafood stew with bean sprouts, lime and black rice; and chocolate, banana, hazelnut Chantilly cream.
Byblos Uptown
2537 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4P 2H9Named after the city’s latitude, North 44 is known to Toronto and international diners alike for its unique dining experience and elegant surroundings. With a sophisticated, yet relaxed atmosphere, North 44 is a gourmet experience perfect for business professionals as well as social or romantic dinners. The Winterlicious menu includes North 44 soup (Jerusalem artichoke-parsnip puree, sun choke chips, sage and cumin-curry dust); lamb “two ways” – medium-grilled lamb chops and lamb shank ravioli with beech mushroom ragout, heirloom carrots and fresh thyme; and a cinnamon pear cake.
One Restaurant
116 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 1C2ONE Restaurant is celebrity chef Mark McEwan’s North American contemporary Yorkville hotspot. The stunning decor was fashioned by award-winning design group Yabu Pushelberg, and features low light and textured walls that create a sumptuous ambiance. For Winterlicious, menu options include poached pears with golden quinoa, spiced walnuts, crumbled chèvre, aged balsamic and honey mustard vinaigrette; spicy tuna tartare with avocado purée, crispy sushi rice cakes, chili aioli and scented soy and nori; and vanilla ice cream, bananas foster and salted pecans.
Ruth's Chris Steak House
145 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2L2Ruth’s Chris Steak House serves up a range of entrees, from USDA prime steaks broiled at 1800 degrees and served sizzling, to the freshest seafood and poultry, imaginative side dishes, unforgettable desserts and an award-winning wine list. On the menu for Winterlicious: steak house salad, a 6 oz. filet of tender, corn-fed Midwestern beef, broiled to your liking, and chocolate sin cake.
Sassafraz Restaurant
100 Cumberland St, Toronto, ON M5R 1A6The little yellow house that Sassafraz calls home is set in an array of Victorian row houses in the heart of historic Yorkville. Sassafraz has seen it all – from the early hippie movement of the ‘60s to the lack of movement that comes from too much Bordeaux. Sassafraz specializes in market-driven, French-inspired Canadian cuisine. On the Winterlicious menu, options include the bison short rib pappardelle with wild mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, fine herbs and Parmigiano-Reggiano; bean and root vegetable salad; and flourless dark chocolate cake.
The Fifth Grill & Terrace
225 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1W2The Fifth Grill and Terrace, a French inspired steakhouse offering fine cuisine and charming ambience, is located on the 5th floor of an old textiles warehouse in Downtown Toronto. A private freight elevator takes guests up to the dining room and the Terrace, heated and open year round, offers a rooftop oasis with eclectic decor and great views of the city skyline. On the Winterlicious menu: beef carpaccio with goat cheese beurreck, mustard and beet seedlings; Atlantic salmon “Wellington” with corn ragout and heirloom carrots; and pear tart “Bourdaloue” with hazelnut ice cream.
The Shore Club
155 Wellington W, Toronto, ON M5V 3H1Located near Roy Thomson Hall, The Shore Club is a vibrant restaurant in the Entertainment District, known for its atmosphere, professional service and outstanding classic cuisine. The unique decor is a contemporary homage to art deco ocean liners, boasting soaring ceilings, a palette of cool blue and green hues and stunning original artwork. For Winterlicious, menu options include a potato and leek soup; Manhattan cut prime striploin with red wine sauce and roasted shallot; and a warm chocolate brownie with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream.
The Sultan's Tent & Café Moroc
49 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E 1B3A sense of ritual hospitality, combined with regally prepared, traditional French Moroccan dishes, has earned The Sultan’s Tent and Café Moroc a reputation as a place to enjoy superb food and wonderful ambience. On the menu for Winterlicious you’ll find a chickpea salad; lamb tagine with apricots, almonds and couscous; and baklava, crème brulee or decadent chocolate tart for dessert.
Tundra
145 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2L2From the design to the décor to the menu, Tundra was conceived to evoke the image, texture and taste of Canada. Fresh innovative design is inspired by the untamed Canadian landscape enhancing the award-winning, cutting edge cuisine. On the menu for Winterlicious: maple and black pepper compressed butternut squash with house-made ricotta, micro arugula, pomegranate and a sherry reduction; stuffed wild board shoulder with ‘nduja sausage, roasted garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, Brussels sprouts, sweet potato puree and Canadian whiskey jus; and apple funnel cake with spiced, candied peanuts and buttermilk poppy seed ice cream.
Vaticano Italian Restaurant
25 Bellair St, Toronto, ON M5R 3L3Enjoy Italian hospitality in a warm, candlelit dining room in Yorkville. Chef Felice Vacca and his friendly, knowledgeable staff serve authentic Italian cuisine using only the freshest ingredients purchased daily. Treat yourself to a selection from Vaticano’s award-winning wine room to enhance your dining experience. Winterlicious menu options include organic greens and tomatoes with Vaticano dressing; Bistecca prime NY steak (12 oz USDA prime) with fresh porcini mushrooms and topped with truffle sauce; and multi-flavoured cheesecake.
Veloute Bistro & Catering
2343 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4E 1H2Contemporary, chic and offering an intimate community vibe, Veloute Bistro is located in the heart of The Beaches. Veloute follows the terroir farm-to-table slow food movement using locally sourced ingredients, with a menu designed to inspire and challenge the most discerning palate. Sommelier Alise Matos can help you select from the extensive wine list for the perfect complement to every dish – BYOB is also an option. On the menu for Winterlicious: warm goat cheese beet salad, a Dijon and panko crusted Australian lamb rack, and carrot caramel cheesecake.
Fairmont Royal York
100 Front Street W., TORONTO, ON M5J 1E3Benihana Japanese Steakhouse A Japanese steakhouse in the heart of Toronto, Benihana offers teppan cooking right at your table. Skilled chefs present and prepare the freshest beef, seafood and produce in a fast-paced performance of chopping and juggling at a hibachi table right in front of you. Winterlicious menu options include albacore tuna and Atlantic salmon sashimi; mango, avocado, cucumber and takuwan kampyo roll; a New York strip steak and mushrooms; and lychee chocolate flourless cake.
Lee Restaurant
601 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1M5At his namesake restaurant, Chef Susur Lee balances the epicurean traditions of China with the classical techniques of French cuisine, improvising a daring and original culinary aesthetic. Frequently appearing on local “best-of” lists, Lee offers a menu inspired by the convergence of land and sea with seasonality in mind. Winterlicious dinner options include Thai fried chicken with tamarind chutney and green apple kimchi; curry braised lamb beggar’s purse with coconut bamboo rice and tomato curry leaf chutney; and a pineapple and passionfruit popsicle with mango and white chocolate mousse.
La Société
131 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1R1A casual yet chic Parisian eatery, La Société is a marriage of Canada’s most cosmopolitan city and Parisian bistro style and cuisine. The combination offers a dining destination unlike any other in Toronto. For Winterlicious, the menu includes kale salad with anchovies, preserved tomatoes and Grana Padano; steak frites with Bordelaise sauce and house aioli; and a lemon curd verbena granite with torched meringue and a graham crust.
Noce
875 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G5Over the years, owners Elena Morelli and Guido Alberto Saldini have kept the focus of their menu on sophisticated flavours and fresh ingredients for years. Their refined and authentic Italian cuisine has inspired a loyal following and critical acclaim. On the Winterlicious menu you’ll find free-range local cerf de boileau, a venison carpaccio with pine nut aioli, roasted pear and crispy chicken skin; cavatelli with rabbit ragu, carrots, fried sage and pecorino romano; and chocolate cake with candied orange, hazelnut, coffee and sea salt.
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