The Dish Power Rankings: The King Goes to Caribana Edition
Momofuku opens its second-floor terrace; the world’s best basketball player parties in T.O.; and El Catrin is the city’s buzziest new Mexican restaurant.
1. Momofuku Daishō (no change)
After unveiling its new patio at a midsummer party earlier this week, the only tables available on Friday and Saturday night are after 10 p.m.
2. Big Crow (no change)
Anthony Rose’s new outdoor mess hall is already crammed (and the mermaid fountain modeled in the likeness of Rachel McAdams hasn’t even arrived).
3. El Catrin (↑4)
The new taqueria in the Distillery District is booked solid for the second straight weekend.
4. Playa Cabana Hacienda (↓1)
Hacienda is even busier than its Playa predecessors: there’s only a single table up for grabs tonight and another two on Saturday.
5. Bar Isabel (↓1)
Grant van Gameren’s Little Italy tapas bar offers late-night reservations—good thing because weekend tables are scarce before 11 p.m.
6. One (new this week)
Basketball icon LeBron James showed up for Caribana last weekend and was spotted all over the city, including at Mark McEwan’s swishy dining room at the Hazelton Hotel.
7. La Carnita (↓1)
A year in the College Street taco spot is still drawing hour-long lineups on the weekend.
8. The Cocktail Parlor (new this week)
Charles Khabouth’s casual cocktail lounge only takes reservations from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Then it’s first-come, first-serve. By 7:30 p.m. the place is packed.
9. THR&Co. (no change)
Cory Vitiello knows how to fill a room: primetime weekend tables have been consistently booked since the new Harbord Street spot opened in May.
10. Amsterdam Brewhouse (no change)
The new lakeside extravaganza has 300 seats spread across four patios. Still, weekend lines are 20 minutes long.
Honourable Mentions
Toronto Star food critic Amy Pataki praised The Wren, a new pub on the Danforth, for its big southern flavours (and its stroller parking); meanwhile, Hopgood’s Geoff Hopgood was the latest subject of “Munchies,” Vice Magazine’s web series about partying hard with North American chefs.
Dropped off the list: Rock Lobster Queen, Cabana Pool Bar
After unveiling its new patio at a midsummer party earlier this week, the only tables available on Friday and Saturday night are after 10 p.m.
2. Big Crow (no change)
Anthony Rose’s new outdoor mess hall is already crammed (and the mermaid fountain modeled in the likeness of Rachel McAdams hasn’t even arrived).
3. El Catrin (↑4)
The new taqueria in the Distillery District is booked solid for the second straight weekend.
4. Playa Cabana Hacienda (↓1)
Hacienda is even busier than its Playa predecessors: there’s only a single table up for grabs tonight and another two on Saturday.
5. Bar Isabel (↓1)
Grant van Gameren’s Little Italy tapas bar offers late-night reservations—good thing because weekend tables are scarce before 11 p.m.
6. One (new this week)
Basketball icon LeBron James showed up for Caribana last weekend and was spotted all over the city, including at Mark McEwan’s swishy dining room at the Hazelton Hotel.
7. La Carnita (↓1)
A year in the College Street taco spot is still drawing hour-long lineups on the weekend.
8. The Cocktail Parlor (new this week)
Charles Khabouth’s casual cocktail lounge only takes reservations from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Then it’s first-come, first-serve. By 7:30 p.m. the place is packed.
9. THR&Co. (no change)
Cory Vitiello knows how to fill a room: primetime weekend tables have been consistently booked since the new Harbord Street spot opened in May.
10. Amsterdam Brewhouse (no change)
The new lakeside extravaganza has 300 seats spread across four patios. Still, weekend lines are 20 minutes long.
Honourable Mentions
Toronto Star food critic Amy Pataki praised The Wren, a new pub on the Danforth, for its big southern flavours (and its stroller parking); meanwhile, Hopgood’s Geoff Hopgood was the latest subject of “Munchies,” Vice Magazine’s web series about partying hard with North American chefs.
Dropped off the list: Rock Lobster Queen, Cabana Pool Bar){kind=link}