The Dish Power Rankings: Terrence Howard goes for tapas edition

The Dish Power Rankings: Terrence Howard goes for tapas edition

The-Dish-Power-Rankings

Toronto Life’s weekly roundup of the restaurants with the biggest buzz, the longest lineups and the toughest tables to snag.

Terrence Howard, who’s in town to shoot Best Man Holiday, turned up at a pair of hot Toronto restaurants, while one of the stars of HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones partied in Parkdale.

1. Bar Isabel (no change)
In one week, the Little Italy restaurant appeared on Munchies, Vice’s web series about eating snacks with the edgy lifestyle magazine’s favourite chefs; former Blue Jay Jose Canseco asked Grant van Gameren to craft a blue cocktail called the Mayor Canseco; and Buca chef Rob Gentile added some cred to the endless Twitter love-in.

2. Chantecler (no change)
July reservations for Jonathan Poon’s tasting menu opened Wednesday morning. They were full by noon.

3. Carmen (new this week)
A Terrence Howard sighting sent the busy new Queen West tapas restaurant shooting up our list.

4. La Carnita (back this week)
After going Spanish on Sunday, Howard went for Mexican on Monday. Cue photos with adoring fans.

5. Farmhouse Tavern (↓2)
The neighbourhood hot spot is as busy as ever (although it lacked an appearance from the Hustle and Flow star).

6. Banh Mi Boys (↑2)
The Chau brothers officially opened their new Vietnamese sub shop, and the line ups spilled onto Yonge Street.

7. Edulis (↓3)
There’s only one table for two available between 7-9 pm this month. It’s on Wednesday, May 29.

8. Splendido (↑1)
The Globe’s Chris Nuttall-Smith and Post City’s Joanne Kates are the latest critics to join the conversation about Splendido’s recent make-under.

9. Playa Cabana Cantina (↓2)
The city’s top taqueria is no longer being crushed like rush-hour commuters on the 501 streetcar.

10. Parts and Labour (new this week)
Game of Thrones hearthrob Kit Harrington posed with chef Matty Matheson during a night out on Queen West.

Honourable Mentions: Dragons Kevin O’Leary, Arlene Dickinson, Jim Treliving, Bruce Croxon and David Chilton went to Crush Wine Bar, while Montreal Canadiens star P.K. Subban showed up at Patria. The Black Hoof’s Jen Agg defined cool: it’s Oddseoul.

Dropped off the list: Hopgood’s Foodliner, Kingyo and Origin Liberty.