The 15 Toronto restaurants recommended in Where Chefs Eat, a new culinary guidebook
Where Chefs Eat is a new 633-page collection of answers to a very simple question: where to go for a good meal? Those answers are from some 400 of the world’s top chefs, including Ferran Adria, Daniel Boulud, David Chang, Fergus Henderson and Rene Redzepi, as well as Toronto chefs Michael Steh, formerly of Reds, and Claudio Aprile, chef and owner of Colborne Lane and Origin. The guidebook is edited by Guardian critic Joe Warwick, who also co-founded the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards. It’s not only an inventory of the flashy big-name places in a city, but also of regular neighbourhood and cheap eats spots. There’s even a category for places the chefs wish they opened. We flipped through the tome to pull out the 15 restaurants in and around Toronto recommended by the world’s top chefs.
Cava Recommended by: Michael Steh Reason: This is Steh’s pick for special occasions.
Chantecler Recommended by: Claudio Aprile Reason: The hen with oyster sauce (now off the menu). “An incredible combination of flavours.”
Drake Corner Café and Bistro Recommended by: Michael Steh Reason: Breakfast
George Recommended by: Paul Newman (Coyaba in Turks and Caicos) Reason: With its “interesting menu compilations,” it’s worth the travel.
Haisai (now closed) Recommended by: Jeremy Charles (Raymonds, St. John’s, Newfoundland) Reason: Charles wishes he opened a restaurant like Hasai. “Owner-chef Michael Stadtlander is an environmentalist, farmer and something of a visionary.”
Jacobs and Co. Recommended by: Marc Fosh (Simply Fosh, Palma de Mallorca, Spain) Reason: “Free-range, Ontario, grass-fed bone-in ribeye. The best steak I have ever eaten.”
Khao San Road Recommended by: Claudio Aprile Reason: “I get mad cravings for the Pad Thai.”
Khmer Thai Recommended by: Michael Steh Reason: Cheap eats.
King’s Noodle House Recommended by: Michael Steh Reason: A regular haunt that’s reliable and affordable. “Be prepared to share and do play nice if you’re put on one of the communal tables.”
Nota Bene Recommended by: Michael Steh Reason: A place that Steh wishes he’d opened.
Pizza Gigi Recommended by: Michael Steh Reason: Although it made headlines for reasons unrelated to its pies, Steh defends this late night fixture for its sloppy, retro toppings. “Just don’t make any jokes about fresh herbs—they’ve heard them all before.”
Starfish Oyster Bed and Grill Recommended by: Paul Newman Reason: “Amazing fresh oysters and mussels.”
Swatow Recommended by: Claudio Aprile Reason: “For my late-night guilty pleasure I go to Swatow for the General Tso chicken and cold tea.”
Terroni Recommended by: Claudio Aprile Reason: Aprile reveals his long-standing regular order: “insalata nizzarda and pizza marinara.”
Torito Recommended by: Claudio Aprile Reason: Go-to Spanish fix.
Where Chefs Eat is available now in bookstores. A companion iPhone/iPad app will be released later this month.
NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY
Sign up for Table Talk, our free newsletter with essential food and drink stories.
