Where to Eat Now 2012
The sprawling dining scene in Toronto is more diverse and promising than ever. This year, a handful of 20-something chefs who trained at the city’s old-guard establishments broke out on their own with original, low-rent restaurants in Roncesvalles, Bloorcourt Village and Cabbagetown. New Italian places—some quaint and friendly, others opulent and expensive—outpaced bistros by an angel hair. Canada’s heritage was thoroughly and pervasively plumbed for culinary inspiration. (Is there anything that can’t be glazed in maple syrup?) The barbecue craze progressed into a New Age southern food fetish that involves a lot of top-shelf bourbon, house-made pickles and artisanal sauces. Chefs evoked the Mediterranean on seafood-loaded menus downtown, where, after years of casual comforts, fine dining returned, albeit revamped for diners who couldn’t care less about gourmet bravado and epicurean elitism, so long as their trout is perfectly seared (and comes from Lake Huron). Toronto Life’s critics indulged in it all. We ate, drank, debated and finally ranked the 10 spots that surprised us, delighted us and made us grateful to live in this restaurant-obsessed city.
The 10 top food trucks in the GTA
Five top renditions of this year’s hot Mexican street food, the tostada
Our five favourite Neapolitan pizzas
Five sandwiches that mine the primitive appeal of meat plus bun
(Images: Photography by Raina and Wilson. Illustrations by Joe McKendry)
We were recently at a TIFF related private function at Aria Restaurante. THe food was wonderful and the restaurant is beautiful. Very modern with clean lines and lovely appointments. Loved the restaurant. Have already recommended it to friends!