Winterlicious 2014: Toronto Life’s 65 best bets for this year’s fest

One question looms large in the minds of food-obsessed Torontonians around this time of year: to ’Lish or not to ’Lish? The extravaganza of cut-rate prix-fixe menus has a somewhat checkered past, and it’s true that not all Winterlicious meals are created equal. That’s why we pored over the master restaurant list and picked out the 65 spots around the city that have been tried and tested by Toronto Life reviewers. Restaurants begin taking reservations on Thursday, January 16, and the hottest tables are guaranteed to fill up fast—so get those dialling fingers good and primed.

The downtown quadrant, sandwiched between St. Clair Avenue and College Street, encompasses Yorkville and Harbord Village—two neighbourhoods known for their pricey culinary destinations. Splendido took last year’s prize for most sought-after reservation. This year, we suspect that Winterlicious first-timer Café Boulud may well usurp the title.

Byzantium
499 Church St., 416-922-3859
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $25

Café Boulud
60 Yorkville Ave., 416-963-6000
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $45

Chiado
864 College St., 416-538-1910
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $25 | Dinner: $45

Corner House
501 Davenport Rd., 416-923-2604
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $35

Crème Brasserie
162 Cumberland St., 416-962-7363
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

John & Sons Oyster House
1 Balmoral Ave., 416-515-0551
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

L’Unita
134 Avenue Rd., 416-964-8686
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $35

La Société
131 Bloor St. W., 416-551-9929
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Mideastro Yorkville
27 Yorkville Ave., 416-477-2427
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $35

Mistura
265 Davenport Rd., 416-515-0009
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $45

Museum Tavern
208 Bloor St., 416-920-0110
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $15 | Dinner: $25

One
116 Yorkville Ave., 416-961-9600
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $25 | Dinner: $45

Sassafraz
100 Cumberland St., 416-964-2222
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $25 | Dinner: $45

Sorrel
84 Yorkville Ave., 416-926-1010
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Splendido
88 Harbord St., 416-929-7788
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $45

Unsurprisingly, King West and the Financial District are packed with Winterlicious destinations, including historical stand-out Canoe. This year it’s joined by two-thirds of the Momofuku triplex.

Aria
25 York St., 416-363-2742
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $25 | Dinner: $45

Azure
225 Front St. W., 416-597-8142
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $25 | Dinner: $45

Bangkok Garden
18 Elm St., 416-977-6748
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $15 | Dinner: $25

Bannock
401 Bay St., 416-861-6996
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $15 | Dinner: $25

Biagio
155 King St. E., 416-366-4040
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Brassai
461 King St. W., 416-598-4730
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $25 | Dinner $45

Bymark
66 Wellington St. W., 417-777-1144
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $25 | Dinner: $45

Canoe
66 Wellington St. W., 416-364-0054
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $25 | Dinner: $45

O&B Canteen
330 King St. W., 647-288-2710
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $15 | Dinner $25

Crush Wine Bar
455 King St. W., 416-977-1234
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Epic
100 Front St., 416-860-6949
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $25 | Dinner: $45

Estiatorio Volos
133 Richmond St., 416-861-1211
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Frank
317 Dundas St. W., 416-979-6688
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Lee
601 King St. W., 416-504-7867
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $45

Little Anthony’s
121 Richmond St. W., 416-368-2223
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Luma
350 King St. W., 647-288-4715
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Matahari Grill
39 Baldwin St., 416-596-2832
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $15 | Dinner: $25

Momofuku Daishō
190 University Ave., 647-253-8000
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $25 | Dinner: $45

Momofuku Noodle Bar
190 University Ave., 647-253-8000
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $15 | Dinner: $25

Nota Bene
180 Queen St. W., 416-977-6400
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $25 | Dinner: $45

Starfish
100 Adelaide St. E., 416-366-7827
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Stock
325 Bay St., 31^st Floor, 416-637-5550
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $25 | Dinner: $45

The Fifth Grill and Terrace
225 Richmond St., 416-979-3005
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $45

Tutti Matti
364 Adelaide St. W., 416-597-8839
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Vertical
100 King St. W., 416-214-2252
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $25 | Dinner: $45

Despite the raft of new restaurants that have colonized Queen East, Riverdale and Leslieville are once again poorly represented on the Winterlicious roster. Two tried-and-true spots on the Danforth stand out among the meagre east-end pickings.

Globe Bistro
124 Danforth Ave., 416-466-2000
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Pan on the Danforth
516 Danforth Ave., 416-466-8158
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $15 | Dinner: $25

The west-end Winterlicious scene has picked up since last year’s fest. Two new entrants that are sure to fill fast: Parts & Labour in Parkdale and Susur Lee’s Bent, known for its impeccable Asian-style ceviches and other pescatarian options.

Bent
777 Dundas St. W., 647-352-0092
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $35

The Drake Hotel
1150 Queen St. W., 416-531-5042
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $30

Grace
503 College St., 416-944-8884
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $35

Maialino Enoteca
1688 Queen St. W., 416-551-5251
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $25

Merlot
2994 Bloor St. W., 416-236-0081
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Noce
875 Queen St. W., 416-504-3463
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $35

Parts & Labour
1566 Queen St. W., 416-588-7750
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $35

Quinta
1282 Dundas St. W., 416-534-0407
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $25

Southern Accent
595 Markham St., 416-536-3211
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $25

The dining options north of St. Clair are usually plentiful, and this year is no exception. Winterlicious newbie Lil’ Baci joins old-school fine-dining spots like Auberge du Pommier and North 44.

Amaya Bread Bar
3305 Yonge St., 416-487-1100
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $15 | Dinner: $25

Amaya: The Indian Room
1701 Bayview Av., 416-322-3270
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $15 | Dinner: $25

Auberge du Pommier
4150 Yonge St., 416-222-2220
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $25 | Dinner: $45

Celestin
623 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-544-9035
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $25 | Dinner: $45

Five Doors North
2088 Yonge St., 416-480-6234
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $25

Frida
999 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-787-2221
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $25

Il Mulino
1060 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-780-1173
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $45

Kamasutra
1522 Bayview Ave., 416-489-4899
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $15 | Dinner: $25

Katsura
900 York Mills Rd., 416-444-2511
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Lil’ Baci Yonge
2013 Yonge St., 647-748-6300
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $15 | Dinner: $25

North 44
2537 Yonge St., 416-487-4897
Read our review | See the menu
Dinner: $45

Pizza e Pazzi
1182 St. Clair W., 647-352-7882
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $14 | Dinner: $25

Quince
2110 Yonge St., 416-488-2110
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $15 | Dinner: $25

Tabülé
2009 Yonge St., 416-483-3747
Read our review | See the menu
Lunch: $15 | Dinner: $25