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