Restaurant List

I call this my date restaurant. Not for men but for the ladies in my life. Not sure where we should go for dinner? Bar One. I haven't seen her since high school...where to go..BAR ONE! I met her at a stagette and I'm stalking her because she doesn't know it but she's my newest best friend...BAR ONE. I've gone here so many times with ladies over consecutive weeks that it would appear I'm a picky lesbian trying to find my perfect woman to wine-dine-whine with. It's that reliable. read more...

Fresh, rich French food with a tongue-in-cheek bite, this upscale eatery demands you indulge. The menu is full of rich choices, each meal garnished with succulent sides. Chef Marc Thuet strives to maintain a close connection between his suppliers and what he serves, insuring the food is extremely fresh. Bite Me also has an extensive brunch menu and wine list. Come hungry.

Back in the day, Sunday night used to be reserved for Nana's roast beef dinners with mashed potatoes and milk. Comfort food that was followed up with wholesome programming like Road to Avonlea. Nowadays, Sunday is spent curing hangovers while making love amidst the Globe and Mail Style section and panicking about Monday. BUT you can still find that warm home cooked meal you crave to calm your nerves and warm your insides. Go to Cafe Polonez and be chastized if you don't order soup with your perogies and schnitzel. Sunday night it is rammed with Roncesvalles families. read more...

Baby sis to favourite Czehoski, Coca's menu changes with the seasons, using ingredients that are market-fresh. This ever-evolving menu keeps the dishes creative, and their impermanence makes them all the more delicious. The Spanish-inspired tapas choices never fail to please, offering yummy food and a hipster vibe.

If you want to pair a juicy and tender bavette-frites with some good table wine and a ½ dozen baby oysters; then Deluxe is a surefire bet. The waiters are hot with great tattoos, the crowd is artsy professionals, and the classic French bistro has a clean layout that feels refreshing and offers just the right ambience for somewhat raucous conversation amongst your well dressed friends read more...

Ministry of the Interior injected cool international design on to a strip that was best known as an auto-mechanic / fish store wasteland, so when slick tapas restaurant Foxley moved in just under a year ago, it solidified the Ossington strip as 'pretty fucking cool'. Since then it seems as though every other space that can be leased has been snatched and transformed into a packed bar, rad vintage shop or swank apparel store. read more...

Overly confident? Nah – it’s deserving of the really really really long name. read more...

Walking North on Dovercourt from Queen, you will stumble upon a somewhat oddly located convenience store that is decorated with palm trees and Christmas lights; welcome to Julie's. A valued retreat for Queen Westers in the know, Julie's is a stupendous choice if you are looking to wind down with some soothing mojitos...and then slowly build that energy back up as you get tipsy and go wild for a variety of succulent Cuban tapas.

The interior is laden with photos, odd books, quirky dolls and other peculiar things to gaze at; an artists escape from communism. read more...

Supermarket is where you go to listen to indie bands, dance, drink and pick up strangers. Little sister, Mini M, is a few blocks west in Little Italy - go here for Izakaya and sweet nothings. What the devil is that? When everyone and their franchised friend says Tapas, it takes a savvy marketer to fenangle a new line for choosing many little dishes to share, and so this Pan Asian hub of activity decided to Izakaya their way to fame. read more...

Intimate and sexy. Meet your lover in a raised booth for some white wine and a dozen oysters. Slimy suck backs not your thing? Oyster Boy has a terrific variety of fresh fish, scallops, muscles; opt for the seafood plate if you want to try a bit of everything. Following a slurp and a suck, go home and get it on.

Less expensive than Rodney’s, but you can also expect service that is a wee bit under par. Oysters have always been delish.

Cheap wine, delicious authentic Neopolitan grub, and an atmosphere that feels like your best friends kitchen: there's a reason Pizzeria Libretto is everyone's new favourite restaurant. The menu is creative and satisfying, and features a good range of vegetarian choices, as well as spelt crust for those who are not a friend to wheat. The desserts are home-made Chef Rocco Agostino and proprietor Max Rimaldi have a wealth of experience and ideals, and it comes through in this well-loved west side eatery. read more...

GIVE ME MORE MEAT! Hungover Parkdalers can satisfy their cravings with the Bison burgers and delicious veggie poutine at Stampede. Those looking for a little relief can order a rummed-up milkshake for a hair-of-the-dog fix. Be it late-night snacking or a lunch-time burger fix, Stampede Bison Grill has all the takeout you need.

Creative martinis, perfect preparation, and a wealth of steak are on offer here: New York sirloin, filet mignon, Chicago cut porterhouse, bison, ribs and Kobe steak. You name it, you eat it. The sides are made for sharing, creating an intimate dining experience. Take your steak craving here and leave satisfied.

Sitting in the SWAN you will most definitely feel like you are surrounded by famous writers, Canadian actors, clothing designers and playwrights, and you might likely be - or not. Either way, it's fun to play the 'ARE THEY FAMOUS" guessing game; a game reserved for the reserved Canadian celebrity culture. You can blend in and look famous too. read more...

People love love love Terroni. It’s simple great Italian food at a decent price set in an atmosphere that embodies the busy city shuffle. It’s incredible success has allowed the owners to have three locations attracting a variety of crowds from the Queen west hipster, the millionaire St. Clair family with obnoxiously loud children and the King West lunch meeting / after work revelry location in the financial district. AND AND AND – they opened a fourth smack in the middle of LA, no doubt attracting huddles of Hollywood salivating over thin crust pizza and their next big idea for a film. read more...

East-end fusion spot Tomi-Kro mixes mediterranean and asian cuisine, features made-in-house desserts, and a casual vibe, all adding up to a delicious and relaxing dining experience. The menu features veggie options and the wine list is extensive. Creative combinations and an array of options mean everyone will leave full and happy.

Torito, a spanish tapas restaurant, is nestled at the onset of vibrant Kensington market. The perfect place to pepper your palette with an array of dishes. TRY THIS, TRY THAT; a sampling of deliciousness for the experimental eater. Design an arrangement on your table with cold and hot servings; arugula, manchego cheese, roasted almonds salad with qunice vinaigrette, a chorizo and chestnut soup, crab croquettes with parsley aioli and shrimps al ajillo.

You may want to bring some breath mints. read more...

“Hey, what’s up?”
”Shitty day, I’m so tired, so hungry. Ugh.There’s nothing in my fridge. Everything sucks.”

When a conversation like this occurs, your best bet for a satisfying cheap meal coupled with good conversation is UTOPIA - that is if it’s not rammed. If they say they have room in their back area, make sure it’s the exterior patio and not the makeshift narrow addition that feels like you are dining in a camper van with a tarp. Sound cool? Not so much, but the actual patio is a nice retreat; not quite utopia but pleasant nonetheless. read more...