Toronto Food & Drink - Restaurant Guide - Tony Aspler

March 16, 2010

03/16/10

11:18 AM

Ice Ice Baby at Queen West hipster hotspot

If you've ever felt the desire to experience the culture of Iceland, but are more into taking baby steps, the Drake Hotel is your logical destination from March 17 to 20.

03/13/10

01:30 PM

Bite into brisket at popular Queen Street resto

I visited Nota Bene restaurant recently to try what some foodie friends have advised is the "best brisket sandwich in the city." I am typically a skeptic about such comfort food claims but knowing the skills of chef David Lee I went with an open mind.

Dr. Josh Josephson is a member and former president of the International Wine and Food Society, Toronto chapter.

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03/05/10

11:29 AM

New Annex hot spot needs to do no 'splaining

Locals were taken by surprise recently when stalwart Mel’s Diner closed the doors of its prime location corner biz on Bloor. More surprising, perhaps, was the restaurant that’s taken its place: Hey Lucy Café.

Kelly Jones is a freelance writer and editor, and she teaches Food Writing at George Brown College.

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02/25/10

05:18 PM

Plenty sizzle, some steak at Corktown bistro

I am well aware that, in Our Town, to suggest that Emperor Jamie Kennedy has no clothes is heresy. Nonetheless, I am obliged to provide you with the truth. Gilead is no big deal.

02/24/10

08:39 AM

Have fork, will travel: T.O.'s top dog heads to China

When I had dinner at Big Boss, a Beijing restaurant that can seat 300-400 people, I noticed the escalating trend in China towards elaborate décor and setting, not to mention high prices.

Celebrity Chef Susur Lee runs successful restaurants in Toronto, New York and Washington.

02/19/10

12:24 PM

Crazy for crostini at Leslieville bistro

We began with appetizer crostini: savoury Tamworth pig lardo and rosemary. The earthy taste combined with the silken texture of the lardo on the crunchy crostini was an addictive experience.

Dr. Josh Josephson is a member and former president of the International Wine and Food Society, Toronto chapter.

02/17/10

08:30 AM

Recipe: A sweet sauce for your meatballs

The recipe I use is actually not mine, but my wife Roxanne’s. She picked it up years ago from her sister Francine, a very good cook who makes her tomato sauce the right way.

Chef Mark McEwan is the force behind McEwan, a gourmet food market, and some of Toronto's best restaurants.

02/15/10

04:34 PM

Dundas diner makes family brunch a breeze

There are only a handful of respectable restaurants in this city that turn out a decent brunch the whole fam-damily can savour in an environment that kids easily bust a move in and that parents appreciate for its design and decor.

Kelly Jones is a freelance writer and editor, and she teaches Food Writing at George Brown College.

02/12/10

08:10 AM

Romantic T.O. dining for the reservation-less

All the best tables in all the best restaurants are already booked, so don't bother. Fear not procrastinators, there is still hope. Here are some simple tricks of the trade that might be off the radar of the average Torontonian.

02/11/10

11:02 AM

Froggett serves up Arctic char for charity

The char was perfectly cooked rare, so silken and delicate in texture with just a hint of smokiness. Nothing to mar the wonderful subtle taste of the fish.

Dr. Josh Josephson is a member and former president of the International Wine and Food Society, Toronto chapter.

Warmed up by a bright new culinary concept

Taste trumps calorie counting

Low-cost eatery high on fun and flavour

THE MANTRA OF this market-style eatery north of Steeles on Yonge is “fresh and healthy Middle Eastern cuisine.” To that tag line they should add “fabulous” as everything sampled here is deserving of a revisit.

A culinary adventure awaits in Leaside

It is rare for one entrepreneur to get food, service and price fine tuned, in one month. Segar Kulasegarampillai has managed this and more.

Out of this world cuisine

Having just read an update on 24 recent restaurant closings, I am in awe of the optimism inherent in the opening of a new dining spot. Layer that with a “jinxed” location, and it is clear that the guiding minds have supreme confidence.

The Taste of Tuscany

Eureka! I may have found a neighbourhood eatery, in my own neighbourhood, that is worth the walk. Opened only three months ago, by Ned Spahic, after eight successful years as executive chef at Sette Mezzo a few blocks away, Balsamico is the latest addition to the Yonge stroll north of Davisville.

Grill house shows promise

New Richmond Hill eatery has moments of glory

Ready for the main event

IS THIS A restaurant with an identity crisis or is it an allpurpose eatery? These burning questions bring us to the latest outpost of Le Gourmand or LG3 as they call this Midtown location at Yonge and Eglinton.

Still quite the stunner

Zucca adds zip in the kitchen

Little Korea at Kazan

New barbecue restaurant in town

Authentic never tasted so good

Grilled calamari could be the best in the city

A league of his own

Right out of the gate, Franco Agostino has his new restaurant operating at full steam

Centre Street’s new Italian diva

At the heart of the intersection of Centre Street & Disera Drive beats Di Manno, Richmond Hill’s newest upmarket Italian hot spot.

Out-of-this-world Cantonese

This restaurant’s exhaustive list of Cantonese options is impressive

This ain’t Tex-Mex and no, they don’t have fajitas!

Today's existential question: are Torontonians ready for upscale Mexican cuisine if it comes with high-end prices?

Kates' Greats

The city’s first lady of food shares her picks for T.O.’s latest and greatest culinary landmarks

More Kates Dines Out »

Leafs’ tough guy shows his sweet side

Beloved former Leafs captain and prized pugilist Wendel Clark takes on T.O.’s top chocolate cake

Going for Yukon gold

Former Olympian and Quebec native Josée Chouinard’s quest for the GTA’s top poutine

The Taster's Dozen

Over the past year, 12 of the city’s most high-profile chefs and celebs have taste-tested the best dishes Toronto has on offer. From fish and chips to French onion soup, we take a look back at the best of 2009.

On a wing and a player

With the Bills in town Dec. 3, we asked NFL Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas to rate our city’s best Buffalo wings

Using your noodle

With mac and cheese in the midst of a gooey gourmet renaissance, we dispatch Italian restaurateur Roberto Martella to find the city’s best.

A nice slice of rice

Sushi pizza puts the best of Japan and Italy all in one bite. This month, restaurateur Franco Prevedello and chef David Lee of Nota Bene sample T.O.’s finest

The tastiest BBQ in Hogtown

Fine dining’s dynamic duo, chef Michael Bonacini and restaurateur Peter Oliver, hunt for the meatiest, most flavourful ribs in town

Best souvlaki north of the ’forth

Taste of the Danforth hits town this month, but you needn’t leave the ‘hood just to go Greek: T.O.’s most succulent shish kebabs are just around the corner.

Mother’s Day meatball free-for-all

T.O.’s Italian chef extraordinaire, ‘Mama’ Rosa Marinuzzi of Seven Numbers restaurant, puts the city’s best sandwiches to the test

Toronto’s Italian ice capades

When it comes to judging gelato, no one’s better than T.O.’s Italian chef Massimo Capra, owner of Mistura and star of Restaurant Makeover

Nacho, nacho man

Rookie sensation Travis Snider of the Toronto Blue Jays steps up to the plate(s) to taste-test the GTA’s best major league nachos

Third Midtown project for plucky restaurateur

Chicken and ribs Portuguese style

Kelly Jones

Vegan eatery offers tempting lunch buffet

Kale brings vegan, organic and macrobiotic fare to the Yonge and Eglinton neighbourhood. Conscientious eaters appreciate the healthy alternatives to the usual pub grub, and workaholics like the...

Kelly Jones