Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Trevor Kitchen and Bar, Downtown

38 Wellington St., East
416 941-9410

You enter Trevor Kitchen and walk down to a warm and cozy room. There was a hum across the room and I wanted to sit and sip wine all night. The food was really good and I would highly recommend Trevor Kitchen for a night out.

Sassafraz, Yorkville

100 Cumberland Ave
416 964-2222

I have a soft spot for Sassafraz because one of our best friends got married there. It was an awesome wedding. Newly renovated and open for business Sassafraz is back to being a busy hotspot. The new decor is very similar to the original with a warm modern feeling. Look for the botanical garden growing up the wall. I enjoy having lunch or brunch there on the weekends. The bar is the perfect place for drinks and the food of course, is delicious.

Sushi Inn

120 Cumberland Ave
416 923-9992

After a day of shopping in Yorkville, Sushi Inn is a perfect place for dinner. I also like to stop in for lunch when i am working in the area. The sushi is fresh and there are a variety of Bento Boxes to choose from. it is always busy and lined up and it is noisy so if you are looking for quiet, this is not the sushi spot for you.

Asian Legend, Downtown/ North York

418 Dundas St., West
5188 Yonge St.

This is one of my favourite Chinese restaurants. It is authentic without feeling like you are in a Chinese banquethall. The Moo Shu Pork is a must try. Hot and Sour soup is perfectly spicy and the Ho Fun noodles with beef is delicious. You can eat in or pick up but I don't think they deliver. A non-intimidating place to try some real Chinese food.

Pho 88, Downtown/ Markham

888 Dundas St., East
270 Spadina Ave
Bamburgh Circle - Warden and Steeles

Without a doubt Pho 88 is my favourite spot for Vietnamese Pho noodles. If you want a truely authentic experience try the Bamburgh Circle location. It is not fancy at all and it's a bit of a drive from Yonge and Eglinton but worth every slupping bite. I always order #124 which is Spicy Beef.

One Restaurant

134 Yorkville Ave
Hazelton Hotel
416 961-9600

You are encouaged to share at One, which is a good thing because you will want to taste everything on the table. The food was deliciously simple but had complex flavours. The lobster was poached perfectly and the foie gras was amazing. You must make reservations since this is the hottest restaurant in TO right now. The atmosphere is a see and be seen so be sure to dress your Sunday best. Bring your wallet too, it comes with a Yorkville pricetag.

Kultura, Downtown

169 King St., East
416 363-9000

I love the atmosphere at Kultura. Upstairs is modern and chic and they serve Asian infused dishes for sharing that are delicious. A very comfortable bar is downstairs and you can find all of your usual favourite drinks. I like the idea of being able to have dinner, followed by drinks all at the same venue. Kulture has a fun, New York-like atmosphere and the food alone is worth the trip.

Far Niente, Downtown

187 Bay St
416 214-9922

It probably helped that when I recently went to Far Niente my good friend knew the Chef and all of the staff. That being said, the place was packed on a Tuesday night and the Chef assured me that the food was that good all the time. Renovated 2 years ago, the restaurant has a nice cozy feel. I imagine a big wonderful glass of red wine with my steak. The smoked salmon appetizer was delicious and my steak was perfectly cooked. It's a great choice for lunch or dinner.

Jamie Kennedy Restaurants

Wine Bar & Restaurant - 9 Church St.
Gardnier Museum - 111 Queens Park
416 362-1957

If you want a terrific Jamie Kennedy experience, have dinner at the Wine Bar. You will get the full hustle and bustle feeling of the kitchen. Expert Chefs will serve up a variety of tasty treats right in front of you. Jamie became well know for his fries, which is a shame because although they are great, the foie gras pate is my favourite. There is an extensive wine list to choose from and you can sample smaller glasses which is a real plus. If you want a formal experience, you can sit in the formal part of the restaurant but it's not as much fun.
The Gardnier Museum location is a lovely place to stop for lunch. Again, it's formal and maybe a little too sparse for my liking but the food is good.
I hear he's opening a Stadtlander-like spot in Prince Edward County. I look forward to trying it too.