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I don't know where seared scallops started but the scallops at CCP are the best I've had on earth. I have a reservation at Liverpool House this weekend. Thanks again, Lesley, for your Paris recommendations.

For what it's worth: Dinner for two at Auberge de L'Ill this summer was $450 including wines, taxes, and tip (not including flight).

I don't think you'll find anything remotely close to Art Java (I didn't think much of Olympico but I only had espresso there once) in Toronto anywhere let alone the areas you mention. You could try Grano, east side of Yonge between Eg. and Davisville. The coffee isn't great but it's a nice looking place and they try. Sorry to be so pessimistic (especially given your posts on the Montreal board) but it's based on very extensive sampling.

I spend a lot of time in Montreal where in my opinion the level of professionalism in the overall management of restaurants is far greater than in Toronto. Consistent with my original point this professionalism and expertise is matched by the local reviewers such as Voir and Lesley Chesterman in the Gazette. Yes, TL is far too generous and although Toronto restaurants vary greatly in quality, in my opinion the TL verbal descriptions and star awards bear little relation to the variability. The "best" restaurants are different in that they attempt a better presentation and are more expensive but generally are not in fact much better than the others.

do you perhaps have suggestions for restaurants better than the list of so-called best restaurants, or are we forced to narrow it down based on slowly eliminating the ones you think _aren't_ best? ← I don't have any better to offer in Toronto.

As long as Toronto Life, likely our most widely read source of restaurant reviews, continues out of incompetence, kindness, or murkier motives to give overly generous reviews and refuses to mention the instances of silly food, inedible food, nondescript food, and incompetent service that reviewers must have encountered as I have at most of the places listed above, there will be little motivation on the part of restaurants to improve and we will remain with the above too long and for the most part inappropriate list of so-called best resaurants.

I'll defer to the local knowledge of the Montrealers on this board, but as a frequent visitor to Montreal I found the Gourmet article to be surprisingly comprehensive and up to date and concur with the recommendations in particular for Joe Beef, Chasse et Peche, and Olive and Gourmando (O and G is closed Sunday). If you decide on either of the first two make your reservations fast. I don't think the articles mentioned le Jolifou and I recommend it as a typical neighbourhood restaurant. Other than that the two markets shouldn't be missed and you can have lunches there. What the locals may not be aware of is that many hotels are running what they call a weekend Sweet Deals promotion where you pay regular rate for the first night, and half for the second. We just stayed at our usual hotel, the Saint Sulpice. I don't know what your price range is but we paid 179CAD for the first night and half that for the second, and that's for a suite with separate bedroom. I imagine the other boutique hotels mentioned in Gourmet have a similar deal but probably more expensive except for the St. Paul which has quite small rooms. Overall, you'll have a wonderful time.

Thanks to all for your replies. Spent a few days in Quebec City last summer and was curious about other perceptions. Stayed happily at the Dominion, a relatively peaceful haven from the bustle. Had one spectacular dinner at Panache (best lamb ever) and went back not so successfully the next night after unfortunately being warned off Utopie by our concierge. Have regretted it ever since and especially now after enthusiastic Utopian reports.

Someone here referred to this article. I missed it so any chance of getting the gist of it?

Had a good one at Jolifou.

We've eaten a couple of times at Vineland this summer. The dishes are imaginative but occasionally flawed by overcooking or oversalting. Still, I think it's the best in the area; better than On the Twenty or Peller Estates based on last year's experiences although all three are enjoyable and I think trying hard.

Sounds like this should be in the business section.

I'll be in NYC the weekend of the 19th and would be grateful for restaurant suggestions. I'm not interested in the Boulud, Bouley, Vongerichten types. Tried those last summer and was disappointed and felt that Montreal does haute better. I like Jolifou, Olive and Gourmando, and even Au Pied de Cochon where personally I've never been disappointed, so suggestions for more the neighbourhood casual type would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Had lunch at Rundles last year. Notably I remember nothing about it except a nicely designed room, mediocre food, small portions, large prices, distant, perfunctory, formal service, stained seat cushions, and my overall disappointment at a mailed in performance.

Just so the folks at Pied de Cochon don't get too discouraged, I was in from Toronto last weekend and as always had one of our meals there. The lobsters and oysters we had were excellent, as was the service. We also enjoyed a very good dinner at Chasse et Peche.

I'm really surprised by some of the recommendations posted here. I don't want to get into a food fight elaborating the shortcomings of the restaurants named nor defending my own choice but the variation in taste is surprising and a marked contrast to the Montreal board (I think). I'd like to think that Toronto diners are knowledgeable so perhaps the problem is what happens when you're forced to choose among second rate restaurants which at best is all that's on offer in Toronto currently. For whatever reason Toronto's best restaurant days are long gone.

Perigee is the best we have right now.

People like Boba, just up Avenue road from the Park Hyatt. Was there once a few years ago and remember it as pretty good. I do currently like Michelle's Brasserie. It's in a lane behind the Four Seasons just across the road from the Park Hyatt. It's an interesting and comfortable place with an OK wine list but extensive beer list to accompany well prepared bistro food. The other restaurants mentioned here are OK but not particularly good value especially compared with what you're likely used to in Montreal. The best I've found in the neighbourhood is Il Posto, again across the road in a lane called York Square.

Can't add to the list but just curious: I've eaten at many BYOW in Montreal and can't remember ever seeing a corkage charge on the bill, certainly not the hefty charges I've seen projected for the opting in TO restaurants. Was I having such a good time in Montreal that I just didn't notice the charges?