Toronto Restaurants Recommendations

[sadistick]

Where is this smokeless joes you speak of?

[Greg Ling]

Bier market and smokeless joes sound great .I think I'll hit those first.

[KevV]

Bier market and smokeless joes sound great .I think I'll hit those first.

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Oh-oh. Isn't that 'Shoeless Joe's'?

[child of the storm]

Honestly, the food at Beer Bistro is much better than at the other places, and it's owned by Stephen Beaumont, who is probably Canada's preeminent expert on beer.

But hey, do what you want, just don't say I didn't warn ya.

[cherrypi]

Bier market and smokeless joes sound great .I think I'll hit those first.

←

Oh-oh. Isn't that 'Shoeless Joe's'?

←

It is indeed Smokeless, not Shoeless. If I recall correctly, it was named Smokeless because it was a smoke-free space in the days of smoky bars. You'll find it on the east side of John Street, between Richmond and Adelaide. Lots of beers by the bottle. Not much in the way of food, as they don't have a real kitchen - you can get things like sandwiches and bruschetta (none of it very good). Nothing deep-fried.

I'm a Beer Bistro regular, because I work across the street. Huge selection on tap. Awesome frites.

How about the Rebel House? You could call it a neighbourhood gastropub. Ontario microbrews, Canadian ingredients on the menu (bison, salmon, mussels, maple syrup).

Not a fan of the Esplanade Bier Markt. Although the beer selection is competent, their food is bland, and the atmosphere feels somehow "contrived-upscale" and impersonal. Not surprising, as the place is owned by Prime Restaurants, the folks who brought you East Side Mario's and Casey's.

Edited December 21, 2005 by cherrypi (log)

[piperdown]

Yeah, Smokeless Joe's is much different than Shoeless Joe's. I haven't tried the food there, but that isn't really the draw.

[Greg Ling]

Honestly, the food at Beer Bistro is much better than at the other places, and it's owned by Stephen Beaumont, who is probably Canada's preeminent expert on beer.

But hey, do what you want, just don't say I didn't warn ya.

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Where are bier bistro and rebel house located?

Edited December 22, 2005 by Greg Ling (log)

[cherrypi]

Honestly, the food at Beer Bistro is much better than at the other places, and it's owned by Stephen Beaumont, who is probably Canada's preeminent expert on beer.

But hey, do what you want, just don't say I didn't warn ya.

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Where are bier bistro and rebel house located?

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Rebel House is at 1068 Yonge Street, just north of the Rosedale subway stop (Yonge line). Some menu info here: Rebel House mini-review in Toronto Life

Beer Bistro is at 18 King Street East, right at the King subway stop (Yonge line).

Edited December 22, 2005 by cherrypi (log)

[Oyster Guy]

I also suggest the Beer Bistro. Anytime I am in Toronto it is a stop I find the time to make!

Keep on shucking

Oyster Guy

[Greg Ling]

The food so far has been really good ,Bier market lolita's lust and splendido really stick out,and you cant get bad dim sum in this town.I forgot my camera so did not get any pictures .I'm stuck in niagra falls now,Is there anything besise chains? And thanks to everyone for the recs!

[Endy']

get the heck out of the tourist zone and make the drive into Niagara-on-the-Lake. I don't know if winery tours are available around this time of year but many of the restaurants attached to the wineries are reputedly quite good. Sorry as I don't speak from any personal experience but I have heard good things about On The Twenty and the restaurant attached to the Peller Estates Winery.

try these threads too...

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=77220

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=75524

good luck...

Edited December 28, 2005 by Endy' (log)

[child of the storm]

Last time I was in Niagara Falls I made do with lunch at Wolfgang Puck's (the pizza is good) and a steak dinner at the Keg. Options are limited, most definitely, but I sure could have done worse.

[ryangary]

I will be in Toronto for 1 night this month and I am looking to eat at the

best restaurant. Price is no object, nor is cuisine style.

Thanks

Edited January 2, 2006 by ryangary (log)

[George W.]

For me it would definitely be Splendido.

[gus_tatory]

caveat: i know almost nothing about the current dining scene in Toronto, BUT i have been going through Susur Lee's *gorgeous* biography/cookbook for the last month or so now, and consequently would suggest that you try Susur...

edit to add link... click here for tasting menus...

Edited January 2, 2006 by gus_tatory (log)

[sadistick]

Although many rave about Susur, his price does not justify his cuisine.

I would have to second the recommendation of Splendido.

[Csaville]

I may be out of the loop but we enjoyed Scaramouche the few times we've been lucky enough to go...

[sadistick]

Scaramouche is always a solid choice as well!

Love their Goat Cheese App.

[Greg Ling]

I was at splendido before christmes and it is one of the best meals in recent memory

[GordonCooks]

Perigee! - past reviews can be found in the Toronto thread

[foodieherb]

I have been to Splendido and Perigee (in the same weekend). My wife and I were sorry we didn't spend both nights we had in Toronto at Perigee. We have since eaten at Tru (Chicago), Le Atelier De Joel Robuchon (Las Vegas) and "Alex" Restaurant (also in Las Vegas), and we both agree that the best meal that we had all last year was at Perigee. By a long, long shot. Get the wine parings. We will be back in the Spring, if we can wait that long.

[Jake]

Splendido is great, but for a visitor with only one night, I would have to say Perigee wins the vote.

[Jeebus]

Perigee! - past reviews can be found in the Toronto thread

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Maybe it was an off night at Tru but the meals i had at the two (Perigee, tru) werent even in the same league.

oops I quoted the wrong person.

Edited January 4, 2006 by Jeebus (log)

[mkjr]

Splendido would be my pick also, although I have not been to Perigee. I would not choose Susur over Spendido.

[sgfrank]

I think that your choice depends on your dining history, and what you are looking for. I would say that Susur (or possibly Perigee - but I haven't been, this is just based on reviews) has the most exciting and outstanding food in Toronto. However, my favourite restaurant in the city is Splendido. The food there is great, and you will have a wonderful evening. Scaramouche is a solid restaurant, but conservative, which may of course be what you are looking for.

In short, if you were in town with a foodie buddy or by yourself, I would say Susur or Perigee. If you are here with anyone else and would like to enjoy their company as well as the food, I would say Splendido. (There's a backhanded dig at foodies there, I think. Unintended.)

Simon