Conference in Toronto - suggestions?

[amccomb]

My husband will be at a conference in Toronto starting next Tuesday and going through Friday and he would love some dining recommendations. He likes pretty much anything - loves ethnic foods, willing to spend big bucks on a really nice lunch or dinner, but also up for super cheap and yummy street food.

His hotel is here:

Courtyard Toronto Downtown 475 Yonge Street,

Toronto, M4Y 1X7 Canada

So places nearby would be great, but he is also willing to get a cab for something really good.

Also, what about some fun cocktail bars in that area?

Thanks!!

[rgruby]

Not much really right by the hotel.

But lots of stuff a short to mid length walk away.

Salad King/ Linda is about a 5 min walk south. Salad King is basically a cafeteria - but serves up quite respectable Thai for not a whole lot of $$. Very hectic at lunch. Linda is a much nicer room (just up the stairs - same kitchen) and has the same menu at lunch. More upscale menu there at dinner.

Chinatown isn't far - not sure what I'd recommend there though. Maybe a bit far to walk - but a few places from the original Chinatown (along Dundas and Bay to University) are still there.

I generally avoid the Church st (near your hotel) and King St (a short cab ride) strips.

Really, anything downtown is going to be a $10 cab ride or less from that hotel. A bit hard to narrow things down.

Ethiopea House on Irwin is pretty close to that hotel.

There's four or so Indian places on Queen just west of University. Better can be had further afield. But, they're all ok.

For Korean, Bloor west of Bathurst has a bazillion places.

There's some ok Japanese not too far - Hiro on King E and EmaTei on St Patrick (I think) - been a while.

Parkdale has a few Tibetan places - it's a bit further though.

But not far from the Queen W hipster cocktail strip of the Gladstone and Drake hotels, the social etc etc. The Drake is supposed to have good grub too.

College west of Bathurst has a bunch of mostly middling Italian joints, plus some cocktail bars and a few places that have patios. Cocktails near your hotel? I'd head up to Yorkville probably (Avenue road to Yonge, just north of Bloor. But, not really my scene. And, it's not an area noted for the quality of the food - although there are exceptions.

Street food? Pretty much just smog dogs here. For now.

Ok, for something fairly nice near your hotel I'm drawing a total blank. There's probably something reasonable along Church, but I couldn't tell you what it would be. A short (even $5-6) cab ride and a whole mess of options would be available.

hope some of this helps.

Cheers,

geoff