Toronto: A World of Flavours

Toronto Skyline

Toronto boasts a number of ethnic communities and neighbourhoods where cultures are nurtured through language, retail shops and restaurants. Chinatown, Little Italy, Greektown, Portugal Village, Little India and Koreatown all offer a taste of the wider world, conveniently in one city.

A number of authentic eating establishments throughout Toronto are committed to preserving and showcasing national cultures by serving traditional dishes in genuine settings, while others embrace a new culture through an exciting, innovative fusion of global flavours.

From casual to formal dining, Toronto offers a number of intriguing new establishments and long-standing favourites that have aced the test of time. All restaurants in Toronto are smoke-free in compliance with the province-wide Smoke-Free Act first implemented in May 2006. The legal drinking age is 19 and bars and restaurants stop serving alcohol by 2am. Also important to note is that while restaurants may present a foreign food experience, tipping culture remains Canadian: 12 – 15 percent is customary and is not normally included in the bill.

A TASTE OF ASIA

Food from various parts of Asia has become increasingly fashionable. It’s an often cheaper, healthier option, although there are plenty of upscale choices too. Dim Sum nibbles, steaming noodle dishes, stimulating curries, satisfying rice bowls, stir-fries, fish and deep-fried rolls and vegetables are served with a splash of soy sauce and exotic spices in many Chinese, Korean, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese restaurants throughout the city.

	Chinese Cuisine

Chinatown
Toronto’s Chinatown is one of the biggest in North America, forming one of the largest ethnic communities in the city. Chinatown is centered around the intersection of Dundas Street West and Spadina Avenue and is usually bustling with throngs of people exploring the many street food stalls, markets, oriental specialty shops and restaurants.

Visitors follow the intoxicating sights and smells into a medley of authentic eating establishments, including Rol San Restaurant, an extremely popular Dim Sum specialist on Spadina Avenue. Bright Pearl Seafood which overlooks Spadina Avenue also serves tasty morsels in the Dim Sum tradition as well as a full menu including Peking Duck and fresh seafood from the restaurant tank. Another Chinatown option that receives consistently good reviews and serves a legendary Hot and Sour Soup, is Lee Garden, also located on Spadina Avenue.

Koreatown
Set on Bloor Street West between Bathurst and Christie Streets, Koreatown offers a range of specialist shops selling exotic ingredients and other interesting products, Internet cafes and an abundance of restaurants. Located at the Christie Street end of Koreatown, Bloor Mirak offers an extensive menu of typical dishes, including spicy Kimchi, and is a good introduction to various Korean flavours.

A notable Korean eatery centrally located on Jarvis Street is Ninth Gate Korean Bistro which steps things up with a vibrant, trendy atmosphere and impeccably presented authentic meals including flavoursome Korean Barbeque.

Pairing Japanese and Korean fare is becoming increasingly popular due to complementary ingredients and flavours. Ho Su Bistro, with locations on both Yonge Street and Queen Street West, serves colourful masterpieces while in the northern suburb, North York, Yuki and Sakura mix it up.

Sushi Roll

Strictly Japanese
Sushi fans have plentiful choices in Toronto with over 25 restaurants offering typical Japanese fare. Fune claims to be Toronto’s only floating sushi bar and while the prices are not especially cheap, the selection is spectacular. Located smack in the centre of downtown on Simcoe Street, Fune also serves Don, Noodle, Hot Pot and Teriyaki dishes. Diners can witness an exciting performance of fast-paced Teppan cooking at Benihana Japanese Steakhouse on Front Street West at the Fairmont Royal York hotel, and in the opposite direction on Front Street East Izakaya focuses on rice and noodle based entrees.

The city centre also offers a range of interesting Malaysian, Vietnamese and Thai options to tantalise tastebuds. Malaysian-inspired dishes with hints of Chinese and Indian flavours are delightfully presented at the modern and unpretentious Matahari Grill. Saigon Sister on Yonge Street offers an extensive menu of reasonably priced Vietnamese favourites; and Bangkok Garden is a well-established and extremely popular Thai institution on Elm Street.

INDIAN SPICE

Just thinking about the exotic aroma of spicy Indian curries, tasty tandoori and soft, puffy naan is enough to make mouths water. A popular choice with both vegetarians and meat-eaters, enticing Indian restaurants have popped up all over the city.

	Tandoori Chicken

Little India
The most concentrated gathering of Indian eateries can be found in the fascinating neighbourhood, Little India. Running along Gerrard Street East between Greenwood and Coxwell Avenues colourful shops and restaurants contribute to a festive atmosphere and a sense that there is always something going on.

Udupi Palace is one such lively venue, giving vegetables new life on their fully-vegetarian menu of zesty north and south Indian dishes. For those with a sweet-tooth and an adventurous spirit, Surati Sweet Mart offers an interesting assortment of snacks and sweets made from generations-old recipes and only natural ingredients.

A number of worthwhile establishments also exist outside of Little India’s borders. On King Street West, 309 Dhaba Indian Excellence offers something a little different. Modelled on the roadside restaurants of northern India, the chef’s flexibility to cater to varying tastes of patrons is inspiring and innovative. A traditional concept and taste is given a modern twist with a stylish setting and a hint of Canadian flavour. Another reputable choice is Babur, located on Queen Street West. Known for serving dishes with bite, quality renditions of the classics like Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Quorma, and Tandoori Chicken keep customers returning for more.

EUROPEAN CUISINE

Italian Pizza

Robust meals that fuel parties and festivities are the core of a wider European and Mediterranean food culture, the meal often the celebration in itself. Countries sitting on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece, Italy, France and Spain share the heavily herbed and olive oiled flavours of that area. Other common staple ingredients in these full-flavoured dishes are lamb, pork, olives, cheese and tomatoes, and no meal is complete without a glass of wine, or a few.

Greektown
Toronto's Greek population is impressive, being the second largest outside Greece. Visitors to Greektown may forget they are in Toronto as a string of bona fide cafes and restaurants collide with specialty shops, and Greek is commonly heard from the mouths of locals passing by. Stretching along Danforth Avenue, between Chester and Jones Avenues, the neighbourhood has earned the reputation as a top dining destination, resulting in a number of non-Greek restaurants also moving in. In early August thousands of people converge here for the annual Taste of the Danforth Festival, an unmissable opportunity to sample the various treats of Greektown restaurants in a lively festival atmosphere.

The upscale Omonia has been stimulating the senses of Danforth Street diners since 1978 with platters, feta stuffed and sprinkled appetizers, Lamb Souvlaki, Bifteki, Mousaka and a deluge of Greek wines. A cheaper option catering to the late night crowd, Messini, is open until 5am and serves a huge variety of its specialty Gyros: typical pita sandwiches served in a variety of tasty ways.

Little Italy
During summer afternoons diners spill out onto the College Street sidewalk between Euclid Avenue and Shaw Street, sipping fine wine and savouring succulent pastas on the many outdoor patios. Little Italy is the place to wrap lips around real Italian pizza and pasta and the likes of well-established eateries such as Cafe Diplomatico and Giovanna Trattoria will not disappoint in authenticity and price. For a fancier experience and elegant Italian ambience, indulge in Coco Lezzone's classic menu of pasta, grilled meat and seafood dishes.

There are a wealth of restaurants around the city that fall under the Mediterranean banner. Annona Restaurant, located on Avenue Road at the Park Hyatt, has been praised for its show-stopping Mediterranean-influenced cuisine and luxurious atmosphere. The vibrant Embrujo Flamenco Tapas Bar on Danforth Avenue serves up Spanish tapas and paellas with fiery live Flamenco shows Wednesday through Sunday. While enthusiasts may be hard-pressed to find such delicacies as frogs legs and escargot, the elegance of French cuisine is epitomized by the highly-acclaimed Didier on Yonge Street. Portugal Village, adjacent to Trinity Bellwoods Park, offers a slightly spicier take on Mediterranean fare in a number of Portuguese-inspired restaurants dotted along College Street.

LATIN AMERICAN FLAVOUR

	Guacamole

Destinations in Latin America bring to mind seductive hip-swaying dancers, margaritas and spicy salsas but the continent has an extremely diverse range of tastes and culinary influences from around the world.

Argentina is perhaps Latin America's most European country and its cuisine is representative of such. It is particularly famous for Asado, being perfectly barbequed meat, and its delicious Malbec wines. Casa Mendoza specializes in both, offering its customers a pleasantly authentic experience overlooking the lake from its Etobicoke location.

Red Violin Brazilian Steakhouse also serves choice cuts of meat, this time barbequed in the Brazilian Churrascaria style and cut at the table in Ridizio tradition. Sipping on one of Red Violin's Caipirinhas is another Brazilian experience not to be missed on Danforth Avenue.

The intense flavours of Mexican food generally infiltrate ideas about wider Latin American cuisine, and its popularity is demonstrated by the wide selection of restaurants around the central city, many of which offer live music. The popular Jalapeno Restaurant spices up dinner in the heart of downtown with much-loved favourites and the opportunity to try traditional, regional dishes. Live music by talented mariachis add to the flavour on Friday and Saturday nights.

CLOSER TO HOME

Hamburger

North America has indeed become a conglomeration of cultures and its inhabitants and visitors benefit from the kaleideoscope of menus offered. However, typical, modern North American food, including steak, sandwiches and burgers are forever in demand and never in shortage.

For something stylish, Morton's Steakhouse at the Park Hyatt offers fine dining in the posh Yorkville neighbourhood. Here, American and Canadian influences shape the menu of American Angus beef, succulent seafood and decadent desserts.

Traditional Canadian dishes tend toward wild game meats and seafood, and seasonal vegetables. Trapper’s Café on Yonge Street serves beautifully presented plates adorned with pleasures such as Pan Seared Muskoka Trout, Jump Fried Angus Beef, Wild Mushroom Risotto and Brome Lake Duck.

For towering burgers that have Toronto drooling, Dangerous Dan’s Diner is a must. Hefty portions, scant prices and late night delivery have made Dan’s an institution in the Riverdale community. Or perhaps it’s just a simple sandwich that’s desired. From a basic egg salad to a gourmet Greek chicken wrap, Select Sandwich makes lunch quick and easy with a tasty, extensive selection of fresh sandwiches, paninis, salads and five locations around the city.