104077 Tue Nov 01 09:15:39 -0800 2005 8 23 Ontario (including Toronto) 0 563832 Hello All, I have been visiting Toronto 4X monthly for the last 4 months on business. I normally stay ay the Rennissance Dome but have become dulled by the food offerings available in the area. Last week I had some time off and breakfasted at the Soho Hotel (good) and continued walking down King Street West. The area seemed to show culinary promise, but, an awaiting flight forced me to postpone my eating adventure. Are there any food experiences of merit in this area? I eat quality food of all types and would be willing to stay at a hotel closer to a food experience. Please share ny suggestions. Thanks Tue Nov 01 09:15:39 -0800 2005 0 Visitor 1 563833 King West is Toronto's new culinary hotspot.. there are a ton of good places from high cuisine to reasonable, from fine dining to dinner lounges... There are many reviews on this site for the restaurants so I will just list a few on King west of Spadina and you can ask or search for specifics... Crush Wine Bar, Brassai both mid level dining boardering on fine dining without breaking the bank Rodneys Oyster House - Toronto tradition great fresh seafood Century Room - Lounge / Nightclub Susur - Pan Asian Fusian some say the best restaurant in Toronto others disagree expensive Lee's - (Susurs other restaurant, right next door) not as fancy but still great food medium priced. Thuet - Fine Dining French specializing in canadian ingredients and wild game dinners open less then a year Spoke Club - Private Club, have to know someone to get in I think.. BlowFish - Higher end Japanese "fusion" I am sure I missed a few and there are some other east of Spadina on King Like Bymark & the new Ki Have fun exploring... Tue Nov 01 09:39:52 -0800 2005 563832 0 Jim 2 563839 King West has a few interesting spots. Jim mentioned a number of them in his post - most of those have been discussed on this board to some degree. My two-cents on some of the places that Jim mentions: - You pay for decor at Blowfish. The sushi/food is just passable given the prices and the service is cold. - Rodney's has a great variety of oysters that you don't find in other places. Great vibe too. - I concur with Jim's thoughts on Brassaii. Other options: - I like Jalapeno (they make a good Mole Poblano) on King west of Bathurst. - The Wheat Sheaf (SW corner of King and Bathurst) is a great place to catch a hockey game as they have a large screen tv. Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays, they feature half-price wings. Nachos and zucchini sticks are good too. - Amuse Bouche (at King and Tecumseth) is a French spot I haven't yet had the opportunity to try. - For simple but solid Italian, you should try Porticello, which is not far from your hotel at Queens Quay and Spadina. It often gets overlooked for its unfortunate location, but I've always enjoyed the meals I've had there. Tue Nov 01 11:20:09 -0800 2005 563833 0 Juniper 3 563973 Hello...walk north on Spadina. On the east side of the street there's "jules", & "fusarro's". Fressen(Queen W.) is also a vegetarian mecca. If just 4 the decor. Were you unhappy @ Sen5e's..? Thu Nov 03 02:25:44 -0800 2005 563839 0 thumbtack 4 563989 Yes, Jules and Fusaros' are good options as well. Fressen is good, but be prepared for ultra-slow food. They make that disclaimer on their menu, but I'm still shocked by how long everything takes to come to the table. I also like Tutti Matti on Adelaide, east of Spadina. Solid Italian. Thu Nov 03 09:50:52 -0800 2005 563973 0 Juniper 5 565325 This is my hood! Responding to some other posters, and in east > west order................ - Jules, just north of King on Spadina, is good for a steak sandwich and salad at lunch. Leitieri beside it is part of a mini-chain: good coffee and fresh orange juice. - Crush and Brassai are both okay but the food's nothing special. I think Brassai is slightly better. Crush can be a bit old-boy snoot, Brassai in my experience is slightly warmer, younger and nicer. - Zoe, on the north side just west of Spadina, is a little -mostly-takeout- place with great (expensive!) sandwiches. Roast beef with wasabi, yum. They close early - around 3. - I like Innocenti for steak frites with aioli – it’s unpretentious and good. - Susur is megabucks and I’ve never eaten there but Lee, next door, is fantastic. There’s a braised beef that’s velvet, one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. You can often get in without a reservation. - I’d definitely forgo Loft, which IMO is gruesome. Hideous dry-meatball-type mini-burgers, grilled cheese sandwich made of plastic cheese, and the worst attempt at a stirfry I ever tried –and failed- to eat. - There’s a new Italian restaurant on the south side four or five blocks past Bathurst called Cinqucente – the service is nice but inept, and the food is pretty good. - If you walk up to Queen and Bathurst there’s a place just north of the northwest corner called Lalot which has super drunken chicken, good beans and nice martinis. It’s modern minimalist and quite pretty. Sat Nov 26 00:06:39 -0800 2005 563989 0 spigot 1 563834 There is great chow around the Soho Hotel...go to Spadina Rd and head north 2 blocks or so on west side just north of Richmond St....Le Gourmand is a great place to get yummie eats daily specials...the only thing I've regretted ordering is the pizza...usually a little queue...but moves quickly...Yes King St west has some great eateries...I'm sure there's a hound out there to suggest some.....Miranda Tue Nov 01 09:40:29 -0800 2005 563832 0 Miranda 1 563837 I've heard Brant House, on Brant St. is a great place for drinks and people watching. I believe there is a dress code, perhaps an unstated one. Tue Nov 01 10:15:03 -0800 2005 563832 0 jill 1 563897 If you are up early for breakfast or want some light lunch, you can try Zoe just west of Brant or Wagamama at King & Tecumseth. Loft is a good upscale sports bar for an after work drink. If you are in for something more casual, head up one street to Queen. Lots more to explore there. Enjoy your stay! Tue Nov 01 21:36:35 -0800 2005 563832 0 Orange