What restaurant in TO would you choose if someone else was paying?

[jeff75]

Just curious what restaurant you would choose (any type of food) in the GTA if someone else was picking up the cheque. Thanks

[mindyt]

All of the restaurants recommended are great. Canoe is the one most people mention as the one to go to if you are not paying. It is on the 54th floor of Toronto's TD Centre, so the view alone is specatcular.

[mtampoya]

Susur or Splendido. I am excited just thinking about it.

[to_frankie]

Susur, Perigee, Splendido ( ANd I would have put Avalon in that mix if it was still there)

[rsvp7777]

Susur. (Except it's closed in August.) Then I'd do Splendido.

[jackackattack]

My absolute favourite restaurant hands down has to be Amuse Bouche. The wait staff are extremely professional and helpful. The food is spectacular even though I ate things I've never heard of before. And maybe one of my favourite reasons for liking Amuse is one of the chefs...Jason...a guy from the caribbean who makes a wicked hot sauce and even gave each of us a bottle to take home and try. Great personality and very friendly and warm with the patrons. I found Bert to be a little stuffy considering all we wanted to do was praise him for his outstanding efforts. Still...we're going back again on Tuesday the 25th for what will no doubt be one more fantastic dining experience. 10+++++

[redhead]

I think George - beautiful room, lovely service and outstanding food (I think I would take it over Perigee, though it is pretty close..I like the room at George better..)

[kerwintoronto]

A vote for Eigensinn if we were talking super-extended GTA. Not a bad drive if you have the limo stocked with good sparkly (Cava for me) and some port or armagnac for the ride back.

In the GTA environs...I'd vote for Hashimoto (all 8 courses of the dinner) and ask Hashimoto-san (proper term of address?) for his recommendation on sakes.

My second choices would be Susur and Sushi Kaji.

[Googs]

Susur hands down. I will never dine at that other place nearby run by another famous chef again. If I wanted to hear a man & wife yelling at helpless underlings, I'd eat in a trailer park.

[cchrish]

Why do you think that the "underlings" at said restaurant are helpless? Servers at these kinds of places are generally pretty smart folk making lots more money than, oh, say teachers (tax free income is good stuff.) Frankly, they earn the money very honestly (particularly because so many of their customers think of them as "helpless" and treat them as such.)

[annette]

Michael Statlander and family have left Eigensinn Farm and are traveling on their bus again in search of regional treasures to cook. I read that very recently. Call and check when they open again

[kerwintoronto]

Yup...I called to try and get a last minute July booking and they are gone for awhile. They have flexible schedules so it looks like we are going to have to wait for a late summer excursion.

[estufarian]

Because they have a school-age child, they almost always take vacation in summer so that's usually a poor time to go. But, this means they usualy ARE around during school terms.

[oishi]

Eigensinn Farm for sure. I agree with above mentioned but would add Rain and Amuse-Bouche.

[fickle]

Susur, Splendido, Sushi Kaji, Perigee, Opus, Chiado, Thuet and Harbour 60 in that order.

[xtal]

If I liked the person and their company: Splendido.

If I didn't: Lai Wah Heen takeout.

And I would definitely put out for a meal at Splendido... :)

[Suburban Gourmand]

OK, can I put down another...Eigensinn Farm for sure Derksen...I always forget about that one because it is just so out of my reach!

[Suburban Gourmand]

Susur, with dessert tasting at Perigee!

[diehardlasallejai]

The Canoe

[Derksen]

Well... I've done Perigee recently. Definitely worth going back... but I'd try something different.

Susur... done that once. Great meal. Great wine. Great $$.

Spledido... am I the only one not blown away by this place? I thought it was decent, but not remarkable. The food was prepared well, just not very innovative and tasty IMO.

I'd have to chose Eigensinn Farm as it seems very appealing. Looks like I have wandered outside your GTA border though. In that case, maybe Sushi Kaji or Omi as I haven't done either of those. Possibly Senses as well.

[pinstripeprincess]

Eigensinn Farm would be ridiculously tempting....

but in the line with Sushi Kaji and Omi...... my vote goes to Hashimoto. i've never been, but there's something about Japanese cuisine that absolutely takes my breath away and they're a really unique experience.

so... how long can i stay? 2 hours? 3 hours? how about... 6?

[Googs]

If you have not surrendered to Chef John Lee at Omi you simply must. Omakase should be changed to Omikase in his honour. Not only is his work impeccable, he has a unique gift for knowing precisely how to please his patrons. Worth every penny you will spend. That's why it isn't my choice when someone else is paying. I would happily pay for his offerings any day.

[Derksen]

I have not yet had the oppurtunity to surrender. I am in the process of convincing my non-sushi eating GF (horrible... I know, but she's a great girl otherwise) to take me there for the okakase.... I'll let you know after August 13th!

[phoenikia]

Lai Wah Heen or Thuet.

[SarahBHood]

Perigee. For the dessert tasting. Or Susur, if they'd bring my mom too.

Added notes:

1. If Eigensinn counts as "in TO", that'd be my top pick.

2. When I went to Susur with three friends, it came to $170 per person for the biggest tasting menu with a couple of bottles of wine and all taxes and tip. We loved it.

[Olivia]

Susur (as long as I didn't have to put out).

[tasoid]

Susur, Susur and Susur again! or Thuet if I was really hungry!

[susancinsf]

I'm following this thread with interest, since I will be in Toronto soon, with a per diem, though it is far from unlimited. Checked out the Susur website and it looks fabulous, but no prices are listed! So how expensive is it anyways? Is it really at the 'if you have to ask...' level? Thanks!

[iheartfood]

A 5 course tasting menu ranges from $65 (vegetarian) to $90...the seven course is about $75-$110...wine list is extensive and ranges in price so your total depends on what you order...

[susancinsf]

thanks for the info, although I see below that they are closed in August (when I will be there...). Sigh.

[TorontoJo]

Perigee, Splendido or Chiado, depending on the mood!