Progressive Dinner in Yorkville (GTA)

[Food Tourist]

I am trying to plan a memorable evening of the best of the best in Yorkville. Criteria: must be within walking distance of the Four Seasons Hotel in high heels (this reminds me that I must search for Googs' annual TTC list), and must be the most delicious item on the menu.

For example:
Pre-dinner cocktail
Appetizer
Main course - but not steak or chicken or pasta unless it's mind-blowing
Dessert
After dinner drink - and then end up back at Four Seasons Hotel
Breakfast/brunch

So, 6 different places in Yorkville with the best of the above. Trying to think outside the box!

Considering Pangaea, C5, Zin, L'Unita, Mistura, etc. (No budget restrictions). Does not have to be fine dining atmosphere but will be dressed up. Will attempt to make reservations.

Would consider taxi to Scaramouche if vastly superior in one of the above categories. Otherwise, a maximum 10 minute walk (under one kilometre) is the most I can handle between stops especially if weather is rainy or blustery.

Thanks so much!

[Food Tourist]

Thanks to everyone who helped with suggestions. We ended up going to:

Caren's Wine Bar - very good sheep cheese platter - discovered that the Spanish tempranillo by the glass was a better match than their suggestion

Spice Room & Chutney Bar - Jump Up soup was disappointing - hot and sweet but no depth, and way too much cilantro. (Okay, I'm biased against cilantro).

Zin - this place should be avoided at all costs. Ridiculously bad Chinese food -- bland, disappointing, and tasteless. Depressing atmosphere. We ate the wasabi duck hand roll, moo shu pork (mostly cabbage), bowl of steamed rice, pot of oolong tea, and minced pork with eggplant. The Star gave it a good review so Dad really wanted to try it. Never again.

Opus - fantastic apple fritter dessert, good molten chocolate cake, decent '85 vintage port, and okay cappuccinos. Unfortunately, we were treated like second-class citizens for "only" ordering dessert and drinks (this was well after 9 pm). However, would definitely return to try apps and mains.

Breakfast - Crepes a GoGo - delicious Nicoise, good Big Ben Brie, good service, okay cafe du lait and hot chocolate. Watched owner blow her nose in a kleenex and continue working without washing her hands. Eww.

Coffee - Z'Espresso by Bar Mercurio (south side) - okay lattes (one shot "italian" style).

[JamieK]

Wow, that's quite the little tour you took. That's unfortunate about the treatment you got at Opus but I do hope you return and report back because I'm living/dining vicariously through your culinary adventures, ha ha!

Oh, glad you enjoyed Carens, that's one I've actually been to a few times and always enjoy.

[Food Tourist]

Correction: Dad's yearning to try Zin stemmed from Kates: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/f...

[Food Tourist]

So I'm thinking pre-dinner cocktail at One at Hazelton, appetizer (soup) at Spice Room, main course at Zin or Mistura (perhaps another round of apps instead of actual main courses), and dessert at Pangaea or Scaramouche (if they'll let us in just for dessert) followed by after-dinner nightcap at Park Hyatt Rooftop Lounge. I hear breakfast at the Four Seasons is pretty good.

[robb]

Just curious-but why the need/desire to eat a course in 5 different restaurants? I f you want to walk, then wht not just walk to Opusa and have an awesome dinner form wine to dessert. Wild mushroom app and tempura tuna are two great apps and they do an awesome job with game. I've had great venison, dear, elk, squab....if you're staying at the 4S then I pressume this is not a frat prank...why not just relax and have a great dinner.

[Food Tourist]

Was waiting to hear a recent first-hand experience at Opus. I'm game for game.

I like variety. I know some restaurants excel at apps, whereas others excel at mains.

[neileshd]

Agreed wtih Snarf and Rabbit for drinks. I'd definitely do One as a pre-dinner cocktail - great martini, definitely the right atmosphere to start the night.

And end the night a top the Park Hyatt or if you really want to venture out of Yorkville - Panorama. Both would be equally good choices.

As for meals - a personal favorite of mine is the Osso Bucco wtih Wild Mushroom Risotto at Spuntini.

[Rabbit]

- Definitely agree with Snarf that the Roof at the Hyatt is a great place for drinks... I'd probably finish there
- "One" might be good for cocktails too... I'd probably start there since it can get really scene-y at night (unless that's your thing)

- I love the wild boar agnolotti with cherries at Mistura for an appetizer

- maybe Moroco for dessert (although I've never actually been there so I can't vouch firsthand)
- I also really like Caren'sWine and cheese if you prefer savory to sweet for dessert (or wine and cheese to start)

[Snarf]

Somewhere in the mix, you'll want to have a drink at the top of the Park Hyatt. Great martinis, fantastic view.

For one course, you might think about the jump up soup at Greg Couillard's Spice Room and Chutney Bar, in Hazelton Lanes. Even though his involvement has decreased, they still do it well.

[Food Tourist]

I went to the Rooftop at Park Hyatt in March for my birthday drinks and never actually went onto the balcony so I'm looking forward to going back just for that reason!

The Spice Room / Manyata webpages differ on the price of the Jump Up Caribe Style soup ($8-$9)! But either way, it sounds delicious.

[Snarf]

Just noticed that you were considering Zin. I've been a couple of times, and there are a number of interesting dishes that are quite well executed. The wasabi duck roll is very good, in particular. Also one of the better hot and sour soups in the city.

[JamieK]

If you're thinking outside of the box, think west of Avenue Rd -- Opus, on Prince Arthur about half a walkable block away.
http://www.opusrestaurant.com/opus.taf

[Food Tourist]

Never been to Opus, so that is indeed a radical new idea for me. Their online menu mentions a Kurobuta pork rack which sounds delicious but what would you say is their best dish?

[JamieK]

sorry, I can't afford to eat there, so haven't had a dish there, let alone all of them to determine the best.. I just know it's well regarded and has one of the best wine cellars in the city.