Toronto Restaurants

A weak economy has left Toronto's residents with a new appreciation for food. What used to be considered inferior cuts of meat is now in-house charcuterie and appears alongside homemade bread, pasta, and preserves. Chefs are more connected than ever to local farms, and many forage their own spring greens. Luckily, Toronto is blessed with nearby farms and ever-improving wines from the Niagara region.

Once filtered through European cooking techniques, that abundant fresh produce stars in dishes that incorporate tastes ranging from the pungent flavors of the Middle East to the soulful cuisine of Latin America. Lai Wah Heen is one Chinese restaurant that has stood the test of time, The Host helped familiarize Torontonians to Indian cuisine, and Young Thailand has been serving authentic Thai dishes since 1980.

Notable chefs are giving encores by opening new restaurants or working for another: David Lee has moved from Splendido to Nota Bene, Trevor Wilkinson of Canadian Food Network's Opening Soon is working with the Roosevelt Room, and famed locavore Jamie Kennedy is focusing on the Gardiner Café. Even celebrity chefs are embracing a simpler concept of food that is more affordable and accessible.

With locally grown talent and ingredients, traditional techniques, and modern bravado, the dining scene is more exciting than it's ever been. Recommending restaurants in this rapidly evolving foodie destination is difficult. There's not enough space to mention many worthy kitchens in the suburbs and outlying areas.

These days, everyone is a critic; it's difficult for chefs to satisfy a range of tastes and preferences when bloggers' words spread like wildfire. Some of the newer restaurants are all pop and no sizzle, yet most carry great expectations, as they don't last long if they fail to serve up truly tasty goods. And by and large, the city delivers.