Hi, <BR>I am looking for any good restaurant recommendations that you might have. <BR> <BR>We want to try an italian/pizza restaurant that bakes their pizza in a stone oven. What do you recommend? <BR> <BR>We also want to try a good chinese restaurant that is not super expensive. A chinese restaurant that also serves burgers or steaks would be great, the kids are not chinese food fans. <BR> <BR>We also want to try a good seafood restaurant. We are considering Fishermans Wharf. Any other recommendations? <BR> <BR>Is Planet Hollywood any good? The kids want to eat there. How about Hard Rock Cafe? The kids also want to eat there. <BR> <BR>Lastly we want to try a good mexican restuarant. Any Recommendations? <BR> <BR>Also if you have any personal favorites please let me know. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Kathy <BR>

Hi Kathy, <BR> <BR>Iwas born in Toronto and have lived here all my life and I consider myself to be a food expert. I would recomend the following. <BR> <BR>Pizza-Terroni, On Queen St.-West of Bathurst St.-best pizza in the city, very reasonable and cute patio in the back. <BR> <BR>Chinese- Swatow, On Spadina-south of college (China Town) authentic and unique and fairly reasonable. <BR> <BR>Hard Rock and Planet Hollywood -skip this below average, very touristy restaurants

Hi, <BR>Thanks so much for your reply. <BR> <BR>If anyone else has anything to add please do so. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Kathy <BR>

We liked the Moven Pick in an office building in downtown. It's not the Moven Pick's you see all over Switzerland. It's a hugh buffet. Sushi, pasta, pizza, fresh fish, bouillabaisse, desserts, wine, and on and on, prepared in front of you. Individually each thing is good, but combining this and that, creates a unique experience. We coordinated our attack on the place, and we all shared each others bounty. it's like a non-Chinese, Chinese banquet. <BR>The biggest most varied all you can eat chinese restaurant that I have ever been to was in north Toronto around Markham Street. It's enormous -- they even had a creditable Pekin Duck -- and for Chinese all you can eat it was very good. I'm sure someone can tell us the name of the place. <BR>Lastly, Toronto has a great China Town. The little store front places are every bit as good as New York or San Francisco China Town.

Bram recommended Terroni and I agree. There is another Terroni - I think it would be on Victoria south of Queen Street. That's more downtown (close to the Eaton Centre) and might be convenient depending on where you're staying. A pizza restaurant which is all over Toronto is Il Fornello - it's actually pretty good and there are restaurants all over.

Bram, Vosaki, and Susan thanks so much for your replies. <BR>I forgot to ask your opinions on Greek restaurants... <BR>Also if anyone has anything else to add please do so. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Kathy <BR> <BR>

The best area for Greek restaurants is on the Danforth. That's just east of downtown and the Bloor Danforth subway runs along the Danforth. It's a wonderful neighbourhood (sometimes called Greektown) which is filled with Greek restaurants. Some of our favourites are Ouzeri and Pan, but there are so many, it shouldn't be hard to find something you like at a reasonable price. Many of them have sidewalk patios which are great in the summer. The area is very lively in the evening. During one of the weekends in August, there's a street festival called "Taste of the Danforth" which is usually a lot of fun (and the food is good too!).

Thank you Susan. I've heard a lot of great stuff about Pan. <BR> <BR>One last question. I was reading in another forum about a chinese restaurant called The Mandarin- Is it any good? Where is it located? <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Kathy <BR>

The Mandarin is a Chinese buffet. I know that there are several of them around the city, although I don't know if any are downtown. I am not personally familiar with them, but I know they are quite popular.

Hi Kathy - There are several locations for The Mandarin - it's a buffet-style restaurant that offers lots of food (at least 50% western), of reasonably high quality. Kids love it (mostly for the dessert buffet part!). For the most part the Chinese food is Cantonese (I prefer Szechuan) but well prepared and due to the high volumes, very fresh. <BR> <BR>Another suggestion in the downtown area is Champion House on Dundas - szechuan mostly, but a wide range of dishes including excellent Peking Duck. <BR> <BR>Hope you enjoy your visit to Toronto.

Thanks Susan and Elizabeth. <BR> <BR>I am not a chinese food expert. So tell me what is the difference between Cantonese and Szechuan? <BR>I've eaten at many chinese buffets, but I don't know if it was cantonese or szechuan. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Kathy <BR>

The Senator Restaurant across from the Pantages Theatre. Not seafood, chinese, or italian, but wonderful food anyway.

Hi Kathy, <BR> <BR>Cantonese food tends to be deep fried. Deep-fried chicken balls, deep-fried ribs, deep-fried wings, I think you get the message. Schezuan or Hunan types of chinese food tend to be much more flavorful and generally not quite as heavy. The restaurant I recommened a few days ago-Swatow-309 Spadina is in the heart of the downtown chinatown and has food similar to schezuan but from another province in China The noodles are unlike any I've eaten in a Chinese food restaurant for they are almost like linguine. Where are you staying in Toronto? so I can recommend some other local favorites that are easy to get to.

I am staying at Novotel on The Esplanade. <BR>

Hi! Noticed that you'd be @ Novotel. <BR>We were there last weekend for a <BR>Father's Day lunch. They have THE BEST <BR>'Eggs Benedict' I have EVER tasted! We arrived too late for breakfast/brunch but the chef made them for me anyway! <BR>Say 'hi' to the chef for me...Tell him it's the lady who travelled all the way from France for his Eggs Benedict! He'll <BR>know who you mean!! <BR>Have a great visit!

Based on Brams recommendation I tried both Pizza-Terroni and Swatow. The pizza was great, it is advertised as South Italy cusine and was different than most pizza's but was great. Maybe I hit Swatow on a bad day, but I was disappointed. The serving was small, I was used to have soup and egg roll come with a dinner. It was just the entree, and was nothing special. I had a shrimp dinner, so may the noodles are the way to go.