My son is graduating with his PhD in several weeks. We would like to take him someplace special for dinner, but are unsure of where to go. (We live north of Toronto and are familiar with it.) We would like it to be special, but do have a budget of $300 for the three of us. We would like to include a bottle of wine in that price. I would appreciate your recommendations. Thanks so much.

Why do I think what he studied has something to do wth the restaurant choice?

Anyway, ORO on Elm Street, almost at Bay, is elegant,sophisticated, has great food, and excellent service.

Memorable.

The CN Tower's 360 is a great specail occasion place; with some care $300 will work fine.

Also memorable, and the view can be a metaphor for his future -- the whole world is at his feet.

Canoe has a nice view too, but may be even more expensive.

Does he have a favorite cuisine? Thje Chinese restaurant inthe Metropolitan behind City Hall is spectacular, if Chinese food is a favorite.

$300 would work at Ruth's Chris steakhouse in the Hilton; the restaurant encourages sharing of the sidedishes so it can be less expensive that it first appears and the wine list is great. Excellent Sommelier who will advise you well. Just tell her some idea of budget, and she'll keep things reasonable.

BAK

Thank you, Bak, for your suggestions. I appreciate it. I will check them out.

First, I suggest you also post your question on www.chowhound.com's Toronto forum. You'll get lots of replies there.

You might want to look at Boba (http://www.boba.ca/) or the Corner House (http://cornerhouse.sites.toronto.com/). Both are very upscale places with great food, suitable for a special occasion and are not either too trendy or stuffy.

JOV would also be a good choice - it is at Bayview and Eglinton. I have seen excellent reviews lately and the atmosphere is very nice - a bit more modern.

Pony is located in the hipper little Italy area of Toronto and has excellent food in a small bistro atmosphere.

Bodega is a french restaurant on cute Baldwin Street, near UofT.

Jamie Kennedy's new restaurant at Church and Front is probably one of the hottest new places right now. He also has a wine bar which is next door and great. I haven't been able to get to the restaurant yet but it is supposed to be great. (http://www.jkkitchens.com/jkr.html)

Well, congratulations to your son! It's a long, hard grind to complete a PhD and he deserves to be treated!

Here are some of our favourites for a special occasion. You'll have to check out the websites for prices, though.

We love the Pasta Bar at Scarmouche (not the regular restaurant which is outrageously expensive). It's lively, the food is good, the service professional and ask for the table by the corner so you get a nice view.

Grappa on College Street. A slightly more formal atmosphere than the other College Street bistros. Good food, good service, a little formal but not 'old-fashioned'.

Sintra on College Street. Portuguese cuisine, good food. A pretty place.

Esco Pazzo on Yonge south of Eglinton. Excellent food, pretty place, unusually low prices for such a nice place.

A friend loves Pastis on Yonge at Summerhill. I've only been to a private party there but I'd trust her judgement.

We often go to Grano on Yonge. Very lively atmosphere, pretty in a sort of Tuscan way, good food, very friendly service.

I'm very fond of Papillion on Church but it's largely Breton-style crepes although they do have many other menu items and it's a very pretty place.

Fred's Not Here on King Street. Lots of choices, leans towards grilled steaks, chops, etc. Good food.

We regularly go to Oliver and Bonaccini at Bayview Village. The food is good, it's pretty and very lively.

I have a friend who is a restaurant reviewer and she loved Sequel on Yonge north of Lawrence and also Lure on Dupont. It's new and in the spot at Dupont and Avenue Road where Adriatico and, before that, Moulin Rouge used to be. Both of these places may be too expensive, though.

Others that have good reputations but may be too expensive are Joso's on Dupont, Boba on Avenue Road, Mistura on Dupont, Auberge du Pommier on Yonge, Trappers on Yonge.

If you're interested in bistros, I'm sure we could all give you names of our favourite neighbourhood places too.

Sorry, I think I meant Mitsura.

North 44 on Yonge St.... try the appetizer and dessert samplers that give you multiple tastes in a very special presentation... food is of very high quality.....

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I appreciate it! So many choices!

I've taken family and friends to La Bodega on Baldwin Street for special events, and they've loved it. Is your son graduating from U of T perhaps. Baldwin Street is just south of the University and is a wonderful little street full of great restaurants. La Bodega is probably the most upscale, but it's not super-expensive. Despite the name, it's more French than Spanish. Great service, nice environment. http://www.bodegarestaurant.com/

If your son would prefer something a little more exotic, Mata Hari Grill (malaysian - like a cross between Thai and Indian) across the street is great.

Le Select Bistro is also a wonderful restaurant, with a very good value prix fixe menu and a great, affordable wine list (with a sommelier who is not the least bit snobby). However, Le Select is moving from Queen West to Wellington Street in mid-November - the timing of the move might not suit your plans. http://www.leselect.com/

Mildred Pearce on Sudbury St (south of Queen St near Dufferin) is also great for a special occasion. It's a very dramatic room. It's probably the most expensive of the three, but with some careful choices it would still fit within your budget.

If you want a view, I prefer Canoe to 360 - less touristy. Excellent, professional service and a very interesting menu featuring Canadian produce. It's only open weekdays and weeknights, though.

If you really want to splurge, have you considered going out for lunch instead of dinner?

Also, when you call to make a reservation, tell the person you're speaking to that it's a special occasion (and why). You probably won't steal the seat of the restaurant's favourite regulars but you're likely to get a better table.

Pinnacle,
If you're also going to be here on a Sunday morning, consider going to the Hart House Grill for brunch and ask for a table overlooking the Great Hall. It's a very special UofT experience. There are, of course, many good places for brunch in Toronto but considering the occasion, the Hart House Grill would be perfect.

Spuntini's on Avenue Rd.
Very famous for celebrities. They have a website you can check out. The food is fantastic as is the service.
It is definately the best restaurant we have ever been to for the value. It is an upper end place with reasonable prices. You have to eat there to believe it.

I live in Montreal, but I'm often in Toronto on business. My suggestions include the Rosewater Supper Club and Auberge du Pommier. Both really nice, very classy restaurants.

I also like 'Lee' on King street. The food is very good.