I'm visiting Toronto for the first time this weekend and I don't know anything about any of the restaurants, bars, etc.. Can someone please give me some suggestions. I prefer places that have a more contemporary and young atmosphere; and of course, great food. Thanks.

When you get to Toronto buy a copyu of Toronto Life magazine -- there's a photo of a nice house on the cover -- and check the reviews and ads.

Toronto is packed with excellent contemporary reesaurants in many price ranges.

There's no need to travel afar fromyour hotel, but if we knew where you were staying, we could be more helpful.

bAK

Thanks BAK...I'm staying at the Soho Metropolitian. I think its in the entertainment district? Is this a good location?

I eat out virtually every day.

You can eat well for around $25-30 per person including wine or beer and the tip. The challenge is to find even better food at a lower price and navigate through the thousands of restaurants with the range of cuisines from around the world.

Here are a few which offer high value.

1. Spring Rolls 85 Front
Asian/Thai - $12 entres
There are several other locations.
Always busy.

2. Southern Barbeque
Phil's 838 College
Dimpamo's 514 Eglington West
Worked in Austin Texas for a while
and discovered southern barbeque.
Toronto is blessed with two which
rank with any Austin BBQ.
Entres range between $10-$13.

3. Silk Road Cafe
341 Danforth
The food has a wonderful flavour
which is different from most
Chineese food.

4. Dhabba
309 King Street
Great Indian cuisine.

5. Astoria Shish Kebob House - Greek
390 Danforth
Nice outdoor patio in the heart of
Greektown. Greek salad + chicken
souvlaki stick (take out) is $14.00
Open to late.

6. Marche - BCE Place Yonge and Front
If your out late and looking for
a meal or desert, there are only
two restaurants open that I know
are open at 1 am in the downtown
region - Frans and Marche.
Most restaurants close at 10 which
means you can't get a meal after
9:45.

7 Beer on the Patio
The Esplanade is a good place
to hangout. Fiona McCools Irish
pub and the Esplanade Bier Market
are worth a visit.

8. Oysters
Rodney's Oyster House 469 King West
A bit pricey but the choweder,
a few Malpaque oysters and a good
pint is a good thing.

9. Mezza Note - Italian
5304 Yonge Street - Willowdale
Good value, pizza, pasta, mains.
This restaurant is in a northern
suburb close to where I lived.
It's two blocks north of North York
Centre subway stop on the west
side of Yonge.

Thanks for the suggestions. Since I'm only going to be there for a few days I'm not AS concerned about the price as long as the food is exceptional and the atmosphere is good. A friend said that I would probably like the Ultra Supper Club? So I guess I'm looking for places like that...

Eat in your hotel.

Sen5es (with a five in the word) fits your description perfectly. May be the most expensive restaurant in Toronto, too.

Almost at the other end of the price scale is EAST, almost brand new.

Walk north from the hotel to Queen Street West, turn right toward downtown, and walk east until EAST, which is across the street from the CITY TV CHUM radio building, just east of John Street.

Thai, beautiful restaurant, casual but excellent service.

BAK

Consider Sassafrass or Flow in Yorkville...they are hot with the Hollywood crowd and in a great neighborhood for boutiques and clubbing...

Ultra Supper Club is a hoity-toity restaurant/bar that caters to the "in-crowd" of local celebrities and people who think they're important. That said it is a hot place at the moment, attracting a youngish fashionable crowd.

Elisa.....

The Ultra referrred to above once served me the best deep friend shrimp I have ever eaten.

It's two or three blocks closer to you than EAST, too.

BAK

Thank you BAK and garyt22...I will definitely check those places out...I'm excited to come to your city tomorrow I've heard nothing, but great things about it. I just hope our local gas stations don't run out of gas b/c we are driving. How is the gas in Canada?

Susur and Lee - my 2 top picks

Great nks267! Thanks I'll look them up now!

Gas is currently running at $1.20-1.30 a LITRE, i don't know what that is in gallons... whatever it is, after the hurricane it jumped up from about $1 a litre to the current price OVERNIGHT.

Gas here is now $3.65 a gallon! It jumped up an entire dollar over night! And stations are running out! Its crazy! I've never seen anything like it. The price will probably stay high for a while since the hurricane relief efforts don't seem to be going too well.

I think there are approximately 3.75 liters in a gallon.

Gas is ridiculous. Nowhere here is running out, but I keep seeing outrageous prices. I walked by a Petro-Canada station today, listing regular gas at $1.34 a litre for regular gas. I'm glad I don't have a car!

Try Rain which is on Mercer Street and a short hop from the Soho Metropolitain.

For breakfast, try Cora's which is kitty corner to the Soho.