Can anyone recommend great places to eat in Toronto? I've checked some of the Toronto web sites, but would like some personal recommendations. Money isn't really a problem, but we prefer independent, smaller places as opposed to ultra fancy or hotel restaurants. We also prefer to stay somewhat close to downtown. Thanks!

Toronto is a great restaurant town! If you want a good italian meal in a funky area try anything on College St. Great area for a walk after dinner too. Also Noce or Cities on Queen St. W. <BR>Or Senses on Bloor St. or Oro on Elm St.(more expensive). Have fun!

Following are my suggestions (all are very near or downtown unless noted) <BR> <BR>1) Rodneys Oyster House on Adelaide Street East - sit at the bar - eats lots of oysters (or other shellfish) and join in the party) <BR> <BR>2) Champion House on Dundas Street West (One of Toronto's many Chinatowns) - very good szechuan - Peking Duck is always available and very good. <BR> <BR>3) Hiro Sushi on King Street East - service is awful - sushi is sublime <BR> <BR>4) Scaramouche on Benvenuto Place (just off Avenue Road - slightly away from downtown) Lovely view of the city - pricey but delicious - ask to be in Roberto's section <BR> <BR>5) Grano - Yonge Street just south of Eglinton - North of downtown but readily accessible by subway - the owner is a charming gentleman from Tuscany (another Roberto) - lots of great antipasto you mix and match and the fried and grilled combo platter of calamari is great <BR> <BR>6) Canoe - Top of the TD Centre. Specializes in 'Canadian' cuisine - lots of indigenous ingredients and a great view - pricey <BR> <BR>7) Would agree with previous posting re Oro - on Elm Street near Eaton Centre <BR> <BR>8) If you like Mexican there's a nice little restaurant on King Street West at Tecumseth Street (pronounced Te-Cum-See) called Jalapenos - authentic (whatever that means) Mexican cuisine - relatively inexpensive <BR> <BR>Don't hesitate to e-mail for more info re hotels/etc. <BR> <BR>Hope you enjoy your visit.

Me again - in today's Globe and Mail (Toronto Paper) there was an article referring to the fact that Zagat has launched a Toronto Guide with over 500 restaurant reviews. Their top 10 list is as follows: <BR> <BR>1. North 44 - on Yonge North of Eglinton (so it's north of downtown but not a long way) I didn't mention this because, although the food is very good, I had horrible service there and am punishing them! <BR> <BR>2. Scaramouche (as mentioned in my previous posting) <BR> <BR>3. Canoe (as above) <BR> <BR>4. Boba - on Avenue Road near Yorkville (upscale shopping district uptown) - haven't been there but have been to the owner's other restaurants and they're always good <BR> <BR>5. Centro - near North 44 - Good Cal/Ital <BR> <BR>6. Truffles - located in the Four Seasons on Avenue Road in Yorkville. I didn't mention it as you said you didn't want ultra fancy and it is (but it is exceptional) <BR> <BR>7. Auberge du Pommier - too far North <BR> <BR>8. Avalon - on Adelaide Street - haven't been but hear good things <BR> <BR>9. Chiado - in the King Eddy Hotel - got a terrible review in the Globe and Mail this past weekend - take a pass <BR> <BR>10. Mercer Street Grill - on Simcoe Street near the Dome Stadium - haven't eaten there, but the martinis are good <BR> <BR>Also, here are a couple of other suggestions: <BR> <BR>In the Royal Ontario Museum (in Yorkville and worth a visit) there's a restaurant open for lunch called Jamie Kennedy at the ROM. He's considered one of Canada's fine 'young' chefs. <BR> <BR>Also in Yorkville (actually kitty corner to the Royal Ontario Museum, behind the church) is an Italian restaurant called Prego - they have a great patio in the spring/summer. <BR> <BR>College Street near Clinton is full of Italian restaurants - Gian Carlo is excellent. <BR> <BR>There are a number of Thai restaurants in Toronto - Golden Thai is on Richmond Street East - all are good. <BR> <BR>Here's a wild card - if you feel like a simple meal look for "Swiss Chalet" (it's a chain - there's lots of them). <BR>Roasted chicken and great fries - a Canadian tradition! (although since you're coming from Atlanta I probably should avoid recommending BBQ/roasted meats!) <BR> <BR>Enjoy!

Thank you Laura and Elizabeth for your suggestions!

Hard to beat the lists youhave received, but to add to the mix: for some good old fashioned roast beef in a very different antiques-filled atmposphere, Old Ed's on King Street West at Duncan. Ihave lunch here twoor three days a week. It's between the Royal Alexandra and Princess of Wales theatres. And, one block further west is an entore block filled with very good restaurants. Kit Kat Cafe is one of the oldest, smallest and best. I wrote the election materials for the owner when he ran,and lost, for city council. He's a better restauranteur than candidate. <BR> <BR>BAK <BR>