I'll be spending a weekend in Toronto and would love some recs on good ethnic restaurants, especially Asian or Middle Eastern. The last time I was there I had some great dim sum at the Metropolitan Hotel(?) and some okay pho in at Pho Hung. Thanks in advance!

try caju for brazilian on queen west

Maybe this will help: http://www.toronto.com/restaurants

Our favorite place is Sultans Tent. It makes for an interesting evening and the food is delicious!

We were at the Sultan's Tent recently and it was lots of fun. The food was better than I expected. Look out for hidden costs, though. There's a fixed price menu but quite a number of items have a surcharge.

There are so many great Asian places. There may be better dim sum in the city but I always like to take visitors to the Pearl in Queen's Quay Terminal Building because it's on the lakeshore. The dim sum is good too. Ask for a table on the lakeside and tie up your lunch with a visit to Harbourfront (www.harbourfrontcentre.ca) -- there's usually something going on there.

For 'everyday' Greek food, I'd recommend the Pantheon on Danforth Avenue and then walk a block east for dessert at Athens Bakery.

For Korean barbeque, try the Korean Grill on the west side of Yonge just south of Bloor. Get the all-you-can eat dinner and just ask them to leave off the items you don't like (we, for example, don't take the ox tongue). It comes with a bunch of small tasty dishes and it's just a fun meal.

For pan Asian, try SpringRolls across from the Korean Grill. There's also one on Front Street in the St. Lawrence Market area and at Yonge and Dundas in the Atrium.

Try to visit the St. Lawrence Market and pick a stand to have lunch at. Don't forget to explore downstairs.

Have fun!

Im bookmarking this one. Thanks hdm. I always find it hard to know where to go and its great to have your "insider info" on the good spots!

There's another Korean Grill on Queen Street West, near Duncan and near McCaul, across from CITY-TV.

Where are you going to be in the city? We can suggest restaurants nearby, probably.

Pink Peral's a good suggestion already of you are at harbourfront -- visit the Inuit Art Museum below the Pink Peral, for a different ethnic non-eating experience.

If you have a car, there are several outstanding Japanese restaurants out on The Queensway, where you would not expect them, but I can't suggest any reason to be there unless you have relatives in the neighborhood.

I've taken people from all over the woprld to Bright PEarl, on Spadina (west side) a couple of blocks north of Dundas. Much less expensive than the Metropolitan.

BAK

BAK

We haven't yet decided on our hotel. Most likely either the Westin Harbourfront or the Four Seasons. Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming!

Four Seasons, bargains.

Go down to Bloor Street, turn right-west, and go to the Vietnamese soup / etc restaurant upstairs over McDonald's, across the the new addition on the museum.

LEave the hotel by the door up the hallway from the front desk, onto Yorkville Avenue. Turn right-east, and walk a block to Belair, turn right-south to Yamato, for flashing-knives Japanese food, very good and inexpensive. Most of the serving staff are Japanese students learning English in Canada.

Westin -- Fune is the sister restaurant to Yamato, with the addition of a floating sushi bar. It's a longer walk from the Westin, at the corner of Simcoe and ADelaide. Simcoe is the street along the eastern side of Roy Thomson Hall, and Adelaide is two blocks north of Roy Thomson Hall.

BAK

Also on Bloor near Avenue Road (upstairs in Colonnades) - Dynasty - large Chinese restaurant.
If you are looking for Indian - Babur on Queen West ( west of University) serves a great lunch buffet .
Just south of Bloor (on Yonge ), there are several inexpensive Asian eateries.
On Cumberland , first north of Bloor, west of Bay, there is a very popular
sushi place on the north side ( cannot remember the name).

danon - sushi inn is the place on cumberland

I used to go to Sushi Inn all the time but lately I feel it's diminished in quality. I don't know if there are new owners, it's too busy, or I was just there on a couple of less than stellar nights.

Also on Cumberland, upstairs, is Jacques On The Park, a nice litte French bistro. It used to be called Jacques Omelettes and they still do lovely omelets, if you want a lighter dinner.

I think all food in Toronto must qualify as "ethnic eats" with the following exceptions:

1. Maple Syrup
2. "Canadian Bacon"
3. French Fries and Gravy


After all, how often does someone approach you in the U.S. and ask: "Where can I find a good Canadian restaurant?"

bookmarking for October trip.

Any suggestions for the best Portuguese restaurant?

MPT, be sure to check Chowhound's Toronto forum
http://www.chowhound.com/boards/23

Sintra on College Street is good but not cheap. Chiado is good but even more expensive. There are inexpensive, casual Portuguese places around College and Spadina and in Kensington, but I'm afraid I can't give you any specific names. Try www.toronto.com.

Or other's suggestions for chowhound, though I've never tried it so I can't say how thorough it is.

Springrolls ... no, no , no ... totally fake and bland.

For good Vietnamese food try two places on Gerrard Street East (east of Broadview)... Mimi's and 3Seasons ... great food at both but not a lot of ambiance.

Happy eating,

CanadaKate