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Toronto’s calling card—its ethnic diversity—offers up a potent mix of cuisines. But with that base, the city’s chefs are now pushing into new territory. Gone are the days of chefs gunning for white linen tablecloths; now pop-up vendors such as Fidel Gastro’s Lisa Marie and Seven Lives Tacos Y Mariscos draw a cult following big enough to open up brick-and-mortar locations.
And it’s not enough to have consistently good food: kitchens are pushed to be creative and embrace food trends. Spanish tapas and Korean fusion have replaced French and Thai as the newest crazes in the city and izakayas are out while ramen is in. Farm-to-table shows no sign of slowing down, with many menus citing the source of their meats and produce. While Toronto is still young as a foodie travel destination, it’s drawing in the crowds, or at a minimum world-famous chefs such as Daniel Boulud and David Chang, who have landed in Toronto with Café Boulud and Momofuku. And as locals will tell you, first come the chefs, then come the savvy foodie travelers, always posting a tweet or photo to Instagram at the city’s newest hot spots.
On the fifth floor of the historic Dineen Building, overlooking the Financial District, the Chase's marvelous lighting fixtures, solarium dining room, and floor-to-ceiling windows are a glamorous setting for the surf-and-turf-focused menu. Dishes like Siberian caviar-topped buratta or a chanterelle-topped veal chop are meant for sharing, as are opulent seafood platters layered with shrimp, lobster, and bluefin otoro tuna.
Sensuous paintings of nudes and the sea and signed celebrity photos line the walls at this two-story seafood institution. The kitchen prepares dishes from the Dalmatian side of the Adriatic Sea, and members of the international artistic community who frequent the place adore the unusual and healthy array of seafood and fish. The black risotto with squid, served in a shareable portion size, is a must, as are the grilled prawns with lemon garlic butter.
You'd never know this St. Tropez--inspired seafood restaurant and raw bar with indoor garden decor was once an infamous lady bar. Full-fledged beluga caviar and blini experiences, a 45-ounce tomahawk steak served on enormous sharing platters, and extravagant sushi rolls layered with luxuries such as torched Wagyu beef, foie gras, truffles, lobster tempura, and gold flakes make up part of the menu. Champagne girls can be seen parading the fantastical garden interior with sparklers in hand to announce milestones like college graduations and marriage proposals.
Whether you order them baked, fried, or raw, oysters are the thing at this casual neighborhood spot. A chalkboard spells out what's fresh, along with sizing and prices for each, and there is an excellent selection of house-made condiments. The main thing here is obviously the bivalves, but the seafood chowder is also excellent.
This beloved neighborhood staple has been serving fresh and delectable seafood dishes since its opening in 2015. Oysters take center stage on the menu, alongside crowd-pleasers like pan-seared steelhead trout, the signature PD burger, and the irresistible seafood tower, piled with oysters, pickled mussels, crab legs, and more. Be sure to try the black walnut old-fashioned and the lychee lime margarita—both crafted to evoke the elegance of a pearl in the water.
A den of oceanic delicacies, this playful basement raw bar is frequented by solo diners and showbiz types. Among the options are soft-shell steamer clams, a variety of smoked fish, East Coast lobster rolls, plus a rotating list of more than 20 varieties of oysters (including perfect Malpeques from owner Rodney Clark's own oyster beds on Prince Edward Island). A zap of Rodney's in-house line of condiments or a splash of vodka and freshly grated horseradish are eye-openers. Ask about the daily \"white-plate\" specials.
Whether you get them baked (in one of four different ways), fried, or raw, oysters are the thing at this casual neighborhood spot. A chalkboard spells out what's fresh and available, along with sizing and price for the beauties. There's a pleasing array of house condiments with which to slurp your choices. Other treats include beer-battered fish-and-chips, lobster rolls, and excellent onion rings. A nice selection of wines and beers, as well as cool, friendly servers, makes for a fun night out.
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