Eat & Drink
Starving? Sapless? Stagnant?
Get satisfied, slaked and stimulated steps from Simcoe.
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LAI WAH HEEN
108 Chestnut Street (416) 977-9899 Alternately praised and pilloried for a spendy lunchtime dim sum serving, Lai Wah Heen occupies what appears to be the interior of an upscale Yangtze River boat beached inside the Metropolitan Hotel on Chestnut Street. First, the praise: Dim Sum: The steamed mini-crab dumplings are so cute they could sell diapers and toilet paper in place of puppies and babies. Dinner: Lai Wah Heen is known for using ingredients that many upscale Cantonese places wouldn't touch – foie gras for example – and their cross-cultural dishes are amongst their best. People Watching: Why do you not see people dressed like this walking down the street? Because people like this are driven. Now for the pillory – dim sum at Lai Wah Heen places the emphasis on sum. You're lucky to escape for under $100 for two. And that's just a warm-up for dinner. But here's what the penny pinchers won't tell you – it's worth it. -
T.A.N. COFFEE
37 Baldwin Street (647) 352-8550 When it comes to coffee, The Blue Mountains are decidedly more relevant than Bluenose II, but that might change if T.A.N. Coffee has anything to say about it. The latest outpost of the Nova Scotian upstart in Baldwin Village continues the tradition of being totally dedicated to coffee – both single-source and blends – with a smattering of panini and baked goods to help ease the caffeine into the bloodstream. -
GOODNIGHT!
431 Richmond Street West (647) 963-5500 Scan this phone number into your überphone – and don't lose it because you have to call it to get a reservation to get in the door. And what to do once you're in? Tipple from a selection of cocktails popular between the US civil war and prohibition and nibble on a selection of homemade terrines. Clearly, this is a far cry from the $2 well drinks and street meat at Queen & Spadina. -
OSGOODE HALL RESTAURANT
130 Queen Street West (416) 947-3361 One of the best-kept secrets in Toronto is the Osgoode Hall Restaurant inside the Law Society of Upper Canada. Featuring a seasonal, always delicious, and ever-changing menu of à la carte items and a three-course prix fixe Chef's Menu served in a converted law library, chances are you'll linger over lunch for longer than an hour. But that's OK, you can just round up and bill for two. NB – Lunch only, September-June. And don't try to show up without reservations, as you can't get through the metal detector at the door without one.
Noteworthy
Nota Bene
180 Queen Street West
(416) 977- 6400 Expense account food just like mama used to make - fresh, not too fussy and always delicious.Karine's Vegan, Vegetarian & All-Day Breakfast
109 McCaul Street
(416) 591-0863 Owner Kay treats everyone like they're having breakfast with her after a one-night stand. In a good way.FOMO
270 Adelaide Street West
(416) 408-3666 An antihistamine for those allergic to the Jersey Shore of clubland, FOMO is stylish, social and tiny.Ema-tei
30 St.Patrick Street
(416) 340-0472 Sapporo on tap and a host of Japanese ex-pats confirm Ema-tei as the best moderately priced sushi in the city.The Keg
165 York Street
(416) 703-1773 Yes, The Keg. But only for drinks on the patio drop by Little Anthony's (121 Richmond Street West, (416) 368-2223) for a caprese beforehand, and hit The Original Bavarian Bratwurst Wagon Co. (110 Queen Street West (416) 431-6394) for some grease afterwards.
