Dig into Winterlicious 2017 Culinary Events

Get ready Toronto - Winterlicious is almost here.

This annual culinary celebration with over 220 participating restaurants takes place January 27 to February 9 (with reservations starting January 12), presented this year by YP Dine.

I’ll have full coverage of the participating restaurants and their menus next week. In the meantime, get your tickets now for nine unique Winterlicious culinary events taking place across the city, offering diverse menus in celebration of Canada's 150th birthday.

From Canadian soul food to a murder mystery dinner, dining while listening to live Indo jazz music in a modern museum to a live cooking demo, mealtime just got a lot more exciting.

Here are this year’s events along with menu highlights:

(Note: Please contact each establishment directly for ticket information.)

Happy 150th! A Decadent Taste of Canada

Palais Royale Ballroom

1601 Lake Shore Blvd W
Toronto, ON


Friday, January 27, 7 pm-midnight

$100 (plus taxes gratuity)

Executive Chef Steffan Howard and his team’s five-course coast-to-coast culinary celebration include: Evangeline boullabaisse, Foraged Salad, and Bison Filet with wild mushroom and oxeye daisy capers. 

Cash bar also available.

Bonus: Free parking.

Friday, January 27, 7 pm-midnight

$100 (plus taxes and gratuity)

Executive Chef Steffan Howard and his team’s five-course coast-to-coast culinary celebration include: Evangeline boullabaisse, Foraged Salad, and Bison Filet with wild mushroom and oxeye daisy capers. 

Cash bar also available.

Bonus: Free parking.

Elements of Soul - 150 years of Caribbean Influence

Fuse Restaurant Entertainment Emporium

366 Queen St. E.
Toronto, ON


Friday, January 27, 6-9 pm

Saturday, January 28, 6-9 pm

$60 (plus taxes gratuity)

Three-course dinner includes: choices of warm corn bread, Slow-Roasted BBQ Ribs and Jamaican-style snapper, prepared by Chef Jerome Bishop and his team.

Bonus: The evening includes musical performances by Juno and Grammy award-winning R&B/soul singer Liberty Silver, contemporary jazz musician Eddie Bullen, and Juno award-winning gospel vocalist Patricia Shirley.

January 27 and 28, 6-9 pm

$60 (plus taxes and gratuity)

Three-course dinner includes: choices of warm corn bread, Slow-Roasted BBQ Ribs and Jamaican-style snapper, prepared by Chef Jerome Bishop and his team.

Bonus: The evening includes musical performances by Juno and Grammy award-winning R&B/soul singer Liberty Silver, contemporary jazz musician Eddie Bullen, and Juno award-winning gospel vocalist Patricia Shirley.

Celebrating 150 years of Canadian Cuisine

Casa Loma

1 Austin Terr
Toronto, ON

January 28 and 29, February 4 and 5, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm, 7 pm

$65 (plus taxes and gratuity)

The backdrop: Toronto’s own majestic castle.

The meal: Classic Canadian dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients, served buffet style.

The menu includes: Sir Henry Pelham's favourite British Sunday Roast Beef, Italian antipasto bar, Quebec Poutine, and Canadian maple syrup. 

Bonus: Admission to Casa Loma is included.

Martinis, Manhattans and Old Fashioneds: Time Honoured Classics from the Golden Age of Bartending

Rosewater

19 Toronto St.
Toronto, ON.

Wednesday, February 1, 5:30 pm and 8:30pm

$55 (plus taxes and gratuity)

Cocktails get the spotlight at this meal, hosted by Mixologist Clayton Cooper.

Enjoy three classic mixed drinks using Canadian spirits in a speakeasy setting, with each cocktail paired with tapas-style bites including Seared Venison and Scallops.

Bonus: Your evening includes three expertly crafted cocktails.

A Night at the Court

Arcadian Court

401 Bay St
Toronto, ON

Thursday, February 2, 6-10 pm

$100 (plus taxes and gratuity)

Start off with cocktails in the gallery. In the Court, Chef Michael Robertson will share his inspiration behind each of his four courses, including the Arcadian's iconic Chicken Pot Pie and other "throwback" dishes.

Bonus: The meal is accompanied by wine and live music chosen from the period of each course.

La Dolce Vita

Fabbrica

49 Karl Fraser Rd
Toronto, ON

Thursday, February 2, 7-11 pm

$85 (plus taxes and gratuity)

The evening begins in the bar with an introduction by Mark McEwan to La Dolce Vita/The Good Life, while you sample house cured meats, cheeses and appetizers.

Dinner follows, served in the dining room. Chef de Cuisine Missy Hui’s three-course authentic Canadian-Italian menu is accompanied by wine and cocktail pairings.

Bonus: A swag bag with assorted treats from the Shops at Don Mills for every guest.

Murder at Sea! A Canadian Cruise of Titanic Proportions

Mysteriously Yours... Mystery Dinner Theatre

2026 Yonge St
Toronto, ON
Executive Chef Joanne Lusted serves up a four-course Canadian-inspired menu including Maple-Glazed Salmon, Beer-Braised Beef, and Roasted Root Vegetables.

Murder details are revealed over dessert. Will you be the one to solve the crime?

Bonus: “Suspects “of the dinner theatre murder are seating at tables with guests and you might be the one that unravels the mystery. 

February 3 and 4, 6:30-10:30 pm

$87 (plus taxes and gratuity)

Executive Chef Joanne Lusted serves up a four-course Canadian-inspired menu including Maple-Glazed Salmon, Beer-Braised Beef, and Roasted Root Vegetables.

Murder details are revealed over dessert. Will you be the one to solve the crime?

Bonus: "Suspects" of the dinner theatre murder are seated with guests throughout the meal, and you might be the one that unravels the mystery. 

Mare a Mare - Fresh Canadian Seafood the Italian Way

Cibo Wine Bar - Yorkville

133 Yorkville Avenue
Toronto, ON
Monday, February 6, 5:30 pm, 8:30 pm

$65 (plus taxes gratuity)

Executive Chef Saverio Macri host an interactive cooking demo on how to prepare a traditional three-course Italian home cooked meal. 

Dishes include: a wide variety of Canadian seafood such as Zuppe di Pesce, Nova Scotia Lobster Ravioli and Grilled Goosen Farms Organic Trout. 

Bonus: Each guest receives both the recipes and fresh pasta.

Monday, February 6, 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm

$65 (plus taxes and gratuity)

Executive Chef Saverio Macri hosts an interactive cooking demo on how to prepare a traditional three-course Italian meal at home.

Dishes include: a wide variety of Canadian seafood such as Zuppe di Pesce, Nova Scotia Lobster Ravioli and Grilled Goosen Farms Organic Trout. 

Bonus: Each guest receives recipes and fresh pasta.

Syria: A Living History

Diwan Restaurant

77 Wynford Dr.,
Toronto, ON
Thursday, February 9, 7-10:30 pm

$105 (plus taxes gratuity)

Enjoy a pre-dinner glass of sparkling wine, Next, delve into a four-course meal ifeaturing dishes from Mark McEwan, inspired by the Aga Khan Museum's current exhibit, Syria: A Living History. The meal is accompanied by a live performance from Indo jazz musician Justin Gray.

Bonus: Guests are offered an after-hours tour of the exhibition following dinner. 

Parking is included.

Thursday, February 9, 7-10:30 pm

$105 (plus taxes and gratuity)

First, enjoy a pre-dinner glass of sparkling wine. Next, delve into a four-course meal featuring dishes from Mark McEwan, inspired by the Aga Khan Museum's current exhibit, Syria: A Living History. The meal is accompanied by a live performance from Indo jazz musician Justin Gray.

Bonus: Guests are offered an after-hours tour of the exhibition following dinner. Parking is also included.