Toronto Restaurants by Stephanie Dickison

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Winterlicious 2017 - Where to get the most bang for your buck

Winterlicious presented by YP Dine is quickly approaching –the pre-fixe dining event begins Friday, January 27 and goes until February 9.

With over 220 participating restaurants, you want to choose wisely. But where to start?

Consider this curated list your own. Places you wouldn’t normally go, but should visit. Places to sample the style of food and dining at a much lower price than the regular menu.

With everything from fine French fare to juicy steaks, delicate sashimi to modern Italian, this meal will be anything but a bore. Especially since there’s even fried chicken.

Our Winterlicious Guide makes it so easy - check out all participating restaurants by area and/or cuisine, view the menus, and then make reservations right from the restaurant's profile page. Reservations are strongly recommended and should be made with each restaurant individually.

- Fine Dining -

Auberge du Pommier

With a tasting menu at $105 (with wine $160), a three-course dinner for $48 (+ taxes and gratuity) is practically a bargain. And lunch at $28 is even better.

Choices such as local Braised Beef Short Rib, with root vegetable Parisienne and smoked butter pomme purée; and local Cornish Hen, accompanied by Northern Woods mushrooms, truffled cassoulet, and Riesling reduction; and Vegetarian Risotto made with pearl barley and served with caramelized salsify & chestnut, snd Sainte-Maure goat cheese ensure you get a taste of the finer life at a more affordable price.

Canoe

Canoe is an obvious choice both for its outstanding fare and view. For over twenty years, it has been the go-to for foodies, visitors and Toronto-dwellers alike.

And now you can enjoy it for just $28 (lunch) and $48 (dinner).

North 44

Chef Mark McEwan’s fine dining restaurant North 44 opened in 1990. With mains running from $34 for Oven Roasted Chicekn Supreme to $56 for a 12 oz. USDA Prime Rib-Eye, a three-course dinner for $48 sounds downright reasonable.

- Hotel Dining -

The bonus of dining in a hotel restaurant - you get to enjoy hotel service in addition to the meal. So tuck into a elevated meal ($28 lunch, $48 dinner) at Annona at the Park HyattBosk at Shangri-La HotelCafé Boulud at Four Seasons Toronto, and Epic at the Fairmont Royal York.

- Italian -

The fam might be used to casual pizza and pasta nights in the 'hood, but it’s time to take it up a notch and tuck into sophisticated Italian fare. Head to Il Posto ($28 lunch, $48 dinner), Mistura ($48 dinner), and Tutti Matti ($23 lunch, $38 dinner) where choices extend well beyond noodles and 'za.

- Sushi -

Cheap and cheerful avocado rolls and tempura are fine for a quick meal option, but let Kasa Moto ($28 lunch, $48 dinner), Miku ($28 lunch, $48 dinner) and Nami ($23 lunch, $38 dinner) show you what Japanese food can encompass.

And just wait until you see dessert.

- Steak -

Heading out for a steak dinner is not an every day occurrence, so enjoy the pre-fixe pricing of $48 dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steak HouseMichael’s on Simcoe, and The Shore Club while you can. Dining with someone who doesn’t eat red meat? Select from options including chicken, fish and veggies dishes.

- On Trend -

With so many restaurants opening every week, it’s impossible to get to them all. In fact, it could be months before you finally get around to making a reservation. And then there’s that list of restaurants that you’re always meaning to go to, but haven’t made the time for yet. Use this Winterlicious as the opportunity to try out the city’s hot spots including:

Bent ($48 dinner)

Cluny ($23 lunch, $38 dinner)

Colette Grand Café ($28 lunch, $48 dinner)

Drake Hotel ($23 lunch, $38 dinner)

Fring’s ($48 dinner)

La Société ($28 lunch, $48 dinner)

Lee ($48 dinner)

Leña ($28 lunch, $48 dinner)

Loka ($38 dinner)

Momofuku Daishō ($28 lunch, $48 dinner)

Parcae ($38 dinner)

Parts & Labour ($38 dinner)

Ufficio ($28 dinner)