Now that it’s officially spring, celebrate the season at a new restaurant

Awaken your senses and palates and head to these top 5 spots:

(Note: menu items and prices subject to change)

Tis the season for salad

The Grow-Op Juicebar & Eatery

222 Ossington Ave.
Toronto, ON

Springtime brings a craving for lighter fare and greens, but that doesn’t have to mean a lettuce-based salad.

The two salads ($9 ea.) on the menu at The Grow-Up proves that you don’t have to gnaw on the typical salad fixin’s like a bunny to get your salad fix:

- Broccoli Salad (baby spinach, broccoli, red onion, cilantro, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, roasted cashews, shredded toasted coconut, with yellow curry dressing)

- Zucchini Noodle Salad (vegan bean ball, raw zucchini noodles, roasted almond slivers, green onion, sesame seeds, cilantro, baby spinach, with almond butter dressing)

Up your seafood intake

Smoked and Cracked

516 Mount Pleasant Rd
Toronto, ON

After a winter full of meat and potatoes, switch over to lighter but still satisfying fish and seafood. All those omega-3s are a very good thing.

And at Smoked & Cracked - an often overlooked seafood spot - the choice is yours.

The best Lobster Boil in the city (MP) is a fun way to bring in the new season. There’s also fresh oysters, mussels, lobster rolls, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail ($15),  Smoked Rainbow Trout ($18.95) on greens, and a daily Fish Fry ($20).

Celebrate National Grilled Cheese Month

Royale's Luncheonette

1418 Dundas St. W.
Toronto, ON

If you love grilled cheese sandwiches, here’s your chance to celebrate – the whole month of April is dedicated to them, so head to Royale’s Lunchonette for their Grilled Cheese ($7.50) with Balderson cheddar and caramelized onions on Prairie Boy Flax Sourdough.

No need to give up on noodles yet

Pho Huong

394 Pacific Ave
Toronto, On

If you’re a noodle lover, don’t panic - Pho Huong has got you covered.

There’s everything from pad Thai’s ($8.95-$9.95) to heavier fare of Beef Stew with Egg Noodle ($8) and a host of udon noodle dishes ($8.95-$11.95).

But if you’re like me and looking for something lighter come spring, the vermicelli dishes are the way to go whether you get a plate or bowl of soup. The fresh factor here is what sets them apart from the rest.

I highly recommend B21 – Beef Lemongrass with Vermicelli ($8).

 

Go out for a nice dinner

Sotto Sotto Ristorante

120 Avenue Rd.
Toronto, ON

Sotto Sotto's new location still offers all the classics you love.

The wide-ranging menu includes enticing options including:

- Sardine alla Griglia ($17.95) grilled fresh sardines with balsamic & Sotto seafood grill dressing)

- Pappardelle dei Castelli ($25.95) flat & long egg pasta in a wine sauce made with a mix of forest mushrooms)

- Piccata di Vitello al Limone ($26.95) veal scaloppine with herbs cooked in a fresh lemon sauce)

- Abbacchio della Taverna ($48.95) grilled rack of lamb with herbs & garlic in a red wine reduction).