I’m visiting Toronto from LA for a friend’s wedding and am looking for a delicious and uniquely-Toronto dinner! My research has me landed on Richmond Station, Aloette, and DaiLo. Where else should I look into? $100 p/p (no drinks) would be a reasonable budget.
Thanks!
Antler Kitchen is another one I can think of … Foraged and Canadian sourced. Check their menu.
I think Richmond Station and Dailo are more unique and a distinctly Torontonian experience than Aloette.
Aloette is a bistro and has a fairly expensive burger people like. My last meal at Aloette was a Wedge Salad, the burger and a piece of pie.
Richmond Station is also known for a good fancy fairly expensive burger. They feature more local products and have more creative dishes than Aloette.
Another option is Actinolite. Also emphasizes local producers and foraged ingredients. It’s only open Wed-Sat, but a quick scan shows tables for 1 available on most upcoming weeks if you are flexible with your dinner time. My last visit is detailed here.
Not everyone on this board is as much of a fan of Canoe, but we still like it for out of town guests. It’s not as local, sourcing from across the country, but staying primarily in Canada. The dishes also aren’t as adventurous in terms of tastes, but are generally well executed in our experience (others here will disagree). You can go with their tasting menu or you can order a la carte. They have a number of Canadian wines by the glass, if you are inclined to try some (Ontario tends to do best with light reds, riesling, lighter and often unoaked chardonnays, and sparkling wines; BC has hotter weather in the summer and can produce some good full-bodied reds). The view is also one of the best you can have at dinner.
Author gave a budget of $100 pp … Canoe will be over that.
Oops, sorry, missed that detail. Yes Canoe would be over the $100 limit.
Antler might be the one… looks awesome!
I also like Union on Osssington and Viaggio on Dundas W a lot.
I have had 2 or 3 course dinners that have come to under $100.
Although it’s a bit over your budget, I second Actinolite.
This is the restaurant “I’d least like to lose” - IMO there’s just no substitute. If you insist on staying within budget, they offer an ‘early bird’ 3 course ‘neighbourhood menu’ - originally intended for local drop ins, but available to anybody (but still make a reservation).
Among your original suggestions,
Richmond Station can be good if you choose wisely - I just don’t like the layout.
Aloette is usually good value but seems to me have settled below its original promise.
Dailo - just doesn’t scream ‘Toronto’ - more Asian ‘tapas’.
Both Richmond Station and Aloette are noted for their ‘Burgers’ - although some might say that ‘fairly represents Toronto anyway’!
