Summerlicious is nearly upon us once again. The Toronto-wide food fest gives you the chance to enjoy fixed-priced dining options from specially designed menus at restaurants all over town. With so many options though, where to start? We have assembled 10 top spots featured in the annual Joanne Kates 100 list so that you have a stamp of approval for your choices.
Splendido
Kates ranking: 7th
Kates says: “But chef McHugh’s is a man of gastro-complexities: He cleverly roofs exotic truffle agnolotti with espresso foam (!)”
Summerlicious pricing: $25 for lunch and $45 for dinner
You could try: Watermelon gazpacho, rainbow trout, and strawberry clafoute.
Summerlicious Menu
Contact: 416-929-7788 (88 Harbord St.)
Zucca Trattoria
Kates ranking: 9th
Kates says: “Zucca is neither hip nor hot but Andrew Milne-Allan at 66 is still a better cook than most of the young guys slinging BBQ and bourbon.”
Summerlicious pricing: $35 for dinner
You could try: Crudo di salmon selvatico, gnocchi di ricotta, sugo di triota del fiume, and torta di fragole e limone.
Summerlicious Menu
Contact: 416-488-5774 (2150 Yonge St.)
Tutti Matti
Kates ranking: 11th
Kates says: “Chef Alida Solomon is at the top of her game. Her Tuscan cooking is as good as it gets in the hills around Florence and Siena, her ingredients impeccable, her taste buds dazzling.”
Summerlicious pricing: $20 for lunch and $35 for dinner
You could try: Principessa, costole di manzo, gelato con fregola.
Summerlicious Menu
Contact: 416-597-8839 (364 Adelaide St. W.)
Lee
Kates ranking: 21st
Kates says: “Perfect lobster ravioli, like all else, balanced on a hot sweet knife-edge. And the famous Singapore slaw, still perfect after all these years.”
Summerlicious pricing: $45 for dinner
You could try: Thai fried chicken, green mango and citrus salad, black pepper marinated filet of beef, and a dessert trio.
Summerlicious Menu
Contact: 416-504-7867 (601 King St. W.)
Auberge du Pommier
Kates ranking: 23rd
Kates says: “The beautiful French country cottage for the foie gras and truffle set, the Auberge is fiercely loyal to la grande cuisine — but with a marvelous light touch.”
Summerlicious pricing: $25 for lunch and $45 for dinner
You could try: Fried green tomatoes, filet mignon, and olive oil cake.
Summerlicious Menu
Contact: 416-222-2220 (4150 Yonge St.)
Mistura
Kates ranking: 28th
Kates says: “Mistura’s expert Italian cooking includes a suite of marvelous pastas — tagliatelle with delicate Bolognese built on veal, beef and sausage; house-made noodles with sweet lobster flesh in tomato and garlic sauce; al dente agnolotti of wild boar with sour cherries in deep strong beefy broth.”
Summerlicious pricing: $45 for dinner
You could try: Minestrone and basil pesto, Pan seared orata fillet with puttanesca and garlic roasted broccolini, and warm peach cobbler with Chantilly cream
Summerlicious Menu
Contact: 416-515-0009 (265 Davenport Rd.)
7 Numbers
Kates ranking: 31st
Kates says: “An Italian grandmother is worth her weight in gold, gastronomically. Those of us not lucky enough to have one go to 7 Numbers where Mama Rosa cooks six nights a week in the open kitchen at the front.”
Summerlicious pricing: $25 for dinner
You could try: Grilled shrimp with spicy pea purée, homemade Barese veal sausage, and key lime pie.
Summerlicious Menu
Contact: 416-322-5183 (516 Eglinton Ave.W.)
Momofuku Noodle Bar
Kates ranking: 34th
Kates says: “It’s still ramen, but all the fixins are the finest — fab pork belly and shoulder, rich broth, the nori is crisp, the egg is perfectly poached rather than humdrum hard-boiled, and we love the sweet fish cake and cured cabbage. ”
Summerlicious pricing: $15 for lunch and $25 for dinner
You could try: Napa cabbage kimchi, ginger scallion noodle, and birthday cake truffle.
Summerlicious Menu
Contact: 647-253-8000 (190 University Ave.)
L’Unità
Kates ranking: 40th
Kates says: “L’Unità feels very New York — always crowded, tables too close together, dark and noisy, with harried servers… and great Italiana. Big flavours here!”
Summerlicious pricing: $35 dinner
You could try: Sardine crostini, ciriole lamb Bolognese, and caramel doughnuts.
Summerlicious Menu
Contact: 416-964-8686 (134 Avenue Rd.)
Nota Bene
Kates ranking: 42nd
Kates says: “Glorious splashes of colour give zest and zing to the tall walls, and waitstaff are deliciously suave. The food is informal but upmarket — fun food for six-figure folk.”
Summerlicious pricing: $25 for lunch and $45 for dinner
You could try: Chilled sweet corn soup, grilled swordfish, and a black cherry sundae.
Summerlicious Menu
Contact: 416-977-6400 (180 Queen St. W.)
Make sure to get your reservations in by calling the restaurants directly as they started taking them June 19.
