It's been a year since I participated one of Toronto's biggest Culinary event "Winterlicious". A culinary event where most restaurants in Toronto participated in offering a fixed cost 3 course menu served during lunch and dinner for two weeks. For me, it such a great opportunity to use this platform to connect with the food community over meals to catch up and what's that next restaurant they stumble upon on. It's also for me check out these new restaurants I've yet to try without without breaking the bank for lunch dinner. Reminiscing the food trips from last year that it made me go down memory lane on the restaurants I visited.
My Winterlicious journey 2020 began at the Shozan Room.
The Shozan Room
1644 Ossington Avenue, Toronto
Prix Fixe - $33
I was really excited about what this restaurant had to offer. An Artsy Japanese Modern Cuisine with an adorable interior, and two floors to host their guest. Tuna Tartare Nori Tacos was a delight to have as a starter. The taco shell was incredibly crispy that great compliment to that fresh tuna. Grilled Aburi Oyster was one of a kind. Scallops, Uni and Oysters into one shell was just a dream. Sushi & Sashimi Tasting was a beautiful plate. While the Japanese Hot Pot was truly amazing. I definitely would recommend this dish.
The next restaurant on the list was Planta. Known for being one of the top Vegan restaurants in the city with a stunning interior. This place was also a recommended restaurant by a colleague of mine.
Planta Toronto
1221 Bay Street, Toronto
Prix Fixe - $33
Amazed by the presentation of all the plates served in our table. The dinner started with a Truffle Scented Caponata and Spinach Artichoke Dip. Spinach Artichoke Dip was nice for a starter. Moving on to the Potato Gnocchi and Pepperoni Pizza that had no meat at all. Then end the night with a New York Cheesecake and Chocolate Tart. Overall great vibrant restaurant that you won't miss eating any kind of meat and seafood.
The following day for lunch. I visited this small french restaurant just close to Baldwin Village that makes you say "You Gotta Eat Here"
Midi Bistro
168 McCaul St, Toronto
Prix Fixe $23
Cassolette d'Escargots - Cognac & Basil Cream Sauce was very creamy, and you would want to ask your server for extra bread just to soak all that sauce up. Duck Confit was the dish that brought me to this place. Duck confit will always remind me of Quebec City and its beautiful facade. The crispy skin, and pull off the bone meat was just a thing of beauty. Peach Melba that consist of Poached Peach, Vanilla Ice Cream & Chocolate Sauce.
My next journey was a weekend lunch with my IG food family. No better way to meet up enjoying a meal together with a beautiful interior.
Piano Piano The Restaurant
88 Harbord Street, Toronto
Prix Fixe Meal - $28
This is one of the restaurants I looked forward to. Piano Piano is very surprising. From the winterlicious menu which more to offer than advertised to the overall interior. As we had a full table we decided to share everything family style. Overall it was one of the best Winterlicious experience I've had last year. The starters were Calamari Fritti, Smoked Burrata, Mortadella
and Insalata della Casa. The next courses were pizza and pasta which were The Sweet Hornby, Rotini Carbonara, Mushroom Cavatelli and The Hot Rod Pizza. The dessert was delicious but interesting which was the Double Chocolate Cake with a Gingerbread Ice Cream. A moist layer cake with a cone on top drizzling with the delicious chocolate ganache. What we didn't know as well is that come had a gingerbread soft serve ice cream to compliment everything.
I was really curious about this place being close to work with a cute Interior.
Bangkok Garden
18 Elm Street,Toronto .
Prix Fixe - $23
This restaurant had a simple menu especially on their prix fixe offering but still intriguing. Popcorn Chicken, Softshell Crab Fried Rice and Pandanus Rice with Mango Ice Cream.
One of my favourite restaurants that I dine in for winterlicious, but also ranked 12th restaurant for breathtaking interior design by blogTO. I would agree that it was stunning dining in this place. The vibe and having and bar underneath was stunning. This concluded my food journey.
Leña Restaurante
176 Yonge Street, Toronto
Prix Fixe - $53
WARM CHORIZO ESCABECHE - pork sausage, pickled mushrooms, spiced olive oil, artichokes, whipped ricotta. GRILLED BEEF STRIP LOIN - sweet potato, hominy corn, coriander seeds, gremolata. FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE TORTE - dulce de leche, toasted coconut
Overall even without winterlicious, I can't wait to come back and try other dishes, and attend some of their culinary events as well!
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