Some of our favourite restaurants

Czehoski's on Queen

• Czehoski's, once an old Polish deli, has been transformed to a tasteful lounge/restaurant that has kept some deli touches of old and fused them with current accouterments, creating an entirely new beast.
• "a pub with the soul of an art gallery" serving "high-end Canadian comfort food" according to owner Brad Denton and partner/chef Luca.
• Open nightly (except Sundays) from 6:00 pm till 10:30. Martinis till 2AM!

The Rivoli

The Rivoli
334 Queen St. W.
416-596-1908

• Restaurant-Night Club-Pool Hall...
  A landmark hot spot on Queen St. West, the Rivoli is an ever evolving hybrid of a destination.
• Especially good for a quick and very satisfying lunch. Their Sweet Potato Fries are excellent!
  
• Open daily from 11:30am- 2:00am

Cantine Restaurant & Bar

Cantine Restaurant and Bar
138 Avenue Road
416-923-4822

• The most friendly in our current neighbourhood, by far. Just a short two blocks from our door.
• Entrees $10 to $20. Open for lunch and dinner daily.
• Reservations always welcome, but not always necessary. Tell Joey we sent you. Enjoy the cushy leather chairs in the front for a truly relaxing dinner.
  
• Kitchen closes by 9:30 or 10 pm

The Rosedale Diner

The Rosedale Diner
1164 Yonge St
416-923-3122

• "Serving real food to real people since 1978"
• Just two blocks away, in one of the most happenin' little shopping districts of the city.
• Family operated, extraordinarily friendly, great food.

The Boiler House

• Who would have believed it? Such incredibly great food in certainly one of Toronto's most unique spaces, with the most attentive wait staff, all at reasonable prices - in a boiler house.
• Historic raw brick, dynamic live jazz and open loft space.
• Generous cuts of meat, handcrafted desserts and the best of the market.
• Also a great suggestion for private parties and large groups.
• Ask for a side of sweet potato chips!
• Closed Sunday and Monday - but same chef next door at Pure Spirits Oyster House and Grill - 416-367-5859

The Host - Fine Indian Cuisine 

• This restaurant relies on word of mouth advertising.
• The predominant business clientele go for spicy, exotic dishes.
• Dinners are a la carte and there's a buffet lunch.
• Coziness characterizes the house, with its peach-colored walls, candlelit dinner tables, and a lounge for drinks and snacks.
  

insomnia

• One of The Annex's coolest spots. Started as an Internet bar - but in seven years has outgrown that beautifully!
• Relax at the fully licensed martini DJ bar or order food from the full fusion menu. The menu is eclectic with dishes from around the world.
• The staff is courteous, friendly and accommodating - and they treat guests of TDBAB particularly well.
• Located at Bathurst, next door to the incomparable Honest Ed's, and a block from Markham Street's many small galleries, bookshops and boutiques. Make a day of it!
  

Pink Pearl

• Businessmen love this uptown Chinese restaurant. Deferential, efficient service, immaculate interior and consistent, flavourful Chinese food draw three-piece suits and plenty of Gold Cards.
• Popular dishes include the rainbow trout ($9.75), crispy honey pepper chicken ($9.95) and steamed live fish and lobster.
• Considered by many to be the best Chinese restaurant in the city.

The Pour House Irish Alehouse and Pub

• Pubs, and every place else, are now Smoke-free, so finally, we can all enjoy good food and drink, and actually taste it!
• The Pour House is a short walk from TDBAB and has a very broad menu.
• And lots of Guinness!
  
• Kitchen closes at midnight (Fri/Sat 1AM)

Caz's Fish and Chips

• Fast food at its best.
• Just a few steps away, and every bit as good as you'll find in Britian!
• Some seating, but mostly take out. But be warned, if you bring it home, you'd better bring us some, too!
  
• Closes at 9:00 PM

Truffles

Truffles (French)
Four Seasons Hotel 21 Avenue Rd. (416) 928-7331

• The first restaurant in Canada ever to receive the CAA/AAA Five Diamond Award.
• Recognized for a menu influenced by their chef's extensive worldwide research.
• The breathtaking decor--- a panorama of curly maple walls, soaring ceilings, wood inlaid floor and artwork by local artisans, sculptors and artists, create an airy, sophisticated atmosphere. Impeccable service.
• Extensive wine list.

Scaramouche

Scaramouche
(French Contemporary)
One Benvenuto Place
(Avenue Road at Edmond)
416- 961-8011

• Soft, subtle and decidedly romantic. From a wonderful hillside setting overlooking the glitter of downtown, the premises is divided between the formal restaurant and a discreet pasta bar, with its wide array of light dishes and tender pastas.
• Complex tastes, skillfully understated, seem married by nature. Fish and seafood dishes are of particular note. Desserts are legendary.
• Presentation is showcase-perfect, and the service by thorough professionals is flawless.
• The carefully chosen wines represent many nations and include numerous Grand Crus.
• Voted: Best Fine Dining, by Where magazine readers, 2003.
  

Sotto Sotto

Sotto Sotto (Italian)
116A Avenue Road
(416) 962-0011

• Sotto Sotto's den of intimate rooms offers a cozy and romantic atmosphere for that special night out. The kitchen prides itself for using only the freshest ingredients, cooked in a simple manner.
• Enjoy a comforting plate of your favourite pasta, or select a delectable dish from the generous menu of expertly prepared south-central Italian specialties, made to order.
• An impressive list of 5,000 bottles betrays a love of the grape, with first-growth Bordeaux and lush Italian reds.
• Voted: Best Italian, by Where magazine readers, 2003.

Rhapsody Restaurant

• Not exactly Toronto, but rather Richmond Hill, about 30 minutes north on Yonge Street.
• MORE than worth the drive, however. Wonderful hosts, generous portions of incredibly delicious Hungarian cuisine, surprisingly low prices, and - on weekends - lively entertainment!
• Did we mention dessert? Don't miss it!

360 Revolving Restaurant

360 Revolving Restaurant
(CN Tower)
301 Front Street West
(416) 362-5411

• A team of chefs prepare their culinary magic at this "highest restaurant on the planet," 1100 feet above downtown Toronto.
• 360's philosophy is to use first-choice fresh Ontario produce, with the best ingredients Canada has to offer, and incorporate their own contemporary flair.
• At the centre of it all, the world's highest award-winning wine cellar, and 500-label wine list.
• Make reservations here for around dusk, and see two exciting views of the city, as night descends. Your dinner includes the elevation charge that non-diners need to pay for this view. And no long waiting lines. Sunset times
• Voted: Most Romantic, by Where magazine readers, 2003.
  

Verona Ristorante (theatre district)

• Situated in the heart of the theatre district in downtown Toronto Verona Ristorante embodies the true essence of unwavering service with Italian cuisine.
  

Mildred Pierce

Mildred Pierce
99 Sudbury Street
416-588-5695

• Hiding away in the low-rent warehouses of Toronto's Queen West area - a jewel of a restaurant, with high ceilings bathed in chiffon.
• Fine dining at reasonable prices with excellent and friendly service. Menu follows Thai, Italian, and Mediterranean influences, with desserts made in-house. This is the one place in Toronto we keep wanting to go back to more often than we do.
• If you can find it (Sudbury is one of those streets behind a street) you are rewarded with free parking. As one staff member says, "We don't have to charge people rent with their food."

Chiado (Fine Dining)

• Fine food prepared with heart and heritage, this is a Portuguese restaurant that should certainly not be so tightly classified.
• When it comes to a fresh fish guarantee, Chiado takes itself very seriously. And their beef tenderloin...one of the best I've ever tasted!
• Chiado has the largest collection of fine Portuguese wines in North America, and superb Vintage Ports.
• One of the few restaurants we've enjoyed lately where you can actually speak to and hear your dinner companions. That alone may be worth the $75/pp average bill.

Red Violin (Bazilian Churrascaria)

• We discovered this treasure as a wedding reception. Now we can't wait for any excuse to return on our own.
• Self-service buffet complemented by YES/NO card at your table for a continuous barbecue, a succulent variety of meat and fish.
• Eat as much as you like for one fixed price of $50 includes dinner and show.

Fressen (vegetarian)

• Fressen, a lacto-ovo vegetarian oasis. So authentic is Gardner's herbivorous lizard lounge, running into a lizard wouldn't be unexpected.
• But aside from perhaps some clientele, there are no animals in this forest of trees, twigs and rocks. In keeping with the theme, freshly pressed root vegetables in a variety of blends, a nice selection of wines by the glass and just-baked purple buns infused with beet juice and are all must-haves, including the rustic carrot cornmeal pizza crust.
  
  

Byzantium (Church Street)

• "The Chic-est gay-drenched Dining Room" - Genre Magazine
• "Voted Best Martini" - Xtra Magazine & Now Magazine
• An eclectic menu fusing French cooking techniques with exotic spicing from around the globe. The ambiance is relaxed and fun, the decor chic and enchanting.
• The adjoining bar, famous for martinis & cocktails, welcomes everyone.
• Located in the Heart of the 'Gay Village'
  

Zelda's (Church Street)

• As outlandish as it gets on Church Street, the menu doesn't really matter. It's the people-watching centre of the Gay Village.
• Amazingly, however, the beer is cold and the food is quite good.
• Reservations accepted except for Friday & Saturday nights and Sunday brunch. But standing in line is half the fun.

Down the Street (in Stratford)

• Our favourite in the Festival City
• Busy bar. Bistro dining. Bustlling, open kitchen. Ethnic flavours. Enhanced local produce. Micro brews and imports on tap. Single malts. Wines by the glass.
• The origin of our favourite expression, "Of course we're gay friendly. We're people friendly!"
• Tell Susan we sent you!

All That's Jazz

• Looking for an evening of Jazz, with or without dinner? We have the best of them detailed here for your reference. Details...

Late Arrival? Don't want to do a restaurant on your first night? We are pleased to serve you dinner in the comfort of Toronto Downtown Bed and Breakfast ®. Details here.