The best Chinese restaurants in Toronto tend to be found on Dundas, Spadina or north of the 401. In fact, it has become conventional wisdom that to get the best szechuan, Cantonese or other variation of Chinese food in the city a trip to Markham or Thornhill is all but essential.

In downtown Toronto there are three main destinations for Chinese cuisine - the original Chinatown on Dundas between Bay and University, the largest Chinatown on Spadina on and around Dundas and the often overlooked East Chinatown near Broadview and Gerrard. All three areas are represented on this list. For the best chinese restaurants outside of the downtown core keep an eye out on this site for a separate best of list later this year.

After high priced Rain fizzled out in the midst of the economic downtown, the Rubino brothers revamped their Mercer St. space into the Japanese-inspired AME. From Wagyu beef to remarkably fresh tuna sashimi (but wait, isn't that endangered blue fin on the menu?), the kitchen is definitely on their game.

Read my review of AME in the restaurants section.

Simon's Wok is in East Chinatown, but this vegetarian Chinese eatery is worth seeking out. (There's much more to Toronto Chinese food than BBQ Pork on the Spadina strip, west-enders!)

Simon's conveys a different perspective on vegetarian food, with a whopping 111 menu items to choose from, including a wide range of hearty "fake meat" options. And trust me... earnestly-named dishes like "Assorted Wheat Gluten" are a lot more delicious than they sound.

See my review of Simon's Wok in the restaurant section.

Business for the Arts held their 31st award gala this past Thursday evening at the AGO. The awards are given out to corporations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts.

Thai Elephant on Queen West doesn't exactly shout authentic. But for those who are satisfied by the run-of-the-mill, milder side of Thai, it does offer the usual variety of popular dishes like Mango Salad, Green Curry Chicken, and Curry Pad Thai - all at reasonable prices. And we did get friendly service from the charming staff .

See my review of Thai Elephant in the restaurants section.

Food from the Philippines isn't high on the list of common Toronto culinary adventures. But a visit to Casa Manila's hot food counter lets me point and choose from their varied lineup of Spanish, Chinese, Malay and Filipino influenced dishes.

Okra, bitter melon, peppers, aubergine and shrimp arrive in a fragrant coconut milk, shrimp paste sauce. The buttery seafood stew is divine over a bowl-full of simply steamed jasmine rice.

Find out more in my review of Casa Manila in the restaurants section.