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Winterlicioussssss (Extended)

Posted by Brady Yauch / February 13, 2009

20091202Emptystools.jpgGastro-throbs across Toronto may be happy to learn that the city has extended Winterlicious for another two weeks. But before you start getting all excited and making reservations, check the Winterlicious site, as not every restaurant has agreed to the new deadline.

A press release from City Hall says that "by extending the program, the City of Toronto hopes to provide an economic incentive to patrons to discover a new favourite restaurant or get reacquainted with an old one at an exceptional value." Economic downturn or not, it's time to get one last taste of those prix-fixe meals.

The city also says that according to preliminary survey, nine in 10 diners are very likely to recommend Winterlicious to friends and family. And more than 99% percent of those surveyed say that Winterlicious is a worthwhile initiative by the city. I guess it's safe to say that the event is officially a success...

I don't know about readers, but I have particularly enjoyed indulging myself with three course meals. I just wish the city would make one flat rate for all restaurants, rather than the tier system currently in place. Either way, it's nice to see the city and small businesses come together and do something positive for once.

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sd / February 13, 2009 at 09:30 am
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This is good for the city and it encourages people to get back out there and enjoy some really good meals.

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Lauren / February 13, 2009 at 09:45 am
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True, and working in the industry I have seen first hand that getting butts into seats through Winterlicious equals keeping butts in jobs too. And despite some negative press lately, not all kitchen staff hate Winterlicious. Some of us actually enjoy our jobs.
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Dave (The Other One) / February 13, 2009 at 10:09 am
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I would love to see one flat rate for Winterlicious too, however it's not likely to happen. First, restaurants have different overhead costs. Some employ star chefs that demand higher wages, some are located in areas with higher rents, etc. So some restos could gain while others lose - uneven playing field, etc.

I think Winterlicious is a good idea too, and I was surprised by the negative comments about it. I mean, I sounded certain restaurants don't want too much business coming in... Not a very good idea considering that lean times are ahead.
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Cliff / February 13, 2009 at 10:15 am
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Wasn't it flat-rate when it first started a few years ago? Or maybe just two tier. I remember when Canoe was actually 35$ (which is very cheap considering) as opposed to the 45$ it is now for dinner (which is still good, I guess, but getting up there...).

At any rate, seeing as how the first time around this year I failed to get a reservation at Canoe because of the two AMEX advance reservation days, I'm very happy to hear they've extended the event. Maybe this time around the non AMEX-cardholding public will actually have a chance at getting a table...
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bumdarts / February 13, 2009 at 10:16 am
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But a lot of customers are going out for nice dining at a good price, and normally wouldn't be regular returning customers. Makes sense some people in the restaurant biz wouldn't dig it.
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yechhh / February 13, 2009 at 10:29 am
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Winterlicious sucks. I am currently 0 for 8 in winterlicious experiences from shit food to shit service. I gave up after last year.
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RBeezy replying to a comment from yechhh / February 13, 2009 at 10:40 am
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0 for 8? Maybe you suck. I've had only good to great Winterlicious experiences.
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Kaori / February 13, 2009 at 10:44 am
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I'm 1 for 2. Beerbistro was fantastic, but some other places serve mediocre, doll-sized food and charge too much for it (even at the Winterlicious price).
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Gloria replying to a comment from yechhh / February 13, 2009 at 11:13 am
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Try better research. Chowhound has lots of foodies to tell you where to go and where not to go (and snobbier ones who tell you not to go anywhere at all).
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Gloria / February 13, 2009 at 11:25 am
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FYI to anyone who's slavered about going to Canoe: I just called them asking about a Feb. 28 and the nice person who answered told me they had "plenty of room" and gave me my time of choice.
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yechhh / February 13, 2009 at 11:28 am
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RBeezy on February 13, 2009 10:40 AM, replying to a comment from yechhh

0 for 8? Maybe you suck. I've had only good to great Winterlicious experiences.
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Just telling it like it is. I wish I had had better experiences, but I didn't. Sorry that ruins your little winterliciopus parade.

Gloria - ohhhhhhh we did the research.
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Sheryl / February 13, 2009 at 12:31 pm
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Is that Mars on College in the photo?
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RBeezy replying to a comment from yechhh / February 13, 2009 at 12:44 pm
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Yes, my day AND my planned parade are ruined. I'm going to go now.
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yechhh / February 13, 2009 at 01:26 pm
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If ever there was a restaurant that is the polar opposite of the idea of winterlicious, it's the abomination that is Mars on College Street.
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Parker / February 13, 2009 at 01:33 pm
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Winterlicious is for people who don't normally dine out and need a deal as encouragement. Sadly, the menus reflect this. Reduced rates = reduced quality.
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RBeezy replying to a comment from Parker / February 13, 2009 at 02:18 pm
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nice sweeping elitist generalization.

as someone who dines out frequently, I use Winterlicious as something of a tasting menu for restaurants that I haven't been to yet. There's nothing worse that slapping down 2 bills for substandard food or service.
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Cliff / February 13, 2009 at 02:25 pm
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^ Yeah if restaurants were smart they'd use Winterlicious to get patrons to come back during non-Winterlicious times...
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Spyder / February 13, 2009 at 02:52 pm
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They're pimping the exceptional value like McDonalds. Just sayin.
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Jerrold / February 16, 2009 at 01:02 pm
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<b>Editor's note:</b>
The discussion in this post had degenerated to the point that it was no longer worth keeping on the site (totally lame insults being tossed back and forth, unrelated to the topic at hand). We've unpublished a number of comments in this post and closed it to further comments.
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