Eat & Drink
Are you ready for Winterlicious?
Winterlicious, returns January 28 to February 8, showcasing many of the city's great resto's. Although high-end culinary delights like Susur, Perigee and George are not on the list - it still is a chance for you to try many restaurants you may not have heard of or have never bothered to go to.
After taking a look at many of the set menus, lamb and salmon dishes dominate most of the 130 participating restaurant's offerings. If you are a vegetarian, you do have 60+ restaurants to choose from, unfortunately many of those dishes include pasta.
All winterlicious restaurants are offering three-course prix fixe menus at $15 or $20 for lunch and $25 or $35 for dinner. Many other restaurants around the city offer similar deals but may not be 'taking part' with the City of Toronto...you should look out for those gems. (Last year, Mimosa had listed a prix fix menu for $25 that same week, but were not featured on the list of restaurants)
I have participated in both the summerlicious and winterlicious since its inception. I have to admit that I would never judge a restaurant by my experience during this promotion. The service tends to be too busy and rushed. Also, rumor has it that this is the time the head chef takes off for vacation, leaving its assistant chefs to churn out the dishes.
What looks good to me?
1. The Corner House
2. Canoe
3. Rosedale Diner
4. Monsoon
5. Thuet Bistro
What resto's do I think will sellout fast?
1. Truffles
2. Canoe
3. Auberge du Pommier
4. Centro
5. Crush Wine Bar
Tips & Tricks to get you through Winterlicious:
1. Book early...really early to get into the resto of your choice.
2. Resy's at a later hour will give you a better experience because you won't be as rushed.
3. Read the menus. There are some great resto's taking part, but the menu offerings may not look as great.
4. Go to the resto website and check out the drink list. You might think you are heading into a cheap dinner, but add on that $50 bottle of vino and you may be shocked.
5. Be prepared to know that if you don't show up for a reservation - they may charge a set amount (most will tell you this when you book).
PS. American Express cardmembers can make early reservations on January 9 and 10.
(Photo courtesy of muggets. Taken during Winterlicious 2006)
Discussion
11 Comments
Sort By Oldest First / Newest First
Subscribe
Doesn't that sort of defeat the purpose?
Although many restaurants take some of the dishes they actually serve and put it on the winterlicious menu, many others do not. Also, the entire experience is not the same. I always feel rushed and the service is not as good. YUp, this is the resto's problem...but the turnover is never as high as during winterlicious.
I have to admit, in all instances where I had visited a restaurant during wnterlicious and then went back for a meal not during the season, I enjoyed the latter more...even if I was paying the extra costs. Just my thoughts.
Your advice is greatly appreciated :)
Rosewater was a real disappointment - ok starter soup, poor main (one chicken leg for one person; tiniest slice o beef + one rib for another), ending with one of worst tasting chocolate mousse things I've tasted, although the strudel & maple icecream were good. Fairly poor service - didn't ask how meal was until end (when chocolate thingy was clearly left uneaten), had to use butter knife to saw through beef (wasn't given steak knife, although did notice other patrons were), dining compatriot asked for pepper to season main which never arrived), etc.