Winterlicious 2016 is on the horizon and while the two-week-long prix fixe festival doesn't kick off until January 29, reservation lines open tomorrow on Thursday, January 14. This year over 200 restaurants city wide will participate and have already released enticing menus for your consideration.

Here's what you need to know about Winterlicious 2016.

HOW IT WORKS
Participating restaurants will offer three-course prix fixe lunch menus (priced at $18, $23 or $28) and dinner menus (priced at $25, $35 or $45). Reservations are advised and can be made directly with each restaurant.

NEW THIS YEAR
There are 17 restaurants partaking in Winterlicious for the first time this year. Here are my picks for the most noteworthy new additions.

• Bar Buca (menu) - Shareable Italian food on King West.
• Concession Road (menu) - Refined French food on St. Clair.
• Diwan (menu) - Chef Mark McEwan highlights flavours from the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian subcontinent at Aga Khan Museum.
• Carbon Bar (menu) - Fried chicken and ribs are on offer from this upmarket east side smokehouse.
• Yuzunohana (menu) - Splurge-worthy sushi at a set price is easy to love.

HOT TICKETS
Taking into account the usual prices and unwavering popularity, these restaurants are the pick of the litter this year. Make reservations while you can.

• Canoe (menu) - Come for the 54th floor view, stay for the food.
• Café Boulud (menu) - High-end French food in Yorkville.
• Daisho (menu) - See what all the fuss is about at Momofuku's upper-tier restaurant.
• The Chase Fish & Oyster (menu) - Find out if this seafood-centric restaurant lives up to the hype.

OLD FAVOURITES
These old pros are back for another season.

• Nota Bene (menu) - See what chef David Lee is cooking up on Queen West.
• Marben (menu) - Get a taste of Modern Canadian cuisine with a dash of Spanish influence.
• The Saint (menu) - The tavern on Ossington will showcase familiar flavours including its bone marrow-dressed cheeseburger.
• Thoroughbred Food & Drink (menu) - Sample signature dishes like brussel sprout Caesar salad and chicken liver mousse at this contemporary Canadian restaurant.
• Parts & Labour (menu) - Settle in for pork cheek cassoulet and a slice of sugar pie in Parkdale.

VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN OPTIONS
Vegetarians and vegans won't be left out in the cold. This collection of eateries is offering ample options for meatless eaters.

• Mata Petisco Bar (menu) - Let flavours from Latin America warm you up this winter.
• Peter Pan (menu) - The bistro on Queen West has got something for everyone.
• Parlor Foods & Co (menu) - The inclusive menu at this King West restaurant offers options for meat eaters and vegetarians alike.

CHEAP BUT GOOD
Get the most bang for your buck at these restaurants featuring menus in the most reasonable Winterlicious price range ($18 for lunch and $25 for dinner).

• Museum Tavern (menu) - A sophisticated take on tavern staples.
• The Chefs' House (menu) - Discover the next best thing from budding George Brown culinary students.
• The Tavern by Trevor (menu) - The tavern on Spadina debuts at the prix fixe festival for its first time this year.

EVENTS
The Winterlicious Culinary Event Series offers 11 ticketed food experiences designed to educate and indulge. Tickets are already on sale.

• Savour São Miguel - The four-course, family-style dinner at Malaparte will spotlight flavours from São Miguel, Portugal accompanied by the sounds of a traditional fado band.
• A Demonstration of Charcuterie and Curing - The Rosewater hosts this opportunity to learn about the preservation processes involved in making smoked duck, salmon gravlax and lamb sausage.
• An Evening Inspired by Song Dong - Frank at the AGO presents this guided tour followed by a seated five-course dinner.

Where will you be eating at Winterlicious this year? Let us know in the comments.

Photo of Concession Road by Jesse Milns.