best of the city - toronto

Food Related

Best Cheeseburger: We’re been on the look-out for a new champion...

The title is up for grabs. Your input is always welcome!








Best Buffalo Chicken Wings - This was one of the toughest we’ve done! Outside of Buffalo, one would think it’s very hard to find the best Buffalo Chicken Wing. Thankfully Duffs Famous Wings (1604 Bayview Ave) has brought Buffalo’s most original meal to our city. While many try, none come close to the flavorful explosion of taste and just the right mix of heat you get with every bite of Duff’s perfectly cooked wings. Naturally the heat-meter runs from regular oily and saucy right up to Armageddon which only a few have ever been brave enough to try. Tuesday night is the night of specials, but line-ups are out-the-door sometimes for this landmark restaurant. Unlike most places though, this one’s wait is worth it. Reasonably priced, friendly service and yes, the best wings in Toronto. www.duffsfamouswings.ca

Honorable Mentions: For the first time on this list, we have a few runners up that are just as good. Pogue Mahone (777 Bay Street, but the doors are located on College, just west of Yonge) While it doesn’t rival Duff’s for “Buffalo-style” wings, their chicken wings can nestle comfortably in as “Toronto-style chicken wings” Watch for weekly and game-night specials where these wings are served half-price. Different degrees of heat also make these wings interesting and unique too. www.poguemahone.ca Also, Gabby's Bistro (383 Eglinton Ave East) features the nearly-perfect, well replicated Buffalo wing at an amazing price on Monday and Wenesday. (Half price!) The wings are sauced just right, not over done and not too crispy. Just the way we like them! www.gabbys.ca


Best Korean BBQ - While the idea of cooking your own food at a restaurant may seem like a strange idea, there isn’t a better way to spend an evening in Toronto. Korean Grill House (Queen Street, just East of John Street) not only serves up the most unique dining experience I’ve ever tried, but also the most affordable and interesting too. $11.99 for an all you can eat dinner, gives you unlimited trays of (raw) beef, short-ribs, fish, pork, chicken and even Ox. Sides are made up of various vegetables. And while you do in fact grill your own food on a personal in-table BBQ, good food and conversation make this place a winner. Open until 2am every night.


Best Pizza (Take-Out) - Take-out Pizza is a way of life, so in a city like Toronto finding a place that delivers quality and a fair price is tough. However, Dominion Supermarkets -and their sister stores A&P - (various locations around the city) offer the best take-out pizza in town. Not only is each pie baked fresh to order, the price has other places beat. $9.99 will get you an extra-large 16” three topping pizza, and for a $1 more you can add stuffed crust. Extra toppings are also available. The crust is not too doughy and the sauce isn’t extra sloppy. The pizza is part of Dominion’s new “Fresh 2 Go” concept where fresh meals are made or packaged for easy take-out on the spot. Most people wouldn’t think twice about a supermarket pizza, let alone one made in store, but you’ll be surprised when you try this.


Best Pizza (Restaurant) - Very few places in any city outside of Italy can match the taste of true Italian pizza, but Terroni (Yonge Street & Balmoral) comes pretty close. In fact, in my opinion, it’s the best you’ll find. Starting with a thin, home made dough base and adding a wide variety of toppings – ranging from pepperoni to salmon – Terroni makes original and tasty pies – Italian style! All pizzas (over 25 on the menu) are made fresh to order and are served fast and with friendly service. But be warned; it’s not the traditional pizza that many have come to expect from so many take-out and fast food restaurants. Instead you will enjoy what true Italian pizza is supposed to be. www.terroni.ca


Best Chicken Pad Thai: I’ll be honest, I had no idea what Pad Thai even was before I moved to Toronto, and then I tried a lot of it before I found the best. But when Thai One On opened at 861 York Mills Rd, east of Leslie (next to Kelsey’s & Roger’s Cable offices) I not only discovered how good Pad Thai can be, I also discovered the Best in the City! The noodles are cooked so perfectly that you find it hard to stop enjoying them and the spices are mixed in just right. The chicken is also a welcomed addition and goes along in harmony and makes for a perfect meal. The lunch special gives you a generous portion of rice along side of it and complements the Chicken Pad Thai so well, you’ll wonder if you have room for more. www.thaioneon.ca


NEW!! Best Poutine: It almost seems laughable that smack-dab in the middle of metropolitan Toronto, someone has been able to capture the true taste and feel of a traditional Quebec classic such as Poutine. The unofficial food of Quebec (french fries, melted curd cheese and gravy) has been a long sought after diner favorite for those who have tried once and craved it ever since. Thankfully for folks living in the 416 area code, a four hour road trip to Montreal won't be necessary. Costco Wholesale (various locations throughout the city) has brought the tempting dish to life in grand fashion. Offered at the snack counter of their member-only club stores, the Poutine is served perfectly done with just the right mix of gravy, cheese and crispy fries that will have even the die hard Toronto fans shouting "Vive la Quebec!"


Best Fries - coming soon!


Best Sushi - All You Can Eat: - Finding a good All You Can Eat Sushi restaurant in Toronto, that isn’t a buffet, is a hard task. Many places boast their specials, but few can hold their own. One that stands above the rest is Aji Sai on Bayview, just north of Toronto. Located half a mile south of the 407 and Highway 7, Aji Sai Bayview is the only location in their chain to offer all-you-can-eat. The two other stores are menu dining. Aji Sai Bayview also breaks the mold when it comes to limits on how much you can order. Most places will give you a time limit, or remove certain items from their menu. But here, even Sashimi can be ordered by as much as you want. Standard rolls are all over the menu, but so are specialty and even a huge selection from the kitchen of non-sushi items. The price is $17.99 on weeknights, $19.99 on weekends, but when you figure how much it would normally cost for a meal at a sushi restaurant, you are getting the best deal in town. Website: www.ajisai.ca


Best Sushi Experience: The name may sound silly, but Crazy Sushi wins when it comes to a great sushi outing. If you’re looking for more upscale, Toronto-trendy sushi, then this place delivers. Crazy Sushi not only mixes an upbeat décor but also throws in some very unique sushi rolls and has my favorite Avocado Roll that is so tender and so soft I’d consider ordering just that and making a meal out of it. It’s a fun “date restaurant” if you’re out for sushi or just to bring friends and clients to. Again, here like most sushi places you’ll find only fresh ingredients and friendly service. Crazy Sushi has various locations around the city. The one I went to was in the Leslie Shopping Plaza at York Mills & Lelsie.


NEW!! Best BLT: We found The Banknote almost by surprise one spring day and we're glad we did. On the menu was a BLT that was just begging to be ordered. Paired with either a Caesar salad or a side of fries, this reasonably priced deli favorite has us wondering if it would be acceptable to order seconds. Perfectly cooked bacon, fresh tomatoes and crispy lettuce on a well rounded bun make this, hands down, the best BLT that Toronto has to offer. It's not every day that a restaurant normally specializing in traditional pub fare can pull of a perfect classic like this, but someone at The Banknote Pub figured it out and now all those who pass through their doors stand to benefit from it. (King Street West at Bathurst Street)



NEW!! Best Dim Sum: Overlooking Toronto Islands and Lake Ontario, nestled in the back of Queens Quay Terminal, sits Pearl Harbourfront Chinese Restaurant. It's here you'll find, hands down, Toronto's best dim sum. Served only at lunch, seven days a week, Pearl does dim sum the way it was meant to be done. Fast and efficient service with a wide variety of always freshly made Chinese favorites (coupled with an excellent view no matter where you sit) will put even first timers ease. In the true spirit of the cuisene, try everything to find what you like best - you won't be disapointed. (Pearl also offers menu service.) www.pearlharbourfront.ca


Best Green Curry Chicken: Again, here was something I hadn’t tried until I came to Toronto, and again it was something I had a lot of before I found the best… and once again, the best is at Thai One On (861 York Mills, just east of Leslie). I like a little heat with my meals, and the green curry in this dish mixed with the coconut milk makes my mouth water just thinking about it. The vegetables are perfectly cooked as well and are mixed in with the tender chicken making this another amazing dish for Thai One On. The restaurant itself mainly thrives on delivery and takeout, but does have room for in-house dining so whatever your choice is, stop by and try the best Green Curry Chicken in Toronto. www.thaioneon.ca


Best (Restaurant) Nachos: I've been to a lot of places and I've tried a lot of my favorite snack to find what I believe is The Best nachos in the city, and much like back in Montreal, the same champion is in Toronto as well. The Keg Steakhouse & Bar (various locations around the city) wins with their Keg-Sized "Loaded Nachos". Made up of melted cheese, two kinds of corn chips, black olives, hot peppers and green and white onions, as well as three dipping bowls also made out of corn chips, it's easy to see why they are the best! For an added treat, as your server to add lots of cheese, be careful not to bake the chips too long, and enjoy! Unlike other restaurant nachos, they aren't loaded up with beef or chicken which I find gets in the way most times. Website: www.kegsteakhouse.com


Best (Movie Theater) Nachos: Some believe that this is something that should never have been introduced to movie-goers. I think it's the best thing to happen to the multi-plex since sticky floors! And Rainbow Cinemas (Fairview, Woodbine, Market Square & Thornhill) has the best! There, you will get a normal sized tray of chips with a good-sized helping cheese (of course for a few cents more you can add extra cups of cheese). But unlike most major theater chains, the cheese is added fresh, and not kept in pre-packaged containers. This, with the perfectly crunchy chip puts Rainbow's nachos ahead of the rest.


Best Latte: A city like Toronto is fueled by coffee. But when it comes to “gourmet” coffee such as the kind found in coffee houses and specialty shops, that’s when people become really picky. As someone might have noticed, there is no shortage of Starbucks coffee stores in town. (Over 100 locations in the GTA) And with that impressive amount, it stands to reason that they have the best latte as well. After all, that many stores and that many costumers can’t be wrong. The Starbucks latte, (medium, or as they call it, “Grande” $3.80 taxes in) is the perfect blend of rich espresso that never tastes burnt or over roasted and fresh, hot milk. Their trademark white paper cups and tan-colored “thermal sleeve” just add to the trend setting look that has made Starbucks what it is today all over the world. But as one might say, the proof is in the pudding – or in this case, the coffee. Website: www.starbucks.com


Best Veal Sandwich: No matter what time of the day it is, if you have a craving for an Italian-style Veal sandwich, Commisso Bros. & Racco Italian Bakery is where you should be heading. Maybe you’re there to pick up some other things such as pasta or Italian pastries, but you will find it hard to not stop and look at the tempting veal cutlets all freshly made behind glass. Choose either Hot Veal or just plain Veal Sandwich, on a freshly baked Italian bun, top it with onions, red and green peppers and if you feel like it, tomato sauce. For $5.00 it’s not only one of the best priced sandwiches, it’s also the best tasting. Since the store has two locations (8 Kincourt Street & 33 Eddystone Ave) and is open 24 hours, it’s never too late and you’re never too far from a great sandwich.


Best Breakfast Buffet: If you’re an early riser and you want to make the most of your day and get the most value for your money, the Marriott at the Eaton Center gets the nod for the best way to start. Their amazing and seemingly endless breakfast buffet offered in the Parkside atrium clearly cuts ahead of all other hotel breakfast buffets and even surpasses local restaurants. From eggs made to order, to sausages, bacon, fresh fruit and even smoked salmon (offered on Saturday and Sunday only) Even the casinos in Atlantic City (who have the most lavish spreads) could take a lesson from the Marriott as it is second to none. Be warned, the price is high ($17 per person) but it’s well worth it and it’s coupled with the best service in town.


Shopping:


Best Clothing Store – Female: In a world of complicated fashion and ever-changing trends, it’s nice to find a store like Dynamite (in most major malls across the city) that not only continues to have the hottest styles, but also the best price and the best fit. For someone like myself who is tall and has “accented” hips, their clothes are a welcomed change from other prêt-a-porter stores that all have the same cookie-cutter look and fit. Dynamite has something for me every time I go in there and I’m never disappointed with my purchases. From skirts to tops to pants and even hot accessories, they have the look that everyone wants. Website: www.dynamite.ca


Other Stuff:


Best Movie Theater: I love going to movies, but I hate the high prices and the destruction of the old classic multi-plexes. Too many of those have been torn down and forgotten about in this city over the past two years. That's why I'm glad Rainbow Cinemas came along. Not only have they saved four (Fairview Mall, Woodbine Center, Market Square & Thornhill) local multi-plexes and turned them into modern and fun movie houses, but they have also found a way to offer first-run movies at the best prices in town! Who says you have to pay $13 for a movie when Rainbow offers day showings for $4.25 and evening showings for $7.50. It's the theaters we remember and love from the 90's with the prices too! Webesite: www.rainbowcinemas.ca


Best Rep Movie Theater: The time-old tradition of a night at the movies might be lost on some people today; thankfully Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor Street West) remembers a time long forgotten. While being one of the oldest theaters in Toronto it also can boast being one of the last cinemas to offer accessible balcony seating in a single-room, two-tiered format. The curtain still rises before each show and with membership prices starting at $3 (valid for one year), each feature will only run you $4.25 there after. If that wasn’t enough, value combo meals at the snack & candy counter make the trip even more worthwhile. In a world of flashy 30 room theaters, it’s nice to remember the good things in life. www.bloorcinema.com


Best Mall - coming soon!


Best Pub - coming soon!


Best Public Washrooms: Face it, everybody’s gotta go sometime! So why not do it in style? The Four Seasons Hotel (Avenue Road & Cumberland) has not only the nicest, but also the cleanest washrooms in the city. The well-kept facilities feature a wood and title finish with an accent of class. Properly placed hand towels next to immaculate sinks make “freshening up” a pleasure. Despite being located on the second floor of the hotel tower, these washrooms – intended for hotel visitors and patrons of the restaurants – are worth the look. Don’t forget to wash your hands!

Best Hotel - coming soon!


Best Media Personalities - coming soon!

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