The Best of Toronto

Sorry for the delay in my postings, but I was busy moving back to Los Angeles. So here is my Best of Toronto issue. Enjoy!


Favorite Restaurant – Breakfast

Without a doubt, the honors go to breakfast at Bar Mercurio. It is a hip looking restaurant that seems straight out of Italy. Dinners are very good and reliable here (loved the Rib-Eye special and the Duck Pasta), but it was breakfast where Bar Mercurio shined. The reason (besides the great coffee)? Because Chef (Johnny) Giancarlo Manza runs the ship during the day. His creations are outstanding…Smoked Salmon Benedict, French Toast with Brie Cheese…all excellent. And because the kitchen is open to the dinning room, you can watch Chef Manza at work making breakfast, preparing for lunch and baking fresh bread.

But more important is that he is a great guy. I have never felt more welcome than at this restaurant. Let me give you an example. I went to Bar Mercurio for my last four Saturdays in Toronto. After the first time, Chef Manza would greet me with a warm smile. On my last Saturday, he told the waitress to forget handing me a menu because he was going to make me “something special.” He started to ask if there were certain ingredients that I did not care for, not realizing that I’ll eat most things. I told him to create away. What came to me was a mold of scrambled eggs with sautéed pieces of prosciutto, spinach, mushrooms, asparagus and roasted red peppers over mixed greens. It was then topped with a slice of Brie cheese and thinly, sliced prosciutto as a garnish. After marveling at this piece of art, I took my first bite. I was in heaven. It reminded me of some of the dishes I had at the Italian Villa I stayed at (more on that in a future flashback). When I asked him what this dish was called, he asked for my name. I said that my name was Justin. He then replied, “I call it Justin’s Special.” I was taken aback. I’ve never had something named after me. I felt so honored. In fact, waitresses started telling patrons that the special of the day was “Justin’s Special.”

If you live in Toronto, start making this place part of your Saturday morning routine. And if you’re visiting, you have to put Bar Mercurio on your list of restaurants to try. You will not be disappointed. And if you see Chef Giancarlo Manza, tell him that Justin says “hi.” Who knows, maybe he’ll make you my special.


Favorite Restaurant – Dinner

One word…Grano. I know, I know, another Italian place…but it’s such a great spot. When you walk into Grano, you cannot but help to think you have just walked into someone’s home. The warm smiles from the staff, the pictures on the wall, the hardwood and the wonderful home cooked smells wafting in from the kitchen. On our first visit, the manager gave us a free loaf of fresh baked bread to take home…classy!

You really cannot go wrong with the food here. In my never ending search for the perfect fried calamari, Grano’s version definitely ranks up there…perfectly fried, fresh tasting and nothing but fresh lemons to squeeze over it which brought me back to some of the calamari I had in Venice. They have a Rib-Eye steak that is grilled and sprinkled with fresh arugula that is fantastic. The addition of arugula is a Tuscan specialty, and this was the first time I have seen it done somewhere besides in Italy. But the real star here is their pasta! Delicious, understated and delicately prepared pastas. I had a special pasta with smoked chicken that knocked my socks off. And their desserts kick ass as well (oh, tiramisu).

BC, BF and I took our Canadian crew to Grano for our farewell dinner. And what a special night it was (flashback status). Dawn, Russell, Sonja and Dave made that evening (and our stay in general) so much fun…and we ate and drank like there was no tomorrow. Dawn even convinced our waiter that film editing was the career for him (and he was a great waiter). Russell made cock jokes (there was a big rooster statue on our table) that also added to the fun (and laughter). So Grano is not only special to me because it is damn good, but it is where I got to thank some great friends that I miss dearly. Which brings me to…


Favorite Restaurants – Lunch

Yes, I said restaurants. This is because Dawn, Russell and Sonja picked out some great places to order from and go to while we worked that made lunch time in Toronto something special. It was so nice not having to think of where to go for lunch. They took care of that for us. Here is a list of some of my favorites:

Magic Oven – Healthy and delicious do not always go hand at hand. But at this pizza/pasta joint, you can get your spelt or wheat carbs and have them be damn tasty as well. My favorite…Thai basil pesto, tomato sauce and chicken pizza on spelt crust. So good that I had to have it once a week.

Golden Thai – This has some of the best Thai food that I have had in the states (uh, I mean North America). Great green curry, pad thai, sautéed eggplant and coconut rice. I could go here every day, but then I am a Thai freak. A must try while in Toronto.

St. Lawrence Market – Not only will you find some good food here, but also St. Lawrence Market is worth a trip just to check out the scene. A gigantic indoor market, you can shop for food items on the top floor, and then get some lunch in one of the many stalls downstairs. My favorite was a Russian deli that had great sides that you could pick from to make a great combo plate. They have this chicken breast with wine and sweet onions that is to die for. When you visit here, give yourself some time to wander down the many corridors of this fantastic spot. You will not be disappointed.


Best Splurge

For a special (expensive) night out with your significant other, you have to go to Chiado, a Portuguese Seafood restaurant on College Street in Toronto’s Little Italy. Let me put it this way…it was so good that I wanted to book a flight to Portugal. My advice - do not order off the menu but rather pick your catch off of their special platter that they bring to each table. This contains their picks for freshest fish. The fish comes to you grilled with a bit of lemon juice on top. Fantastic!


So there it is. I had many great meals in Toronto, but these were my favorites. I’ll continue on with reviews of Los Angeles restaurants. So long, Toronto. I will miss you.

-JB


Bar Mercurio - 270 Bloor W, Toronto (416) 960-3877

Grano - 2035 Young St., Toronto (416) 440-1986

Magic Oven - 788 Broadview, Toronto (416) 466-0111

Golden Thai - 105 Church, Toronto (416) 868-6668

St. Lawrence Market - At King St. and Jarvis

Chiado - 864 College, Toronto (416) 538-1910