Have you made your reservations yet for the summer’s most delectable event?
Summerlicious 2016 in Toronto is returning and will run from July 8 to 24, 2016. The two-week event hosts over 200 restaurants which offer specialty prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus.
This year, 24 new restaurants have been added to the list.
With so many choices, we’re here to help you navigate this delicious culinary behemoth.
Here are our top picks for this year’s Summerlicious event:
Bar Buca
This bustling Italian eatery offers seasonal small plates filled with vibrant flavours. Start with addictive Crisp pig’s head, chili, and marcona almonds. Pork is the star again with our favourite main being a Porchetta Schiacciata with Roast Tuscan pork, mascarpone, apple mostarda, agliata.
Bosk
It’s the summer of seasonal at Bosk, whose restaurant showcases Asian tastes but still offers a distinctly Canadian identity. Nova Scotia Halibut is a vibrant gem that includes toasted couscous, tomato, fennel, romesco sauce.
Colette Grand Café
Lap up elegant french fare that includes Sweet Corn Beignets with zucchini, succotash, summer savory, anaheim chili, and jade radish. Then sink your teeth into earthy Chanterelles “en Cocotte” that features white asparagus, fava beans, new potato, homemade puff pastry, and herb salad.
Adega
Fresh Portuguese favourites are showcased at Adega, a charming and romantic restaurant. Seafood stars include Snow Crab Cakes with Chive-Lemon Oil and for dinner, Pan Seared Dourada Fillet with Sweet Smoked Paprika Tomato Compote.
Kasa Moto
Japanese food gets a contemporary and elegant treatment at this restaurant in Yorkville. Winners include Shichimi Arctic Char with braised cabbage, sweet onion, fresh peas, and summer squash. And save room for dessert that includes a dainty Strawberry Shortcake with angel food cake, vanilla cream, yuzu, and chantilly.
Cibo Wine Bar
This chic italian restaurant will be serving plump Ravioli for dinner stuffed with ricotta and spinach, shrimp, rose sauce. Mains include comfort food favourite Pappardelle with slow cooked lamb ragu, and pecorino shavings.
Mata Petisco Bar
This Brazilian eatery offers flavourful tapas including cuisine indigenous to South America. Make dinner reservations here and order the spiced Chorizo Acebolado with Cassava Fries which features sauteed chorizo & cachaca caramelized onions.
Diwan
Located inside the Aga Khan Museum, the dishes here speak to the flavours of the Middle East. Available for lunch only, start with Fattoush that includes Cucumber, Tomato, Romaine, Red Onion & Crisp Lavash with Whipped Feta. Then make Sumac-Dusted Salmon with Saffron Pearl Couscous, Dill Labneh & Chermoula your main meal.
Bymark
Feast in the heart of the financial district at Mark McEwan’s flagship restaurant. Contemporary delights include unctuous and tender Sous Vide Lamb shoulder with sweet pea ravioli, carrot puree, green beans, beets, and horseradish jus.
Montecito
Coastal California cuisine shines at Montecito. Opt for the famous JW Chicken which is cooked to a juicy succulence, complete with crispy skin. Then channel your inner child as you feast on their homemade Chocolate Bar with crispy Feuilletine Base for dessert.
Lamesa
Lamesa offers nods to traditional Filipino food but also twists in ode to its Torontonian influences. Juicy duck is a featured appetizer for dinner; it includes sweet potato, coconut, cabbage, mustard, banana ketchup. For dinner, dine on flavourful Bangus, a fried boneless milkfish, with tamarind romesco, olives, potato.
Canoe
A showcase of Contemporary Canadian cuisine is offered at Canoe along with sprawling views of Toronto’s bustling metropolis from the 54th floor of TD Bank Tower. Dine on indulgent burrata from Cheese Boutique then make like a carnivore with their Hanover Beef Striploin with Birch-Braised Oxtail, Smoked Onion Soubise & Carrot Argodolce.
Cafe Boulud
Timeless dishes grace the tables at Cafe Boulud, located inside the Four Seasons Hotel. French classics include Truite Amandine with pan-seared trout, brown butter & almond with green beans, leek & potato and gorgeous Soufflé Glacé à la Pèche with peach coulis, creamy frozen italian meringue.
John & Son’s Oyster House
A Fisherman’s bounty of seafood awaits you at John & Son’s Oyster House. Start with Freshly shucked oysters and then Crispy Arctic Char with roasted heirloom carrots and beets, starburst, haricots verts, fingerlings, cider butter.
Spice Route
Dine inside this sexy space filled with eclectic Asian decor. Dinner highlights include Tempura Calamari with lemon scallion aioli and Spicy Mongolian Sirloin Beef withdry chili, baby bok choy, scallion, crispy rice sticks
Harlem
The tastes of 1920’s Harlem Renaissance await you at this cool spot. Southern comfort favourites include Catfish Lafayette with Seasoned & breaded deep fried morsels, served with a sweet chili sauce & creamy chipotle mayo. Then devour Harlem Jambalaya that includes a medley of shrimp, chicken & hot Italian sausage topped with pan-seared catfish, harmoniously singing together in this traditional rice dish.
The Chase Fish & Oyster
The elegance of the Hamptons and coastal seafood fare reign supreme here. The Catch of the Day include Crispy Fried Oysters and straight out of pacific waters Grilled Albacore Tuna with coco bean salad, labneh, bibb lettuce, and lemon vinaigrette.
