In compiling her annual top 100 Toronto restaurants list, veteran food critic Joanne Kates ate out — a lot. Below, we’ve put together her favourite foodie finds, from the city’s best pizza to its top wait staff.
Best meal under $20
“Paulette’s Original Donuts and Chicken is what happened when daughter of Ace Bakery went fast food.”
Paulette’s Original Donuts and Chicken, 913 Queen St. E.
Top rookie chef
“Justin Cournoyer, Actinolite. Out of nowhere he comes.”
Actinolite, 971 Ossington Ave.
Most romantic restaurant
“Aria’s glorious soaring ceiling and sexy Venetian glassware build a backdrop for smooching.”
Aria, 25 York St.
Best fish and seafood
“Fewer restaurants are doing it right due to $$$. Joso’s never stopped.”
Joso’s, 202 Davenport Rd.
Top brunch
“Brunch is delicious like Paris in the spring, from warm scones to French toast made with eggy brioche.”
The Saint Tavern, 227 Ossington Ave.
When money is no object
“Can any dinner for two be worth $750? If it’s Hashimoto for dinner as Japanese artwork, then yes.”
Hashimoto, 6 Garamond Crt.
Top steak house
“Morton’s grills steak so fat, tasty and juicy they’re sexy.”
Morton’s, 4 Avenue Rd.
Korean BBQ
“Korean cook-it-yourself BBQ is fun and yummy at Sariwon Korean BBQ.”
Sariwon Korean BBQ, 7388 Yonge St.
Best wait staff
“Patria: they look good, they speak Spanish food and they love to explain it.”
Patria, 480 King St. W.
Authentic southern barbecue
“The Stockyards, for great ribs, fried chicken and flat-top burgers.”
The Stockyards, 699 St. Clair Ave. W.
Best deli
“The best deli in town is still Centre Street Deli.”
Centre Street Deli, 1136 Centre St., Vaughan
Best Szechuan cuisine
“The Szechuan cooking at Ba Shu Ren Jia is better than anything we had downtown, even in its heyday.”
Ba Shu Ren Jia, 4771 Steeles Ave. E.
Perfect pizza
“Despite the plethora of Neapolitan pizza ovens, nobody tops Libretto.”
Pizzeria Libretto, 221 Ossington Ave.
Chinese on a budget
“Taste of China for live shrimp in summer, crab in winter and salt-and-pepper tofu year-round.”
Taste of China, 338 Spadina Ave.
Freshest sushi
“Solo Sushi Ya: fish so fresh it’s almost swimming.”
Solo Sushi Ya, 291 Davis Dr.