The last year was a a busy and exciting one for the Toronto food scene, in which we saw electric openings that ranged from highbrow to low, including modest local joints and grand, attention-grabbing eateries.
To highlight the standout newcomers, we asked esteemed chef Kyle Rindenella, recently awarded a Bib Gourmand for Enoteca Sociale— an Italian restaurant known for its authenticity, drawing food enthusiasts from far and wide  — to tell us what he thought was the best new addition to the city’s dining scene. Read on to find out which exciting spot he selected.
Chef Rindenella’s pick: Alder
“Great cocktails, a focused wine list and a great selection from the kitchen of shareable plates makes it a must-try in Toronto,” chef Rindenella recently told us.
Alder
A stay at Toronto’s recently opened Ace Hotel would not be complete without dining at Alder, another knockout from Michelin-starred chef Patrick Kriss. The restaurant features a Mediterranean-inspired menu that celebrates seasonality and, at its core, a signature wood-fired hearth and grill infusing flavour into each dish. Working with Alder’s chef de cuisine JJ Dingcong, Ace Hotel Toronto’s executive chef  Moto Nishimura and pastry chef Victoria Ammendolia, Kriss oversees all dining menus at Ace Hotel Toronto, which also includes the hotel’s community space and the Lobby, which offers a menu of pastries and coffee in the morning followed by alcoholic bevvies and small plates later on.  Among the menu highlights are the half grilled chicken with harissa jus; big eye tuna with charred poblano aïoli; and for dessert gluten-free coconut cream pie. The restaurant also boasts a full bar program, featuring classically inspired cocktails, local craft beers and an eclectic selection of wines from both established and emerging vintners. With the aim to be an all-day hangout for Toronto, the lofty space is warm and inviting and features an open kitchen surrounded by concrete walls, brick floors and rich wood accents. 51 Camden St.
To find out which new restaurant Michelin chef Eric Chong selected, click here, Â if you’re curious about what new spot Tobey Nemeth and Michael Cabello of Edulis chose, click here, And you’ll find chef Anthony Rose of Fat Pasha’s favourite new restaurant here.