Seafood towers are making waves in Toronto. Perched on sparkling crushed ice you’ll find stacks of sweet crab claws, perfectly plump prawns and more fruits of the sea than you can imagine. It’s the ultimate showstopper and the perfect summer splurge.
The Chase
At upscale seafood-focused restaurant the Chase, you’ll be treated like a queen (or king) especially in the summer months as you dine on the elegant rooftop terrace, perched on the fifth floor of the historical Dineen Building in the city’s financial district. Offering an array of small plates and entrees as well as chilled seafood dishes like caviar served with toasted brioche, there are also a number of seafood platters and towers to choose from, including the aptly named Diamond, a veritable vacation on a platter. On the lineup, you’ll find Canadian oysters, a chilled Maritime whole lobster, snow crab, shrimp cocktail, scallop crudo, yellowfin tuna sashimi and rock shrimp salad. $250, 10 Temperance St., Fifth Fl.
Jumbo Lobster
For a meal of epic proportions (and an epic price tag!) a trip to Jumbo Lobster is in order. The sister restaurant of Scarborough’s legendary Fishman Lobster Clubhouse, this location is similar to the original with its delectable offerings of meat and seafood dishes including sweet and sour pork, shark fin soup and steamed bass. But it’s the restaurant’s colossal seafood feast of lobster and crab that draws in hoards of eager diners seeking an unforgettable meal.The eye-popping “lobster mountain” sees a giant mound of fried lobster served with fragrant garlic and smelt that costs as much as $700. 7501 Woodbine Ave., Markham
BlueBlood Steakhouse
A visit to BlueBlood Steakhouse will make you feel as if you’ve been transported into another realm, as classic heritage architecture collides with modern art pieces by the likes of Warhol, Dali and Mr. Brainwash decorate the walls. As if eating a sprawling tower of shellfish wasn’t opulent enough, the restaurant is located inside the majestic Casa Loma — the recipient of a $3 million makeover when it was leased by Liberty Entertainment Group back in 2014. BlueBlood never skimps on portions or quality. Here you’ll find king crab, lobster, jumbo prawns, freshly shucked oysters and salmon crudo. $88/person, 1 Austin Terr.
Selva
Indulge in oceanic delights at Selva, chef Nuit Regular’s multi-sensory immersive restaurant on Richmond Street. The menu, influenced by Regular’s Thai heritage, presents a tantalizing fusion of flavours. Choose between two remarkable sparkler-topped seafood towers. The first ($150) is available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The second ($180) is offered on Fridays and Saturdays. Both towers feature an array of shellfish, including crab legs, prawns, clams, shrimp and oysters. The second tower adds a whole lobster, elevating it to a truly extravagant option for seafood enthusiasts. 221 Richmond St. W.
STK
Head to this restaurant in Yorkville for premium cuts of meat and beyond fresh fish in an oh-so-glam setting. Alongside favourites like steakhouse skirt and miso-glazed Chilean sea bass, the star of the show is the seafood tower. Boasting a bountiful variety of oysters, clams, mussels, Dungeness crab, lobster, ceviche and jalapeno pickled shrimp, the tower is paired with traditional cocktail sauce, mignonette and lemon Dijonnaise. It can be accompanied by one of the restaurant’s many signature libations, like the STK Mile, made with vodka, lime, green chartreuse and ginger beer. $69/person, 153 Yorkville Ave