Winterlicious is back for yet another year featuring drool-worthy prix-fixe menus from more than 220 of Toronto’s best restaurants. And while the price for dinner can cost you as much as $75, there are a number of stellar restaurants in the city offering three-course meals for as little as $25.
Here are our top five picks on where to go.
Menami
With a name meaning “little tide” in Japanese, MeNami is an udon noodle bar inspired by the country itself. he restaurant, located at Yonge and Finch, uses a special dough room that keeps the exact temperature needed to keep the moisture of the noodles, while a water softening system keeps them soft. These wheat noodles are then served up any way you want: oven-baked with shrimp and bacon, topped with squid rings and tentacles, or in a tempura soup. These noodles are perfectly paired with MeNami’s selection of cocktails, beer and sake, all served up in Japanese style. 5469 Yonge St.
Bowl of Karma
At Indian restaurant Bowl of Karma, expect the same healthy and authentic food the restaurant is known for. Choose from crispy vegetable samosas stuffed with potatoes, peas and exotic spices or Aloo Tikki Chaat dunked in sweetened yogurt and topped with chickpeas, potatoes and chutney. For main there’s butter chicken pasta, paneer tikka naan pizza or the signature Karma bowl servd with your choice of curry. 1036 Kingston Rd.
Bar Bacan
At Argentinian and Venezuelan spot Bar Bacan, everything on the menu is made from scratch and gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options are also available. The Winterlicious offerings include beef or spinach empanada, the traditional Venezuelan dish Cachapa ade with fresh corn dough, served with cheese and a side of beans and arugula and for dessert a choice of alfajor, flan with dulce de leche and coco (coconut bites). 369 Roncesvalles Ave.
Mannat
At Indian and Hakka bar Mannat, chose from lamb, chicken or eggplant options, while for dessert, four delicious sweets are on offer including butterscotch ice cream and rice pudding. 839 College St.
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Islas
At Filipino BBQ joint, Islas, dishes are inspired by the country’s specialties with the aim of bringing the island experience to Toronto. The $25 dinner menu includes spring rolls, chicken or pork BBQ, followed by three choices for dessert: turon, made up of caramelized banana plantain with jackfruit spring rolls; Karioka the mochi of the Philippines, and halo halo, shaved ice with coconut strips, caramelized plantain leche flan with ube (purple yam) and ice cream topped with toasted coconut. 1690 Queen St. W.
Winterlicious runs from Jan. 27-Feb 9.