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 Michelin-recognized chef Anthony Rose, recently awarded a Bib Gourmand for Fat Pasha— a Middle Eastern-inspired spot serving up modern Israeli cuisine— to tell us what she thought was the best new addition to the city’s dining scene. Read on to find out which exciting spot he selected.
Chef Rose’s pick: Miznon
“I’ve been waiting forever for the restaurant to come to Toronto,” chef Rose recently told us. ” I’m such a huge fan. I get so much inspiration from them.”
Miznon
Miznon, the “wild” Mediterranean-inspired street food franchise with locations across the globe, recently opened its doors in the posh neighbourhood of Yorkville, in February. The eatery — which debuted in Tel Aviv in 2011 — features pitas and dishes infused with chef Eyal Shani’s “rebellious spirit and passion for pure ingredients.” Chef Shani hails from Jerusalem and became a household name when he joined the Israeli version of MasterChef as judge in 2010. Now, chef Shani has brought his signature cauliflower dish to Toronto, a customer favourite across the globe (and which earned him the nickname of King of Cauliflower). With plans to visit Toronto in the coming months, chef Shani hopes to find inspiration in the city’s local food markets and get a feel for the vibe in order to create a signature Toronto pita. Miznon’s menu includes the popular dishes the eatery has become famous for, like staple pitas: minute steak, lamb kebab and the folded cheeseburger, once voted “the best burger in New York” by Time Out. The 2,000-square-foot space features an open kitchen and long counter bar, to encourage conversation, and includes a signature wall, which Miznon commissioned Toronto visual artist Daniel Mazzone to create. 1235 Bay St.
To find out which new restaurant Michelin chef Eric Chong selected, click here, and if you’re curious about what new spot Tobey Nemeth and Michael Cabello of Edulis chose, click here.