Seize the moment to secure a reservation (while you still can) at a new crop of Toronto restaurants. Both MIMI Chinese and its sister restaurant Sunnys, are amongst the prestigious Michelin Guide’s newest additions to its Toronto selection. This makes them the only restaurant group to receive Michelin recognition for two of their restaurants other than Patrick Kriss who last year received stars for both Alo and Alo Bar.
Sunnys Chinese
Born as a wildly successful pandemic pop-up, Sunnys Chinese’s brick-and-mortar locations has become one of the most coveted tables in the city, thanks to enviously cool vibes and food that feels both adventurous and comforting. Tucked in the former Cold Tea space within a small mall in Kensington Market, Sunnys’s out-of-the-way location, moody lighting, groovy beats and playful little details (like tiny panda chopstick rests) set the tone for an exciting dining experience.
The restaurant’s laid-back vibe belie chefs David Schwartz and Braden Chong’s earnest and thoroughly researched approach to regional Chinese cuisine. Touching on dishes spanning from Sichuan to Hong Kong, the menu offers something for diners with varying palates and preferences. Fans of Chinese takeout can devour near-perfected versions of American-Chinese classics like orange chicken, and those looking for a deep dive into China’s culinary culture can tuck into shareables like the Husband and Wife Beef, a Sichuan dish featuring braised beef shank, tendon and tripe covered in fiery house-made chili oil and finished with crunchy peanuts. Cocktails that play with Chinese spirits and ingredients bring the whole experience together. 60 Kensington Ave.
MIMI Chinese
You can find MIMI Chinese, an upscale — you guessed it — Chinese restaurant in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood. Co-owner and executive chef David Schwartz (Sunny’s Chinese), channelled his childhood love for Asian cuisine into this hot spot with a menu that highlights dishes from the Guandong province, located in southeast China.
The menu is split into five sections: raw and cooling, savoury and warming, chef’s specials, noodles and rice, and vegetables to encourage sharing. Along with an impressive selection of sake and wine, there are standout signature cocktails, like the Jungle Panda, made with rum, elderflower, Campari and baijiu, “one of the most complex and interesting spirits in the world,” according to Schwartz. The interior features seductive red velvet booths set against black walls and a lotus flower mural. Perpetually booked, MIMI Chinese is fit for the foodie looking for a culinary adventure and is primed to become more than just the next new buzzy place to dine. 265 Davenport Rd.
