Although inflation has caused the cost of dining out to soar, there are many standout restaurants in the city with quality food at reasonable prices. And when it comes to restaurant recommendations, who better to trust than a chef — and a Michelin chef to boot!
Executive chef Daniele Corona, recently awarded a Michelin star for Don Alfonso 1890 —named as the “best Italian restaurant in the world outside of Italy,” recently shared his favourite affordable restaurant in Toronto where two can dine with wine for under $100. Read on to find out which spot he selected.
Chef Daniele Corona wants to eat at: Cibo Wine Bar
“I love Cibo Wine Bar as a destination for Torontonians and their families to enjoy a fun and affordable meal,” Corona told us. And when it comes to menu highlights, the Neapolitan chef has a soft spot for the pie. “The pizzas are my favourite,” he said. And it’s no wonder, the menu is stacked with 15 different options to choose from.
Cibo Wine Bar
With three locations in Toronto, Cibo Wine Bar is a member of the Liberty Entertainment Group’s robust list of restaurants. It’s been a longtime favourite for those in search of rustic Italian fare in a relaxed, upscale setting. Start with a glass of red, white, rose or sparkling wine, available in a five- or nine-ounce pour. Prefer the whole bottle? There are more than 175 exclusive wines by the bottle to choose from, originating from various regions of Italy and the rest of the world. A robust wine bar first, Cibo also has a fantastic selection of house-made cocktails, spirits and beers. On the menu, you’ll find plenty of shareables, like the selection of salumeria (various italian meats and an assortment of hard and soft cheeses served with olives) or timeless classics like the arancini (rice balls stuffed with ragu and melted mozzarella). There are also more than 20 handmade pastas, including ravioli stuffed with lobster, lemon, béchamel and lobster cream sauce. 522 King St. W., 133 Yorkville Ave., 2472 Yonge St.
If you want to know where celebrity chef Ryusuke Nakagawa of Aburi Hana eats cheap, click here, for Rob Rossi of Osteria Guilia click here. And to find out where chef Masaki Saito gets an affordable meal, click here.