Winterlicious 2013 picks

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The 2013 Winterlicious started and all the participating restaurants are now taking reservations.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, Winterlicious has been going on for the past decade or so, since the SARS epidemic had dealt a death blow to the hospitality industry and the city’s honchos were trying to revive it. Since then, the event has been besieged by a few complaints, such as less-than-stellar ingredients and savings, not so good service, while the staff complains of a lack of tipping from participating patrons.

The three-course prix fixe menu comes in 3 sizes: lunch at $15, $20 and $25, while dinner is $25, $35 and $45 – obviously, not including drinks. We have relied on a newcomer to Toronto to make her picks and here is what she came up with:

1. Alleycatz Restaurant Jazz Bar (Menu, 2409 Yonge St, W, $25, Midtown, Mediterranean)
2. The Chefs’ House @ George Brown (Menu, 215 King St E, W, $25, Downtown, Bistro/Cdn)
3. Bangkok Garden (Menu, 18 Elm St, W, $25, Downtown, Thai)
4. Annona Restaurant (Menu, Park Hyatt 4 Avenue Rd, W, $35, Yorkville, Mediterranean)
5. Big Daddy's Bourbon Street Bistro & Oyster Bar (Menu, 212 King St W, W, $25, Ent D, Cajun/Creole/Seafood)
6. Ouzeri (Menu, 500A Danforth Ave, W, $25, Greektown, Greek)
7. Quinn’s Steakhouse (Menu, 96 Richmond St W, W, $35, Fin D, Steakhouse)
8. Far Niente (Menu, 187 Bay St, W, $35, Dwntwn/Fin D, Continental)
9. The Wine Bar (Menu, 9 Church St, W, $25, Downtown, French/Italian)

We’re still thinking whether to add Splendido ($45/16), Auberge du Pommier ($45/28), Canoe ($25/21) or Pangaea ($35) to the list (in /x, x are the savings).

What do you think?

Sources / More info: to, tl, rfd, xtra, sl, fo, [PDF]

Overheard, restaurant, picks, cuisine, culinary, foodie, food, going out, dinner, lunch, winterlicious, summerlicious, delicious (Tags)

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