Don Douloff has been a restaurant critic for over 25 years and, during that time, has critiqued more than 1,200 eateries. In 1988, he studied the fundamentals of French cuisine at Ecole de Cuisine La Varenne in Paris, France. During his time in France, he furthered his gastronomic education by visiting the country’s bistros, brasseries and Michelin-starred temples of haute cuisine. He relishes exploring the edible universe in his native Toronto and on his travels throughout Canada and abroad.
On a recent visit to Cluny Bistro, the charming and bustling French restaurant in Toronto’s Distillery District, I encounter a slew of new and interesting dishes. For example, there was a salad of roasted yellow and purple carrots on a bed of baby kale — the softest, sweetest kale I’ve ever eaten — sparked by a vinaigrette mellowed by wine and accessorized with smoked yogurt. The Cluny … Read More about Cluny Bistro’s Savoire Faire
Launched last October at Sherway Gardens shopping centre, in west end Toronto, Cactus Club Cafe was a hit right from the get-go. It’s a sleek, two-level, 450-seat space decked out in contemporary decor accents and materials — Brazilian slate floors, white oak beams and red cedar. Votive candles flicker gently in the softly lit main dining room, while the adjacent bar buzzes with energy. On … Read More about Cactus Club’s Globally Inspired, Modern Canadian Plates
Located in Toronto’s Lawrence Heights area, Krystos dishes up terrific Greek food in a snazzy room outfitted in a refreshingly contemporary manner. Featuring an abundance of glass, onyx, and marble, as well as oversized murals, a waterfall and fireplace, the bright and airy space instantly welcomes with its sleek lines and up-to-the-minute décor accents. We start with a terrific dip, thick, … Read More about Krystos’ Greek charms
Queen of Persia reflects the passion of Lily Khansari, who hails from Tehran and emigrated to Toronto four years ago. Her mission: To introduce Persian food — in all its complexly flavoured glory — and culture to her adopted city. Mission accomplished. For the food part of the equation, Lily drew on her grandmother’s traditional homestyle recipes. On the plate, that translates to some of the … Read More about The Art of Persian Cuisine
Madrina’s inventive and refined modern tapas raise the bar on Spanish cuisine in Toronto. The restaurant launched in late June in Toronto’s Distillery District, in the high-ceilinged space formerly occupied by Tappo. Assorted shades of red and orange — for example, terracotta tiles and mahogany arches — punctuated with contrasting graphics and geometric floors energize an airy 2,800-square-foot … Read More about Don Appetit! Madrina Elevates the Tapas Experience
Black Angus, the Etobicoke restaurant that has fed guests splendidly for more than half a century, has relocated, reopened and reinvented itself in a snazzy, 6,000-square-foot street-level space in Bloor Islington Place office tower, in Toronto’s west end. The move wasn’t far — about a block west of its original location — but the transformation of the ambience and menu is impressive. This … Read More about Don Appetit! Black Angus 2.0 Launches
Outfitted with a comic book-themed décor, Figures resto-lounge opened in early spring, 2017, in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood. From the moment you enter the small, comic-covered lobby and press a big red button that opens the doors leading to the snazzy split-level restaurant, Figures announces that it’s not a typical restaurant experience. Indeed, the intimate and sleek split-level … Read More about Don Appetit! Figures — Comic-Book Décor, Serious Kitchen
Fieramosca, nestled on quiet, leafy Prince Arthur Avenue, near downtown Toronto’s upscale Yorkville neighbourhood, is a gem. For 37 years, the restaurant has cultivated a large and loyal following eager to chow down on first-rate homestyle Italian fare in an ambience that is as warm and familiar as one’s own home. Indeed, the restaurant’s two main dining rooms — white tablecloths, dark … Read More about Don Appetit! Fieramosca’s Traditional Italian Charms
Nestled in a heritage home built in 1843 and occupying a charming location on Bronte Harbour’s waterfront, about an hour west of Toronto, Yolanda’s Spuntino Casa takes inspiration from the cuisine of Central and Southern Italy. It also draws inspiration from Nonna Yolanda, the grandmother of one of the restaurant’s co-owners. Made from Nonna Yolanda’s own recipe, beef and pork meatballs are … Read More about Don Appetit! Yolanda’s La Dolce Vita
Attention all gastronomes: There is some seriously good cooking going on at Hexagon, a superb restaurant that opened last September in Oakville, Ont. Executive chef Rafa Covarrubias and the team of young (no one is older than 25) and talented chefs, recruited from across Canada, are turning out refined, creative food that’s anchored in French technique and top-notch ingredients, and celebrates … Read More about Don Appetit! Hexagon’s Superb Modern French Plates
