Conejo Negro
838 College St., 416-637-3868
Toronto’s Little Italy has a new Caribbean, Creole and Latin America-inspired restaurant in Conejo Negro. Chef Alycia Wahn, who lived in Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans in her 20s, returned home with Latin comfort food in mind: “Once I experienced Creole food, I noticed similarities running through the three cuisines and always imagined they’d blend beautifully together.” Popular dishes include firecracker shrimp ($18), tuna and shrimp ceviche ($22) and squash dumplings ($24) as a vegetarian option.
DaNico
440 College St., 416-715-1200
“At this point in my career — with my Italian background and culinary traditions — I wanted to explore new cultures and incorporate new local and Japanese products without distorting my Italian roots,” says chef Daniele Corona of this new Italian-Japanese fusion restaurant located in an old bank on trendy College Street. DaNico diners can opt for a $150 three-course à la carte menu or an eight-course signature tasting menu. By the final espressos and dolci course, there could well be handshakes on that movie deal.
Deauville Club
92 Peter St., 416-596-2810
Housed in the Revery Hotel on Peter Street, this eatery features classic French cuisine with subtle modern twists. Popular picks include Drost Farm Muscovy duck with black truffle madeira sauce ($48) and sea bass with sweet potato hash ($41). “Every dish tells a story,” says chef Tom Chlebek. “My goal is to offer customers more than just a meal — it’s about delivering a unique dining experience that reflects my passion for food and the memories that it creates.” First-weekend festgoers should also try the brunch.
Lano
181 Wellington St. West,
416-585-2500
The lobby of The Ritz-Carlton hotel, a stone’s throw from TIFF Lightbox and Roy Thomson Hall, now includes Lano, short for Milano, an all-day café and wine bar that pays homage to northern Italian cuisine. “From caffe to gelato, we offer a wide variety for every palate in a beautiful open space, designed to socialize,” says chef Alessandro Panattoni, who hails from the Milan region. Top choices include ciabatta primavera ($14) and fregola e carciofi salad ($24).
Mott 32
190 University Ave., 647-467-0032
Mott 32 arrives after opening in Vancouver and Las Vegas. Delicacies from Cantonese, Szechuan and Beijing cuisine include triple-cooked Black Angus short ribs ($92), Applewood 42 days roasted Peking duck ($180) and smoked black cod ($58). Says executive chef Kin Ming Yeung: “By understanding both foreign and local ingredients and sourcing locally where possible, we developed the menu that incorporates rich culinary experience and culture.”
This story first appeared in the Sept. 4 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
