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Restaurants -
Where to Eat
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By: Denise Balkissoon
West of Bathurst Street, Queen Street West is still clinging on to its artsy roots. A walk along this stretch will unearth lots of experimental art galleries to get your imagination abuzz. Discuss the day's adventures and refuel at these choice spots.
Czehoski
678 Queen Street West
(416) 366-6787
Cusine Type: Casual Dining
Hours: Monday - Saturday: 6:00pm - 10:30pm (Dining Room)
Monday - Sunday: 6:00pm - 12:00am (Limited bar menu )
http://www.czehoski.com
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This gorgeously renovated former butchery has been drawing capacity crowds since its opening two years ago. At the bar, comfort foods, like the popular mac and cheese; in the back, finer bistro dining often constructed from local, organic finds. Head up one floor to find the packed bar and secluded back patio.
The Drake Hotel
1150 Queen Street West
(416) 531-5042
Cusine Type: Bistro
http://www.thedrakehotel.ca
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Still a Queen West West it spot, the handsome Drake offers food and drink at just about any time of the day or night. Sandwiches and salads feed lunching colleagues on the café’s streetside patio, while the upstairs Sky Lounge is for posh noshing in warm weather. The main dining room offers a regularly changing menu of rich, heady bistro food and a chance to see and be seen on the scene.
Foxley
207 Ossington Avenue
(416) 534-8520
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Veteran chef Tom Thai helped pioneer Asian fusion cuisine in the city at such restaurant as Youki and Tempo. His latest spot, Foxley, is a low-key neighbourhood joint featuring raw fish and southeast Asian flavours with Latin accents. Daily ceviches are a delicious must. Nose-to-tail beef include soft stewed beef cheeks redolent of cinnamon, falling to pieces into a sweetish tomatillo salsa verde.
Fresh
894 Queen Street West
(416) 913-2720
Cusine Type: Vegetarian
Hours: Monday - Friday: 11:30am - 9:00pm
Saturday: 10:30am - 9:00pm
Sunday: 10:30am - 5:00pm
http://www.juiceforlife.com
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Ample servings of inventive vegetarian fair. Big bowls of brown basmati rice are topped with grilled peppers, eggplant, sweet potato, sliced avocado and other sundry things (the Beach); significant salads include a combo of leaves, palm hearts, white beans, pesto, olives and more (the California); the yam frites and miso gravy keep them coming back for more.
Oyster Boy
872 Queen Street West
(416) 534-3432
Cusine Type: Casual Dining
Hours: Monday - Sunday: 5:oopm - 2:00am
http://www.oysterboy.ca
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A small room with a convivial atmosphere—come to enjoy old friends and a bottle of well-priced wine. The main draw is, unsurprisingly, bivalves, from here, there and everywhere, served raw, baked with one of 12 toppings, or deep-fried and served with a lime jalapeno mayo. Follow a plate of those with a marine main, as fresh as can be.
The Red Tea Box
696 Queen Street West
(416) 203-8882
Cusine Type: Casual Dining
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In a word, precious: a converted garage outfitted with brocade and tapestries is the setting for a modern girl’s tea room. Daily bento boxes feature sandwiches and wee, pretty desserts, most infused with Asian flavours. An abundant, fanciful selection of teas will have you sipping and chatting all afternoon.
San
676 Queen Street West
(416) 214-9429
Cusine Type: Korean
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Spicy, well-priced Korean specialities (and a bit of sushi) in a cozy, minimalist spot. Dolsot bi bim bap is rice, julienned carrots and cucumber, bean sprouts, a fried egg and tangy beef in a crackling hot stone bowl; bento boxes offer dumplings, salad and noodles alongside such treats as tuna maki or spicy squid. Friendly servers explain the list of sakes and sojus.
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