For part three of our Winterlicious guide (be sure to check our Top 5 Spots for Lovers of the Scene and our Top 5 Restaurants for Comfort Seekers), we’re going on an exploration, and suggesting the Top 5 for Exotic Eats…
Banu, $15 Lunch and $25 Dinner
An Iranian kabob/vodka bar, Banu is a cultural hidden gem many a Torontonian knows little to nothing about. For this year’s three-course lovin’, they’ve got authentic and traditional cuisine on the pipeline, like Iranian potage, murgh (chicken breast with a saffron citrus glaze), and saffron and cardamom rice pudding.
Estiatorio VOLOS, $20 Lunch and $35 Dinner
One of our favourite downtown restaurants, VOLOS is Greek the way Greece would want to be represented. Its chic interior is only part of the parcel. The reverence for Greek cuisine is what actually keeps us going back. Do yourself and order the exohico when you go. You’re welcome.
Embrujo Flamenco, $25 Dinner
Spanish tapas evolved in the city after Embrujo Flamenco opened just a few short years ago. They do it right, every time. For Winter to the licious, look forward to Spanish bean stew with chorizo, cod with ratatouille, and sweet pears in sherry.
Spice Route, $15 Lunch and $25 Dinner
This Asian-style bistro is a King West hotspot, and you’ll understand why at this year’s Winterlicious. Mongolian beef with steamed broccoli shares a menu with other items like steamed sui mai and Vietnamese coffee and chocolate tart.
Tabule, $15 Lunch and $25 Dinner
The Mediterranean meets the Middle East at Tablue on Yonge, and the menu is quite the eclectic mix during prix fixe fest. Traditional fatush salad is the perfect start to the meal that also includes dishes like Mennonite chicken and angel hair phyllo layered with custard.
Photo courtesy Embrujo Flamenco