Didier Atmosphere
Attention, Toronto foodies: Winterlicious is starting soon! Oh yes, the annual winter food event is back for its 10th year, delighting gourmands with (more) affordable prix fixe menus at 175 of the city’s finest restaurants. If you’ve ever walked by Trevor Kitchen and Bar on Wellington St. and wanted to try its daring dishes, or admired the gorgeous Auberge du Pommier from a distance and longed to taste its French cuisine, this is your chance to do so at a heavily discounted price.
Getting over the hurdle
For first-time Winterlicious foodies or those who’ve forgotten the price points, prix fixe lunch is priced at $15, $20, or $25, while dinner is $25, $35, or $45. These prices include starter, entrée, and dessert.
Though the official start date is January 27, you can make Winterlicious reservations at your restaurant(s) of choice right now. A reservation is not required but is highly recommended, because the many of the participating eateries are fully booked by the time the prix fixe menus come into effect.
To make a reservation, contact your restaurant(s) of choice on the Winterlicious listing
With 175 participating restaurants, it’s pretty much impossible to taste the cuisine of every single one. So which eateries should you choose? Here’s a quick selection of some notable and popular destinations along with their Winterlicious entrées:
Auberge du Pommier
Auberge du Pommier by Andrew Fung
As you can tell from its name, Pommier serves French cuisine. The North Toronto restaurant is upscale (formal attire recommended) yet romantic and historic, built on the site of a 19th century woodcutter’s cottage.
The lunch menu includes Truite Véronique (rainbow trout with almonds, grapes, cabbage, and cauliflower) and Crêpe Gratinée (buckwheat crêpe with braised chicken, mushroom ragout, Tuscan kale, and Comté Mornay).
For dinner, there’s Gateau de Pomme de Terre (potato cake with herb crème fraîche, black truffle coulis, roasted Belgian endive, and hazelnut crumble) or Boeuf en Croûte (beef tenderloin with brown butter rutabaga, braised Tuscan kale, onion marmalade, and sauce Bordelaise).
Didier
Located at Yonge and St. Clair, Didier is a classic and classy French bistro with renowned chef Didier Leroy in the kitchen. It’s a staple for lovers of authentic and traditional Gallic fare.
The lunch menu features Salade Niçoise (traditional Parisian salad with seared daily fish) and Croque Madame (Parisian-style rosemary smoked ham and Comté cheese, sunny egg, and greens).
Dinner choices include Cassoulet (traditionally baked duck confit, Toulouse and garlic sausage, lardons, and white beans) and the simple but delicious Steak Tartare (hand-cut beef tenderloin, traditionally dressed, and pommes frites).
Estiatorio Volos
Estiatorio Volos Interior
Volos is the ideal spot if you’re looking for fine Greek cuisine. Located in the financial district at Richmond St. and York St., Volos is known for its trendy décor, excellent service, and fresh seafood selection.
For lunch, try the Spetzofai (spicy lamb sausage with bell pepper, tomato sauce, and grilled bread) or the Moussaka (eggplant, zucchini, spiced beef, Yukon potatoes, and Kefalatyri Bechamel).
Dinner dishes include the popular and authentic Exohico (phyllo pastry stuffed with braised lamb and vegetables, feta and Kefalotyri cheeses) and jumbo shrimp with Atlantic salmon orzo.
Trevor Kitchen and Bar
Trevor Kitchen and Bar
by Glen MacLarty
A hotspot for young professionals, Trevor is situated underground on Wellington St., east of Yonge St. It offers a meat-based, local produce, and adventurous menu. Head chef Trevor Wilkinson is also known to personally come around to your table to check on your meal.
Trevor only offers a dinner prix fixe menu, but it is loaded with choices. Five appetizer selections are included, including shrimp and bacon ravioli with coconut lobster sauce, plus a whopping six entrée choices: check out the highly-braised beef cheeks (with turnip risotto & horseradish crème fraiche) or the crispy roast chicken (with sour cream & bacon gravy, buttermilk biscuit & collard greens).
Finally, don’t forget about the special culinary events during Winterlicious! Some of the planned events include a seminar and three-course meal built around a sustainable fish menu at Calphalon Culinary Center; a wine pairing, four-course meal experience at Casa Loma; and a delectable dinner featuring Lindt chocolate in every course at The Chefs’ House.
You can see the full schedule of culinary events and to buy tickets online on the Winterlicious website
