WHERE CHEFS EAT
Where Chefs Eat is a weekly series that asks Toronto chefs and restaurant owners to name their favourite places to dine in the city: where they go for everything from weekend brunch to late-night cravings, fancy dinners to dessert.
This week: Amy Rosen, food critic and cookbook author
Known for: Sharp food and travel writing, cookbooks such as “Kosher Style” and “Toronto Cooks”
Food critic and cookbook author Amy Rosen’s problem with Toronto’s food scene is a good one to have. “There’s something new happening every day. It’s hard to keep up,” she says. “We run the gamut from old school to new school, cheap eats to high-end, have food from about 150 different countries — basically an endless variety of delicious options using quality ingredients.” Plus, Rosen adds, you can find great food in just about every neighbourhood.
She loves the city’s culinary scene so much that she set her new book in Toronto: the heroine of her rom-com novel “Off Menu” (out June 17) attends culinary school here.
Below, Rosen shares her foodie-approved spots that are definitely worth writing home about.
Best date-night spot
Tha Phae Tavern, 221 Richmond St. W.
Tha Phae
“I was recently at Jeff and Nuit Regular’s new bar, and not only does it have the most delicious cocktails, incredible Thai bar food — both authentic and westernized — but it also has claw machines and karaoke rooms. In other words, a super-fun place for a date.”
Best bakery
Harbord Bakery, 115 Harbord St.
Harbord
“Harbord Bakery for life! So much to love about this place, but if I had to choose my favourite item it would have to be the cheese Danish. Or the spicy cheese straws. Or the challah…”
Hidden gem
Foxley, 207 Ossington Ave.
foxley
“I’ve followed Tom Thai from Lava Lounge to Tempo, and when he opened his own spot here — basically launching what is now the hot Ossington strip — it became and remains one of my all-time favourites in the city.”
Repeat reservation
edulis
“Just about every year we do a birthday lunch here, albeit during different seasons so we can enjoy their extremely seasonal menus. Whatever the weather, it’s always my best meal of the year.”
Current obsession
taline
“So fresh, creative, such warm vibes, and just so delicious.”
Comfort food
United Bakers Dairy Restaurant, 506 Lawrence Ave. W.
united
“It’s like a home away from home for the Jewish community. Give me their pea soup. Their Greek salad, bagels with a scoop of tuna, egg salad or cream cheese, their blintzes, ruggelach, and the overall feeling of peace and contentment when dining in a place so full of heart.”
Best dessert
Roselle Desserts, 362 King St. E.
roselle
“Anything from Roselle. They are just so next-level.”
Lunch spot
estiatorio Milos Toronto, 330 Bay St.
milos
“I was excited when Milos finally landed in Toronto this year. I may not be able to afford it for dinner, but their two-course weekday lunch is a (relative) steal.”
Late-night craving
Bar Raval, 505 College St.
bar raval
“I can’t believe Bar Raval is more than a decade old already, because I remember when it opened and I go often and am still not sick of it. In fact, I crave it. Specifically, glasses of cava and plates of tomato bread, croquettas, fried eggplant with rosemary and honey, shishito peppers and patatas bravas.”
Best takeout
Oroshi Fish Co., 962 College St.
oroshi
“It’s a toss-up between Oroshi Fish Co. sushi, or a slice from Badiali (craving-dependent).”
Best breakfast or brunch
Romi’s, 744 St Clair Ave. W.
romi’s
“Everything here is just the best. The best pita. The best falafel, the best hummus. You can make it a grab and go situation or sit down on the patio and have a breakfast sandwich or shakshuka. Everything is delicious. Don’t leave without buying a chocolate chip cookie.”
Best cocktail bar
Bar Pompette, 607 College St.
bar pompette
“I usually get the Cornichon, a crisp, pickle-twist on the gin martini.”
Place I’m dying to try
Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse, 81 Bay St.
jacobs
“A big night out to celebrate something big. We’d start with icy martinis, oysters and a shrimp cocktail, then nice steaks with all the sides. That just sounds terrific to me.”
The last best thing you ate
Jumbo Lobster, 9019 Leslie St.
jumbo
“My family recently went to Jumbo Lobster in Richmond Hill and had a real decadent time. We had many pounds of lobster, both steamed and fried, buttery steak, some dim sum, noodles and the rest. Now I’m craving it all over again.”
