Bistro 990, 990 Bay St. (tel. 416/921-9990): This opulent French restaurant has a reputation as the place where visiting celebrities come to dine. Is it true? I have no idea -- I'm too busy eating the remarkable meals.
Brassaii, 461 King St. W. (tel. 416/598-4730): Having an unforgettable dining experience usually makes a dent in your wallet -- but not at Brassaii. This refined but low-key spot serves up bistro classics with a modern twist.
Canoe Restaurant & Bar, in the Toronto Dominion Tower, 66 Wellington St. W. (tel. 416/364-0054): Defining Canadian cuisine is a tricky task because the country has absorbed a wealth of cooking styles and techniques from around the world. Come to Canoe to see how these are blended with Canadian produce; it's a recipe for a perfect meal.
Scaramouche, 1 Benvenuto Place (tel. 416/961-8011): The food here is splendid and very rich, I promise, but what will take your breath away is the view. Scaramouche's floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the downtown skyline from an uptown perch, showing off glittering views of Toronto.
Susur, 601 King St. W. (tel. 416/603-2205): Dining at this downtown fusion restaurant would be a highlight of any trip to Toronto. Simply put: Great chef plus great food plus great service equal one magical meal.
Best Brunch: Who would imagine that the place to go for gourmet omelettes and pancakes would be an Indian restaurant? But Xacutti, 503 College St. (tel. 416/323-3957), is full of surprises.
Best for a Celebration: The atmosphere at Blowfish Restaurant & Sake Bar, 668 King St. W. (tel. 416/860-0606), is lively every night. The mix of the glamorous dining room, fine sushi, and a cool crowd gives the restaurant its edge.
Best for a Romantic Dinner: I'm the first to admit that I'm biased, but the Rosewater Supper Club, 19 Toronto St. (tel. 416/214-5888), is my idea of perfect romance (it's where my husband proposed). Relax and let the pampering begin.
Best Bistro: Bistros often do well with comfort foods, but Biff's, 4 Front St. E. (tel. 416/860-0086), serves up modern takes on classic dishes; its setting goes beyond comfortable to luxury.
Best Italian: Il Posto, 148 Yorkville Ave. (tel. 416/968-0469), serves fine modern Italian cuisine in elegant digs -- and the efficient, knowledgeable waitstaff makes everyone feel at home.
Best Greek: The cooking at Pan on the Danforth, 516 Danforth Ave. (tel. 416/466-8158), will convince you that Pan was actually the god of food, not forests. This is Greek cuisine updated with panache.
Best Out-of-Towner: Talk about catching on like wildfire -- the new restaurant Elements Restaurant, Culinary Theatre & Lounge, at Taboo Resort in the Muskoka region (tel. 705/687-2233), is a work of art. Give yourself over to the genius chef by having one of the 3-, 5-, or 7-course tasting menus.
Best for Families: Millie's Bistro, 1980 Avenue Rd. (tel. 416/481-1247), is a family favorite with sunny dining rooms and a special children's menu. A more casual choice is deli-style Shopsy's (33 Yonge St.; tel. 416/365-3333).
Best for a Red-Meat Fix: Barberian's, 7 Elm St. (tel. 416/597-0335), has boosted the level of protein in Torontonians' diets since 1959. It also serves great martinis and desserts, but everyone comes here for the meat.
Best Pizza: A cubbyhole-size eatery in midtown, Serra, 378 Bloor St. W. (tel. 416/922-6999), makes thin-crust pizzas laden with gourmet ingredients.
Best Sushi: Hiro Sushi, 171 King St. E. (tel. 416/304-0550). Chef Hiro Yoshida offers up classically prepared sushi as well as a few unique specialties. But there is competition from Blowfish Restaurant & Sake Bar, 668 King St. W. (tel. 416/860-0606).
Best Afternoon Tea: A very tough call. Afternoon tea in the lobby lounge at the Le Royal Meridien King Edward, 37 King St. E. (tel. 416/863-3131), has been called Toronto's most authentic English tea, but I'm partial to the lavender-and-rose-infused Rooibos Provence tea that you'll find at Annona at the Park Hyatt, 4 Avenue Rd. (tel. 416/924-5471).
Best Alfresco Dining: The lovely patio at Biff's, 4 Front St. E. (tel. 416/860-0086), is just about perfect. Set well back from the street, it affords terrific people-watching possibilities.
Best Desserts: It's a tie. Dufflet Rosenberg bakes up a storm at Dufflet Pastries, 787 Queen St. W. (tel. 416/504-2870). You'll find her name on the dessert list at some of the city's top restaurants. And then there's the Senses Bakery, 2 Queen St. E. (tel. 416/364-7303). Resistance is futile.
For a complete listing of Frommer's-reviewed restaurants, visit our online dining index.
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