Black Rabbit
838 College Street, 416-637-3868
Toronto’s Little Italy has a new Caribbean, Creole and Latin-inspired restaurant in Conejo Negro. Chef Alycia Wahn, who lived in Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans in her 20s, returned home with Latin comfort food on her mind: “After experiencing Creole food, I noticed similarities between the three cuisines and always imagined they would mesh beautifully.” Popular dishes include firecracker shrimp ($18), tuna and shrimp ceviche ($22) and squash ravioli ($24) as a vegetarian option.
DaNico
440 College Street, 416-715-1200
“At this point in my career, with my Italian background and culinary traditions, I wanted to explore new cultures and incorporate new local and Japanese products without distorting my Italian roots,” says chef Daniele Corona of this new Italian-Japanese fusion restaurant located in a former bank on trendy College Street. Diners at DaNico can opt for a $150 three-course à la carte menu or an exclusive eight-course tasting menu. With the latest espressos and sweets Of course, there may be some handshaking over that movie deal.
Deauville Club
Via Pietro 92, 416-596-2810
Housed in the Revery Hotel on Peter Street, this restaurant offers classic French cuisine with subtle modern touches. Popular choices include the Drost Farm Muscovy duck with black truffle Madeira sauce ($48) and the sea bass with sweet potato hash ($41). “Every dish tells a story,” says chef Tom Chlebek. “My goal is to offer customers more than just a meal—it’s about providing a unique dining experience that reflects my passion for food and the memories it creates.” First-weekend festival-goers should also check out the brunch.
Wool
181 Wellington Street West,
Phone Number: 416-585-2500
The lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, steps from TIFF Lightbox and Roy Thomson Hall, now features Lano, short for Milano, an all-day café and wine bar that pays homage to northern Italian cuisine. “From coffee to gelato, we offer a wide variety for every palate in a beautiful, open space designed for socializing,” says chef Alessandro Panattoni, a native of the Milan region. Top picks include the ciabatta primavera ($14) and the fregola and artichoke salad ($24).
Word 32
190 University Avenue, 647-467-0032
Mott 32 follows openings in Vancouver and Las Vegas. Cantonese, Sichuan and Peking delicacies include triple-cooked Black Angus short ribs ($92), 42-day Applewood roasted Peking duck ($180) and smoked black cod ($58). Executive chef Kin Ming Yeung says, “By embracing both foreign and local ingredients and sourcing local produce wherever possible, we’ve developed a menu that embodies a rich culinary experience and culture.”
This story originally appeared in the Sept. 4 issue of The Hollywood Reporter. Click here to subscribe.