From contemporary to traditional, French to Italian and casual to formal, Lifestyle brings you must-go,
state-of-the-art restaurants. Passing all tests with perfect scores, these refined eateries combine the best
of both interior design and cuisine. Celebrate life’s milestones, enjoy a quiet, relaxing night out with a
loved one or get together for a casual night of fine dining and drinks, this thoughtfully assessed list takes
into consideration the many occasions in life without sacrificing the highest of standards.
Scarpetta Thompson Residences
550 Wellington St. West, Toronto
Located in the hub of Toronto’s art, entertainment and fashion neighbourhood, Scarpetta brings together
modernity and tradition with a unique, soulful menu and decor. With meticulous attention to even the most
negligible of details, Scarpetta’s impetus is to have guests relish meals to the last bite. Scott Conant,
along with chefs de cuisine Dan Rossi and Ryan Morrison and pastry chef Atul Palghadmal, have created a
refined Italian menu of both traditional and original dishes. Signature dishes include Spaghetti with Tomato
and Basil, Creamy Polenta with Fricassee of Truffled Mushrooms, Yellowtail with Ginger Oil and Sea Salt, and
Moist-Roasted Capretto with Rapini, Pancetta and Potatoes. The contemporary interior decor and dimmed
blue lighting present a relaxing yet lively atmosphere, with geometric dining tables and wooden furnishing
and flooring. The restaurant was designed by Studio Gaia and features a dining room with floor-to-ceiling
windows and a private dining room for up to 18 guests. Wine lovers will be impressed by Scarpetta’s wine
display of 3,800 bottles. For warmer days, the eatery’s communal table patio provides a spacious dining area
with a view overlooking a pool and the historical Victoria Memorial Park.
Langdon Hall
Dining Room 1 Langdon Dr., Cambridge
Located in the heart of tranquility in their Country House Hotel & Spa, Langdon Hall’s dining room
attests to be one of the finest in fine dining experiences. Awarded the Five Diamond Award from AAA/CAA,
Langdon Hall strives for the best with its homegrown ingredients, traditionally elegant decor and savoury
food.
Executive chef Jonathan Gushue changes up the menu on a weekly basis to accommodate the finest ingredients
from Langdon’s own garden. The cuisine is described as French-inspired, but still hones in on the region’s
heritage. The chef puts a twist on dishes ranging from appetizers such as Rouge Foie Gras & Pig Tail
Torchon to entrées such as Pumpkin and Barley Risotto, and experiments with traditional meats including ham
and sausage, as well as local seasonal vegetables. Their award-winning wine list consists of a selection of
more than 1,000 wines. On-site sommelier Kathleen Moore provides guests with knowledgeable advice and
recommendations to help narrow down the choices. Whether for a special occasion or an easy retreat, Langdon
Hall strives to provide each of its guests with a memorable dining experience.
— Text by Veronica Boodhan
Carisma
73 King St. East, Toronto
Carisma’s exceptional quality cuisine and inviting, yet untouchably elegant decor demonstrates that
experience really does make a difference. Having been in the restaurant business for more than 25 years,
Margi and Michael Pagliaro, along with their daughter Monica, opened Carisma last September with already a
number of successful restaurants under their belts. The family’s Il Mulino restaurant attracted dozens of
regulars, but closed after 11 years of business. The family made a bold comeback and opened Carisma’s doors
in Toronto’s downtown core — the restaurant is still mostly staffed by their previous employees. The
restaurant’s perfectly maintained black and white exterior, and modern and futuristic interior with
traditional details such as cherry wood tables and oversized windows, make the space perfect for a wide array
of events and occasions. Specializing in Italian cuisine and seafood, try their Tagliolini All’Anatra with
tagliolini, duck and wild mushrooms, or the Vitello Piccata al Limone, with veal scaloppine, white wine,
lemon and seasonal vegetables, if you want to stay away from traditional, Italian pasta entrées. Their
extensive selection of wines covers all the classics from whites like chardonnay to reds and sparkling. For a
casual night of fine dining, Carisma is a must-go.
Ruby Watchco
730 Queen st. east, Toronto
In a chic, quaint location in Toronto’s Riverside district, Ruby Watchco welcomes its guests to enjoy a finer
style of family, home-style dining in a casual setting. After renovating the restaurant, Chef Lynn Crawford
and her team decided to change up the dining experience by breaking down the wall from the kitchen to the
dining room to incorporate a chef’s island, a wooden block located just outside of the modest kitchen for the
star chefs to plate their dishes and interact with guests. They also brought in antique furniture and
incorporated modern touches with leather couches and dim lighting, to help create an inviting atmosphere. In
regards to the menu at Ruby Watchco, guests are privy to the dining options created by Crawford and co-chef
Lora Kirk. The fixed-price, daily-set menu is in many ways an extension of Crawford’s work on her hit Food
Network Canada TV show, Pitchin’ In. Each week, the chefs post a week’s worth of the daily menus on their
website, and say they are accommodating to food allergies and dietary restrictions in advance.
Although this dining style is fairly new to Toronto, it makes having dinner at Ruby Watchco much more than
just a dining experience; it’s an all-out affair.
— Text by Veronica Boodhan
Ame
19 Mercer St.,Toronto
At last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, there was one venue celebrities visited for star-worthy
Japanese cuisine: Ame. A host for red carpet events and festival parties, Ame is a contemporary Japanese
supper club in Toronto’s Entertainment District. Co-owned by Charles Khabouth – owner and operator of INK
Entertainment – and the highly praised Canadian restaurant duo, Michael and Guy Rubino – the latter also
being Ame’s world-renowned executive chef – Ame is a young star in its own right at just over a year old,
debuting the opening night of TIFF in 2009. Known for its unique take on the modern Japanese gastronomic
experience, Ame offers more than just exquisite Japanese cuisine, as the restaurant also offers guests an
evening of cocktails and entertainment. From Thursdays to Saturdays, Ame presents a pleasing music selection,
along with an extensive bottle service menu offering premium liquors, champagnes, imported sakes and shochu.
With Tokyo delights served until 11 p.m. and a sushi bar open until 2 a.m., Ame blends in well with its
entertainment surroundings, its late hours rendering it a restaurant and evening-out destination. Translating
to “rain” in Japanese, Ame offers an extensive sushi and sashimi menu, as well as an in-house, custom-built
Robata grill, and guests are free to dine at the sushi/sashimi counter or in the main dining room. With a
beautifully Old World-like adorned interior, including colourful silk kimono fabrics and reclaimed wood, this
nightlife-esque dining location will see visitors eager to dance and dine in the rain.
— Text by Melissa Silva
