10 Best Spots to Dig In this Winterlicious 2019

We love praising our incredible restaurant scene and we want you to understand just how delicious our hospitality options are. Toronto’s annual Winterlicious food festival is back for its 16th year – the perfect excuse to explore the city’s unique food culture later this month! From January 25 to February 7, use the opportunity to devour three-course prix fixe menus at nearly 200 participating restaurants for one of three price points for lunch ($23, $28, $33) and dinner ($33, $43, $53). Here are some of the participating restaurants in the Toronto Entertainment District this year: Aanch Modernistic Indian Cuisine 259 Wellington St W.

Satisfy your spice craving with sensational Indian dishes at Aanch. Appreciate the rich and flavourful cuisine this restaurant offers for vegetarians, vegans and meat-lovers! $23 Lunch | $33 DinnerMust-try: Treat yourself with one of its newest dishes, baked Tandoori Chicken Roulade with minced tandoori chicken stuffed with spinach and goat cheese. District Eatery 303 King St W.

Reinventing bar food with its healthy dishes and fresh ingredient options, District Eatery is challenging the norm of fried finger bar food. Trendy and casual, twist up your nightlife game this month at the Winterlicious food festival! $23 Lunch | $33 DinnerMust-try: Bowl of Zen – a sustainably sourced ahi tuna sashimi tossed in sesame oil, gluten-free tamari and lime served with warm ancient grains, crunchy kale blend, topped with avocado, cucumber, fresh Thai chilies, carrots, radish, green onion, goma dressing, white and black sesame seeds, and nori flakes. FIGO 295 Adelaide St W.

Featuring Italian inspired, Instagrammable cuisine, Figo is inviting guests to its bright and super stylish space. Executive Chef Ben Heaton takes a distinctive take on Italian cuisine, twisting up modern and contemporary classics such as house-made ricotta, wood-fired pizzas, and made-from-scratch pastas. $28 Lunch | $43 DinnerMust try: Its Spaghetti a Limone is light and refreshing with spinach, capers, lemon and parmesan. Il Fornello 214 King St W.

Offering a fine-dining experience, Il Fornello is perfect before or after a theatre production, as it’s conveniently located across from Roy Thomson Hall and The Princess of Wales theatre! Known as Toronto’s first restaurant with wood-oven baked pizza to Ontario, Il Fornello also offers other fantastic rustic Italian dishes. $23 Lunch | $33 DinnerMust try: Its famous Linguine di Mare, a warm plate of pasta boiled with shrimp, bay scallops, calamari, and mussels in a light olive oil tomato sauce. La Fenice 319 King St W.

Feel like family when you walk into the elegant but casual La Fenice. It’s the Italian cuisine you’ve been craving, an elevated twist (read: bangin’ technique). Treat yourself to a lunch or dinner experience crafted by Chef Rocco Fosco. Marking 34 years in the business, this family-owned restaurant continues to grace the Toronto Entertainment District with legit Italian dishes. Desserts are made daily by owner Rita Fosco’s mother, Sandra, who, at 85 years old is still killin’ it. Pro tip: Have the Sicilian Bacio Tartufo. $28 Lunch | $48 DinnerMust-try: Start your lunch off with its Chorizo e Gamberetti, an open flame grilled chorizo sausage paired with grilled shrimp, fresh lemon, and chilli. Luma 350 King St W. (TIFF Bell Lightbox, 2nd Floor)

Not only offering stunning views of King Street from its terrace and through its floor-to-ceiling windows, Luma’s menu is nothing less than scrumptious! Showcasing global and Canadian artisanal cuisine under the direction of Chef Michael Wilson, indulge in his culinary adventure this Winterlicious food festival. $28 Lunch | $43 DinnerMust try: Start with Luma’s insanely good Butternut Squash Soup with spiced bay scallops, candied pumpkin seeds, and chive oil. Always made fresh and in-house everyday too! Michael’s on Simcoe 100 Simcoe St.

Michael’s on Simcoe is a dining experience. Known as a TIFF hotspot, this upscale, modern steakhouse has hosted A-lists celebrities like Will Smith, Keira Knightley and Emily Blunt have sat in for a meal at this joint. Specializing in premium beef, seafood and handmade pastas, Michael’s on Simcoe carefully crafts its menu to be perfectly paired with its Scotch and wine lists. S53 DinnerMust-try: Its New York Striploin Steak, grilled & California cut with sautéed spinach, swiss chard, caramelized onion puree, mushrooms and potato crisps. N’awlins Jazz Bar & Grill 299 King St W.

Head down south to New Orleans this month…or stop by N’awlins Jazz Bar for the tastes and sounds of Bourbon Street. Switch up date-night with live jazz along and Cajun-Italian fusion cuisine. Dinner and a show in one of Toronto’s best kept secrets! $43 DinnerMust-try: Its classic Creole Jambalaya is paired with andouille sausage, chicken and bell peppers! Tutti Matti 364 Adelaide St. W.

Superwoman Chef Alida Solomon is serving traditional Tuscan plates inspired by her personal time spent in the hills of Tuscany. Bringing the true culture and spirit to the Toronto Entertainment District, Tutti Matti prepares an evolving menu of dishes with seasonal ingredients. $43 DinnerMust-try: Its Riso Fritto – a comforting plate of fried squash risotto, mushroom and glorious fontina fonduta. Ricarda’s 134 Peter St.

In the mood for Mediterranean? Ricarda’s bakery and cafe is perfect for light lunches and rich, savoury dinners with charming hospitality. This gorgeous lounge offers authentic dishes to make you feel like you took a trip around the Mediterranean Sea! $28 Lunch | $43 DinnerMust try: Indulge in the Black Truffle Oil Carnaroli Risotto, a classic dish with arborio rice, wild mushroom medley, butternut squash, fontina cheese, radicchio and aged balsamic. Here’s to another year of foodie finds around the Entertainment District. Tag us in your Winterlicious pics and update us on your faves!