Fusion restaurants in Canada
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A
Urban Element
Housed in a vacant brick firehouse, this gustatory option wins on concept alone. Think Iron Chef meets Martha Stewart. Make a reservation at this kitchen-cum-classroom and cook your own three-star gourmet meal, with the help of a skilled cook, of course. The team of instructors includes a regular crew of chefs and several visiting professionals who work at the finest restaurants around town.
reviewed
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B
Woolsey Creek
The food at this lively and fun place is the artistic result of two women, Sylvie and Sophie, and their passion for inventive fare. There are global influences across the menu (you won't go wrong with the prosciutto-stuffed chicken) and a fine wine list. Excellent starters encourage sharing and lingering on the large patio.
reviewed
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C
Byzantium
Slick interior design, hip young staff and lots of laughter – get your doting sugar daddy/mommy to take you to Byzantium. Soften them up with a breakfast martini (gin, Cointreau, marmalade, lemon juice and sugar syrup), then direct them towards the signature Caesar Salad or more adventurous offerings like ostrich medallions with summer ratatouille and roasted sweet potato.
reviewed
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D
Sen5es
Sen5es' sun-drenched, airy cafe serves breakfast (try an impeccable cappuccino and chocolate croissant), while the sleek modern dining room harbors a chef's table and nocturnal offerings like goat cheese and beef ravioli or seared scallops with citrus salad and curry yoghurt. Alternatively, dine in the lounge to sample from the same amazing menu for under $25 per plate.
reviewed
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E
Fid
Slow-food proponent Dennis Johnston buys all his ingredients from the local farmers' market, then concocts dishes such as monkfish with shell peas, asparagus, maple-glazed pork belly with sweet potato and a beautiful pad thai. It's a great place to sample regional foods; the menu changes weekly and carries vegetarian options.
reviewed
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F
Chez Piggy
Hidden in a flowery stone courtyard, the city's best-known restaurant has earned its reputation with an innovative menu, charming ambience and memorable weekend brunches. Mains include confit of Muscovy duck leg and seared Togarashi sea scallops, and the bread is freshly baked down the street at Pan Chancho. Reservations are strongly recommended on weekends.
reviewed
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G
Fire on the East Side
A fusion kitchen works haywire variations on African, Caribbean, Acadian French and Cajun themes, from spicy crab cakes to duck confit quesadillas, and the menu changes quarterly. At night, the kitchen closes and beats from the next-door club are piped in, making it more of a lounge. It's a popular brunch spot, so reservations are essential for the weekends.
reviewed
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Armen's
Forget the local greasy spoons and say hi to chatty Armen as he prepares a tasty sandwich from the ever-changing menu. A rotating dinner menu in June, July and August highlights global cuisine; one night it's Canadian, another it's Moroccan. It keeps your taste buds on their toes. Sneak upstairs and enjoy your fresh eats on the sunny rooftop deck.
reviewed
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Globe Earth
This newbie features local, seasonal foods only, which you can feast on in the lounging surrounds. A wood-burning oven adds flavor flair to flatbreads, and you can order your meat by weight. Charcuterie and deep-fried cheese curds bring things down to an approachable level, and there's a little something for everyone on the massive menu.
reviewed
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H
Bymark
Celebrity chef Mark McEwan of North 44° brings his sophisticated menu of continentally hewn cuisine to this hip, bi-level downtowner. His creative kitchen crew whips seasonal regional ingredients (wild truffles, quail, soft-shell crab) into sensational combinations, each with suggested wine or beer pairings. It's on street level.
reviewed
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River Café
This organic, free-range and undeniably upscale restaurant that has won a litany of culinary awards is situated on the surprisingly leafy confines of Prince's Island in the middle of the Bow River. The menu is eclectic and determined by season and availability of ingredients with everything originating from either Alberta or BC. With 24 hours notice they can prepare you a picnic hamper in the summer months to enjoy in the nearby park.
reviewed
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J
Queen Mother Café
A Queen St institution, the Queen Mother is beloved for its cozy, dark wooden booths and excellent pan-Asian menu. Canadian comfort food is also on offer – try the Queen Mum burger. Check out the display of old stuff they found in the walls the last time they renovated. The patio is hidden and one of the best in town.
reviewed
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K
Dream Cafe
The heady aroma of spices envelopes your, well, head as you enter this pillow-bedecked, upscale-yet-funky bistro. Asian and Indian flavors mix on the menu, which has many veggie options. On many nights there's live acoustic guitar by touring pros; tables outside hum all summer long.
reviewed
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L
Carens Wine and Cheese Bar
As expected, there's an amazing selection of cheese boards, and staff can recommend wine pairings. Bright pashminas drape over chairs in case you get a chill on the intimate and stylish back patio, and Thai lanterns hang from the trees. Also, the spicy baked mac 'n cheese ($16) is some of the best we've ever had.
reviewed
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M
Flow
Catering to a 'money is no object' clientele, slung-low Flow flows seamlessly from gulf prawns with summer berry compote to sour cherry-crusted Australian lamb with grilled asparagus, seasonal mushrooms, potato and passionfruit jus. After dark a sexy crowd moves in, transforming the room into a cocktail lounge.
reviewed
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Peninsula Ridge
Sit outside, upstairs or down in this high-Victorian 1885 manor, serving haute cuisine that won't break the bank. Super-chef Robert Trout will start you on Prince Edward Island mussels steamed in chardonnay and coconut milk, and follow up with double-smoked, bacon-wrapped rib eye stuffed with herb mustard.
reviewed
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N
Susur
Order à la carte, or let superstar chef Susur Lee take you on a whimsical journey through his elaborate tasting menus (six courses $120; vegetarian $75). From Europe to Asia and back again, each plate is a magical study in contrasts, complemented by an imaginative wine list. Book weeks in advance.
reviewed
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O
Klondike Kate's
Two ways to know spring has arrived: the river cracks up and Kate's reopens. Locals in the know prefer the latter. The long and inventive menu has fine sandwiches, pastas and fresh Yukon fish. Look for great specials. This is the place for breakfast.
reviewed
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P
Edwin's
Born in Jamaica and trained in England, the illustrious Edwin blends Caribbean and Mediterranean cuisine at this little spot near the train station. Jerk chicken, fried plantains, curried goat and salmon salad are all on offer, as is a weekend breakfast buffet ($6.99).
reviewed
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Q
Madison's Grill
Located in the Union Bank Inn and continuing the same high standards of service and quality, delicate meats and seafood are prepared here with flair. The dining room is elegant, the service is top-notch and the wine pairing menu goes for a wallet-stretching $50.
reviewed
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R
Blue Door
This local hot spot serves upscale fusion dishes like gorgonzola bruschetta, maple-miso cod and chicken curry in a dim, urban-chic dining room. Retro cocktails like Singapore slings and Harvey Wallbangers are real favorites.
reviewed
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S
La Table on 5th
Ponder a passel of schnitzels or a bevy of steaks at this slightly formal continental restaurant. Make arrangements in advance and a local storyteller will join you at your table.
reviewed
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T
Racine's
Faux leather tablecloths and touches of neon green lend an urban mod look to this trendy downtown bistro. The internationally influenced menu is heavy on seafood and grilled meats – Malpec oysters on the half-shell, curried crab cakes, Szechuan-spiced duck, filet mignon with herb butter – all artfully displayed on white plates like abstract paintings.
reviewed
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Jazzmyn's Tapas & Taps
In a deep purple room that feels a bit like a palm-reader's foyer, draught beer (including Creemore!) and live music, be it Celtic tunes or angst-y folk beats, are served in candlelit ambience. We see a good time in your future.
reviewed
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U
White Goose Bistro
A touch of class downtown, chef Ryan Cyre cooks up surprising treats like lobster nachos in addition to more classic bistro fare at this white-tablecloth restaurant. Lunch sees salads, sandwiches and pastas.
reviewed