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Spring Rolls
One of five Spring Rolls around town, the Old York dining space is a cool mod room casting culinary net from Vietnam to China. Bowls of Vietnamese pho (noodle soup) mingle with spicy Sichuan wok dishes, classic pad thai (stir-fried noodles), curries and banana fritters. And yes, they have spring rolls too (two for around C$4 ). Energetic after-workers unwind at sidewalk tables.
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St Lawrence Market
Buskers provide an acoustic backdrop at the city's beloved indoor market, offering a mouth-watering range of quality produce, baked goods and imported foodstuffs. Crowds pack lunch counters outside Quik Sushi, St Urbain for Montréal-style bagels and, on the lower level, Mustachio's chicken sandwiches which are 'about as big as your head.' The historic Farmers' Market (since 1803) livens up the dull-looking North Market from every Saturday.
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Sultan's Tent & Café Maroc
Arabic, Spanish, French, English and Berber influences have swept through Morocco over the centuries, the culinary fallout from which can be sampled at this atmospheric room, replete with stained-glass lanterns, candles, slow-spinning ceiling fans, fringed cushions, and a bar to rival Rick's Café. Start with a harira soup (around C$5 ), followed by the splendiferous Couscous Royale (around C$22 ). Bellydancers may or may not help you digest.
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Supermodel Pizza
The motto stutters, 'Our crust is as thin as supermodel' - no prizes for grammar, and we didn't see any bulimic waifs chomping down slices, but we're willing to take the bait for one of their Florentine special pizzas (pesto, spinach, roast red peppers and feta cheese).
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Susur
Order à-la-carte, or let superstar chef Susur Lee take you on a whimsical journey through his elaborate tasting menus (six courses around C$120 ; vegetarian around C$75 ). Racing from Europe to the New World to Asia and back again, each plate is a magical study in contrasts, complemented by an imaginative wine list. Don't miss the signature Thai green curry rack of lamb. Book several weeks in advance.
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Swan
Fickle Queen Westers remain smitten with Swan, a swanky, nostalgic diner just off the beaten path by Trinity Bellwoods Park. You'll find upscale comfort food like nothing anyone's family ever cooked; from oyster omelettes to racks of beer-marinated ribs, dishes satisfy both the stomach and the soul.
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Swatow
An extensive menu covers cuisine from Swatow (a city now known as Shantou, on the coast of China's Guangdong province), nicknamed 'red cooking' for its potent splashings of fermented rice wine. The house noodles are fiery. Cash only; be prepared to queue.
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Tacos El Asador
For an authentic taste of old Mexico, tether your horse to a bike rack and sit your saddle-sore behind down in this taco-sized Koreatown canteen. Burritos, enchiladas, nachos, tostadas and guacamole clatter across tiny timber tables beneath Mexican flags. Crane your neck to check the hockey score on the TV and swallow some cold Corona in the same movement.
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Tempus
'Speak good words, do good things, help one another' - such are the thoughts of the Darvish Muslim ascetics whose cuisine inspires this restaurant. Super-friendly staff dish up heavy-on-the-meat stews and charbroiled kebabs along with dips and cooling yogurt side dishes.
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Terroni
A traditional southern Italian grocers and deli, Terroni is a winner! Off-duty Toronto chefs shamble through the doors for wood oven-fired pizzas, wines by the glass and fresh panini, all approaching perfection. Walls are lined with jars of pasta, olives and preserved peppers, fresh cut flowers sit on the counter, and razzamatazz big-band jazz keeps the mood 'up.' There's another branch in Queen West.
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Zelda's
Zany Zelda's has a winning combination of familiar food, crazy cocktails, wailing '70s disco and a spacious outdoor patio. An equally zany Church-Wellesley crowd adores the brash, colorful atmospheria, especially on drag queen and leather theme nights.
