Agree that many of those listed are pedestrian options, although they usually have some hits. They're definitely far above the chains mentioned, but are rapidly looking like dinosaurs in Toronto's food options in terms of quality and price. Still have the best wine lists though.
I haven't been in a few years, but Opus was always fantastic in the fine-dining sphere. I'd go there again easily over Splendido, George, or anything in the financial district. And I find O&B and McEwan restaurants terribly overrated for taste (although I've never made it up to Auberge, which I'm told is still very good).
Is Nota Bene still any good? Seeing as that's where Lee went after Splendido.
Regardless, having eaten at Robuchon restaurants (greatest meals of my life), Batali and Bastianich joints, a couple of Michael Mina's places, Craftsteak, Per Se, and others, the "fine" dining in Toronto still has a long way to go.
No, in Toronto the best restaurants I've eaten at are the smaller, newer, younger, more casual places. I'll basically follow Van Gameren to whatever restaurant he's at (Black Hoof dropped considerably when he left), and Bar Isabel is great. Enoteca Sociale is still very good. County General is a regular stop. Hopgood's, Woodlot, Salt, Spirit House, Grand Electric, Electric Mud, are all places I either go to regularly or suggest, although most of those don't even come close to "fine" dining if you're looking at the whole experience or the options on the menu. The list of restaurants I want to get to keeps growing, and I lament not having the time to get to them fast enough. I don't know how many would fit in with the traditional idea of fine dining, but I have no doubt the food is better than what's offered at most of the old guard.
I haven't been in a few years, but Opus was always fantastic in the fine-dining sphere. I'd go there again easily over Splendido, George, or anything in the financial district. And I find O&B and McEwan restaurants terribly overrated for taste (although I've never made it up to Auberge, which I'm told is still very good).
Is Nota Bene still any good? Seeing as that's where Lee went after Splendido.
Regardless, having eaten at Robuchon restaurants (greatest meals of my life), Batali and Bastianich joints, a couple of Michael Mina's places, Craftsteak, Per Se, and others, the "fine" dining in Toronto still has a long way to go.
No, in Toronto the best restaurants I've eaten at are the smaller, newer, younger, more casual places. I'll basically follow Van Gameren to whatever restaurant he's at (Black Hoof dropped considerably when he left), and Bar Isabel is great. Enoteca Sociale is still very good. County General is a regular stop. Hopgood's, Woodlot, Salt, Spirit House, Grand Electric, Electric Mud, are all places I either go to regularly or suggest, although most of those don't even come close to "fine" dining if you're looking at the whole experience or the options on the menu. The list of restaurants I want to get to keeps growing, and I lament not having the time to get to them fast enough. I don't know how many would fit in with the traditional idea of fine dining, but I have no doubt the food is better than what's offered at most of the old guard.