Canadian restaurants
- Vij's, Vancouver - Fusion Indian food doesn't sound appetizing at first, but chef Vikram Vij does a wonderful job preparing creative and perfectly spiced westernized Indian dishes. No reservations, so skip lunch and line up at 5pm to guarantee a table when Vij's opens at 530pm. I recommend the roasted eggplant with vegetable-lentil curry, organic chicken with crimini mushrooms in creamy saffron curry, and wine marinated lamb popsicles in fenugreek cream curry on tumeric spinach potatoes.
- Lai Wah Heen, Toronto - Best dim sum on the continent, perhaps the world.
- Canoe, Toronto - Reliably excellent food with an excellent view from the 54th floor of TD tower.
- Tojo's, Vancouver - 6 course omikase menu was phenomenal except for the main sushi dish which was not as fresh as expected. Highlights included zucchini flower tempura, green tea creme brulee, and tuna sashimi with shoyu sauce
- Romagna Mia, Toronto - The cuisine is the most traditional Italian (Emilia-Romagna) I've found outside of Italy. bus. card
- Seri Malaysia, Vancouver - Authentic and excellent Malaysian food. Best dishes were lamb curry, char kway teow and roti.
- Bangkok Garden, Toronto - Although expensive, Bangkok Garden is the best Thai in Canada. Don't expect spicy curries however.
- Bonaparte, Montreal – Excellent 6-course tasting menu of French food in old Montreal
- Trevor Kitchen and Bar, Toronto - Best steak I've had in Canada. Service is hit or miss but thankfully our server was good. The beignets I had for desert were unbelievable. Second visit was also excellent with highlights including oxtail rigatoni, dry aged beef tenderloin, truffled goat cheese poutine, and grilled octopus.
- Nami, Toronto - Best Japanese restaurant in downtown TO. Real live Japanese people work here.
- Japango, Toronto - Best sushi downtown.
- Montri Thai, Vancouver - Excellent Thai restaurant that is sadly on its downfall. Too much fusion and not enough spice. bus. card
- Guu Izakaya Garlic, Vancouver - Excellent Japanese tapas run by only Japanese people! My positive review is underscored by some of the Japanese olympic team which I saw eating here. Only tried this place for lunch but can recommend the Japanese curry with udon, and makarel fish.
- Seoul House, Broadway/Cambie, Vancouver - Excellent Korean BBQ.
- Nirvana, Toronto - Best North Indian food I have enjoyed in the GTA. Also some Hakka/Manchurian food that I personally would never try. bus. card
- Seoul House, Surrey - Short ribs were best Korean BBQ I've had. Ghetto Surrey location...don't drive there in a nice car.
- Le vol au vent, White Rock - Excellent french cuisine (cooked by real French people) with unbeatable marine drive location. The french onion soup and frites were that good that I put this on the list. Bouillabaisse (seafood stew) was also memorable.
- Vanipha Lanna, Toronto. Excellent food but spice level very disappointing for curries
- Coca - Best tapas I've had, including my limited travels in Spain. A better value than Torito in Kensington market.
- Splendido, Toronto - Very good tasting menu for New Years Eve included papardelle with black truffles and pancetta-wrapped elk striploin. However, the food was disappointing compared to its pinnacle under David Lee.
- Kirin, Vancouver - Best dim sum in Vancouver. bus. card
- Guu Izakaya Toronto, Toronto - Similar to Guu Garlic in Van except LOUDER. The servers and chefs shriek unidentified Japanese phrases anytime someone orders something or enters/leaves the restaurant. I don't mind the energy but the patio outside is suggested for a less stressful dining experience. Must show up early (530pm) to avoid a lineup.ù
- Weezie's, Toronto - Excellent comfort food. Try the mac and cheese and pecan pie. Possibly gained 5 lbs eating at this restaurant.
