Pho My Duyen
On a cold winter night in Toronto nothing beats a steaming bowl of pho, and Pho My Duyen on Bloor fits the bill. Pho My Duyen attracts a young Vietnamese crowd along with locals in the area who walk over for the authentic cuisine and modern decor. Besides pho, have some satay squid or stir fried eel. The congee, Asian porridge, was slow cooked with choices of duck or dried scallops. Starting in price from $6 for pho to higher for delicacies along the line of goat.
Pho My Duyen
1208 Bloor St. West
Toronto, ON
M6H, Canada
(416) 850-4993
Chiado
When in a Portuguese neighborhood, eat Portuguese food. Chiado is on the lips of most people when you ask in Toronto for favorite Portuguese restaurant. Elegantly designed and critically acclaimed, Chiado, owned by Albino Silva, offers what Albino refers to as "Progressive Portuguese" cuisine. Seafood is flown in from The Azores daily. The roasted beef tenderloin with tawny port is frequently suggested by the restaurant for meet lovers. Chiado also offers an extensive tapas menu, including a mixed selection of close to a dozen tapas for $50. End the night with dessert and a surprisingly affordable glass of port or ice wine.
Chiado Restaurant
864 College St.
Toronto, ON
M6H 1A3
(416) 538-1910
chiadorestaurant.ca
Rancho Relaxo
Just east of Dufferin on College Street is arguably the best Mexican Restaurant in all of Canada, Rancho Relaxo. Owner Donnie Blaise has gone out of his way to bring a touch of Mexico and South America to heat up the cold winters of Toronto. Share the Fiesta Platter for an appetizer with firecracker shrimp, fried calamari, tostadas and Mexican pizza. The seafood dishes are unique to Canada while being traditional to the original Mexican dishes; Pescado Veracruzano with red snapper and Camarones al Ajo with fat, juicy shrimp. Prices are reasonable. Rancho Relaxo has a lounge upstairs with live bands. The restaurant also caters to many of the film shoots in Toronto and for home parties. A "don't miss" if you ask most anyone from Toronto.
Rancho Relaxo
300 College St.
Toronto, ON
M5T 1R9, Canada
(416) 920-0366
ranchorelaxo.biz
About The Author
Susanna Lo is an established writer, director and producer who won awards in The Berlin and Montreal film festivals. She is a member of PEN and WGA. Her parents worked for the airline and hotel industries and she's been traveling since infancy. Lo has lived in Europe, Asia, South America and North America and speaks five languages. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication.
