Babel, a live-fire cooking restaurant that launched in the York Mills neighbourhood in 2019, recently announced they have permanently closed.
Part of the Oliver & Bonacini group of restaurants which also includes famed Toronto eateries Canoe, Auberge du Pommier and Parcheggio, the team from Babel took to social media to share the news.
As with countless restaurants around the world, Babel was hit hard by the pandemic and struggled to stay open even after moving operations to more “COVID-friendly” alternatives.
“Throughout the many twists and turns of the pandemic, our team did their very best to navigate and pivot, including offering takeout and delivery, opening a bottle shop, and popping up a patio in the parking lot,” the post goes on to say.
The restaurant even went on to receive praise from the Michelin Guide in 2022: “Lamb is always a signature, but here it’s smoky, juicy and especially flavorful.” but it was not enough to stop Babel from closing.
“We are incredibly grateful for the welcoming Bayview & York Mills community, and to all of the wonderful guests who came to share great food and dink with us,” the post concludes.
Babel’s last day of service was on Dec 31 and they went out with a bang: serving a delicious New Year’s Eve prix fixe menu of shared Mediterranean dishes guests could enjoy while feasting by the fire.
Canadian sports fans are looking forward to their own version of the Royal Wedding, with figure skating superstar Tessa Virtue confirming her engagement to Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly.
Virtue, who is one half of the most decorated Canadian ice dance team of all time and the most decorated Olympic figure skater of all time, confirmed the engagement earlier this week on the podcast Without Losing Your Cool. Virtue and Rielly met through mutual friends and began dating in 2019, and officially confirmed their relationship in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virtue was born and raised in London, Ont. and has resided in Ontario most of her life when not training. Rielly is a Vancouver native who was selected fifth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Since 2021, Rielly has been the longest-serving Leafs player on the team’s roster. That year, he signed an eight-year, $60 million extension with the Leafs.
While Rielly still doesn’t have a Stanley Cup or Norris Trophy to his name, by Virtue’s accomplishments alone they could still be considered one of the most high-achieving athletic couples in Canada. On top of her achievements in the 2010, 2014 and 2018 Olympics with partner Scott Moir, Virtue is a three-time Four Continents champion, a Grand Prix Final champion, eight-time Canadian National champion, World Junior champion and Junior Grand Prix gold medalists (all honours shared with Moir). Virtue and Moir were also named to the Order of Canada in 2020. Since retiring from competitive skating, Virtue has entered the Executive MBA program at Queen’s University and has starred in campaigns for the likes of Nivea, Batiste, Buick, Adidas and others.
Virtue and Rielly reside in Toronto with their dog, Zoe.
Left to right: @shop.feelings.vintage, @dorian.who, @youthin.asia
With the start of a new year comes new resolutions, new goals and, of course, new trends. While it’s hard to predict what will take off in popularity, trend forecasters have already made their bets on what to expect from the fashion world, and the buzz suggests we can anticipate mix and match pieces, lots of colour and, with a rise in sustainability, more reworked clothes and handmade pieces. Here are five trends you can look out for on the streets of Toronto in 2023 (and some you can find right in your closet!).
Colourful, unexpected knitwear
In 2023 we’re anticipating knitwear that’s extra colourful and all about mixing and matching. Toronto brand Pella Wool, made by hand by childhood friends Kelly and Petra, is every Torontonian’s inspiration for knitwear right now. The brand’s product line consists of hand knit skirts made from recycled jersey yarn, wool shag bags, mohair sweaters and a cropped knit sweater (the “krit knit”), which is made from over 15 types of yarn.
Aleks Roxborough of Toronto shop Feelings Vintage (@shop.feelings.vintage) knows handmade knit items are becoming increasingly popular, evidenced by the fact that she gets requests for more knitwear every day. She anticipates unexpected items and colours in the new year, like her own handmade “knot a top(s)” which span about the length of a bandeau. Right now she’s working on a pair of knit chaps.
Furry accessories
According to Arianna Stalteri of Vaughan-based shop Batch Vintage, fuzzy and furry garments are coming in hot and we can expect them in all forms of accessories. Get ready for big furry hats, furry purses and furry boots, which Stalteri’s good friend and Toronto style influencer Rebecca-Jo Dunham-Baruchel (@youthin.asia) has referred to as “monster stompers.” There’s no shortage of fur in the city. Vintage store Cloth of the Curb featured a pair of vintage fur boots in a recent story sale, and faux fur hats were recently in inventory at Shoppu at 896 College St.
Maximalism
Vogue-featured maximalist queen Sara Camposarcone says the maximalism esthetic will continue to thrive in 2023. She credits the increasing popularity to the rise of upcycling and repurposing old pieces into something wonderful and nostalgic, yet new. We’re talking lots of colours, layers, volume (think tulle) and eclectic accessories.
“I think there is an undeniable joy that maximalism brings to people of all ages, and with the continued experimenting I see in trying new things, stepping outside the box, being creative and just having fun with our clothing, I don’t see it slowing down any time soon,” says Camposarcone.
If Camposarcone is your 2023 fashion inspiration, look to Toronto unisex designer Ellie Sandbacka for bold prints and unique streetwear.
Avant-garde
A consistent opinion among Toronto clothing lovers is that next year’s fashion trends are making space for risk taking and unexpected combinations. Micro-trends come and go, but ultimately, there are less rules these days. Whether you want to adorn a mini skirt or an oversized whimsical silhouette, it’s all fair game. In 2023, we can anticipate more experimental and unorthodox fashion that comes from the heart. Iranian Toronto-based fashion designer Dorian Who produces slow-made, season-less, avant-garde streetwear using deadstock (past-season) materials. Her pieces feature beautiful patterns, puffy sleeves and wide legs, though her most recent collection was created to support women and justice for innocent people in Iran. The collection includes sweatshirts and tees adorned with the phrase, “Women. Life. Freedom.”
’90s rave wear
Rave and party culture has had a resurgence in Toronto, bringing with it rave apparel. Dance events hosted by local groups like Lotion Magazine, Money is Tight (@money_is_tight) and Sandwich District (@sandwich.district) have offered space for some seriously fun and movable fashion heading into 2023. Cloth of the Curb recently dropped a collection of ’90s deadstock rave wear featuring pieces from the now defunct magazine and streetwear brand TPHS (The People Have Spoken), which had a College Street storefront in the late ’90s. In particular, oversized cargos are having a moment — find your own at Throwback Vault on Queen Street West, or splurge on a high-end pair at Capsule in Yorkville.
A new spot for innovative Italian fare in Markham recently opened its doors, setting itself apart from other GTA-based spots with local and global partnerships that promise unmatched quality and hard-to-find ingredients.
For those in the mood for an intimate dining experience, Osteria Mattarello’s upscale menu features fine dining Italian favourites, a 100 per cent consignment wine list and an in-restaurant pantry. With capacity for just 60 guests — and only four tables on the small patio — the venue is a cosy spot for lunch or dinner, featuring modern, contemporary design elements and light, upbeat house music emanating from the speakers.
As evidenced by the tasteful-yet-approachable decor and the small but comfortable interior, the goal at Mattarello is not to overcomplicate things. Italian fare doesn’t need much to taste fantastic, and the team really focuses on taking simple ingredients that are staples of the classic cuisine and elevating the dishes with a combination of the best local and imported products.
“During COVID, there were constant shortages and delays with the supply chain of hospitality products,” Jaime Reid, a representative for the restaurant’s hospitality management group recalls. “We decided to take matters into our own hands and created the Chefs Pantry.”
The Chefs Pantry imports as well as works with boutique local suppliers to obtain the best and highest quality specialty products. Some notable products used in the dine-in recipes include cold pressed Italian olive oil from Puro Oil, fresh Perigord truffles and imported artichoke truffle sauce.
This wide array of high-quality, imported truffle products has quickly made the mushroom and truffle pappardelle a fan favourite during the short time the restaurant has been operating. The dish features truffle oil, truffle paste and fresh imported truffle shavings.
“I would also recommend the sweet carne pizza if you’re a meat lover,” says Reid. Combining a variety of flavour profiles, this pie contains spicy soppressata, balanced with the sweetness of a little rosemary-infused honey drizzle on a light and crispy crust.
As with most Italian spots, vegetarians fear not. Opt for the heirloom tomato carpaccio, a light and fresh appetizer. And to help you finish the night off on a sweet note, there’s a variety of desserts, including Delizia al Limone, lemon mousse, lavender cake, blackberry coulis or pistachio tiramisù.
Osteria Mattarello is located at 230 Commerce Valley Dr. E. and is open every day except for Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Known for their authentic yet modern take on traditional Greek fare, Ossington hot spot Mamakas Taverna — considered to be one of Toronto’ s best — recently opened a pop-up in Yorkville. Located at 105 Scollard St., Souvla by Mamakas will be open for the winter and spring season, serving up an array of Greek BBQ dishes, delicious grab-and-go items and delicious sweets. Following the pop-up (and after renovations) a new concept from Mamakas Food Group will enter the space, which according to owner Thanos Tripi, will follow Mamakas’ “current portfolio of Aegean concepts.”
Standout dishes
Grilled lamb and beef kebab on top of the classic Greek salad.
The chicken pita is a must-try!
Souvla’s signature spinach and cheese spanakopita.
Other menu items include full meals like the kebab plate which is a grilled lamb and beef kabob served with Greek salad, rice pilaf and potatoes ($24) and feta fries ($7.50). Popular desserts like loukoumades ($6) a sweet honey soaked donut topped with cinnamon sugar and bougatsa ($9) a handmade phyllo pie filled with a sweet custard are also on offer.
There’s also three homemade dips that can be enjoyed at home ($12.50 each) including tzatziki, kopanisti and melitzanosalata which is made from smoked eggplant, parsley, lemon, walnuts and honey.
“The space has so much potential with a beautiful secret garden we plan to activate,” said Tripi.
This is not the restaurant’s first foray into the pop-up market. Back in the summer of 2020, Mamaka’s began a summer street-food pop-up while the city was under provincial lockdowns due to the pandemic. It was such a success, it has continued in different locations ever since.
Souvla is open for pickup or delivery 11 a.m. until 8 p.m Monday to Saturday for the winter and spring season.
Left to right: @champagnepapi, @sussexroyals, @fordnationdougford
If there’s one prevailing word for 2023, it’s this: unpredictable. After years of unprecedented viruses, celebrity scandals, market changes and more, no one can guess what the new year will bring. No one but, perhaps, psychics. We consulted some of the top tarot card readers, psychics and astrologists in Toronto and beyond on some of the hot button issues of the upcoming year, from pop culture predictions to sports bets and political forecasts.
Psychic Miki
Who she is: A psychic consultant
How she got here: “I’m part of a line of 10 generations of readers in my family. I’ve been doing this since I was 12 years old, working part time in the summer with my family in the carnival business. I wrote the syndicated advice column ‘Ask Miki.’ I’ve done economic and real estate forecasts for the Globe and Mail and have been featured on various radio, television and print outlets in Canada and the U.S. over the last three decades.”
On Toronto sports teams: “I don’t think the Leafs are doing very well again. I’m sorry everyone. I see the Raptors coming very close once again to taking the trophy home. I feel a little more power coming into the Blue Jays this year, some new talent, and that may bring them into the finals.”
On Drake: “I think he’ll release a new album closer to the end of the year.”
On the interest rate: “I think it will stop at 7.2 per cent. It will go over 6 per cent for sure. I see the market corrections levelling off by the end of the summer.
On Taylor Swift: “She’ll release an album within the next year.”
On what she’s keeping her eye on in the new year: “I’m a little bit wary about Doug Ford wanting to run for prime minister. I think he might have future aspirations for it, but I don’t think he’s going to get it.”
Seymour Irons (@seemore.wakeup on TikTok)
Who he is: A tarot reader who has gained some popularity on TikTok for his “Toronto man” tarot readings
How he got here: “My first oracle deck was a gift to me, and since receiving the first deck, I was trying to read the cards, and I started to hear spirits as well. I made my first TikTok video soon after, and people have been resonating with what I’ve been sharing.”
On politics: “I see a change in leadership — it looks like there will be more help from the NDP and more leadership coming through from that area in the next year.”
On entrepreneurship: “For those who are thinking about leading into entrepreneurship and are feeling inspiring to do that, now is your time. Follow what you love, because this is the year of opportunity. And for those who have been struggling with their small businesses, there is a balance that is coming, almost like the end of bad crops.”
On love: “What this year is about in terms of love is truly understanding and knowing yourself so that you can open up with other people.”
Yulika Drabarni
Who she is: A tarot reader, psychic, palm reader and astrologist
How she got here: “Both sides of my family were Holocaust survivors. My one grandmother on my mom’s side, an Auschwitz survivor, read cards and was a fortune teller in Cabbagetown in the ’60s and ’70s. My dad’s side is Romani, and we grew up on that side with tea leaf reading, coffee grind reading and palm reading. I worked in the medical field for over a decade before deciding around COVID to get back into fortune telling to connect with my ancestry.”
On sports: “I feel, like with Jupiter going into Taurus, 2023 is going to be a good training year for the teams because Taurus is a very slow-moving, very determined energy. There’s going to be a lot of slowing down, a lot of focus and concentrated energy.”
On Drake: “Pluto is changing course next year: it’s going from Capricorn into Aquarius, and I have a feeling, because of that change, that there’s going to be a Drake scandal. I see his career advancing, but I also see, with that career advancement, I see some scandal, probably around springtime, when Mars goes direct [an astrological change when Mars moves forward] and when Pluto changes.”
On Meghan and Harry: “I see another book being in the works. And I see a lot more drama in the Royal Family coming in 2023. When Pluto changes, you’re going to see the polarization of the monarchy is going to get even stronger. I feel like more people are going to be less loyal to the Royals and will be thinking, ‘This Megan and Harry, they’re onto something.’”
On the Eglinton Crosstown LRT: “With Saturn going into Pisces and Jupiter going into Taurus, we’re not going to see a whole lot of progression next year. So artistic and creative projects will see progress, but concrete, practical projects? Absolutely not. So the LRT — that’s a resounding no.”
Andra Zlătar
@will.oh.the.wisp/Instagram
Who she is: A Romani vrăjitoare (a Romani term for “witch”) and tarot reader
How she got here: “I work within the traditions of my people, my culture, the land where I was born. I’ve been reading cards since I was eight years old. In third grade, my parents gave me my first deck of cards, and they were the Golden Tarot. My last name is the name of our clan, which means ‘goldsmith,’ so we were the goldsmithing clan. It’s very aligned to my lineage in that way.”
What the cards are saying: “I really see this theme of women and non-binary folks standing in their power. But I also see this theme of weight being carried over from the year we just left. There’s this real duality of walking this path and trying to find this direct balance between things that bring hope and fulfillment and joy and falling back into darkness, addictive patterns, despair, defeat and powerlessness.
On advice for the individual: “This year is going to be all about following what feels right to us and trusting our own inner power. I see this simplification of our lives; the health of the collective is really going to come from that.”
On love: “With the romance and the love card coming forward (the ace of cups and the two of cups), I see this place of building self-love, which will allow the space for relationships outside of you to nurture and nourish you because you won’t allow people who don’t into your life.”
Dry January is upon us and aside from being amazing for your health, taking a one-month hiatus to embrace a booze-free lifestyle doesn’t have to be a drag.
Check out this selection of exciting, non-alcoholic alternatives including beers, cocktails, and spirits made by some local breweries and distillers.
Partake Brewing’s award-winning line of non-alcoholic beers include a stout and IPA (featured on Dragon’s Den), plus a pale, blonde and red ale. There’s also a Peach Gose, a delightfully sweet beer with a hint of tartness brewed with several malts, sea salts, and coriander.
Distilled in Stratford, Ontario, Sobrii 0-Gin utilizes a traditional blend of botanicals including star anise, allspice, coriander, and juniper berries, with a hit of Canadian Ginseng for a slight bite. This gin finishes clean with a slightly acidic finish, akin to a London-style gin, for a swanky take on Dry January.
Blending teas, juices, bitters, and spices to create ‘gut-friendly’ wine alternatives, this Dundas, Ontario company releases a series of new flavours each month as a one-time purchase or a monthly subscription. The company’s new tasting set is made up with four new blends: Blanc Slate, Pink Salt, Red Clay and Red Ember.
Established in 2018, this Ontario distillery makes non-alcoholic gin as well as an alcohol-free canned gin & tonic that’s infused with berry flavours, a hint of anise and floral aromas. The palette is crisp and refreshing.
Made from a secret blend of 89 immune-boosting botanicals and adaptogens, the taste of this amaro is both complex and exotic and begins with gentle spice and sarsaparilla, followed by warm vanilla and a tangy bitterness — great with soda or sparkling water. Toronto Chef, Luke Hayes, (L.U.S.T), spent 16 months perfecting and refining the recipe with his mom when the pandemic first hit.
In 2006, while teaching yoga abroad, Zoey Shamai tasted kombucha for the first time and was amazed by the digestive boost she received from the fermented tea. Back in Toronto, she began to brew the drink herself. Shipping to more than 2,500 retailers across the country, Tonica is available in 12 flavours including Blue Lemonade and Crisp Ginger Tonica, a lightly-carbonated sweet and sour drink, resembling an old-fashioned ginger beer.
Toronto-based, Temperance Tonics, sells alcohol-free cocktail kits, (and drink recipe books inspired by the Tarot) perfect for Dry January fun. A kit contains eight servings each of The Fool: a bright lemonade with nutty, floral flavours; The Empress: mild floral and red fruit sweetness with a dry finish and aroma of roses; The Chariot: fruity and woody with a deeply dark finish; and Fortitude: sharp and acidic, balanced by fruit flavours and lemon aromatics. The kit comes with garnishes like dehydrated fruit slices, edible flowers and a booklet of instruction.
Walk into any traditional British or Irish pub in the city and chances are, you’ll find Shepherd’s Pie on the menu. A staple in U.K. cuisine, shepherd’s pie, sometimes affectionately called “cottage pie”, is a hearty dish made from a mixture of minced meat and a thick layer of mashed potato. Most restaurants put their own spin on the dish, with some opting to add mixed vegetables like carrot, corn, and peas into the dish, or even a sharp bite of cheddar cheese. Here are five spots in Toronto to find the perfect shepherd’s pie.
C’est What?
Along with an amazing selection of beer, this downtown taproom is also teaming with delicious comfort food including their take on shepherd’s pie ($17). Made with lamb and vegetable, it’s then topped with indulgent mashed potato and sweet Piave Vecchio cheese which you can enjoy with a pint and some live music, or even a board game or two.
Insomnia Restaurant
Some visitors claim that this restaurant creates the best shepherd’s pie in the city — but you’ll have to try it yourself to see for sure. Insomnia Restaurant’s wild mushroom and lentil shepherd’s pie ($20) features a generous portion of roasted garlic mashed potatoes layered with lentil, cremini and shitake button mushrooms and then topped with a mushroom gravy.
Elephant & Castle
Grab a pint and your mates and head to Elephant & Castle where a delicious shepherd pie awaits. Seasoned ground beef, lamb and vegetables is topped with a creamy garlic mash and baked to a golden brown. It’s then garnished with crisp onions and a side of beef gravy.
King Rustic Kitchen & Bar
Kings of comfort food King Rustic knows a thing or two about deliciously decadent pub fare. Their shepherd’s pie ($22) is made with ground sirloin, sweet corn, carrots and peas in decadently rich gravy and topped with Rustic’s garlic mash and aged sharp cheddar.
Bishop and Belcher
Nestled in the downtown core, Bishop and Belcher is serving up a delicious and diverse British-style menu with a shepherd’s pie ($18) that rival’s the best in the city. Made with seasoned ground sirloin, it’s then topped with red skin mashed potatoes and a cheddar and gravy drizzle.
When 5 p.m. hits, the lobby of the Park Hyatt starts to get busy, as people leave the work day behind and make their way to the seventeenth floor of the hotel.
The return of the iconic rooftop cocktail bar, now known as Writers Room, pays homage to the history of literary legends that shared moments in the Park Hyatt Toronto hotel, including Canadian writers like Margaret Atwood and Farley Mowat. This clever interpretation of a classic cocktail bar reflects the bar’s historical significance as a gathering spot for great minds as they take in the unparalleled Toronto skyline views.
The menu features a carefully curated selection of seven stirred cocktails, whose names were inspired by Canada’s literary scene.
The Wordsmith ($22) features dark rum, calvados, sweet vermouth, herbal liqueur, and bitters. The Perpetual Motion ($33) blends scotch, yellow chartreuse, and a house amaro blend. The Red Purse ($31) is made with cognac, angostura, peychaud’s, and absinthe and is a tribute to Atwood’s Cat’s Eye. Those in search of something a bit sweeter might like The Age of Mass Culture ($18) which spotlights blanco tequila, fino sherry, amontillado sherry, elderflower, and yuzu, or The National Treasures ($20) which fuses Canadian rye, sweet vermouth, banana, and Islay Scotch. Floral and citrus elements can be found in Of Granite and Tweed ($19) which uses gin, blanc aperitif, gentian, and chamomile and the Bookends ($21) made from Japanese whisky, dry vermouth, amaro and orange.
Along with their cocktail program, The Writer’s Room bar offers a selection of spirits, bottled beer, and wines by the glass or bottle.
The dinner menu is quite inclusive, and features plenty of light bites that are perfect for nibbling, as well as heartier mains. A raw section includes oysters by the half dozen, tuna or beef tartare, and scallop crudo. Vegetarian and vegan options include the Southern fried maitake mushroom, the eggplant caponata, or the burrata, served with roasted shepherd peppers, chilli oil and sourdough bread. Mains include a variety of seafood and meat dishes, including a 12-ounce Koji aged steak, whole grilled branzino, whole grilled octopus, or the humble smash burger topped with truffle burger sauce, american cheddar and caramelized onions.
The Writer’s Room Bar is located at 4 Avenue Rd. and is open Sunday to Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 12 a.m. and from Thursday to Saturday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
With the days growing colder, it should come as no surprise that winter is right around the corner. “While we never leave our house thinking a slip and fall incident will happen to us, the reality is that they are extremely common, and far more common in the winter months than in the summer,” says Diamond and Diamond Lawyer TJ Gogna.
TJ Gogna, a personal injury lawyer with Diamond and Diamond, specializes in slip and fall cases. Below he has provided the answers to some frequently asked questions when it comes to slip and falls.
Who is liable in slip and falls?
A slip and fall is usually the result of poor traction, which can be caused by a variety of different reasons (ice, spills, poor footwear, etc.). Trip and falls are a bit different, and occur when an individual loses their balance due to an obstruction or a protrusion on the ground.
When it comes to liability in slip and falls, multiple parties can be at fault. If you have found yourself in a position where you need to report a slip and fall, it’s vital to issue a notice letter demonstrating your intent to commence an action. Notice letters are typically issued to the owner of the property and any other person that may be connected to the property, whether it be a property manager or subcontracted third party. In many cases, three parties are added to the claim, but there are also instances where there is just one party (the property owner).
What are the next steps after you slip and fall?
While it may be hard to think clearly after a slip and fall, it is crucial to take the time in the moment to document everything in order to help your lawyer get you the compensation that you deserve. A good rule of thumb is to take a picture of what you slipped on, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries that may have arisen. Any other additional evidence that you are able to collect is important because it may help prove that your injury was a result of negligence.
For any slip and fall caused by snow or ice on private property in Ontario, you must serve the property owner (and any other liable parties) notice of intent to commence an action within 60 days. This limitation period is a significant reduction from the prior period of 2 years, as a result of changes made under Bill 118, an Act to amend the Occupier’s Liability Act. For municipal properties, a notice letter must be served within 10 days from the incident.
In instances where witnesses are present, take down the information of those parties – their name, email, phone number, and address are all helpful details should your lawyer want to speak with them.
“You can only obtain damages if the owner of the property is determined to have been negligent. In these situations, it can sometimes be challenging to prove negligence, so it’s important to document, document, document,” states TJ Gogna.
How do you prevent slip and falls?
If you’re a property owner, the best way to prevent slip and falls is to provide a safe environment for others. Should a hazard arise, it’s important to place visible caution signs immediately if you can’t remove the hazard right away. These signs can help warn individuals to be extra mindful of where and how they walk, and can often help disprove allegations of negligence.
From an individual perspective, wearing proper footwear and being mindful of your surroundings can help protect yourself against slip and falls. If there are factors that contributed to the accident that are your own fault (inebriation, improper footwear, texting and walking, etc.), you may be partially liable or completely liable for the incident.
Jeremy Diamond is a lawyer and member of both Ontario and Florida Bars. Jeremy practices in the area of Plaintiff personal injury litigation. Click here to learn more about Jeremy Diamond.
While experience teaches us not to put too much pressure on New Year’s Eve, it’s often difficult to heed that advice lest we be cursed with a mediocre (and expensive) night out. So instead of stressing over finding the perfect place to ring in the new year, why not let these Toronto spots that luckily still have reservations available take the reigns!
Here are ten restaurants in the city, that will help you eat, drink and be merry as we say hello to 2023.
King West’s gorgeous neo-bistro and wine bar is putting on a New Year’s Eve bash with a French twist! This celebratory party includes a four-course menu, DJ, party favours and a midnight toast. Seatings come in at $ 125 per person, with reservations still available between 5 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
The weather outside may be frightful, but the lush plant-filled Rosalinda is the perfect way to spend NYE in the warm embrace of denial. On offer is a four-course plant-based prix fixe priced at $70 per person. The flavour-forward feast includes dishes like calabaza & guajillo soup, patacones, chile relleno and deep-fried Buñuelos plus, a glass of welcome bubbles upon arrival. You’ll be in good hands when midnight comes around to make 2022 a thing of the past. Reservations can be made here.
You’re in luck! Toronto hot spot Chotto Matte still has dinner reservations available between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. For the early seating priced at $175 per person, guests will be the first to dive into the restaurant’s curated set menu which includes dished like grilled duck breast, marinated lamb chop and a chef’s choice dessert selection. The late seating priced at $200 includes delicious additions like sashimi and scallops. Later in the evening DJ’s will take over the sprawling two-storey space for a truly electric experience. Find out more here.
You don’t need an occasion like New Year’s to make a visit to Sofia Yorkville. The upscale Italian restaurant is running a “Dolce Notte” party where guests can enjoy a spectacular four-course menu followed by a midnight toast and festivities to welcome 2023. Book your reservation here.
Storm Crow Manor will be hosting a New Year’s Eve party on the entirety of their second floor. From 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. guests can live it up at “Party to Walhalla”a post-apocalyptic NYE party prices at $75 per person. The event will feature tunes by DJ Chiclet, contests, and a photo area where you can show off your Wasteland fashion. Your ticket also includes one complimentary drink, refreshments and snacks, a loot bag and a glass of champagne for the countdown to midnight. From previous experiences with the warm and adventurous locale, there are sure to be many more surprises for Storm Crow’s patrons throughout the night. Get your tickets here.
At Bar Chica, ring in the New Year with a sharing-style prix-fixe menu featuring tapas and sharing plates, such as tartar de carne, hombro de cordero, patatas bravas and more. There are still a few reservations available and dinner is priced at $95 per person. Reservations can be made here.
Celebrate the New Year in Italian style at Figo’s “La Festa di Figo” on Dec. 31. There are still a few reservations available for the restaurant’s second seating priced at $125 per person. On the menu is a choice of antipasti, a first course which includes a selection of pasta dishes, as well as a main and a dessert. Later on in the evening, a DJ will be spinning the latest tunes to ensure the celebratory vibes continue all night long. To book a table, click here.
Salt Wine Bar
There are still a few spots available at Ossington’s Salt Wine Bar for NYE. Chef Dave Kemp has put together a special five-course menu which includes some of the restaurant’s most requested dishes including Ontario prime beef short rib, grilled Spanish octopus and paella.
All of your favourite sushi and sashimi dishes are available at the Entertainment District’s JaBistro on Dec 31, or you can opt for a prix-fixe dinner menu that’s $95 per person. First course begins with a lobster miso soup, followed by a sashimi sampler, gindara (grilled black cod) and aburi sushi. For dessert, there’s a delicious chocolate matcha lava cake. A few spots are available here.
Last but certainly not least, chef Ryan Campbell has put together an exquisite five-course tasting menu for fans of old school Italian food at its finest. For $125 per person, guests can enjoy insalata del mare, stella di ricotta in brodo, agnolotti del plin and roast duck breast. Make sure to save some room for dessert — we hear the crostata di limone is divine. To find out more click here.
It’s a throwback speakeasy and steakhouse that seems out of time in Toronto off King Street West, but the newest spot for nightlife is called Empire Supper Club and it feels like 1920s Las Vegas.
A supper club is somewhere between disco and restaurant and the kind of thing that South Beach does well: it’s dining and dancing where the overriding shared expression is decadence and celebration — the kind of place where ordering another round is par for the course. Even celebrities like Drake and The Weeknd have both come here for nights on the town.
“Empire Supper Club aims to be the best destination for nightlife in Toronto, known for our food, entertainment and excellent customer service,” says executive chef Ivan Bekcic, who cooked across Europe for 18 years and made the 2022 list of Top 30 Under 30 for the Food Services and Hospitality Industry. “It feels good welcoming the city into our home and our staff has years of combined experience to create this unique, exciting location.”
The locally sourced, old school Italian menu — rigatoni and roast chicken, rack of lamb and risotto — bursts with the kinds of indulgent mains that are synonymous with luxury and the drink card is equally stacked. The other night, sampling the wares, we enjoyed a 48 oz triple AAA black angus long bone rib steak and umpteen glasses of Her Majesty’s Pleasure, strawberries and jalapeno, syrup, Cointreau and tequila.
But that’s just part of the evening. Because after dinner, while seemingly two-thirds of the restaurant orders bottles, and the DJ comes on, the steakhouse feels closer to the King Street dance clubs than a restaurant and that’s the reason why the young clientele comes dressed like tonight was the Oscars.
We tried the sea bass and the fried calamari, but in the morning, the image that lingered in my head was the dance floor — feeling like Drake or The Weeknd might return home any time. If you’re looking for a meal and then some, a trip away without a trek to the airport, Empire Supper Club is a welcome addition to the the King West strip.
Jeremy Diamond is a lawyer and member of both Ontario and Florida Bars. Jeremy practices in the area of Plaintiff personal injury litigation. Click here to learn more about 
