Toronto’s beloved restaurant fest, Summerlicious is back! Beginning tomorrow July 5 until July 21, you can visit almost 200 top notch restaurants here in TO and experience them with set prix-fixe menus. Eating out at new restaurants can get expensive extremely quick so this is the perfect opportunity to find a new date night spot, or venture to a new-to-you neighbourhood and explore. The prix fixe menus are $23, $28, or $33 per person for lunch and $33, $43, or $53 per person for dinner. There’s never been a better time to get out there and see why Toronto’s food scene is one of the best in the world.

Here are 6 restaurants definitely worth checking out during Summerlicious!

Miku

Instagram/@mikutoronto

Located at the bottom of Bay Street in the Financial District is Miku and it’s known as one of the best Japanese restaurants in the city. Miku is highly revered and recognized for bringing the art of Aburi to Toronto. Aburi means to ‘flame sear’ and that’s exactly what these talented chefs do. When the charcoal flame is applied to the fish, the heat changes the flavour and creates something new and exciting to eat. Miku’s Summerlicious menu features, of course, a selection of Aburi sushi but also mouthwatering entrees Confit Alberta Beef Shortrib and Saikyo Miso Baked Sablefish, along with intricate desserts that are sure to satisfy even the sweetest tooth.

STK Toronto

Instagram/@stk.toronto

While most steakhouses have more of an old school vibe, STK prides itself on being modern yet still delivering on the classic steakhouse dishes. Located in Yorkville, STK encompasses a fine dining experience with trendy design and its menu is a perfect match. Stop in for lunch and enjoy the restaurant’s signature burger or dig into the Manhattan Striploin for dinner. Either way, dessert here is a must so stick around and tuck into STK’s Upside Down Pineapple Spice Cake or the Strawberry Haze!

ONE Restaurant

Instagram/@transparentkitchen

Another Yorkville fixture is ONE Restaurant that’s located in The Hazelton Hotel. Owned by iconic Canadian chef Mark McEwan, ONE is all about serving contemporary classics but with an updated and upscale twist. Grab a spot on the tree lined patio and take in the hustle and bustle of Yorkville while enjoying the restaurants Summerlicious menu that consists of items like P.E.I. Beef Carpaccio, Beef Short Rib, and Tandoori Chicken.

Bangkok Garden

Instagram/@bangkokgardento

Did you know that Bangkok Garden was one of the first restaurants to introduce traditional Thai cuisine and culture to Toronto? Spend a night in Thailand when you visit this Thai Select Premium awarded restaurant and experience the authentic food, exotic beer selection, and of course, the extensive wine list. Bangkok Garden’s Summerlicious menu includes favourites like its Crab Tom Yum Dumpling, Khao Soi with Chicken, and Pad See Eew Seafood Noodle.

Amano Pasta

Instagram/@chefmichaelangeloni

If unpretentious Italian food is what you’re after, it’s time to venture to Union Station and visit Amano Pasta. This old school meets new school restaurant has been a favourite of ours for a while now and once you go, you’ll understand why. Chef Michael Angeloni uses the best locally sourced and often unexpected ingredients in his dishes and the restaurants house made pasta is literally a dream come true. We couldn’t be more excited that the Arancini with smoked provolone and burnt honey is on the Summerlicious menu, along with the Panna Cotta.

Cactus Club Cafe

Instagram/@cactusclubcafe

Popular Financial District spot, Cactus Club Cafe has always been on our radar but ever since our pal Kawhi was seen there, we’re itching to go back. Originally from the West Coast of the country, Cactus Club has become a Toronto institution and for good reason. The menu consists of exciting and vibrant dishes that are all made with fresh and local ingredients. Stop by for a little Summerlicious treat and try the Mini Tuna Stack With Citrus Tamari Vinaigrette and the Butternut Squash Ravioli With Prawns.

Featured Image: Instagram/@stk.toronto

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So what does dad really want for Father

Attention all foodies! The much anticipated McEwan Foods at Yonge and Bloor is here and it’s beyond our wildest food dreams.

Joining the companies two other Toronto locations, McEwan Foods’ 17,000-square-foot space is Yorkville’s go-to for quality food. And because it’s all done under the watchful eye of the iconic Chef Mark McEwan, you know it’ll be damn good.

Wondering what makes this McEwan Foods different than any other run of the mill grocery store? Well, once you step off the escalator, you’ll get why this “grocerant” is literally a big deal. From the hot tables where restaurant quality fixings are being cranked out every hour to the deli counter that supply everyday staples. They even stock those hard-to-find items like bresaola and truffle flavoured cheese.

Need your morning caffeine fix? Head to McEwan’s Cafe for a cup of coffee made with Italian coffee brand Lavazza who are  known for their dedication to quality. If you’re needing a little morning snack, then check out their freshly baked pastries—it’ll be hard to choose between all the flaky croissants, danishes, and of course, butter tarts.

If lunch is more your vibe, don’t miss out on the ready made food just waiting to be packed up especially for you. The steam tables are loaded with everything from glazed pork chops to the freshest ahi tuna and they even have a sushi bar. Normally we’d be a little afraid of raw fish being served at a grocery store but when it’s from McEwan’s, you know it’s the best of the best.

No matter what you’re craving throughout the day, it’s pretty safe to say that McEwan’s has it and it’ll be delicious. With an in-store carving station, fresh sushi, Fabbrica pizza, a hot and cold table, salad and sandwich station, this is the place where food dreams come true!

“We bring our restaurant and catering knowledge into our stores,” says Chef Mark McEwan. “Our chefs make everything in-house from scratch, so why should a grocery store be any different? This will be a store with stories. Our Executive Chef Shen Ousmand will bring his global experience to our daily hot table and Chef de Cuisine Kris Topping brings his 20 years cooking experience to our prepared foods and so on…” states McEwan in a press release.

McEwan Foods launched back in 2009 and they’re well known and highly revered for putting the ingredients first. McEwan’s stock everyday pantry and kitchen must-haves but its those specialty items that keep us coming back time after time.

A recurring theme we noticed when we toured the store was that so many of the offerings are made in-house. From the cold-pressed juices, pastries, and dips to the ready-made dishes like truffle Mac and cheese. If that’s not enough for you then make sure you peruse the house-made sauces, soups, stocks, and pickles. They even have house-marinated meats, poultry, fish, and even lobsters!

McEwan Foods is the place to go for not only your groceries but for all the food and cooking inspiration. If you’re unsure about what to cook for dinner, just do one lap around this place and you’ll want to cook all of the delicious eats!

Take a peek inside McEwan Foods Yonge & Bloor below.

All images by StyleDemocracy

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