Where Toronto Feb Mar April 2018 | Page 8

Where / What / hoW executive AwArd Carisma les clefs d’or Golden plate award Winner Kiin FOOd iN GooD tASte Go on a culinary tour of southeast asia with these must-try restaurants St., littlesisterto.com Pinky’s ca Phe This Little Italy hideaway is all about atmosphere: the dining room is adorned with glitzy tinsel and glowing lanterns, a retro soundtrack sets the mood and the smell of barbecue wafts in from the back patio. The menu of small plates, inspired by Vietnamese favourites and flavours, means that you can share the grill platter with beef short ribs, chicken legs and pork, and still have room for the tiger’s milk ceviche and bone marrow. 53 Clinton St. Dolly’s Mojito Bar and Panciteria Try the chicken adobo tacos with a rum flight, or one of the refreshing mojitos made with hand-cranked cane juice at this 8 where February-april 2018 popular local hangout. Drop by for weekend brunch to savour Filipino favourites like siopao (steamed bun), beef sinigang soup or tapsilog (soy-marinated beef short ribs). 1285 Bloor St. W., dollysmojito.com Kiin Chef Nuit Regular’s newest venture serves up a version of Thai food that may be new to many Canadians—royal Thai cuisine. Feast on crunchy wing bean salad, fall-off-the-bone braised short ribs, and the medley of flavours including white turmeric, lemongrass, saw-tooth coriander, kaffir lime leaves, fried chilli and tamarind in the khao yum. 326 Adelaide St. W., kiintoronto.com hawker Bar Intriguing cocktails like the kaffir coco (kaffir lime, lychee liquor and coconut milk) complement the small plates menu of Singapore street food. Fill your belly with hand-pulled noodles, spicy curry or grilled satay on a stick before you venture out into the night—or to the next bar. 164 Ossington Ave., hawkerbar.com little Sister indonesian Food Bar Enjoy dishes like Javanese spiced beef, udang kari (shrimp coconut curry) and nasi goreng—all authentically made with homemade spice blends—from across the vast geographical distances and diverse cultures of the Indonesian islands. 2031 Yonge Each year, Les Clefs d’Or Ontario—the prestigious society of hotel concierges— selects a restaurant that reflects the organization’s high standards of service. This year’s choice, Carisma, is a traditional Italian restaurant that has been in business since 2010. Owners Michael and Margi Pagliaro serve up hearty favourites like hand-cut ricotta gnocchi, grilled beef tenderloin and veal scaloppine with a porcini mushroom sauce in a warm, friendly atmosphere complete with impeccable customer service. 73 King Street E., carismarestaurant.com