Ossington may be one of Toronto’s busiest food strips, but keeping a spot in the rotation is another story. New restaurants come and go, menus change and the hype moves on, so we asked food creator Fred Bkayleh (@fred.bk) to rank the places that have earned their staying power — the tried-and-true favourites he keeps coming back to, no matter what’s new.
5. Date night
La Banane is where I go when the night actually matters. The room runs on deep colours and loud music, while the menu goes all in on wagyu, truffle and foie gras. Everyone talks about the raw bar, fairly, but the roasted maitake is what I order every time. Rich, meaty and completely unlike what you expect from a mushroom. 227 Ossington Ave.
4. Best bite
Linny’s comes from David Schwartz, the same person be hind Mimi Chinese and Sunnys Chinese, and it’s named after his mother. The room is mid-century and golden-lit, with banquettes and white tablecloths. Steak may be the main event, but I’m here for the chicken liver toast — smooth mousse on dark rye with chopped egg and fried onion. 176 Ossington Ave.
3. Cocktails after dark
Prequel is Frankie Solarik’s fol low-up to BarChef, the bar that helped kick off Toronto’s cock tail scene in 2008. The room feels like a turn-of-the-century apothecary, with drinks made in front of you using pestles and mortars. It’s not a restaurant, but it’s exactly how I’d end a night on Ossington. 1036 Queen St. W.
2. Under the radar
Hanmoto is tucked into an old outbuilding just off Ossington, with mismatched furniture and plants hanging from the rafters. It comes from Leemo Han, who’s also behind Odd Seoul. The katsu bun is my order every time, though the stuffed chicken wings are what everyone talks about first. Go late. It’s that kind of place. 2 Lakeview Ave.
1. Wine and Dine
Côte de Bœuf is a butcher shop and wine bar sharing one small room. Meat hangs drying in the front window, so you know exactly what you’re in for be fore you’re through the door. Beef is broken down by hand saw at the back. Grab a seat at the zinc bar or a barrel table and order the tartare au cou teau. 130 Ossington Ave.