The 38 Essential Toronto Restaurants

"Vela’s modernist space, with its cascading, sculptural lights, imparts a sultry ambience to every meal. It’s ever the unabashed show pony, but the restaurant has substance behind its style, thanks to the synergy between co-owners Amanda Bradley (a hospitality titan) and Robin Goodfellow (a beverage and business wizard) and co-head chefs Marvin Palomo and Kim Haugen (deft culinarians with experience in London, Australia, Hong Kong, and Italy). The cuisine is intentionally impossible to pigeonhole. Moroccan octopus pulsates with a sweet-savory interplay of tamari and togarashi, finished with nutty ajo blanco; Hokkaido scallops in crudo act as buttery vessels for nam jim (Thai chile sauce), salty bubbles of trout roe, and cooling cucumber. Goodfellow’s award-winning cocktail list is also not to be missed, offering a thirst-quenching roster of sips that are playful, cheeky, and mindfully composed. Check out the Moe’s Tavern: a citrusy drink made with rye, port, and fire (of course)." - Tiffany Leigh