So I’m spending today researching all the restaurants that I want to attend during Winterlicious. It was recently brought to my attention that Winterlicious, while once a foodie dream, has now become a tired tourist attraction. Can it be? Some of the most popular, fanciest restaurants in Toronto, with price-fixe menus of either $25, $35, or $45 is a BAD IDEA? Obviously I’m new to the city, but it’s sad that such a fun event is something foodies are shying away from. Maybe it’s the newbie in me (and a little left over tourist), but isn’t going out for a fun, cheap dinner a great idea, no matter the reason?

I hear and totally understand the argument; that the menu often includes cheaper ingredients, that the service is rushed, and booze isn’t cheap – so the event can still end up hurting your wallet, and possibly disappoint your date. These points are valid – who wants to get all dressed up and excited to eat at the 5-Star restaurant du jour, only to get there and receive sub-par service? So the secret is out, and maybe the fun is over. But I can’t NOT try it, right?  I admit that will be one of the ones slamming the phone lines tomorrow morning, trying to secure a reservation – I’ll let you know if the meal lives up to my expectations!

Also – in a related reservation question – where is OpenTable and why is every Toronto restaurant not signed up yet? Come on, at least some of the small, cool places should be, instead of just the big famous restaurants? Toronto, you are an awesome tech community – we need the restaurant community to catch up, stat!!

Foodie