Welcome fellow editors! The CSE Annual Meeting for 2023 takes place April 29 to March 2nd in Toronto at the Sheraton Centre. I’m looking forward to attending this in person meeting that’s located conveniently in my home town!
To make sure your stay is as fun as can be, I’d like to share with you some of my favourite places that you might enjoy when you have extra time.
Restaurants Near the Sheraton Hotel (Walk time: less than 15 min)
Aloette Restaurant (map) – is a fancy diner serving things like fries with bloody mary aoili and truffle & leek stuffed chicken wings. Stand out dish: They make a killer gourmet burger topped with delicious fried Beaufort cheese. Walk time: 13 min.
Beertown Public House (map) – specializes in rotating taps and beers of beer on offer. Standout dish: They have pub food that can pair with any kind of beer. There have wine and cocktails as well. Walk time: 9 min.
The Cactus Club (map) – contains three floors. The top is tented with a DJ. Happy hour and late night menu 2- 5 pm and 9 pm – midnight. They offer a bit of everything. Good for groups. Stand out dish: amazing butternut squash ravioli with (or without) shrimp. Walk time: 7 min.
Canoe Restaurant (map) – is a fine dining restaurant with a great view of the city (54th floor) and excellent food. Canoe serves up creative Canadian dishes that are locally sourced with amazing flavours and presentation. They accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets. Standout dish: Their dishes change seasonally and are always great. Currently, the crispy pork jowl is out of this world! You can order dishes a la carte from the tasting menu as well. Walk time: 11 min.
The Chase (map) – is an upscale restaurant specializing in seafood. Standout dish: The burrata is really good. Also, caviar, lobster and oysters! Walk time: 7 min
Chef’s Hall (map) contains various independent vendors selling burgers, chicken coffee/tea pizza, sushi, and tacos. Great for take out. The hall has communal seating and there is also a licensed bar. Walk time: 2 min.
Chotto Matte (map) – is a Japanese Peruvian restaurant that offers fun cocktails, fresh fish and a robata grill (cooking over charcoal). They accommodate vegetarian and gluten free diets. Stand out dishe: ceviche and sashimi. From the grill: eggplant, cod, octopus and any of the chicken dishes. This is a lively restaurant. Walk time: 11 min.
Earl’s Kitchen & Bar (map) is a casual dining restaurant featuring burgers, chicken & ribs, pizza and steaks. They offer a vegan menu and a happy hour menu from 2-5 pm and 11 pm to 2 am. Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. I like the personal sized pizzas. Walk time: 7 min.
George Restaurant (map) – is a fine dining restaurant showcasing Canadian cuisine. Standout dish: Their menu changes seasonally. Great food and service. They have a secluded courtyard in for warmer weather that is quite nice.
Grand Cru Deli (map) – is a wine bar owned and operated by one of Canada’s master sommeliers with delicious small plate and mains inspired by the Iberian Peninsula. Stand out dish: They offer a seasonal menu that is all very tasty and complementary with their wines by the glass or bottle. You can even purchase bottles to go. Great spot for dinner or to pop in for a drink. The staff are very knowledgeable. Walk time: 9 min.
Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar (map) – is a high end steakhouse serving cocktails and has an extensive wine list. They also have Happy Hour from 3-6 pm and after 9 pm and live music Wednesday to Saturday from 7-11 pm. Standout dish: Everything is good. The steaks are excellent. It was table side service for me. I had steak Diane flambéed with brandy! Walk time: 4 min.
Joey Eaton Centre (map) – Nice restaurant that makes a bit of everything (burger, steak, pasta, salads). Can accommodate food allergies and great for groups. Stand out dishe: Truffle parmesan fries, salmon and sliders. Walk time: 10 min.
The Keg Steakhouse (map) – is a mid-priced chain restaurant with great steaks. They also offer seafood add-ons, chicken and ribs. They can accommodate groups and the staff is attentive to food allergies. Stand out dish: Love the prime rib! Walk time: 2 min.
Ki Restaurant (map) – is an trendy Japanese restaurant that features good food, cocktails, wine and sake. Great place to drop in for drinks and snacks. It has a large bar area and separate dining area. Stand out dishe: Lobster tempura, California roll (with real snow crab), miso black cod and the wagyu & AAA beef burger. They offer sushi, sashimi, and signature hot plates. Walk time: 10 min.
McDonalds (map) – has three locations within walking distance. Check their opening and closing hours. You’ll have to change your region to Canada in the app. I love their fries.
Pizzeria Libretto (map) – serves Neapolitan pizzas. They also offer vegan and gluten free pizzas plus takeout. Good for groups. Standout dish: All the pizzas are pretty good. Walk time: 6 min.
Planta Queen (map) – is an excellent vegan restaurant (this is coming from a carnivore) with great cocktails. It’s also a very busy restaurant. Standout dish: Take your pick. Great flavours. I suggest making a reservation in advance and stating you want to be seated in the dining room (better experience) or you may be seated in the bar area. Walk time: 5 min.
Reds Wine Tavern (map) – known for their wine collection and cocktails. Standout dish: They offer a bit of everything like bowls, burgers, steaks. Can accommodate groups. Walk time: 5 min
Richmond Station (map) – is known for creative plates, excellent service and great wine list. The restaurant is co-owned by Top Chef Canada’s season 2 winner, Chef Carl Heinrich. For the best experience try their tasting menu. Can accommodate vegetarian diets and allergies. Standout dish: I can’t pick just one dish that I enjoyed as they change the menu regularly but its always been an excellent experience. Walk time: 6 min.
Terroni (map) – is a casual Italian restaurant know for their pizza and pastas. Good for groups. Standout dish: Everything is pretty good. NOTE: They do not accommodate nut allergies or substitutions. Walk time: 11 min.
Restaurants Near the Sheraton Hotel (Walk time: approx. 15 – 30ish min or a short Taxi/Uber ride)
Bar Isabel (map) – is one of my favourite places for Spanish food. Standout dish: Octopus hands down. Also the Iberian ham and patatas bravas. Walk time: 47 min but it’s a 14 minute drive!
Curryish (map) – is a restaurant that has a modern take on Indian dishes. They also accommodate vegetarian diets. Standout dishe: Aloo gnocchi and cauliflower curry, ghee confit duck leg and foie gras curry and the “Montreal Style Everything Bagel” paratha. Delicious!. Walk time: 25 min.
El Catrin (map) – is a Mexican restaurant with great tacos located in the Distillery District! It has a great atmosphere with good services. Standout dish: It’s all really good. I love the Baja and pastor tacos and the guacamole made table side. They have a margarita flight and lots of different tequilas! Walk time: 33 min.
Evviva Breakfast and Lunch (map) – serves all day breakfast and lunch. Opens at 7 am and closes at 3 pm , 7 days a week. They also have a vegan menu and offer take out. Walk time: 17 min.
Rasta Pasta (map) – serves authentic Jamaican dishes as well as fusion pasta dishes. The are known for their jerk chicken, stuffed dumplings (my fav), roti, and pasta fusion pasta dishes. Standout dish: Jerk chicken, dreadlock pasta, oxtail jerk pork, dumplings stuffed with (jerk chicken, oxtail or ackee). Take out with a small dine in area. Walk time: 23 min.
Real Sports Bar (map) – is an epic sports bar with 200 TV’s including a 39 ft HD screen. Great place to watch NFL, NBA or NHL. Really good bar food and 100 beers on tap. Definitely make a reservation in advance. Standout dish: Sweet chili wings every time. Walk time: 15 min.
Evening Experiences
Bar Chef (map) – is probably one of the best cocktail bars in the city as their cocktails are amazing creations – a modern take made with the tradition of true craftsmen. Owner Frankie Solarick was a judge on Netflix’s Drink Masters. They serve charcuterie/small snacks. Walk time: 17 min.
Clockwork Bar (map) – is located in the lobby of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. Another beautiful bar to enjoy drinks. There is a DJ on the weekends. Walk-in only in the evenings. Walk time: 10 min.
Shangri-La Hotel (map) – is a beautiful hotel that has live music in the lobby every evening starting at 6 pm. Reservations are recommended. Walk time: 5 min.
Convenience Store/Pharmacy
Rabba Fine Foods (map) – Open 24 hours. Walk time: 8 min.
Rexall Pharmacy (map) – 159 Yonge St. Open 8am – midnight. Walk time: 3 min.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like other suggestions or just to say hi!
Dianne Dixon, Managing Editor, International Journal of Radiation Biology, dianne.dixon@northwestern.edu (Based in Toronto).