The Best New Restaurants in Toronto, 2010

The best new restaurants in Toronto all have one thing in common: each kitchen is headed by a wildly ambitious chef who is helping to raise the bar of the city's culinary scene. Not one of these places has a menu that wasn't given priority over overzealous design and marketing and while many, if not all of these restaurants are lovely inside, it's the food that truly carries them. Even the places that tell you they're making "down home" or "authentic" or "simple" food are doing it with a hand far more confident and capable than anyone's nonna.

So here they are, the best restaurants that opened in Toronto during 2010.

Top photo of Enoteca Sociale by Pasta e Broccoli

Enoteca Sociale

Hey, remember when everyone went nuts for pizza like they’d never tried it before and traveled from far off lands to the corner of Dundas and Ossington and waited in line for two hours just to eat it? Well get your folding chairs out again because Enoteca Sociale is the new Italian restaurant from the people who brought you Pizzeria Libretto and it’s delicious.

Salt Wine Bar

At long last, we can say, for sure, Salt Wine Bar is open. It’s been a trying year for the Lower Ossington establishment which was shut down in September for violating the moratorium on fun. But now that they’re here to stay, expect Portuguese and Spanish inspired tapas accompanied by a substantial wine list suitable for a quiet night out with the person you’re trying to turn into your better half.