Woodlot Restaurant

On-line reviewers are effusive in their praise for this Little Italy love letter to simple, honest, handmade food, where everything is prepared with fresh ingredients and love. It's mostly Canadian comfort fare that tumbles from the kitchen onto grateful tongues at Woodlot, but there's enough here for non-meat-eaters to make it clear their interests were not an afterthought (a dedicated menu caters to vegetarians). Dishes like a foie gras crème brulée starter and russet potato gnocchi are unassuming and filled with flavour. Service is thoughtful and prompt. The ambiance here is equal parts elegant and hip. Woodlot takes reservations - another reason it's a standout on the Toronto restaurant scene. A charm-filled outdoor patio with a tree trunk for a table seals the deal.