LCBO Food & Drink Summer 2017

What constitutes a hidden gem? For me, it’s the unassuming or out-of-the-way places brought to your attention by a knowledgeable friend. They’re memorable for their food and atmosphere or because they’ve brought something new to the scene. Secret no more, the inside scoop on how to eat like a local. Hidden Gems

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WHERE TO EAT 1  VIJ’S RAILWAY EXPRESS, VANCOUVER This exploration of Indian street food is a roaming journey (literally: it’s a food truck) into specialties of various regions, with a B.C. twist. Think spot prawns in coconut masala curry, and blueberry lassies. 2  PORT CITY ROYAL, ST. JOHN  It’s all about reimagined east coast classics on the frequently changingmenu: classics such as Creton en Ploye (a pork-stuffed buckwheat pancake) drizzled withmolasses mayo, and amazing cocktails like the Salt Spray. 3  KINGOF DONAIR, HALIFAX  Since 1973 Halifax’s original hangover food has been dishing out warm pita stuffed with shaved spiced beef, onions, tomatoes and a signa- ture sweet and garlicky sauce. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. 4  SOBO, TOFINO  What began as a wee trailer tucked into a gravel parking lot has grown into the restaurant for whole- some creativity like the Tofu Pocket with shiitake mushrooms, Killer Fish Tacos and seafood stew. 5  THE WHALESBONE, OTTAWA  As much an oyster house as a full-on seafood spot—and that’s a good thing. The other good news is they serve 100 percent sus- tainable fish and shellfish, including Pacific cod and chips and lobster rolls. 6  FOXLEYBISTRO, TORONTO  This bare- bones bistro launched the hot Ossington restaurant strip, thanks to Chef TomThai’s imaginative takes on Far East flavours. Sea Bream Ceviche with Yuzu and Shiso, and Side Ribs with Caramelized Shallot Glaze are standouts.

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Here’s how to do brain-freeze right in Canada.  La Casa Gelato , Vancouver. Cow’s , Charlottetown. Bang Bang Icecream , Toronto. Slickers County Ice Cream , Bloomfield, Ont. La Diperie , Montreal. Bridge Drive-In (BDI) , Winnipeg. Ed’s Real Scoop , Toronto. Dee Dee’s , Halifax. Death in Venice , Toronto. Moo Moo’s Ice Cream , St. John’s. Chocolats Favoris , Quebec City. Ice Cream Dreams

PHOTO COURTESY OF VIJ’S RAILWAY EXPRESS; PORT CITY ROYAL BY SCOTT MUNN AND JESSICA EMIN; SOBO BY JEREMY KORESKI