Winterlicious (LiciousTO) Restaurants to Follow on Twitter

Toronto is well known for its wide range of cultures and cuisines as well as an ever-evolving foodie culture. In fact, Toronto is such a food-lover’s paradise that selecting a restaurant can be a daunting task even without a Winterlicious Festival.

The ten restaurants profiled below have made this list for two reasons: 1) They have received praise for delicious, adventurous and consistent food and drink paired with excellent service and 2) They provide patrons with information of interest and a sense of community through updates online.

Here is a list of restaurants participating in @LiciousTO 2012 with active and engaging Twitter accounts:

Annona Restaurant – @Chef_JMonfaredi

‘Joan Monferedi, executive chef for Park Hyatt Toronto, including Annona Restaurant’

Chef Monferedi tweets regularly about other contemporary chefs, current food events and invitations to the ‘Masters of Food and Wine’ series hosted at Park Hyatt by the executive chef herself.

Auberge du Pommier, Biff’s Bistro, Canoe, Jump, Oliver & Bonacini Cafe Grill – @Oliver_Bonacini

‘What’s happening with our Chefs and restaurants’

Follow five of the big name players in Winterlicious 2012 in one fell swoop; this account is packed with delectable tidbits, twitpics, haggis races and plenty of compliments to the chef from the twitterati.

Bier Markt – @BierMarkt

‘An atmosphere that balances sociability with sophistication’

Bier Markt’s friendly Twitter approach retweets patrons’ comments and keeps followers in the know about oft-occurring specials and events, and of course, new additions to the best bier list in the city.

Cafe Moroc – @TheSultansTent

‘Admire the charms of belly dancers & enjoy a four-course Feast or create a menu suited to your event’

Twitter followers of Cafe Moroc—one of Toronto’s favourite dinner party locations—are kept aware of changes to menus, last-minute specials, weather updates and, most importantly, belly dancer set times.

The Drake Hotel – @thedrakehotel

‘Hotbed for Culture’

The Drake’s Twitter account, with over 21,000 followers, projects the spirit of Toronto’s lively arts scene with a brilliant personal touch. Take this reply for example: “@CherylKozoriz The menu isn’t vegan but we spoke to Chef Rose though + he said he’d create a vegan Winterlicious option if you’d like!”

earth Bloor West – @globeho

‘Globe Bistro, earth Rosedale & earth Bloor West owner-operator, gourmand and lover of meat, wine and cheese. Think global. Eat local’

Foodies take note: Ed Ho, owner-operator of local and seasonal Toronto establishments Globe Bistro and both the Rosedale and Bloor W. earth locations tweets about burgers, business and gives shout outs to smaller restaurants like Mother’s Dumplings in Chinatown.

Embrujo Flamenco -@embrujotapasbar

‘Enjoy with us the regional cuisines of Spain!’

An extensive wine selection pairs off with authentic Spanish specialties served tapas-style. There is dancing Wednesday through Saturday, and tune in for flamenco nights—they’re complimentary!

Prime – @windsorarms

‘Consecutively voted the #1 hotel in Toronto by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine’

Prime’s @LiciousTO offerings include an herbivore’s delight: a 100% vegan prix fixe menu served in Toronto’s premier boutique hotel. This handle communicates updates from the hotel, restaurant and Toronto herself.

Pure Spirits – @spiritspure

‘Oyster House’

Turn your @LiciousTO dinner into a date night in the Distillery District and tune into @spiritspure for specials on seafood ( $1.50 oysters), goings-on @DistilleryTO and mouth-watering meal descriptions.

Scarpetta – @ScarpettaTO

‘Famed Chef Scott Conant oversees Scarpetta – the first international outpost of the acclaimed Scarpetta Italian Restaurant’

Located in the Thompson Hotel, retweeted reactions to Scarpetta’s $35 @LiciousTO dinner menu are flooding the stunning resto’s online feed. Get online and join the conversation—if you can get a reservation, that is!

8 Tips on Planning and Hosting Winter Events

The days are shorter, the night are longer but don’t let old man winter stop you from hosting your most fabulous event yet! Follow these CityEvents tips to create a Winter Wonderland on any budget

1. Pick a Theme and Stick to it!

For a winter event let the season inspire you and all your décor, theme, activities, and food options. A fun festive tip to try is pick one winter item, anything from a crystal icicle, a snowy forest, or a roaring fire and from that item recreate the feel, smell, taste, touch and sound that object brings you in all your event’s details.

2. Stay Warm!

The temperature may be dropping but your parties are heating up!  Make sure your guests stay warm, and bundle up coming and leaving your event. It can be anything from having a heated area when lining up to enter the venue to as simple as offering extra mittens and scarves to your guests when they leave (bonus points for having your event logo on the accessories!). For smaller parties have your guests brave the cold with a cup of Goodnight Hot Chocolate!

3. Make Outside Inside

Why let the seven feet of snow outside your door limit your options. Make outside inside with different heating setups. Try installing a tent area to take advantage of a larger lawn. Small budgets are no problem, as decorating a yard with fairy lights and having folded blankets on chairs creates a winter wonderland while giving your guests a chance for a breath of frosty fresh air.

4. Safety First

Safety should be a concern for all savvy planners year round but winter presents its own unique challenges. As much as possible check the weather reports for the day of your event and shovel, salt, and snow-blow all walkways! Always do a run-through of your whole floor-plan to make sure there are no slipping and sliding risks. Have enough coat racks (or coat check) as well as mats for wet boots and shoes. As always, for any guests who were feeling the festive winter spirit and consumed have alcohol, insist on a taxi or have alternative transportation on standby. Two numbers for the Toronto area are: Beck 416-751-5555, and City Taxi 416-740-2222

5. Use the Season to Your Advantage

Winter is the best time to match your décor to the season. Ice sculptures, and ice luges (for beverages) are beautiful, reasonably priced, and an impressive visual for your guests. The lower light of the afternoon sets any candles and lighting aglow. Rich colours: crimson, snow white, pine greens pop against the drab background of the urban winter. The crisp air makes savoury smells more noticeable, and any warmth always draws people in off the street. Counterpoint the heat and energy of your party with the frosty outside and all your event choices will be that much more of a standout.

6. Try Something Different

As beautiful as the winter season is there is something to be said with doing the exact opposite! Vacation sales spike in the New Year for a reason – people want an escape! This is the perfect time to juxtapose a wacky or different theme to shake your guests out of their winter hibernation. Who wouldn’t want to try a January Hawaiian Luau or a Murder Mystery Dinner instead of a traditional February Valentine’s day party?  Get creative and try something no one else is doing! It’s sure to be noticed.

7. Timing is Everything

They’re called the “Winter Blahs” for a reason. Holiday season is very busy with Christmas, Chanukah, New Years and reunions. Guests may be worn out by January 1st, but there is a large empty period from Jan – March. This is the perfect time to plan your winter party and give your guests something to look forward to! Half the trick in creating a good buzz is standing out from the competition, and with little else going on even the smallest party will shine.

8. Make it Fun!

This is the most important thing to remember! As planners we can get caught up in the detail and forget to see the big picture. People come to events to have fun, so think critically. Is this something I would have fun at? Spontaneity is the key to fun; why not whip up a snowball fight at midnight? Drop snowflake confetti? Keep your guests guessing and keep it fun! Happy Planning!!

 

The Ballroom, Just Down Your Alley

Not just an excuse to dust off your bowling shoes, The Ballroom is downtown Toronto’s newest interactive-entertainment centre. Guests can enjoy themselves by getting involved in physical activity while having fun playing games. Since opening, The Ballroom has quickly turned into a hotspot in downtown Toronto, in an area where nightclubs once dominated the Richmond West strip. Say goodbye to the thought of that guy standing too close to you at the bar spilling his drink on your new dress.

The 20,000 square foot space is spread over two-floors and is flanked with over 60 full HD flat screen televisions, to keep you up to date with any sports game that may be going on while you’re bowling, playing ping-pong, pool, foosball or any one of the arcade-style games the line the venue. The Ballroom offers multiple spaces to be rented out for private, corporate or special events. Each space comes fully equipped with complete food and beverage service, conference capabilities, personalized branding opportunities, along with a host of additional amenities.

The first floor houses bowling lanes, a bar and an area with some billiards. The decor is very kitsch. There are exposed brick walls, garage door windows, industrial light fixtures, and Victorian style leather couches with tufted brass bullets. At the end of each bowling alley is a jumbo TV screen projecting sports events. A pitcher of beer runs $25; however, they provide table service while you roll. Friday and Saturday nights also have an in-house DJ and with a stage available on the second floor.

Whether you are stopping by after work to catch a game at the bar, or bringing your work with you to experience our “meet and bowl” package, The Ballroom is an experience not to be missed! The Ballroom is located at 145 John Street West (on the South East corner of John & Richmond Streets) operating daily Monday to Sunday 11am to 2am on the main level, Monday to Thursday 5pm to 2am and Friday to Sunday 12pm to 2am on the second level. For more information, visit: http://www.theballroom.ca/

Screenings and Special Events @ the TIFF Bell Lightbox

A midtown event venue popular for social events

A midtown event venue popular for social events Rosehill Venue Lounge offers a casual ambiance in the Rosedale and Summerhill area of Toronto, just south of Yonge Street & St. Clair Avenue. This venue is the “hidden gem” of special event venues in Toronto, with the ability to transform itself to suit almost any event need. Think of it as a Swiss knife for a venue and its versatility to convert for any event.

The space is great for a group around 100 and has a great kitchen for the chef’s to work out of but can grow to over 350. You can fit a dance floor with seated dinner if you have this size group, the space doesn’t feel overwhelmingly large or small-just comfortable. The ambiance is really nice with the exposed ceilings, brick walls, laminate/brick floor, and sofas in the lounge area and looks beautiful at night lit up by candles. Rosehill is perfect to have a dance floor, stage or focal point but also a casual lounge area.

The venue offers its clients the personalized service each distinct event requires. The staff is always on-the-ball and very friendly. From your first meeting, through the planning process, to the date of your event Rosehill can offer as much support as you require. It is steps from the subway and located next to a Green P parking lot. If you’re looking for a space that’s a little different, easy to get to from downtown, and not a banquet hall, check it out www.rosehillevents.ca

6 Rosehill Avenue, Toronto
ON M4T 2B7
(416) 923-2232

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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