The city’s most authentic Italian and Peruvian and the finest bar and grills and chophouses this side of the GTA.

The GTA is filled with great restaurants from different cultural backgrounds serving some of the finest, most authentic cuisine in the world. In this year’s Taste of the City, we take you to some of the nicest digs the GTA has to offer. Whether you are craving classic Italian food paired with vintage wines, chophouses serving the finest cuts of meat and seafood, authentic Peruvian cuisine made with imported ingredients fresh from Peru or want to have a chill night out at one of the best bar and grills in town, this guide has you covered.
Villaggio Ristorante

For over 25 years Antonio Barbiere and his family, including current owner Aradena Barbiere, have brought classic Mediterranean-Italian cuisine to their customers. Since Villaggio Ristorante opened its doors in 2004, it has been met with nothing but rave reviews. Chef Matteo Napoleoni’s bistecca is a savoury delight of 10 oz. of USDA prime striploin with a Gorgonzola cream sauce, served with vegetables and potatoes. For the spicy food lovers, orecchiette salsicce is a spicy Italian sausage made in-house, paired with rapini, white wine and garlic.

Owner: Aradena Barbiere
Chef: Matteo Napoleoni
Dish: Bistecca
Address: 110 Nashville Rd., Kleinburg, Ont.

www.villaggio-ristorante.ca

Sparks Premium Grill + Bar

The perfect venue for great food, good times and enjoying the game, Sparks Premium Grill + Bar is not your regular bar and grill. With a robust and diverse menu, Sparks Premium has all of the classic bar favourites, with exquisite grill options to satisfy any palate. In addition, an express lunch menu priced under $10 guarantees lunch in 15 minutes or less on weekdays, a fantastic deal for those who want good food in a rush. Owner Maria Gorobets and co-owner/ chef Kumaran Navaratnam serve up the perfect appetizer, flamin’ calamari, grilled to perfection alongside peppers and onions and topped with fresh cilantro.

Owner: Maria Gorobets
Owner/Chef: Kumaran Navaratnam
Dish: Flamin’ calamari
Address: 2620 Rutherford Rd., Vaughan, Ont.

www.sparksgrill.ca

Los Chicos Brasa

Enjoy sumptuous Peruvian delicacies such as charbroiled rotisserie chicken, lomo saltado, ceviche and jalea at the GTA’s premier location, Los Chicos Brasa. With specially prepared herbs and spices straight from Peru, this is the city’s most authentic Peruvian cuisine. Winner of the Consumer Choice Award 2015 for GTA East, Los Chicos Brasa has lively Latin background music that contributes to the atmosphere of the bustling dining room. Pictured here is owner Alvaro Carol’s award-winning charbroiled half-chicken marinated in a unique recipe and cooked in a special Peruvian traditional oven, served with your choice of side and delicious mild or hot sauces.

Owner: Alvaro Carol
Dish: Charboiled half-chicken
Address: 3560 Rutherford Rd. Unit 36, Vaughan, Ont.

www.loschicosbrasa.com

Terra

Since 1995, Terra’s stature and reputation has made it known as one of the best restaurants in Toronto. Winner of several awards, specifically multiple awards for its wine selection, Terra continues to push its high standards while consistently growing and evolving. With an eclectic menu ripe with a variety of dishes that changes every season, Terra is the quintessential dining experience for group and business outings, as well as a celebratory meal with a friend or loved ones.

Chef: Cesar Naranjo
Dish: Grilled octopus
Address: 8199 Yonge St., Thornhill, Ont.

www.terrarestaurant.ca

Sasso’s Trattoria & Wine Bar

Sasso’s combines food with tradition, bringing Italian delights to its signature restaurant. The relatively new restaurant serves lunch and dinner, offers catering and takeout, as well as private functions in its delightful venue. With live music, a family-friendly atmosphere and a lot of sass, Sasso’s is the hottest new trattoria in the GTA. On the right is chef Daniele Campo’s veal marrow pipe bone with buttery mashed potato and a pancetta-infused onion jam topped with crème fraîche.

Chef: Daniele Campo
Dish: Veal marrow pipe bone
Address: 12926 Hwy. 27, Nobleton, Ont.

www.instagram.com/sassostrattoria

XXI Chophouse

Located in The Doctor’s House in an estate in Kleinburg, XXI Chophouse is a high-end steakhouse that serves fresh and aged organic and USDA beef, as well as fresh seafood selections. Shown here is chef Sam Khalil’s 18-oz. bone-in striploin, aged in-house for 60 days and served with a grilled Maine lobster tail and garlic butter.

Chef: Sam Khalil
Dish: 18-oz. bone-in striploin
Address: 21 Nashville Rd., Kleinburg, Ont.

www.xxichophouse.com