Here are my picks for where to get a great steak in Toronto by neighbourhood.
ANNEX
Head to The Harbord Room for a 45 day dry-Aged Canadian prime ribeye ($38). The 12 oz slab of meat is served medium rare with salsa verde and comes with seasonal sides such as cast-iron roasted fingerling potatoes and patty pan squash.
BEACHES
Veloute Bistro offers the option to enjoy a triple A filet mignon ($31/6oz to $54/12oz), with seasonal veg or a classic cast iron steak frites featuring black angus rib eye ($25/6oz to $61/16oz) with fresh horseradish butter and frites dusted in rosemary salt and accompanied by truffle mayonnaise.
CHURCH & WELLESLEY
Carmen's is a historic Toronto steakhouse that has recently reopened under new management, and while there are some subtle changes to be found, the place is still a bastion for prime cuts (try the 14oz Canadian ribeye for $49) and an abundance of classic sides including asparagus with hollandaise, mashed potatoes, and truffle fries.
THE DANFORTH
The menu at Globe Bistro doesn't deal exclusively in red meat, but the Wellington County Striploin ($38) will not leave carnivores disappointed. The 10 oz., charcoal grilled dry-aged striploin is served with oxtail jus and rounded out with seasonally driven accompaniments like mustard greens, roasted cauliflower and potato crisps.
DISTILLERY DISTRICT
Cluny is a massive French bistro where steak frites is a staple on the menu. Served with lemon garlic aioli and fresh cut frites, the menu offers affordable options like an 8oz hanger steak for $21, and a 10oz striploin for $35.
EAST CHINATOWN
Batifole is home to a menu of French bistro fare including les plats like Pave de Steak Poele Sauce Poivre Vert ($24), a pan seared flat iron steak dressed with green peppercorn sauce.
ETOBICOKE
Skip the old guard chophouse, Black Angus (or don't - truly I'd be happy here too) and check out the convivial vibe at Goodlake where you'll find steak frites ($32) on the menu featuring at 8oz striploin with red wine jus, fries, and grilled vegetables.
FINANCIAL DISTRICT
The Chase might be best known for its selection of seafood, but carnivores wont be left for want with the steak. The upscale restaurant offers a beef tenderloin ($54) with spiced tomato chutney and black garlic jus paired with succotash and heirloom tomatoes.
HARBOURFRONT
Located by the waterfront, Harbour Sixty Steakhouse is a premiere destination for surf and turf along with top shelf steaks including a double porterhouse ($130) and marbled Japanese Kobe ribeye (MP). Suggested add-ons include king crab, Atlantic lobster or jumbo prawns.
Expect to splash out when dining at Jacobs & Co., the distinguished steakhouse that attracts hockey players, celebs and suits. Top cuts of meat (MP) aged in-house are the main draw, while the Caesar salad is among the best in the city. The dozen or so classic sides like duck fat French fries, and potato gratin are all worthwhile.
LITTLE ITALY
The meat locker at Bestellen is a clear indication where the menu at this College St. restaurant excels. Look forward to daily butcher cuts (MP) featuring dry-aged Ontario beef, or opt for an indulgent cote de boeuf (MP) with roasted marrow.
NORTH YORK
Auberge de Pommier doesn't major in steaks, but the fancy setting makes it a prime destination for celebrations - not to mention it has an extensive wine list to match. Menus change seasonally, but look forward to options like steak frites ($37) at lunch featuring a filet of beef with sauce bordelaise and wilted spinach.
OSSINGTON
The menu changes daily at Union, but considering the restaurant also operates the neighbouring meat monger Cote de Boeuf, a top notch New York Striploin (or another comparable cut) is a sure thing.
PARKDALE
Raca Bar & Cafe offers plenty of tempting dishes but if you're looking to sate a craving for red meat, try the pan seared beef medallion ($24) paired with roasted French beans, wild mushrooms and smoked bacon vinaigrette.
QUEEN WEST
The Tavern by Trevor isn't nearly as fancy as say, the nearby Fifth Grill, but that's exactly like we like best about it. Find a consistent and competently cooked 8oz dry aged sirloin ($25) accompanied by seasonal sides like parsnips and pancetta brussel sprouts.
Aft sous vides a12oz flank steak for its steak frites ($22) which means you're guaranteed to get a perfect rosy centre and seared exterior. The dish is served with crispy frites and a tangy red chimichurri.
RONCESVALLES
The Westerly serves up a pretty stellar seared flat iron steak for $22. The entree arrives to the table alongside pork belly sweet potato hash and is finished with hoisin shiitake jus and lime crema.
SCARBOROUGH
Smith Bros. Steakhouse Tavern specializes in 28-day, wet aged steaks and local craft beers. The steakhouse prides itself as being an affordable option, serving up 7oz. sirloins for $22 and 10 oz. New York striploin for $29. Each order includes a choice of house steak sauces and matchstick fries, garlicky mashed potatoes, or a russet baked potato.
ST. CLAIR WEST
Get the steak frites at Concession Road and enjoy a delicious grass-fed flat iron ($23.75) smothered in red wine jus and a dollop of horseradish herb butter.
Just north of the city limits, The Octagon has been a landmark for premium steaks for over 40 years. The menu boasts top cuts including a 12oz filet mignon ($49.95), a 24oz ribeye ($62.95), and bone-in rib steaks starting at ($24.95) - each served with an app, garlic bread and a choice of baked potato, fries, rice or garlic mashed potatoes.
YONGE & DUNDAS
Barberian's Steakhouse isn't just one of Toronto's last surviving old guard steakhouses, it's a right of passage. Go for the centre cut top sirloin ($39.75/9oz) but don't miss out on the classic starters including caesar salad, escargot, and jumbo shrimp cocktails.
YORKVILLE
The concept behind NAO Steakhouse is Asian-American fusion, and the menu deals in high quality cuts including Wagyu T-Bones ($95) and 12 oz Kobe Ribeye ($235). The usual sides are all there with a twist, for example the frites are dusted in Japanese five spice, while the braised collards are flavoured with kimchi and crispy shallots.
What did I miss? Disagree with my selections in the comments.
Lead photo from Nao
by Liora Ipsum via blogTO
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