#FOOD: TORONTO HOLIDAY DINING ROUNDUP -MINAMI, TORA, LUCIE, FICOA, LITTLE SISTER, STEFANO’S DINER, THE CARBON BAR

Some ideas for Holiday Dining as we enter the greatest season of the year! Here are some suggestions for your gatherings over the next few weeks and their holiday menu offerings if you’re in and around the GTA!

Minami is thrilled to announce their 2024 holiday 3-course tasting menu for $110 – featuring their Salmon Crudo with house-made yukke sauce, signature Aburi Oshi Sushi along with other sushi favourites, and your choice of Saikyo Miso Baked Sablefish or 3oz US Wagyu. For just $35, surprise your tastebuds with wine pairings that promise a holiday dinner to remember. 

Minami Holiday Kaiseki – $110 

Beverage pairings – $35

Amuse-Bouche 

Edamame, corn, dumpling skin, brown butter, Hokkaido uni, pickled ginger, soy glaze 

Bread & Butter Prosecco 

Salmon Crudo 

House-made yukke sauce, goma-ae sauce, shiso leaf, binchotan oil, sweet lemon 

Sushi 

7 pieces of chef-selected Aburi Oshi Sushi, Aburi nigiri, and the signature Minami Roll 

Tenuta Orestiadi Catarratto

Entreé

The choice of

Saikyo Miso Baked Sablefish 

Mushroom rice, salted green cabbage, black garlic jus, kizami wasabi, patty pan squash, yuzu miso reduction 

19 Crimes Martha’s Chardonnay 

– or –

3oz US Wagyu 

Peppercorn jus, roasted maitake, gremolata, crispy Jerusalem artichoke, confit eggplant 

Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon

Dessert 

The choice of ice cream flavour 

Black Sesame – or – Taro Root 

Spiced pear compote, cinnamon meringue, pomegranate, mochi balls, kuromitsu

Reservations for Minami can be made HERE.  

Ficoa

IG: @ficoa.to

(pictured: Ficoa’s Classic Mole)

Looking for a happy hour with a jolly twist? Visit Ficoa’s ‘Jolly Time’ in December from 6-8pm with Christmas-inspired cocktails like ‘Christmas Token’, a gin cocktail with foam placed on top, shaped like Santa’s hat. With each drink order, guests enjoy a curated selection of snacks that vary based on their beverage choice. Enjoy snacks like ‘Duck Farce Pintxo’ with flavours of a holiday roast and ‘Ginger Bread Man’ with foie and jelly, and more.

Jolly Time 6-8PM – $18

Cocktails 

Caffizzito 

Naughty List Martini 

Christmas Token 

Gin cocktail with foam shaped like Santa’s hat 

Holidays fashioned 

Duck roast fat-washed rum, cinnamon, and green cherry

Snacks

Duck Farce Pintxos 

Flavours of a holiday roast on toasted

Chorizo in Blanket 

Tallow pastry with chorizo filling 

Brie and Fig Crackers 

Star-shaped crackers with brie and fig

Gingerbread Man 

Foie and jelly 

Ficoa’s warm, hearty Mexican service: ‘Let Us Cook For You’ is transformed with holiday spirit from December 11th-14th. Ficoa will be launching their ‘Taste of Christmas’ menu, a 6-course prix-fixe dinner featuring their signature welcome drink, ‘Ponche’ crafted in the style of executive chef Gerry Quintero’s memory of large Mochaocan family gathering, with classic Mexican fruit punch. 

Indulge in their snacks like Pozole – a classic Mexican soup for the holidays, and their fun twist on chips and dip but elevated with caviar. For hearty options, Pierna Roast and Ensala are a must, so be sure to set aside some space for their delicious desserts. See below for the entire menu. 

Taste of Christmas – $100

Welcome Drink – Ponche

Classic Mexican fruit punch 

Mini Tamal 

Small tamal filled with barbacoa or lentils and cheese 

Pozole 

Bone-broth, hominy, and pozole fixins 

Molote de Picadillo

Sweet and sour Mexican filling with beef, fried fruit, and warm spices

Squash Tamal 

Koginut stew stuffed in a mixed squash corn dough basted with cinnamon and star anise forward tomato salsa

Entreé

Pierna Roast

Slow-roasted and sliced Linton Pasture’s pork leg, marinated in orange and warm spices

Ficoa’s Classic Mole

Served on the best part of a tamal, full husk contact ‘tortilla’ with crispy chicharron and toasted rice

Ensalada Rusa

 Beet, potato fruit salad with mayonnaise style dressing with refried lentils and salsa

Dessert 

Squash en Tacha

Squash cooked in cinnamon and syrup

Tres Leches

Chocolate De Olla-steeped sponge cake with chocolate and decaffeinated coffee 

Reservations for Ficoa can be made HERE.  

Little Sister 

IG: @littlesisterto

(pictured left to right: Hot Girl Winter, Noggi and Nice)

It’s time to get festive, Toronto. The ultimate holiday pop-up bar, Java Jingle at Little Sister, is back for a fourth year – and it’s bigger than ever. 

Little Sister’s little elves are all abuzz with excitement to reveal the return of Toronto’s cult favourite, over-the-top, holiday-themed pop-up bar, Java Jingle. Starting November 15, both Toronto locations at 102 Portland St. and 2031 Yonge St. will transform into winter wonderlands, bursting with festive joy. 

Jingle your night away with playful, cheerfully named cocktails like the tequila-infused Feliz Navi-Zaddy, the warming Hot Girl Winter with gin, brandy, and red wine, and the floral gin and St-Germain creation, Sleigh, Queen, Sleigh. 

Reservations for Java Jingle are highly recommended. 

Guests can reserve time slots HERE for Portland St. and HERE for Yonge St.     

TORA 

IG: @aburitoratoronto

(pictured: TORA Holiday Platter)

For family and friends who spend the holidays in the comfort of their own homes, TORA is thrilled to launch their holiday sushi platter featuring their OG signature flame-seared Aburi Oshi Sushi with a Roll, Hosomaki, and Inari pockets for $72, serving 4 people. 

TORA Holiday Platter – $72

OSHI

Aburi salmon oshi 4pc

Aburi ebi oshi 4pc

Aburi tuna oshi 4pc

Aburi atlantic salmon oshi 4pc

ROLL

Aburi california roll 8pc

MAKI

Salmon maki 6pc

Red tuna maki 6pc

Cucumber maki 6pc

Avocado maki 6pc

INARI

Shrimp inari pocket 4pc

Available for direct Take-out, or order online through Ritual or UberEats. 

 Shop the Carbon Bar 

IG: @thecarbonbar

(pictured: Holiday Dinner Bundle)

Not sure what kind of potluck you should bring? Shop the Carbon Bar has frozen offerings covered for you – introducing the Holiday Dinner bundle for $150, complete with all sides. Receive a $25 The Carbon Bar Restaurant Gift Card with purchase. Simply heat, serve, and savour—this is the ultimate BBQ value for the holiday season.

Holiday Dinner Bundle – $150

St. Louis Style Ribs 

Full Rack

Mac & Cheese 

1300g

Beef Brisket Empanadas 

4 pack

Vegan Empanadas 

4 pack

Sliced Turkey 

454g

Cheddar Jalapeno Sausages 

4 pack

Espresso BBQ Sauce 

350ml glass bottle

Purchase Shop the Carbon Bar’s Holiday Dinner Bundle HERE.

Stefano’s Diner

IG: @stefanosdiner

Sister and brother restaurants MICHELIN-recommended GIA and Stefano’s Diner are thrilled to offer Holiday catering starting today, November 16th to December 24th. Enjoy Italian plant-based dishes like pasta from GIA and Dan Levy’s favourite sandwiches from Stefano’s Diner. 

Holiday Catering Menu Highlights

Gnocchi Gorgonzola – $80 for 4 (Vegetarian)

Ricotta gnocchi with gorgonzola cream, fried walnuts, Parmesan (contains nuts)

Gnocchi Pomodoro – $80 for 4 (Vegetarian)

Ricotta gnocchi with pomodoro, stracciatella, basil

Stefano’s Italian Sub – $16 for 1 (Vegan)

Mortadella, ham, pastrami, provolone, arugula, mustard mayo, Italian dressing 

Stefano’s Smash Burger – $16 for 1 (Vegan) 

Plant-based meat and farro patty, cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, caramelized onions, pickles, Russian dressing, sesame bun

Lemon Cake – $40 for 4 (Vegan) 

Layered lemon cake

View the full menu and order Holiday Catering HERE.

Lucie 

IG: @restaurantlucie

Sneak-peek of New Year’s celebrations: ring in the New Year with French style, at MICHELIN-recommended gem, Lucie Restaurant. Throughout the evening, absorb yourself in “La Nouvelle Anneé” authentic French fashion with a five-course tasting menu with wine or non-alcoholic pairings. 

Award-winning chef Arnaud Bloquel and his talented brigade promise guests an unforgettable New Year’s evening with resident sommelier Thomas Santerre’s leaving tastebuds dancing all evening.

Tickets can be purchased HERE. for $540 including the five-course tasting menu, wine pairings, tax and gratuity (champagne and other beverages are not offered in wine pairing). 

#FOOD: FICOA X MINAMI TORONTO COLLABO

 In honour of National Espresso Day on November 23, Ficoa is gearing up for the ultimate coffee-inspired bar battle with Minami Toronto. Happening on November 20 at 6PM at Ficoa, the second consecutive Bar Battle will pit two top Toronto mixologists together – Nick Meyer, regional beverage director for Minami Toronto and Mauricio Lopez, head bartender at Ficoa. Generously sponsored by True Theory Vodka and Hatch Specialty Coffee , the next bar battle in the ongoing series will be a fierce yet fun contest, in which the two create the best coffee-themed cocktails. 

For $45 per person (plus taxes), guests can expect a high energy face-off as each bartender stirs and shakes his way to impress. And of course each of the delicious creations will be enjoyed by guests who will also have say in who the winner is by voting in the “People’s Choice” part of the bar battle. The drinks will be complemented by an irresistible selection of snacks, thoughtfully curated by Ficoa’s head chef, Gerry Quintero to enhance the bartender’s caffeinated concontions. Drawing inspiration from Ontario’s microseasons and his Mexican heritage, Quintero will craft an eclectic array of bites that embody his culinary philosophy at Ficoa—playful, dynamic, and sustainable. These will be laid out in different sections of Ficoa’s space, allowing guests to move and graze as they become fully immersed in the experience of Ficoa, thoughtfully designed to holistically engage guests in the ultimate sensory experience.

Nick Meyer, shared his excitement ahead of the event: “I’m thrilled to be competing with Mauricio [Lopez] at Ficoa. The bar battle concept is always a fun challenge, and I’m planning on winning!”    The night will conclude with a panel of distinguished judges, including cocktail expert Brenton Mowforth, renowned for his acclaimed Instagram persona @cheerstohappyhour, who will decide which bartender claims the title of Best Coffee Cocktail. Guests will have a chance to vote for their favourite cocktail of the evening. The winners of both the judges’ vote and the audience vote will each take home bragging rights.  

Known for its upscale, Mexican-inspired fine dining, Ficoa’s culinary philosophy celebrates Toronto’s cultural diversity and Ontario’s micro-seasons. Chef Gerry Quintero uses sustainable techniques like fermentation and dry-ageing to create inventive, seasonal menus that maximise the potential of every ingredient. This commitment to craftsmanship and creativity will be on full display during the coffee-themed bar battle as the competing mixologists aim to impress.  

The vodka sponsor for this event, True Theory is a hand-crafted vodka made with locally sourced ingredients and water. The brand uses a unique distillation process to create a high-quality spirit. All its grains are sourced from Canadian farms, reflecting a strong commitment to both quality and community. Focusing on care and craftsmanship, the brand makes sure each bottle stands out. 

The coffee sponsor for this event, Hatch Specialty Coffee prioritises building strong relationships with coffee growers and importers to select high-quality beans for its products. The roasting style, inspired by Scandinavian light roasts, brings out the unique flavour profiles of each coffee origin.  

Tickets for the Bar Battle at Ficoa can be purchased HERE.   

About Ficoa

Nestled in the heart of Little Italy, Ficoa stands as a testament to Toronto’s rich cultural tapestry with its eclectic fine dining offerings. Chef Gerry Quintero, the visionary behind Ficoa, joins forces with co-founder Patricia Toro to curate a culinary journey that celebrates Toronto’s multicultural food scene. Drawing from Quintero’s Mexican roots and Toro’s Ecuadorian heritage, Ficoa stands out as Toronto’s premier destination for multifarious season-focused fine dining. Soft launched in March this year, Ficoa has quickly become synonymous with hospitality, drawing parallels to the warmth and welcoming atmosphere of dining at grandma’s house.

About Minami Toronto

Located in the heart of the financial district, Minami Toronto stands out as a premier destination for contemporary Japanese bites. Part of the ABURI Restaurants Canada family, Minami is renowned for the ABURI Group’s signature flame-seared sushi that has quickly become synonymous with contemporary Japanese fine dining.      

#FOOD: FICOA, LITTLE ITALY TORONTO

Nestled in the heart of Little Italy, Ficoa stands as a testament to Toronto’s rich cultural tapestry with its eclectic fine dining offerings. Chef Gerry Quintero, the visionary behind Ficoa, joins forces with co-founder Patricia Toro to curate a culinary journey that celebrates Toronto’s multicultural food scene. Drawing from Quintero’s Mexican roots and Toro’s Ecuadorian heritage, Ficoa stands out as Toronto’s premier destination for multifarious season-focused fine dining. Soft launched in March this year, Ficoa has quickly become synonymous with hospitality, drawing parallels to the warmth and welcoming atmosphere of dining at grandma’s house

About chef Gerry Quintero

Chef Gerry Quintero embarked on his culinary journey in Mexico, cultivating a passion for vegetarian cuisine and a philosophy centered on honouring each ingredient, leaving nothing overlooked. His early experiences in the kitchen with his family instilled in him the belief that every ingredient deserves reverence, a philosophy he continues to uphold at Ficoa. Quintero’s career spans across some of Toronto’s most esteemed establishments, including Scarpetta, Yours Truly, Torito, El Caballito, Linda Modern Thai, and Rosalinda. Notably, his time at Linda Modern Thai saw him co-found Alma y Gil alongside his partner, Mandy Sou. The renowned kombucha and produce delivery company went on to gain acclaim for their signature breakfast sandwich.

When Quintero crossed paths with restaurateur Patricia Toro, their collaboration was a natural fusion of their shared passion for culinary exploration and commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences. Their brainchild would become Ficoa.

“Patricia trusts the source. She knows when it comes to our eclectic menu, every ingredient matters to me. Patricia is a meat and potatoes kind of girl, but she understands that even vegetables can be exquisite in the right hands” says Quintero.

Trust forms the bedrock of Ficoa’s concept. Choosing Ficoa for a tasting experience means embracing a commitment to quality reminiscent of dining at grandma’s—a place where warmth, care, and culinary mastery converge to create unforgettable moments.

About Ficoa’s menu and programs

Ficoa’s menu is a reflection of Toronto’s cultural diversity, drawing inspiration from Ontario’s micro seasons to create personalized tasting menus that evolve with nature. At the heart of Ficoa’s culinary philosophy lies a commitment to sustainability and innovation, with a particular emphasis on fermentation, dry aging, and other advanced flavour development techniques. These practices not only enhance the depth of flavours but also underscore chef Quintero’s dedication to minimizing waste and maximizing the potential of every ingredient.

Guests at Ficoa can indulge in a variety of dining experiences:

The Ficoa Tasting Menu

This 7-course culinary journey comprises 16 plates that change weekly, reflecting the freshest seasonal ingredients Ontario has to offer for $200.00 per person. Guests can complement their meal with chef’s pairings for $150.00 or opt for wine pairings at $100.00, carefully curated to enhance each dish.

The Neighbourhood Menu

Available from 5:00 PM onwards, this 4-course tasting menu features 6 plates for $90.00 per person, highlighting Ontario’s microseasons with weekly menu updates.

À la carte

Offering personalized options that allow guests to tailor their dining experience to their preferences.

Exclusive memberships

For Toronto’s most discerning food enthusiasts, Ficoa offers memberships designed to provide consistent, unique tasting experiences. Members enjoy benefits such as credits convertible into purchases at the restaurant, priority reservations, and an elegant, seamless dining experience that includes skipping the bill process. Additionally, members receive priority access to exclusive events hosted at Ficoa.

Brunch at Ficoa

Ficoa hosts a special Alma y Gil pop-up brunch experience every Thursday through Sunday, with reservations between 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM featuring the culinary creations of Mandy Sou alongside Ficoa’s distinctive ambiance.

Pachanga Happy Hour

Launching this August, Ficoa introduces Pachanga, a playful twist on the chef’s choice concept, tailored for happy hour. With each drink order, guests enjoy a curated selection of snacks that vary based on their beverage choice—whether it’s a classic cocktail, a custom creation, or a fine bottle of wine. Available every Thursday and Friday from 8 PM onwards, Pachanga promises an evening of culinary sophistication at Ficoa.

(Pictured left to right: Ficoa’s riff on the Old Fashioned using Spirit of York Rye; Rhubarb Fizz with Ficoa’s house rhubarb shrub, hibiscus kombucha and True Theory vodka. Photos courtesy of Ananta Gulati)

Ficoa’s Cocktail Program

As part of Ficoa’s Chef-driven experience, the cocktail program is built to seamlessly facilitate the marriage between food and drink. Complementing the vibrant flavours and themes of the seasonal menus, the cocktails ensure a holistic tasting experience. Infused with elements like kombucha, mushroom and citrus, the cocktail menu honours Ficoa’s playful approach to gastronomy.

Ficoa’s Interior Design

Chef Gerry Quintero meticulously designed Ficoa’s interior, comprising three distinct spaces: a welcoming lounge for 10, a dining room accommodating 20, and a bar seating 14. Throughout their visit, guests are gently guided through these spaces by the Ficoa team, reflecting Quintero’s commitment to genuine hospitality. Starting in the lounge and concluding in the dining room allows guests to fully immerse themselves in each unique environment, carefully crafted to complement every stage of their dining journey. This immersive approach underscores Ficoa’s ethos of providing hospitality akin to a cherished family gathering at grandma’s, where every detail ensures guests enjoy attentive care and exceptional food. In the lounge, guests relax under warm lighting, enjoying welcome snacks and homemade sweets that conveniently rest in a candy jar beside them, evoking fond memories of family traditions. Personal touches like family photos from Quintero and Toro’s Mexican and Ecuadorian backgrounds further enrich the ambiance, creating an inviting and intimate atmosphere.

Moving into the dining room for the second half of their experience, guests are seated at minimally adorned tables, allowing them to focus on the exquisite food, its quality, and the company they share.

Quintero elaborates, “The idea behind this is to emphasize the food’s beauty and quality, and of course, to allow guests to connect with the person across from them. It’s a social experience as much as a culinary one.”

The dining room’s centerpiece is a captivating hand-painted mural by artist Nadine Ogle, depicting a larger-than-life street sign reading ‘Ficoa’—a tribute to Toro’s childhood in the neighborhood of Ficoa, Ecuador where streets are lined with beautiful citrus trees. This vibrant citrus-themed artwork celebrates Ficoa’s Ecuadorian roots, mirroring the flavours found throughout the menu.

Upcoming Events at Ficoa

Chef Gerry Quintero frequently curates special events that transform Ficoa into a haven for Toronto’s boldest food lovers. Members enjoy complimentary access to these events, which include exclusive menu previews, wine tastings, coffee tastings, fermentation workshops, and bespoke private gatherings tailored to enhance the culinary journey.

Reservations at Ficoa

To book a reservation at Ficoa, guests can visit the link HERE.