72: Velvet at the Grand, Calgary

Velvet, located in the lobby of the Grand Theatre, serves both lunch and dinner to the arty attendees before the entertainment commences. The multi-level lounge atmosphere has plenty of tiny tables for two, all with comfy velvet chairs (surprise!) and mini candle-lit tables. Lighting is generally low, but the bar contrasts the rest of the environment with one massive strip of white light, guiding patrons like a beacon towards booze. The historical architecture of the space mixes with modern furnishings; black leather stools and suede-upholstered booths meet exposed brick and open concept dining. This is a snazzy place for not only the cultured Calgarian, but also any city dweller looking for a hot spot to grab a delicious dinner and a drink. -E.J. 608 1st Street South West, Calgary, AB. 403-244-8400
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

71: Living Room, Calgary

I’m sure The Living Room is a far cry from your own unless you’re dating Chef Kevin A. Hill, in which case you just may have the nicest living room in town. You’re no doubt well fed, at the very least. Hill’s take on cuisine is one of mélange; a mix of Italian, Indian, French, Japanese and American fare. The menu may be convoluted but the plates are to die for. Besides the warm fondue and fresh seafood there is the vanilla butter poached venison chop with horseradish apple puree, sun-dried grapes, mint and hazelnut to get your taste buds salivating. It’s time to ditch your depressing living room for this upgrade. –J.T. 51417th Avenue South-West, Calgary, AB. 403-228-9830
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

70: Les Trois Petits Bouchons, Montreal

Located six-feet below street level, Les Trois Petits Bouchons has all the amenities needed to survive the deep-freeze that is Montreal’s winter: wine, good food, good company and more wine. Their wine menu is original and rare. The wines are picked from all over the globe and the owners have an affinity for smaller vineyards that work in the old-fashioned way, which makes for better tasting wines. Unlike most other venues in the city with wine lists as impressive as this little gem’s, the food is not second fiddle to the drink. The menu is full of gamey choices like deer, lamb and duck to compliment the reds and lighter fare like halibut to pair with whites. The perfect winter restaurant has arrived and like a fine wine it will only get better with age. –J.T. 4669 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC. 514-285-4444
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

69: Crave, Vancouver

Poutine and sushi on the same menu? Pairing traditional French cuisine with Japanese flares is an odd coupling, but an ok choice for adventurous guests with tough stomachs looking to try something different. Join Chef Wayne Martin at Crave for brunch and enjoy a plate of buttermilk pancakes with whipped cream and a crab cake. Or go for dinner and give the tuna tempura roll a try followed by a braised lamb shank. The mix is eclectic. It takes a seasoned menu-reader to order the right combination to make your experience at Crave one that doesn’t leave you crippled with stomach pains later on in the evening, but it can be done. –J.T. 3941 Main Street, Vancouver, BC. 604-872-3663
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

68: Eight, Calgary

George Costanza famously wanted to name his child seven, but was sadly not given the chance. The owners of this fine Calgary eatery have decided to go one better and call their restaurant Eight. There are of course obvious puns to be had, but don’t let the playfulness of the name deceive you into believing that this establishment is by any means a novelty restaurant. A wood-filled, 40-seat, three-fireplace patio simply oozes with class. The chef describes the menu as New Canadian with a West Coast touch. We’re not 100% sure what that means either, but exquisitely prepared dishes featuring sablefish, salmon, lamb loin, beef tenderloin, halibut and chicken adorn the menu. These aren’t ingredients that reinvent contemporary cooking, but they are all consistently delicious. Just try not to make too many jokes with the waitress about ‘having a reservation at Eight.’ Trust me, they’ve heard that one before. -P.B. 1530 5 Street South West, Calgary, AB. 403-806-0884
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

67: Le Select Bistro, Toronto

Le Select’s Queen West location has been serving bistro fare for almost 30 years - an eternity in restaurant years - while a parade of unremarkable restaurants have since come and gone. Now, Le Select has moved on to the hipster grazing grounds of Wellington Street. But, beneath a thick French accent and layer of newness, the new Le Select charms us into looking past the relocation of its long-running franchise and the possibly unavoidable risk of jumping the shark. Chef Albert Ponzo ingenuity carries through the entrées. Standard bistro fare is rife with standouts: Bœuf Bourguignon ($20.95) bathes a choice cut of beef in red wine with pearl onions, served on mashed potatoes. –J.R. 432 Wellington Street West, Toronto, ON. 416-596-6405
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

66: Belgo Brasserie, Calgary

The Belgo Brasserie is located in a huge bi-level space with vaulted ceilings, large bright windows, and modern décor. The bar is welcoming and a great place to meet new people. The wine list is always around if you’re in need of a conversation starter as well, making that first breaking of the ice a smooth event. Executive Chef Shaun Desaulniers adds to the romance with his menu of traditional French cuisine that boasts items like escargots, baked brie and bouillabaisse. –J.T. 501 8th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB. 403-265-6555
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

65: Rain, Toronto

In a city where everyone's always moving on to the next best thing, no one can get over Rain. The celebrities can't and our readers can't either. And now that the fickle heat has moved on to newer and shinier (if you can imagine) venues, the Rain concept is showing it’s true strength as not just a slick space, but also as a quality food emporium. Chef Guy Rubino’s much-lauded dishes haven't slipped a notch. The 13 mains ($9–$25) and five sides ($5–$8) are meant for sharing. The wine and front-of-house man is none other than Michael Rubino, who will complement your dinner with a great big glass of red. It's the perfect spot to smooth out those first date jitters while you romantically share spaghetti, Lady and the Tramp style. Just don’t be surprised if you end up with spaghetti sauce all over your chin; now that’s romantic. –S.B. 19 Mercer Street, Toronto, ON. 416-599-7246
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

64: Chiado, Toronto

World-renowned Chef Albino Silva brings his “Progressive Portuguese” flavours to Toronto with his new restaurant Chiado. The menu has a fish focus with a variety of scrumptious Salmon dishes to temp any willing diners. The sleek European design also provides customers with a hip atmosphere that will give them an enjoyable superiority complex for the duration of the meal. Deserts are a Silva specialty and a necessary part of any visit to the restaurant. This is fine and refined dining that should please foodies and scenesters everywhere. – P.B. 864 College Street, Toronto, ON. 416-538-1910
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

63: La Chronique, Montreal

You have undoubtedly had other French cuisine before, but the Chronique model is a different beast altogether. The menu at this crimson-coloured eatery offers plates of French cuisine with Mediterranean and Southwestern touches. For example, game lovers will appreciate chef/owner Marc de Canck’s baby rabbit in a Guinness sauce, an American nouvelle cuisine style dish. While fish lovers have the Arctic char, perfectly smoked and served with deer sausage to dig into. To top it off the dishes can be washed down with your choice of 250 types of wine. The only question is, why are you reading this article rather than at La Chronique right now? - R.L. 99 Laurier West, Montreal, QC. 514-271-3095
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide