42: Ultra Supperclub, Toronto

What, you still miss Bamboo? Well, it has been years, perhaps it's time to get over it. Though Ultra has eschewed the inclusiveness of the long-gone chill-lounge, it does maintain a clandestine-cool relationship with Queen Street. Due to some brilliant design work, columns rise through open spaces to a height of two stories. Those drapings aren't mosquito nets, but privacy curtains enclosing pods whose folds create the illusion of grooves, just like those on the columns of a Roman temple. With haute contempo fare, the trick to any dinner/dancing night is to not over-stuff yourself; sluggish and bloated is no way to spend the second half of your Ultra evening. –J.R. 314 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON. 416-263-0330.
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

41: Brontë, Montreal

While the design sadly lacks the romantic Gothicism of the titular sisters (it’s actually got a modernist, if not futurist design), the depressing nature of their novels probably would have spilled over into the atmosphere of the restaurant...and who needs that? Chef Joe Mecurri presides over a kitchen that has already won awards. All of his creative dishes demand a few minutes of aesthetic appreciation before the flavours can be savored. With a nice design, efficient service and a stunning menu, there’s really nothing to complain about. Brontë is a first class effort all around. –P.B. 1800 Sherbrooke Ouest, Montreal. 514-934-1801.
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

40: CinCin, Vancouver

CinCin is the kind of restaurant that's easy to take for granted. After a period last year when our favourite Robson Street restaurant seemed to be going through a funk, we’re thrilled to recount that both food and service at CinCin have bounced back in a big way.
CinCin's warm, comfortable décor, high ceilings and arched windows provide an Italian/Mediterranean feel with gold walls, high arched windows, and terra-cotta tiles. Best of all is the extensive wine list that offers a variety of Old and New World Wines with thousands of bottles being housed in one of the finest wine cellars in the city. Dozens are offered by the glass, and CinCin caters to parties of up to 30. Chef Mark Perrier heads up a delicious menu- you may need a few extra minutes to decide. Just don’t leave your server hanging. –R.B. 1154 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC. 604-688-7338.
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

39: Globe Bistro, Toronto

Succeeding the former Café Brussel space on the Danforth, Globe Bistro may have found the right formula. Concentrating on international flavours and adding a dash of Canadian flair, it has the right vibe. Owner and pimp namesake, Ed Ho orchestrated big-budget wonders with the 4,000 square foot space, losing the dark art décor aesthetics in favour of elegant chic. Acres of blonde wood, a sea of white linen and 16 foot vaulted ceilings put diners in a festive mood, further augmented by the global-plates concept. –S.W. 124 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON. 416-466-2000.
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

38: Trevor, Toronto

Trevor Wilkinson (ex-Lobby chef) has unleashed his eponymous resto-lounge, complete with a chef's table and tasting menu. Taking over the space previously held by Bouchon Wine Bar, Wilkinson has whipped up a hip eatery, signature to the core, right down to the heavily emulated mini Kobe burgers. While the previous restaurant looked and felt like the wine bar that it was, Trevor, soundtracked by a mix of Nirvana and opera, has a playful, exaggerated hipster quality. –J.L. 38 Wellington Street East, Toronto, ON. 416-941-9410.
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

37: Gastropod, Vancouver

There's something stylishly European about Vancouver’s latest openings, but Angus An’s Fourth Avenue molecular gastronomy pod puts many of its competitors to shame with its overall flare and good looks. The menu boasts both landlocked and marine life flavours prepared with culinary wizardry. The main selections are reasonably priced though expectedly small in portion size (the place is named after snails and slugs). Chef Angus An enjoyed stints studying Fine Arts at UBC and cooking at the French Culinary Institute. At Gastropod, his imaginative flair runs free, resulting in innovative dishes balanced in aesthetic appeal and taste. -B.J. 1938 W. Fourth Avenue, Vancouver, BC. 604-730-5579.
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

36: Chartwell, Vancouver

The 5.3 million dollar renovation is complete and The Four Seasons restaurant Chartwell has emerged with a major facelift. The floors are parquet, the paneling is walnut and the fireplace is ornate. The whole place just screams money- and rightly so. You mustn’t venture to Chartwell without your expense account card. Chef Rafael Gonzalez serves up savory French cuisine that fits right in with the refurbished décor and the ritzy vibe of the whole shebang. –J.T. 791 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC. 604-689-9333.
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

35: Bymark, Toronto

Oh, the Bymark. Quickly becoming one of Bay Street’s staples where, if gone, the after work nine-to-fiver crowd would have to fight the rush hour traffic and (gasp!) join their families for supper. But it is there, and anytime between 12pm and 1pm or after 5pm it is full of stiff-collared suits and their pencil-skirted counter parts. The bar boasts original and delicious martinis, most with a splash of champagne to take the work edge off. The food, prepared by Executive Chef Brooke MacDougall, is tasty but pretty generic for the business district. The décor is very sleek and just walking in the place makes you feel ten times cooler. So head by after work to check out the suits and a champagne martini. –J.T. 66 Wellington Street West, Toronto, ON. 416-777-1144.
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

34: Kingyo Izakaya, Vancouver

A feast for the senses, Kingyo Izakaya is a gorgeous Japanese restaurant with natural décor and exceptional service. Brought to you by the same folks that opened Guu with Garlic, Kingyo is an original restaurant that offers mouth-watering tapas from Japan. The cocktail list also has a good amount of Japanese-fusion beverages with healthy doses of citrus and Shochu, a Japanese Vodka. If you’re man/woman enough, give one a try for that hot, tingling feeling all the way down your esophagus. The resto itself reflects upon old-world Japan, with a zen-like touch that sets Kingyo apart from other Japanese resto rivals. If you’re in an adventurous mood, try the octopus and pickle Tako Wasabi- unless the thought of those tentacles moving around in your belly gives you the heebie-jeebies. Chef and owner Minoru Tamaru will make sure you’re smiling (not turning green) after eating a meal prepared by him. The service is quick and friendly, and the comic relief between the wait and kitchen staff shouting in Japanese is something you’d have to see to believe. –S.B. 871 Denman Street, Vancouver, BC. 604-608-1677.
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide

33: Lai Toh Heen, Toronto

Stepping into Lai Toh Heen is like stepping into a film noir. This sister restaurant to Lai Wah Heen is a 130-seat, two-level, Mount Pleasant dining room that has been reconfigured to emulate Shanghai in the 1930’s. Executive chef John Kwan's menu includes pan-regional signature dishes and experimental new takes on classic Cantonese fare. The food is fantastic and after dinner it's natural to sit and relax in the airy space, soaking up the welcoming ambiance. The Lounge at Lai Toh Heen, is attractive, though its tea-coloured onyx bar is typically ignored. Luckily, the dining room is kitsch-free. I considered writing, "LTH is sure to Wu," but decided against it at the last second.-A.J. 692 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON. 416-489-8922.
101 Essential Restaurants: Complete Guide