By now, some of you may have figured out that I love dining out and eating new, as well as familiar, foods. But Toronto’s Winterlicious and Summerlicious events are the two times of the year where I strategically plan to not eat out. At least, not at any participating restaurant. While I’m not averse to a good deal, I find it hard to stomach the giant list of mediocrity that is offered up as prix-fixe. To save a few dollars, you give up a lot. Small portions. Banquet food. Stressed service. How is this a good deal?
Since Winterlicious reservations began last week, it stirred up chatter on various boards and heralded my imminent two-week restaurant blackout. Now, the concept of ‘licious is good. Restaurants offer their fixed-price menus during a slow time to lure new and old diners through their doors, the city blankets Toronto advertising the event, and the masses gets a break on the price of their dinner. Everyone wins!
But no, unless the restaurant is inclined to give it their all instead of the banquet-style feed that is usually on offer, everyone loses out. Potential patrons are turned off – because the food is lacklustre, service is poor (sometimes due to the high volume… sometimes not), or maybe it’s the high-turnover atmosphere that many restaurants adopt during this period. Whatever the case is, it’s not a situation that will bring people back after the prices bounce back up and it certainly doesn’t show the restaurant at its best, unfortunately.
Given my current stance of dining-blackout during these times, I’ve clearly had my share of dismal experiences. But it’s not all bad. There are those restaurants that rise to the occasion and offer everything they would on a regular night, despite the piles of diners that tromp in and out for ‘licious events. In particular, I remember the wonderful panna cotta served at Truffles at the Four Seasons and a lovely seared duck at Focaccia. I also hear Canoe and Bymark have decent reviews. Mind you, the “good places” tend to book up quickly. It’s likely too late for this round, but make use of your American Express front-of-the-line next time. If you’re going to bother hitting ‘licious.
What I do like about these events is that it gets those who wouldn’t normally venture out, up and out of the house. While it won’t make everyone a repeat customer, I hold the hope that for some, it will spark their interest in food or maybe allow them to broaden their palates with some new tastes. Still, like many foodies I know, I’ll keep a wide berth around participating restaurants during the event, as my few good memories are generally buried under too many cookie-cutter meals in small portions with bad service. It’s worth both my time and money to visit at another time, where I’ll have a better chance to enjoy my meal.
And then maybe, I might actually come back.
- Winterlicious, January 29 – February 11, 2010
January 20, 2010 at 11:59 am
I agree wholeheartedly. Enough of the chicken and salmon standbys. The intent of Winterlicious is good, to get people out who don’t get the same chance we do. But it’s also sad when you think that they are spending good money on such mediocre stuff. For a fantastic deal, Mistura is a real treat. Last year, they offered beef cheeks that slow cooked with a fat Cab or Bordeaux and literally melted in my mouth. If you’re going to do one Winterlicious, consider Mistura.
January 23, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Dawn > If one can cherry-pick the right places, you can indeed come out with a great meal at a fantastic price. The trouble is pin-pointing the good ones!
February 3, 2010 at 7:24 pm
If I want to try a pricier restaurant I’m more inclined to go for lunch if I don’t want to spend the really big bucks.
Not all is lost with the Winterlicious if you’re willing to do the research but it can be a headache for sure!
As an alternative I plan on heading to Pizzeria Libretto… they do an alternative to WInterlicious for $19 at lunch and $26 at dinner (I think, don’t quote me) that’s supposed to be fantastic.
February 8, 2010 at 4:19 pm
There are quite a few restos doing their own prix-fixe and I suspect people may have better luck at those places, since publicity would be low, thus the staff overall have a better shot and pulling things off.