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Winterlicious: top restaurants, bottom prices

By Charles Vanegas

Fine dining on a student budget is a near-impossible task. But during Winterlicious, a two-week event running from Jan. 25 to Feb. 7, eating out at some of Toronto’s best restaurants is both feasible and affordable.

Created in 2003 (along with its counterpart, Summerlicious) as an effort by the City of Toronto to promote its tourism industry in the wake of the SARS epidemic, Winterlicious allows patrons to try three-course meals for as low as $15.

Britwin Dias, manager of Bangkok Garden (located near campus at 18 Elm St.), says that he’s noticed an increase of customers from the Ryerson community in the four years his restaurant has participated in the event.

“We see quite a few students and faculty from Ryerson, especially at lunches,” says Dias. “[Winterlicious] gives them an opportunity to try restaurants at a very, very good price that perhaps normally – based on their budgets – they might not be able to.”

Lunch at Bangkok Garden normally costs $25 to $30, while dinner goes for $35 to $40. During Winterlicious, a three-course lunch or dinner is priced at $15 and $25 respectively.

While it isn’t always necessary to book reservations, it is encouraged.

Other Winterlicious participants near campus include Bb33 Bistro and Brasserie (located at the Delta Chelsea, 33 Gerrard St. W.) and Citrus Restaurant & Lounge (The Grand Hotel, 225 Jarvis St.).

Menus, prices and locations of all 191 restaurants involved in Winterlicious can be found at www.toronto.ca/winterlicious.

1 Comment

  1. Robert

    5th Elementt Indian Fusion Restaurant is my recommendation

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