Toronto restaurants recommendations

I have never visited (much less lived in) a city that has the mixture of diversity, quality and value that Toronto's restaurants offer. We might (stressing MIGHT) offer less choice than NYC but the prices here are minuscule relatively speaking, and your US dollars will make you think you've died and gone to heaven. Toronto is a bewilderingly multicultural place, and even Anglo TO'ers are increasingly savvy- not only knowing what Pho (Viet beef and noodle soup) is, but who has the best pho; who has the best tandoor, who has the best pad thai. It is amazing, intoxicating. Now, having said all that I think there are some things that are especially good here, owing to the densities of certain immigrant groups:

First, best Cantonese in  eastern North America, period. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Hong Kong ensure this. You can enjoy it at any number of places in the original Chinatown, but for a real treat hitch a ride to the cavernous Chinese restos to the north of the city, in suburbs like Markham and Richmond Hill.

Second, we have the largest South Asian community in North America and with it a range of Indian restaurants that puts other cities to shame, from North Indian fine dining establishments like Cuisine of India and Indian Rice Factory to inexpensive takeout places in "Little India" (Gerrard east, cab or streetcar) like my fave, Moti Mahal, to a ton of Tamil and Sri Lankan places in Cabbagetown.

Third, we also have the largest West Indian communities on the continent, and here you will find that there's more to the West indies than Jamaica. There is of course great jerk this and that to be had and stew beef and patties sold at every corner store, but I'd suggest you tap into the delicious offerings from Toronto's Indo-Caribbean immigrants, from Trinidad and Guyana, and go to someplace with "Roti" in the name: Caribbean Roti Factory, Bacchus Roti Shop, etc. Roti is a Trini "burrito" made with a huge sheet of dahlpuri (Brought to trinidad and guyana by east indian indentured labour) stuffed with curried potatoes, chick peas, and if you like other veggies and chicken, beef, or goat. It is a sublime and fillling meal for around five bucks.

Fourth, other east asian and southeast asian invite and astound. We have dozens of Vietnamese places (many in the city's "Chinatowns"), a strip of Korean places on Bloor west of Bathurst, too many Thai to count, and emerging Malaysian, Indonesian and Filipino including some right downtown, on or off Yonge street. For good and cheap Malaysian try Kuali on Maitland just east of Yonge, near the gay and lesbian village.

Fifth, there are large and growing Eritrean and Somalian and Ethiopian communities with many of these styles as well. Look up "African" in www.toronto.com

Let's see, what else- more middle easter joints than you can shake a stick at (falafel and shawarma), the most ridiculous glut of hot dog vendors I have ever seen.... and don't get me started on Italian and Hungarian and the amazing range of COFFEE in this amazing city.

I'm hungry!

John Manzo
Toronto

Canoe is fantastic and worth the trip!