Utopie

Description:

• Utopie continues to have the essential ingredients for its considerable success: The clientele has a stylish sheen, the interior is almost painfully chic, the food isn't same-old, and the location is sufficiently out of the way to require that customers are those in the know. Stands of birch trunks march down the middle of the high-ceilinged space, and blown-up photos of bark align on one wall. The chef is a co-owner and clearly ambitious. Daïkon vanilla cream soup opened one meal; at another, sautéed lotte (monkfish) was joined with translucent baby bok choy and wild asparagus no thicker than bean sprouts took center stage. There are two all-out meal options: an eight-course degustation menu with wine pairing for C$135 (£68), and the menu bouteille, in which the chef creates a meal around a wine you pick. A new tapas and wine bar right next door, Le Cercle, is run by the chef and two others and serves food until 1am.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010