Paramount
253 Yonge, 416-366-3600, and others, paramountfinefoods.com
Like soccer, the downtown outpost of Mohamad Fakih’s rapidly expanding Lebanese resto chain is a game of two halves. Downstairs, find a busy New York City-style deli. Upstairs, an impressively restored 19th-century space that warrants a heritage plaque. The grub’s the same on both floors, Middle Eastern mezes like falafel followed by substantial shawarma and kebab combo platters, all served with warm straight-from-the-oven puffed-up pita bread the size of, well, soccer balls. And you won’t want to miss the wall of house-baked baklava!
Finalist
Jerusalem Restaurant
955 Eglinton West, 416-783-6494, and other, jerusalem-restaurant.ca
