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Estrella Damm Culinary Journey

In association with

Estrella Damm

Estrella Damm has always been a proud supporter of great food and restaurants. In these challenging times, the beer of Barcelona is stepping up to the plate once again with a special month-long event that aims to encourage people to support restaurants and bars.

The Estrella Damm Culinary Journey is working to encourage Torontonians to support the industry by taking a bite out of the masterpieces this city’s best and brightest chefs are creating – all while dining safely this fall. More than 20 of the city’s top-class restaurants will be working with Estrella Damm to create unmissable, prix-fixe menus and specialty dishes, designed specifically to be paired with Estrella Damm, the beer of Barcelona.

Estrella Damm Culinary Journey runs from October 1 to 31, so what are you waiting for? Take a look at who's taking part, what the restaurants are serving up and make your reservation, pronto!

Babel

Oliver and Bonacini's latest Middle Eastern hub located in the York Mills Shopping Centre is bringing flame-cooked meat and stunning seafood dishes to the north of the city. Their shrimp and okra dish ($19) — with saffron tomato, chickpea, peppers, cilantro and pita — was designed with Estrella Damm in mind.

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Milagro Cantina Queen

A cozier version of their first outpost, Milagro Queen West does traditional Mexican fare right. Yearning for corn tortillas? The Taco de Pulpo a la Diabla ($22) with tender sautéed octopus, chipotle, tomato and avocado should do the trick. Wash it all down with a crisp sip of your included pint of Estrella.

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Milagro Cantina Mercer

Inspired by Mexico City’s traditional cantinas, Milagro on Mercer lights up the Entertainment District with bold Mexican flavours. If you’re craving tacos to pair with your Estrella Damm, look no further than their Taco de Pulpo a la Diabla ($22) where tender sautéed octopus meets chipotle, tomato and avocado.

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Atai Bistro

This new Junction bistro combines French cooking techniques with Moroccan flavours for one exquisite menu. You'll find dishes like smoked eggplant flatbread with pickled zucchini and pomegranate; loaded hummus; and classic mezze with Prosciutto di Parma, creamy buttermilk ricotta, za’alouk and pita ($25). Wash your mezze down with Estrella Damm for a damn good afternoon delight.

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Mira Restaurant

At Mira, the Peruvian plates are as stylish and contemporary as the Fashion District itself. Here you'll find fresh seafood, all the ceviche and pisco cocktails galore. Their Pollo Ala Brassa ($29 for half-chicken) with pickled carrots, roasted potatoes, salsa hunancaina and rocoto hot sauce is our definition of a spicy night. Cool down with a pint of Estrella Damm.

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Shook

Who says meat lovers have all the fun? Shook, a lofty vegetarian eatery specializing in Israeli-style cooking, is more of a sensory experience than your average restaurant. Inspired by the Middle East's vibrant open air markets, Shook brings big, bold flavours and spices to King West. Pair their Kreplach dumplings filled with smoked ricotta, saffron, charred spring squash and sumac ($25) with Estrella Damm to extend your culinary journey to another dimension.

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The Good Son, Don Mills

The success of their Queen West location led The Good Son to expand to the Shops at Don Mills. Let's get one thing straight, this isn't a humble food court stand, but rather a super charming, 100-seat eatery plus a patio. Stop by on the weekend for brunch or an epic daily lunch service after you're done shopping. Their cheeseburger with house-ground chuck and melted cheese is always a good idea and pairs wonderfully with a cold Estrella Damm ($30).

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The Good Son, Queen West

Home is where the wood-fired oven is... right? And The Good Soon on Queen West is the ultimate homey spot. Their wood-oven pizza has the perfect balance of crispy and chewy and ranges from classics like the Margherita to the lively Mauna Loa with smoked pork cheek and roasted pineapple. Pair their house cheeseburger with a refreshing Estrella Damm ($30) and you'll want to move in for good.

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El Inka Peruvian Cuisine

Get the full Peruvian experience at this Burlington outpost of El Inka, a family-owned restaurant originally from Miami. Their menu of original, authentic Peruvian dishes includes their mahi mahi ceviche. On a hot day on a Peruvian beach, you can always find local fishermen serving fresh ceviche, and the best way to enjoy it is with a cold beer. Here, flavours of fresh lime juice, cilantro, sweet potato, choclo, onions and avocado pair exceptionally well with Estrella Damm’s
light, fruity and hoppy flavour ($30).

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Bar Catalina

Head chef and owner Humberto Sanchez worked at DiverXO, Madrid’s only three-Michelin-star-restaurant, along with a number of other top spots around the globe before opening Bar Catalina in Mississauga. They specialize in modern Spanish tapas, made with simple ingredients. Bar Catalina’s fideau, a paella-style pasta with shrimp, squid and fish, is a match made in heaven with a pint of Estrella Damm ($30).

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Loch Side Bar & Lounge

Located on Lakeshore Road in downtown Burlington, Loch Side offers a warm and relaxed atmosphere to take in views of Spencer Smith Park and the waterfront. Their menu stretches from pakoras and curries to burgers and pasta. To pair with a crisp glass of Estrella Damm, they have a special sandwich on the menu that sees a juicy pan fried chicken breast topped with bacon, fried halloumi, roasted garlic aioli, pepper and tomato hot sauce, served on a toasted brioche bun.

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Posta Italbar Cucina

This Mississauga spot is a pastificio, pizzeria and enoteca all in one. Posta Italbar Cucina’s menu revolves around organic, seasonal ingredients that are sourced from local farms within a 100 km radius wherever possible. They’re currently offering two different dishes to dive into with your Estrella: charred shishito peppers with Maldon smoked sea salt and garnished with lime ($32), or patatas bravas, crispy fried potatoes with bravas sauce, pimenton spicy aioli, spring onions ($27).

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Gamberoni Restaurant

Since 1986, the Colombaro family has been serving up their high-quality Italian fare to the Yonge and Lawrence neighbourhood via their restaurant Gamberoni. For the Estrella Damm Culinary journey, chef Giancarlo Colombaro has created a special starter: Burrata in a romesco sauce with roasted bell peppers, almonds, garlic, sherry vinegar and Spanish paprika pairs perfectly with your pint of Estrella ($25).

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The Stone Lion

A local favourite for pub fare in the Beaches, Stone Lion has three different patios and two different special menu items to choose from. Go for the braised beef tacos — two flour tortillas stuffed with Estrella Damm-braised beef, sliced avocado, cilantro, lime creme and pickled onion. Or choose two tostadas topped with yellow fin tuna ceviche, red onion, avocado, cilantro and pickled Habenero. Both come with a pint of Estrella and ring in at $18.

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Olde Stone Cottage Pub

Housed inside a quaint stone cottage built more than 150 years ago, this Scarborough pub is a true neighbourhood spot. Like sister restaurant The Stone Lion, the Olde Stone Cottage Pub is serving up two different dishes to choose from with your pint of Estrella Damm. Opt for the tuna ceviche, two tostadas topped with yellow fin tuna, red onion, avocado, cilantro and pickled Habenero, or the beef tacos — they’re braised with Estrella Damm and topped with sliced avocado, cilantro, lime creme and pickled onion. Both come in at $18.

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Tapagria

From the authentic Iberian dishes right down to the classic Spanish tiling on the walls, this Markham restaurant is ready to transport you to the streets of Basque, where every day is a day for pintxos and pints. Kick things off with three bite-sized snacks on toast (jamon and manchego, marinated squid and figs and cheese) before getting into the tapas sampler with a mushroom croqueta, a jamon iberico croqueta, a beef empanada and crispy pork belly. Throw in rich and fatty roasted bone marrow on toast and a 16 oz pint of crisp Estrella to cut through all that delicious fried fare and you’ve got a night in Spain (almost) for $48.

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Prohibition Social House

This east end institution changed hands during the pandemic, but it still has the same polished pub charm, now with a focus on locally-sourced cuisine. Here, your pint of Estrella Damm is paired with a beautiful 7 oz salmon steak, pan seared to perfection and served with wilted spinach and rosemary roasted fingerling potatoes, topped with a lemon beurre blanc sauce ($25.99).

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Islas Filipino BBQ & Bar

Co-owned by a Canadian-Filipino husband and wife duo, Parkdale restaurant Islas Filipino BBQ & Bar specializes in dishes inspired by the Philippines. While the country was occupied by Spain for more than 300 years, the Spanish influenced the island nation’s cuisine, resulting in dishes like the beef kaldereta. This tomato-based stew sees beef, vegetables, onions and queso cheese thrown in the mix for a flavourful dish that pairs perfectly with your pint of Estrella Damm ($25).

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Parcheggio

Bayview Village extends its prowess as a hub for gastronomy with another O&B home run. The Italian destination for homemade pasta will be offering guests braised lamb shank with lemon, sweet onions, butter, beans and rosemary, to pair with Estrella Damm ($35).

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La Flaca

Queen Street's newest tapas spot serves up little slices of heaven – with Spanish beer to match, of course. La Flaca will satiate all your Spanish cravings — enjoy black truffle chips and dill dip, plus rabbit riette (rabbit confit with mustard and apple white wine butter on crostinis) washed down with a pint of Estrella Damm ($25). Olé!

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Campo Restaurant

You haven't really had sourdough until you've tried Campo's Soppressata Montadito, ($12) a delightful garlic-rubbed sourdough and honey creation that's just as good a mix as Campo's Italian and Spanish inspired cuisine. Estrella Damm, the beer of Barcelona, is the perfect accompaniment.

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Patria

Take a much-needed vacation to Spain, courtesy of executive chef Ben Heaton's imaginative tapas menu. With three tantalising meal options for the Estrella Damm Culinary Journey, guests will have to decide between Fogo Island crab croquetas with an orange aioli; almejas en caldo (clams) in a mouthwatering broth; or tender, aromatic braised beef cheek bocadillo sandwiches ($26-31). All options include Estrella Damm. 

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DaiLo

This relaxed Little Italy restaurant, outfitted with Chinese watercolour murals, exposed brick and eccentric decor, is a humble home for the anything-but-basic-cuisine. Chef-owner Nick Liu is not a fan of the term ‘fusion,’ but what he’s doing with Asian cuisine on College Street is far from traditional (and we mean that in the best way possible). Liu, who grew up as the son of Hakka parents in Canada, frequently wows palates at DaiLo with a unique brand of Chinese food made with French cooking flair.

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Baro

Chef Brent Maxwell is on a mission to bring South American flavours to Toronto, and his menu of Latin share plates, ceviche and handheld snacks is a jewel in King West's crown. For Estrella Damm Culinary Journey, Baro will be serving up Pollo a la Brassa — spicy chicken drumsticks with guava BBQ sauce, chilis and chimi oil ($25). Cleanse the palate with a sip of Estrella Damm before your next bite.

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Mrs. Robinson

Named after Sylvia, the founder of Sugar Hill Records, Mrs. Robinson is a low-key, College Street cocktail bar with a selection of burgers, sausages and salads that are every bit as groovy as the music-themed haunt. Choose between the Boerie Burger, a classic South African comfort food staple with a housemade, grilled all-beef sausage spiral; or the Classic Boerie Roll, South African street food with grilled all-beef sausage and caramelized onions. Both come with fries and an Estrella Damm draught ($20).

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Tapas At Embrujo

Chef Jose Salgado whisks us to Spain by way of the Danforth with a tapas menu full of bold flavours from sweet piquillo peppers to beef tenderloin in a whisky sauce. Choose between any paella for two on Tapas at Embrujo's menu and enjoy two 16 oz glasses of Estrella Damm ($59-69).

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Mercado Negro

Mercado Negro is a home away from home – at least, that's true if you live in Lisbon. This Portuguese snack bar in the St. Clair West neighbourhood is offering an appetizer board for two featuring cod fish cakes, alheira croquettes, chamucas, lupini beans and cured olives to pair with an Estrella Damm ($38).

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Cafe Diplomatico

Family-run institutions don't get much more beloved than this Little Italy stalwart. For Estrella Damm's Culinary Journey, Cafe Diplomatico is offering a tasty pizza in two sizes, small ($22) or large ($36). The Mediterranean Inspired, thin crust margherita pizza is topped with marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil — and served with an Estrella Damm, of course.

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Madrina

This Distillery District fave might be the closest we get to Barcelona this year – and to be honest, we're okay with that. Chef Ramon will be serving his classic steak tartare served on a roasted marrow bone, topped with manchego cheese foam and umami-bursting soy pearls (umami) pair perfectly with the toasted flavours, acidity and bitterness of Estrella Damm.

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