A diamond may be a girl’s best friend, but five will make an executive chef swoon. Recently crowned by driver advocacy group AAA/CAA, the prestigious five-diamond awards are guaranteed to turn patrons’ heads (and open their wallets) at restaurants across the country. The rating covers service, facilities and ambiance. Five diamonds means “the ultimate in luxury, sophistication and first-class service.”
Nine Canadian restaurants took home 2008 quintuplet-rock status, though none are newcomers to the bling. These luminaries have held the title from 3 to 14 years (the number of years with the five-diamond rating is in parentheses, below). Put on your finest and dine at one of these sparklers.
Alberta
Eden, Banff (five years). Good luck choosing between a six-course Degustation Menu or a multi-course Table D’Hôte tour de force. The regionally infused French cuisine and award-winning wine list won’t make the decision any easier. Luckily, chef Richard Desnoyers dazzles on a daily basis. www.rimrockresort.com
The Banffshire Club, Banff (five years). Showcased inside the fairytale-worthy Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, chef Daniel Buss infuses the opulent decadence of his mountaintop castle surroundings into appetizers along the lines of apple-wood-smoked organic salmon potato blinis and roasted date-and-pecan-crusted local whitetail deer loin. Come hungry. www.fairmont.com/banffsprings
British Columbia
Lumière, Vancouver (four years). This designation lands just as Rob Feenie, founder and former exec chef, leaves his premier dining phenom behind. Fans will be watching as Gordon Ramsay-tutored chef de cuisine Dale MacKay takes the Vancouver legend in a brave new direction. Stay tuned. www.lumiere.ca
Ontario
Langdon Hall Dining Room & Terrace, Cambridge (four years). A wine-paired tasting menu shows off chef Jonathan Gushue’s talents. Here’s a taste: Digby scallop tartar, seared Champs d’Elise foie gras, seared blue marlin and double-smoked bacon, Provini veal breast cannelloni and pumpkin brûlée “in the nude.” What’s not to adore? Go straight from the restaurant to the renowned spa for utter bliss. www.langdonhall.ca
Signatures, Ottawa (three years). The restaurant, aptly located in the Cordon Bleu cooking school, twists French cuisine as only the masters can. The signature hot Quebec foie gras with a caramelized apple tart, sautéed chanterelle mushrooms and a light Duminot cider jus is worth the wait for a reservation. www.lcbottawa.com
Truffles, Toronto (14 years). The Four Seasons-ensconced patriarch of this collection, Truffles has a warm ambience and consistently fabulous cuisine. Try the signature dish — spaghettini with Perigord Black Gold served with a light truffle sauce— and you’ll understand why. www.fourseasons.com/toronto/dining.html
Quebec
Le Baccara, Gatineau (eight years) and Nuances, Montréal (eight years) are sister properties, both within casinos (Casino du Lac-Leamy and Casino de Montréal, respectively). But nothing is left to chance inside. Both boast stunning views of their respective city and pride themselves on table service par excellence. www.casino-du-lac-leamy.com/lacleamy/nav/en/restaurants-bars/baccara www.casino-de-montreal.com
Toqué, Montréal (three years). Casual and committed, Toqué — now in its 14th year — has managed to keep a firm grasp on Quebec’s bountiful farming culture. Locally grown and sourced ingredients make it the stop for anyone who wants to truly taste the region. www.restaurant-toque.com
