Azura

What is Azura? Set along Danforth Avenue just east of Broadview, Azura brings hyper-refined contemporary Mediterranean dining to Playter Estates. The intimate 35-seat room is moody and tailored for focused date nights, wrapped in exposed brick, deep green banquettes, and warm amber lighting facing an open kitchen. Guests dine at polished tables or claim a perch at the central bar to watch the kitchen team assemble intricate course work.

Azura Menu & What to Order Chef-driven service revolves around an 11-course blind tasting menu that marries Levantine, North African, and Southern European profiles with local Ontario purveyors. Standout creations include the clever 'Halibut Shawarma', a deeply spiced 'Venison Leg Tagine', and delicate smoked cannoli crowned with albacore tuna. Pair the meal with creations from the Michelin-recognized cocktail program, starting with the savory, gin-based 'Olive Branch' infused with olive oil.

Know Before You Go Given the compact dining room, advance reservations via OpenTable are mandatory, particularly one to two weeks out for prime weekend slots. Solo diners and pairs may occasionally snag an open stool at the bar for the petite menu, but walk-ins are otherwise rare. Take Line 2 to Broadview Station for a brief walk, as Danforth street parking is heavily contested on prime dining nights.