It’s a common dilemma: you love fine dining but the bank balance won’t always allow it. You're in luck! For two happy weeks this summer (Toronto, July 3 – 19) you can dine like the Queen without paying your weight in gold. Summerlicious is back – that wonderful festival that all Torontians look forward to, the time when high-end restaurants offer fantastic menus for extremely palatable prices.

150 restaurants are participating in Summerlicious this year. Each one will offer a three-course prix fixe menu allowing you to sample the best of their cuisine. Lunch menus range from $15 to $30 and dinner menus go from $25 to $45. The range of restaurants, neighbourhoods and cuisines you’ll find on the list is broad enough to offer you something different every night, should you (and your happy wallet) fancy it.

Could it get any better? If you’re an American Express cardholder you can jump to the front of the line and book a table early starting June 16. All other bookings will be accepted from June 18 onwards (and reservations are strongly recommended).

Here are just a few of our favourite picks:

Amaya the Indian Room – In our opinion, the best Indian food in Toronto! We love their Mango Lassi.

Auberge du Pommier – The ultimate in elegant French dining. C’est si bon!

Bymark – Don’t let the business crowd put you off; the food here is as slick and impressive as the modern décor.

Canoe – The best views in the city (from the top of the TD Bank Tower) are the perfect backdrop to creative Canadian cuisine.

Five Doors North – Unbelievable Italian food in a cool, quirky setting. Great for a fun date.

Kultura – Stunning urban chic interiors, beautiful clientele and ‘trans-ethnic’ dishes that are designed to share. Out to impress? This is the restaurant for you.

Madeline’s – Plush, chic setting in shades of red and pink meets super modern Chinese cuisine; perfect for a classy girls’ night out.

Not in Toronto?  You need not miss out. Many cities hold similar restaurant weeks at least once a year:

Boston – Restaurant Week Boston

Chicago – Taste of Chicago

New York – NYC Restaurant Week

San Diego – San Diego Restaurant Week

San Francisco – Dine About Town

Vancouver – Dine Out Vancouver

Washington, D.C. – Washington Restaurant Week

Does your city host a summer prix fixe event?  Fill us in!

By Jo Rivard