Aeroplan and Toronto’s Summerlicious Dining Program: A Delicious Combination – And a Chance to Win!

One of Canada’s top chefs. One of Toronto’s most romantic restaurants. And one great deal.

It’s Summerlicious time in Toronto, with remarkable deals at some of the city’s top restaurants. Once again, Aeroplan is sponsoring the big event, not to mention other food festivals across Canada, including Montreal’s MTLaTABLE event.

Toronto is one of the top cities in the world for food, so it’s great to get solid deals like the ones they offer at Summerlicious and also at Winterlicious, which Aeroplan also has sponsored in the past.

I had a chance to check Summerlicious out on Monday night, taking in a terrific meal on the patio at One Restaurant, located at the Hazelton Hotel in the tony Yorkville area. It was a perfect summer night in a quiet corner of downtown Toronto.

An heirloom tomato salad at ONE Restaurant in Toronto. ONE is one of 200 city restaurants taking part in the Summerlicious discount dining program, sponsored by Aeroplan. JIM BYERS PHOTO

The heirloom tomato salad might have been the best part of the menu; a plate mixed with fresh tomatoes, watermelon, ricotta, a balsamic reduction and basil. I enjoyed a tasty shrimp tostada with three shrimp coated in Korean chili paste (not too spicy), Napa cabbage and guacamole on a crispy tostada.

For our second course my wife had the scallop with pork belly; a nicely prepared scallop (just one) with a side of tasty pork belly with a chipotle bbq sauce, served with sweet corn and apple coleslaw. I had a wonderful, tender beef short rib with a ton and-a-half of flavour, served with tasty heirloom carrots and a rich peppercorn sauce.

Dessert was terrific. My wife had a rich chocolate brownie with dulce de leche and whipped coffee ganache, honeycomb and a sprinkle of Maldon salt to set off the chocolate. I enjoyed a perfect summer sorbet; coconut flavour with tropical fruit and bright, local berries.

Scallop and pork belly are a great combination at ONE Restaurant in Toronto. JIM BYERS PHOTO

In addition to getting great deals, Aeroplan members can take advantage of their Moments to Savour program. Members who show their Aeroplan card or Aeroplan-affiliated credit card when they arrive can get bonuses at participating restaurants. Free extras include food items, a welcome cocktail or a glass of sparkling wine (which we received at ONE on Monday night, and isn’t that a lovely way to start an evening).

Summerlicious runs until July 22 (it began July 6), with three-course, prix fixe menus at 200 participating restaurants in and around Toronto. Lunches costs $23, $28 or $33, depending on the restaurant, while dinners are priced at $33, $43 and $53.

At ONE they charge $53 for their three-course menu, with a choice of three items for an appetizer, four for a main course (including a vegetarian dish; sweet pea falafel) and three desserts.

Coconut sorbet with berries is one of three desserts availalble at ONE Restaurant as part of their Summerlicious menu. JIM BYERS PHOTO

It’s a good deal for Canadians. If you’re an American, you’ll get something like 30 per cent off your meal because of the exchange, so it’s even more attractive.

As well as getting a great deal on a fine meal, ONE offers Summerlicious bargains on wine ($10 for French white or red) and cocktails, with three offerings set at just $9. That’s a very good price for a cocktail in Toronto, and even better for Yorkville.

ONE’s Marc McEwan is one of the city’s top chefs, so it’s always a treat to sample one of his menus, which feature Italian and French classics using local products whenever possible. In summer, that means fresh Ontario tomatoes and berries and many other treats.

Aeroplan members who book Summerlicious dinners can get terrrific extras, including a free glass of sparkling wine. JIM BYERS PHOTO

The food was all quite good and the presentation perhaps even better. It’s also tough to beat one of the city’s top patios, which is lined with pretty trees decorated with tiny white lights.

We also had a very good waiter with a firm knowledge of wines, which helped make the meal that much more enjoyable.

I’ve been an Aeroplan member for more than 20 years and use my points quite a bit. Aeroplan points can be used to purchase any number of cool items, including electronics and home décor items. I tend to use them more for travel, especially to buy tickets for my wife and I to travel and for annual visits to see my Dad out west.

That’s all great. But here’s the part some of you really want to hear about. I’m giving away a $100 gift certificate to a McEwan Group restaurant in Toronto, including ONE, North 44, Bymark and others! Simply send me an email – jim@jimbyerstravel.com – and tell me how many restaurants are taking part in this year’s Summerlicious program. The winner, who will be drawn at random and announced July 12, will win $100 towards a great meal!

AEROPLAN SPONSORED THIS BLOG AND MY MEAL AT ONE RESTAURANT. AEROPLAN OFFICIALS DID NOT REVIEW OR SEE THIS REPORT PRIOR TO PUBLICATION.