Yorkdale’s food court, Dine on 3, is no ordinary mall food court. In fact, it isn’t even a typical more “upscale” food court like the Eaton Centre’s Urban Eatery. Taking over what was the upper floors of Eatons (and then Sears), outlets include the usual suspects of KFC, Subway and A&W as well as more “haute” offerings like Big Smoke Burger and GlowPress, Rose Reisman’s grilled cheese focused eatery. Indian chain Amaya is also present, with a restaurant that is more grab-and-go focused than what one generally finds at other malls and Chipotle Mexican Grill has its first in-mall location in Toronto. There are also sit-down, licensed restaurants including Spring Rolls’ Su&Shi (also has a take-out window) and Famoso Neapoltian Pizzeria, an Alberta-based restaurant opening its first location in Ontario. Best of all, the food court itself TAKES RESERVATIONS. This is the first time I’ve ever heard of something like this. In addition to indoor seating, there is also a patio. However, with Friday’s rainy weather, no one was able to enjoy it.
At the media preview Friday, we not only got a chance to tour the space before it opened to the public, but also sample food from the various outlets, including those that most attendees are familiar with. There was also a fashion show, with models wearing pieces from the stores downstairs, and each somehow representing one of the eateries at the food court. For example, gourmet burger joint, Big Smoke Burger, was represented by a guy wearing a denim and a cowboy hat and La Paloma, a gelateria, by a someone who looked like she walked out of a 1960s European film.
For a first visit to the dining space, new names are definitely more worth it to try, especially La Paloma’s delicious gelato. It is definitely the kind of frozen dessert that you savour over. If you’re looking for a quieter space, try Espressamante illy, a licensed café at the mezzanine level that serve sandwiches, salads and desserts and seating that overlooks the mall downstairs. Dine on 3 is now open to the public.
