Photo: cibo_winebar on Instagram 

Toronto foodies can officially mark their calendars (and prepare their stomachs) for yet another year of Winterlicious, the city’s twice yearly culinary celebration of affordable local dining. From January 26 to February 8, Winterlicious returns to town for another two weeks, and encourages community members to indulge in diverse cuisine from more than 200 local restaurants. The fixed price dining experience offers three course lunch and dinner menus which range from $23 to $53, depending on the restaurant. Whether you plan on brightening up your winter palette with something exotic or gravitating toward tried and true comfort foods, Winterlicious may be worth a shot. Just in time for restaurant bookings (which officially opened on January 11), here are a few Toronto spots that are participating in Winterlicious 2018. 

The Chase Fish and Oyster

If you’re a lover of all things sea, then the Chase may suit your tastes. The Chase puts a strong emphasis on sustainability and seasonal ingredients. While it’s known for its creative presentation of hot and cold dishes, its variety of fresh catch is a signature of the menu. Check out their seafood salad or Humboldt squid to get a real taste of the ocean without splurging on a several hundred-dollar platter.

Cibo Wine Bar

Most famous for its floor to ceiling wine room of more than 2,500 bottles of vino, Toronto-based Italian restaurant Cibo offers its diners a taste of authentic Italian cooking that combines old world flavour with a contemporary kick. From arugula salad and polenta fries to fusilli, lobster specials and wood-oven pizza, there is something for every carb lover to appreciate at this spot. Cibo boasts three locations in the city, with restaurants around Yorkville, King West and Yonge and Eglinton. 

Fring’s Restaurant

Fring’s is the latest undertaking of celebrity chef Susur Lee and his sons. Designed for the hip urbanite, Fring’s menu is globally inspired but remains close to home through its own take on comfort food. The Winterlicious dinner menu includes the restaurant’s famous crispy jerk chicken. 

La Société

Situated in the heart of Yorkville, La Société aims to showcase French cuisine and Parisian atmosphere. With a newly refined menu from executive chef Ben Heaton, La Société is taking a lighter approach to its classic dishes while maintaining its roots as a French bistro. The mushroom papardelle is a special dish, which is set to be included  on the Winterlicious lunch and dinner menus.