The Christmas or seasonal holiday office party is an anticipated annual event among many office workers, as it provides an opportunity to unwind and socialize with colleagues, as well as get into the festive mood. Delegated with the task of ensuring the maximum enjoyment of party attendees, the designated party organizer carries a weighty responsibility if things do not go just as planned.
Choosing a restaurant that will suit all tastes and that offers vegetarian options if desired can be a challenge.The following list of restaurants in Toronto are tried and true establishments that will ensure the office Christmas party is enjoyable, memorable, and most importantly, runs smoothly.
Downtown Restaurants
The following restaurants are centrally located, and make good choices for Christmas lunches or dinners due to their ambiance, tradition and longevity:
- The Keg Mansion, 515 Jarvis Street, 416-964-6609, has been around for decades, and is a favourite of office parties due to the rich warmth of the decor that includes original wood staircases and cosy fireplaces. The set menu of $31.95 or $38.45 per person for lunch or dinner includes salad, entree, dessert and coffee.
- Bb33 Bistro and Brasserie, Delta Chelsea Inn, 33 Gerrard Street West, 416-585-4319, offers buffet-style lunch for up to 140 people. Sittings at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Buffet is $30 for lunch, and includes homemade appetizers, hot and cold festive entrees, and dessert.
- Sassafraz, 100 Cumberland Street, 416-964-2222, offers set lunch menus for $45 that include soup, salad, vegetarian options, steak, salmon, chicken and dessert. Set dinner menus range from $55, $68, $80 and $95 per person. Main dining room seats 130 and private event rooms seat up to 64. Barrier free access.
King Street and Liberty Village Restaurants
The following restaurants, located in King West Village and Liberty Village, will bestow holiday office parties with style and sizzle, as well as offer prix-fixe menus for Christmas festive get-togethers:
- Mildred's Temple Kitchen, 85 Hanna Avenue, 416-588-5695, is a new hotspot in Liberty Village, boasting cuisine and ultra sleek decor. Set lunch menu for holiday parties is $40 per person, $50 for dinner.
- Lee Restaurant, 603 King Street West, 416-504-7867, is the brainchild of Susur Lee, offering a tapas style menu in an uber sleek setting. Set price menus start at $45 per person and can include sauteed chinese greens, chickpea sweet onion fritter, carmelized black cod, four satay, slow braised beef, and spicy crisp tofu. Lee Restaurant can accommodate up to 63 people.
- Marben Restaurant, 488 Wellington Street West, 416-979-1990, has $40, $50 and $60 prix fixe menus for Christmas parties with warm goat cheese salad or duck confit tacos appetizers, mains of szechuan arctic char or tandoori chicken supreme, topped off with hot chocolate cake or roasted peaches with lemon curd. Open from 5 p.m. Tues-Sat; will open for lunch or on Sundays and Mondays to accommodate parties.
GTA Restaurants
For an unparalleled holiday experience, the following restaurants in the GTA offer elegance and old world charm, with decor that includes fireplaces, crystal chandeliers and sconces:
- The David Duncan House, 125 Moatfield Drive (Don Mills and York Mills Roads), 416-391-1424, is a classic Ontario Gothic farmhouse decorated in the Art Nouveau style. Primarily steak and seafood on the menu. Set lunch menu $30, which includes chicken, seafood and steak entrees with soup or salad, vegetable and rice. Set dinner menu from $35 to $45.
Whether looking for downtown restaurants, King Street or Liberty Village restaurants, or GTA restaurants, the holiday office party organizer can rest assured that choosing any of the above restaurants for the annual seasonal get-together will result in a Christmas party that staff will be talking about for years to come.
Related articles:
For information on Christmas events in Toronto, read here.
For information on Christmas events for children in Toronto, read here.
For information on restaurants for afternoon tea in Toronto, read here.
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