Some of Toronto's top restaurants are once again offering up great food at special prices as the city's Summerlicious program returns for its ninth year.
Started up by the City of Toronto in 2003, Summerlicious and its cold-weather counterpart Winterlicious were designed to boost business during typically slow times. Presenting sponsor American Express came on board after the first season of 'Licious' programming.
The successful programs have resulted in 2.9 million meals being served and $127 million in revenue being generated at participating restaurants.
This year's Summerlicious was launched at one of the 150 participating restaurants, the TIFF Bell Lightbox's Luma Restaurant.
Participating eateries will offer three-course prix fixe lunch and/or dinner menus with costs ranging from $15 to $45.
Toronto councillor Michael Thompson, chair of the city's economic development committee, said the program has helped boost the success of local establishments.
"The purpose of Summerlicious is to celebrate and promote the outstanding offering that (the culinary) industry produces," he said. "Year after year, participating restaurants report full bookings."
While Summer and Winterlicious help businesses during the promotions, they also open Torontonians up to new locales in their city. Patrons who might not have tried a restaurant normally are often lured in by the scrumptious deals and become regulars once they have sampled an establishment's fine fare.
"The Licious programs are a perfect example of how public and private collaborations can benefit all partners, all Torontonians and all visitors," Thompson said.
Luma Restaurant executive chef Jason Bangerter has seen first-hand the impact the programs have on local restaurants. With the prix fixe menus offering a wide variety of foods, he has seen restaurants that would otherwise have been half-empty turn into hopping joints.
"We see Summerlicious as a great opportunity to reach out to new guests," he said. "It gives participating businesses a lot of visibility."
Summerlicious will run from Friday, July 8 to Sunday, July 24 at 150 restaurants throughout the city. For a full list of participating restaurants and menus, prices and more, visit www.toronto.ca/summerlicious