Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants, Bars and Chefs.

If you doubt anything good can come of culinary competitions staged for television and the prize money that comes with them — a visit to Richmond Station is a must.

Because the $100,000 purse from winning the second season of Top Chef Canada gave young chef Carl Heinrich the leg-up he needed to open his first restaurant—in this case, a two-level space at the epicentre of downtown. The front room is defined by a long bar. A more comfortable, less fragmented dining room is to be found a half-level up, to the rear, fronting an open kitchen. The mood throughout is friendly and convivial. Extensive daily specials are listed on black boards. And like the printed menu, they span an almost disorienting range of culinary styles. But what the hamburgers, pierogies, charcuterie and Peking duck pancakes all have in common is a reliably deft touch in the kitchen. All the cooking is of quality, and the desserts are a standout.