While 2008 is living up to its promise as the year of the rat, 2007 might be remembered for the emergence of a number of star chefs on the Toronto restaurant scene. Sure, Scot Woods and Claudio Aprile were already well known for their previous stints as Sen5es and Habitat, but the opening of their new restaurants (Lucien and Colborne Lane respectively) just blocks from each other near St. Lawrence Market solidified their standing as local superstars and helped usher in the latest craze that is molecular gastronomy.

But beyond the foam, mousse and liquid nitrogen, new Toronto restaurants last year covered a range of cuisines, textures and serving sizes. Tapas and small plates were definitely in, as were local, organic and seasonal themes. But at the top of our list (as voted by readers of blogTO) for the Best New Restaurant of 2007 (meals over $15) was the moderately priced, friendly serviced and skilled cooking that is Riverside's Citizen.

Following on the success of Queen West's The Rosebud, owner and chef Rod Bowers' Citizen helped solidify the neighbourhood's claim that great dining has arrived on the East side.