The latest endeavour by über-chef Jamie Kennedy—dubbed by Condé Nast Traveller as “Toronto’s golden boy”—is Jamie Kennedy at the Gardiner Museum, which occupies the airy, glass-encased third-storey space of the museum. Neither the neighbourhood, nor museums, are new to Kennedy—his JK ROM Restaurant, which he helmed until 2003, was located right across the street at the Royal Ontario Museum.

Amidst tables of rich dark wood and professional and efficient service, tuck into a seasonal menu of tapas-sized dishes ($8 to $18) that encourage grazing. Savoury bites have included wild black bass with braised baby leeks, shellfish paella, hopper with curried fish and an artisan cheese plate with homemade biscuits. Kennedy’s much-praised frites are here, too, accompanied with lemon mayo. Kennedy, a certified sommelier, also makes expert wine recommendations (mostly Canadian vintages) to accompany each dish.

Lunch is served daily; reservations (416-362-1957) are accepted for 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. An à la carte dinner is served Fridays; no reservations are taken, so arrive early.

For more about the Gardiner Museum, please see The Gardiner Museum.—Linda Luong