EnRoute Magazine’s annual hunt for the best new restaurant in the countryis a reliable name-maker: local restaurants like Mallard Cottage, Raymonds, Merchant Tavern, Fogo Island Inn, and Adelaide Oyster House have all made the list.

Every year, Air Canada assembles an impressive panel of food critics, journalists, cookbook authors, and more, to create a list of the best new restaurants in Canada.

This year, a jury citation on Seto reads, “Begin with hot biscuits and whipped molasses butter before moving on to an imaginative risotto of sunflower seeds braised in vegetable stock and topped with shaved cauliflower. The kitchen of this warren-like heritage house stays open late, so Pittman’s chef friends can swing by after service for cod roasted in bacon fat, and a rye julep spiked with absinthe.”

Food fans are encouraged to visit http://eatandvote.com/en, and vote for a restaurant. In return for your support, you’ll be entered to win a trip for two to the nominated restaurant of your choice, plus $500 spending money.  A top 10 list will emerge in November.

To quote our May issue article on Seto, “The ingredients are not overdone, overcooked, or overcrowded … very high calibre food that is both familiar and innovative. Seto can hold its own among the rest of downtown’s lauded dinner spots and also fills a niche in the late night scene.

“With a small kitchen comes a small menu, though it changes often. They keep roughly five appetizers, one or two pasta dishes, and five entrees with additional specials. These options cover a wide range: Beef, pork, fish, game, gnocchi, grains, vegetables. There are usually two choices for dessert and Adshade says she can’t wait for berry season so she can take full advantage of the local flavours.”