At the Assembly, a glittering, spacious, 638-seat venue in the former Google headquarters just east of York on Richmond, the Food Court of the ’80s has been re-invented as a “Food Hall,” the vision of entrepreneur Andreas Antoniou. A partner in a number of other nearby restaurants including Volos and Little Anthony’s, Antoniou has created a buzz while tapping into the food preferences of a younger demographic of diners, many of whom work in the area, and seek healthy, freshly prepared food utilizing top quality, often sustainably-sourced ingredients, served up in a flash.

In this vibrant space, which frequently features special events and live music, 17 unique restaurant, dessert and coffee stations, complemented by two full service bars, serve up signature dishes from their host menus. Antoniou has carefully “assembled” a group of innovators that reflect the high quality, diversity and sophistication of Toronto’s culinary scene.

Mira Mira’s Organic Honey Kimchee Chicken

The best way to experience the Assembly is with a friend or two, to ensure you sample a variety of dishes. Mira Mira’s colourful Organic Honey Kiimchii chicken quickly caught my eye, and you can’t miss Nicki Laborie’s Mediterranean-fusion Reyna’s stunning spread, including its popular sample board of Lebanese Tacos (chicken or vegetarian), signature salad and savoury Lamb Baklavas.

Dailo’s Asian Slaw with Barbecued Tofu

With no less than four different kinds of Asian food highlighting the offerings, Assembly satisfies the dining public’s passion for the wide variety of quality Asian foods available in Toronto. From Dailo’s so-called “New Asian Cuisine” (a self-described mingling of Cantonese and French influences); to Rafoodmen Isshin’s authentic Japanese Ramen, Jackie Lin’s excellent sushi, and Toronto’s most popular Thai street food, Little Khao, it’s hard to know exactly which Asian cuisine to sample first.

There are plenty of delicious meatless and vegan alternatives to consider for those who eschew meat, including tasty fish tacos from Colibri, Elia Herrera’s hand-pressed Mexican tortilla bar, and a 42-ingredient vegan salad from Kensington’s Hibiscus. On one occasion, my vegetarian companion and I shared Resto Boemo’s mouth-watering Truffle Gnocchi, and a great, thin-crusted eggplant pizza produced in The Good Son’s imported wood-burning oven. A week later, I brought a meat-eating friend who indulged in a few of Cherry Street BBQ’s renowned wood-smoke offerings. We paired the generous portion of barbecued brisket with a fantastic Arugula and Beet Salad and amazing Crispy Brussels Sprouts from Love Chix, a cool neighbourhood spot in the West End.

In the ’80s, the Movenpick (which, coincidentally, was situated right around the corner at 150 York Street) brought theatricality to restaurant  dining, with its in-house  “food stations,” where you could watch your food being prepared right in front of you. The Assembly, which draws inspiration from other international food halls such as New York’s Chelsea Market and Harrod’s of London, takes it up a couple of notches. Conveniently located just across the street from the Sheraton and a stone’s throw from the Westin Hotel, as well as the Four Seasons Centre, Roy Thomson Hall, and King Street theatres, the Assembly is perfect for grabbing a quick pre-performance meal, mid-day lunch, or just for experiencing a taste of what Toronto’s incredible food scene has to offer.