Which Of Toronto’s 100 Best Restaurants Have The Best Interior Design?
You eat with your eyes after all.
IMAGE CREDIT: Relais & Châteaux
ANDREW DUNN: Toronto Life’s 100 Best Restaurants list was released last week which means that many of us (myself included) have a new list of must-try eateries. Clear your calendars, people!
As a real estate agent, I’m always paying attention to what great restaurants each neighbourhood in Toronto has to offer. There were a number of heavy-hitters featured, like King West’s Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse and St Clair West’s glitzy Scaramouche — which has boasted arguably one of the best views of the city since the ‘80s — but there were a few surprises, too. Who knew there was sushi spot with a $190 tasting menu hiding in a strip mall in Etobicoke? Sushi Kaji is number three on Toronto Life’s list. The roundup covers everything from the best spots for late-night drinks (Bar Isabel and Pinky’s Ca Phe) to casual sunday brunch hideaways (Edulis and Takht-e-Tavoos).
For my partner, designer Joel Bray it’s not the name dropping of delicious dishes like Raspberry Point Oysters with Wild Chamomile Petals, or Caramelized Cauliflower in a Pine Butter Sauce that gets him salivating, it’s the decor! Here are some of his favourites:
1. Wynona
819 Gerrard St E | Leslieville | 416.461.0841
IMAGE CREDIT: blogTO
Wynona is only open Wednesdays to Sundays. Why? Because they can. Nestled on Gerrard between East Chinatown and Pape this spot delivers Mediterranean flavours in spades. Head chef Jeff Bovis shouldn’t just be praised for his killer branzino imported from Greece (below). He’s also responsible for Wynona’s killer decor — think Danish-looking chairs with the perfect rounded backs and banquettes made of blonde wood from Hamilton, Ontario’s own Barnboardstore.
IMAGE CREDIT: blogTO
If A+ interior design and plenty of pescatarian options don’t put you in the mood, Wynona’s ever-changing wine list should. Skin-contact grenache rosé anyone?
IMAGE CREDIT: blogTO
2. Alo
163 Spadina Ave | 416.260.2222 | Queen West
IMAGE CREDIT: Raffi Photo/Condé Nast Traveler
Alo is tucked a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of Queen & Spadina, and while it’s close to Toronto’s famous Graffiti Alley, there’s nar a sign of street art inside the joint. Instead, you take an elevator up to the third floor and find yourself in a contemporary restaurant-meets-cocktail bar that feels plucked straight out of France.
IMAGE CREDIT: SkyGrid
Delicate brass pendant lights are suspended from the ceiling and greige banquette upholstery is punctuated by pale blue dining chairs. Black frames around the historic building’s windows beckon you to look outside — when you’re not checking your reflection in the smoked glass mirrors that is.
IMAGE CREDIT: Alo Restaurant
Remember those Raspberry Point oysters I mentioned earlier? You can find them here amongst Alo’s chic 10 course menu. Apparently there’s a hidden bathroom, too.
3. Piano Piano
88 Harbord St | 416.929.7788 | Harbord Village
IMAGE CREDIT: Piano Piano
I’m probably not the first to make the “a restaurant so nice they named it twice” joke but it warrants repeating here. As a real estate agent I know it’s not uncommon for restaurants to come and go in a competitive “foodie” city like Toronto. In the case of Chef Victor Barry, he said sayonara to his Splendido restaurant to make way for Piano Piano.
IMAGE CREDIT: Piano Piano
Designer Tiffany Pratt is known for using bright colours and this project was no exception. Piano Piano’s exterior boasts a pink rose and peony mural by Toronto artist Ryan Dineen. The abstract artwork inside the restaurant, however, was done by a more pint-sized Picasso: Chef Victor’s daughter Charlotte (who was only two at the time!).
IMAGE CREDIT: Piano Piano
Piano Piano’s name is short for piano piano va lontano which means “slowly, slowly one goes further” in Italian. Hey, when the menu is a newspaper and the charcuterie board is a gleaming silver platter you’re going to want to take your time here.
Happy eating & Instagramming, friends! - Andrew Dunn