by Marie Nicola
The economic predictions for 2009 suck. Droves of destitute restaurant-goers are retreating to their kitchens, hopeful, with Gourmet Mags in hand – only to emerge hours later looking more like June Cleaver after a six-pack. It’s time to escape to a favorite restaurant, however, as host of Restaurant Makeover, Take this House and Sell it, Renovate my Wardrobe and acclaimed interior designer, Glen Peloso shared with me, there’s more to picking a great restaurant than just food and; it’s something that Toronto does flawlessly.
“If eating out was just good wine and good company, then I would just stay home,” says Glen over the phone, “… dining out is entertainment. Something to be experienced and that also includes design.”
With 2009 kicking off with an economic slump, I am likely to “geek night it in” with my bffs over wine and home-made tapas. Undoubtedly, even Glen Peloso had to admit that during these times, a restaurant needs to propose more then a place to rest at the end of a day – it needs to be visually enticing, have appeal and yes, interiors need to have some sense of style. Peloso encourages restaurants to switch up their style once every 5-10 years to stay current and avoid the curse of being “dated”.
Obviously, there’s no catwalk for restaurant design, however trends do emerge. Thank 2008 for a “healthier” take on food with eco-chic, organic and eating local. All of which have ingrained themselves so deeply into our psyches that for many, they are now a requirement for eating out. However, things are different in 2009, trends are marred by economic uncertainty and hopeful political change. Even the official colour of the year is Mimosa (PANTONE® 14-0848), a warm and engaging yellow chosen “to spark imagination and innovation,” reveals Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.
“Toronto has a much more distinctive style than, say New York City…Toronto is more open to the idea of doing something different. We are accustomed to multicultural trends,” explains Glen, “Because Toronto is so openly multicultural, visually, [a restaurant] has to be different then what we see every day”
It’s a Winterlicious time of year, so go treat yourself by checking out the recently opened Amaya’s Bread Bar (3305 Yonge St.) and dine on retooled Indian cuisine amidst vibrant colours, ethnic draperies and South Asian accents that include hammered metal water jugs and cups. This is a small example of what Toronto does best, a little ethnic flair tossed into the mix that makes for an authentic getaway to another culture.
Of course, beyond the rich ethnicity available in our city, Toronto has had its share of restaurant trend setters. Remember Mildred Pierce? “It had a bohemian vibe. It was upscale while remaining casual,” remarked Glen, “There was lots of drapery and couches. Then as it became popular, that style was emulated across the city.” In fact, it’s still being emulated long after it shut. Go into any remotely trendy spot and you’ll see little Mildred Pierce throwbacks – after all, mimicry is the sincerest form of flattery.
Regardless, there’s a new breed of trend setting restaurants that are open across the city, and Glen has conveniently provided his top 5 picks. So if you’re looking to check out a new swank resto as a getaway from the recession and a rescue from your own kitchen, hit up one of the following. Some are a part of Winterlicious as well, so it’ll satisfy the need for good food, good wine, good company and fantastic design.
Veritas
King Street East
Glen: One of the trends in the city is the surge toward environmentally friendly, forward thinking colours. Veritas offers fare that is local and organic and is surrounded in strong orange colours mixed with greys and warm woods. The idea of the supper club started with Brant house and is also apparent here with a division between an upscale casual bar and an elegant dining area allowing guests to move easily between one and the other for a one stop shopping evening experience.
We like: Sipping on bottles of the best Ontario wines, amidst flickering candle light bouncing off of rich wood walls.
Spice Route
King West
Glen: A place like Spice Route rings in a trend to spaces that are themed décor. Here the evening’s experience is like a mini vacation, in that the attendees are visually transported to a place that isn’t identifiably Toronto. The cohesive visual design is consistent in every element giving this Toronto restaurant the feel of something more likely found in Las Vegas, but on a more subtle scale.
We like: Noshing on lettuce wraps while sipping tea cocktails at the foot of massive hand painted murals.
Sopra
The new look of Sopra offers an elegant room and supper club where the use of elemental metals like gold is repeated in every aspect of the look of the club. Our collective consciousness toward the preservation of our earth has brought our current colour schemes into natural colours found in nature and the elements of wood, stone and metals enhanced with brilliant lighting keep this room feeling extremely elegant and natural
We like: The 21st century jazz club vibe! Not to mention, the pillars look like they are straight from Umbra! Share plates of beet risotto, crispy artichokes and tempura crisp rock shrimp.
Globe Restaurant
Globe shows a movement toward the “remade space”. The former bowling alley has been rethought to make a multi leveled space where the ceiling height is paramount offering opportunities for large scale art and impressive lighting. This trend is being brought forward with our love of loft spaces and conversion of factories and churches into living spaces.
We like: Impressing friends from away with Globe’s Sunday brunch! Chestnut pancakes taste so good with Niagara sausages soaked in maple syrup – oh and the open kitchen is dead cool.
7 Numbers
The economic crisis has also influenced design in the city with places like 7 Numbers on the Danforth. Picking up on the “anti design” movement started so many years ago with Joe’s Nose on Yonge Street – Joe has continued this look with Gio’s on Queen east where the focus is squarely on fine food in an atmosphere that is reused recycled and remarkably casual – neither of these places are new this year but continue to do thriving business in a seamlessly ‘good will’ atmosphere.
We like: Pissing the night away at a deuce over melting candles and melt in your mouth osso bucco – oh and the entertaining overuse of the word “sexy” on the menu, website and I think I over heard it from a fellow diner. Classic!!
Want to try and meet up with Glen and ask him questions about design in addition to checking out his amazing restaurant design that incorporates curves, air and water? Find him at IDS09: International Design Show from February 5-8, 2009 at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto. I heard a rumour there might be Prosecco served from the bubble bar – coincidentally, you’ll be able to find me there getting tips. HEYO!
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