Here's a look at the best new Toronto restaurants, corporate event venues, hotels, conference centers, and private and party rooms to open this spring. These new and renovated Toronto venues can accommodate groups large or small for private and corporate events, conferences, meetings, weddings, business dinners, teambuilding activities, cocktail parties, and more.
The family-owned Duggan's Brewery has been brewing beer for more than 90 years, and in December it opened a new brewery in the Parkdale neighborhood. The space measures 3,600 square feet and includes a full-service kitchen and large-screen projector TVs; an in-the-works private tasting and event room will seat 75 people. Currently, the venue seats 130 people for events.
Opened in November, NAO Steakhouse (an acronym for "new and old") comes from restaurant moguls Charles Khabouth and Hanif Harji of Ink Entertainment. Spread over 4,032 square feet with two floors and a vast patio, the Yorkville restaurant combines steak house fare with Asian flavors. The space features handcrafted Italian leather banquettes, African oak flooring, custom steak knives designed by blacksmith Fredrick Scalen, and marble and granite countertops. It seats 54 on the ground floor, 68 on the second floor, and 75 on the patio.
Opened in November in the fashion district, Ovest Cucina e Vineria serves authentic Italian cuisine from chef Luca Stracquadanio. For events, the restaurant will create seasonal menus and custom cocktails. The 4,700-square-foot restaurant seats 120 or holds 150 for receptions. For smaller groups, a chef’s table and two semiprivate spaces are available.
Opened in February, the iQ Office Suites co-working space moved into the historic Bank of Canada Building with about 21,000 square feet of office and event space. The eight-story structure has undergone a massive renovation including turning the bank’s former vault into a 4,500-square-foot members' lounge. The building has several spaces open to nonmembers that can hold meetings or events. Each space features a 60-inch flat-screen TV, HD video conferencing, surround sound, and Wi-Fi. The members' lounge seats about 250 people. Full catering services and rentals are available.
South St. Burger Bar is a new concept from the South St. Burger chain that opened in early December in Corktown. Working with local design firm Jump Branding & Design Inc., South St. has a pub feel along with the building's original elements such as expansive windows, red brick, wood beams and concrete floors, and cast-iron light fixtures. The 3,000-square-foot space seats 70 and is equipped with a sound system and three large-screen TVs. Owners plan to add a patio by the summer.
The third Pizzeria Libretto location in the much-loved Toronto chain opened in the financial district in November. At 3,000 square feet, it is larger than both of the existing locations combined. Notable features of the 115-seat restaurant include custom Ferrari-red lamps by Irfan Bukhari of Bukhari Design, domed pizza ovens custom-designed by Italian craftsman Stefano Ferrara, floor-to-ceiling windows, and 20-foot sound-insulated ceilings.
Chefs Jonathan Poon and Jesse Fader (Chantecler) opened the new snack bar Bar Fancy in November. Located on the Queen Street West strip, the alleyway entrance is highlighted by a giant neon tiger. The 800-square-foot-space seats 40 people. The mix-and-match interior includes shiny brass paneling. A small kitchen serves fare including fried chicken, oysters, and nachos.
The first location of Wahlburgers, the family-owned burger restaurant by celebrity siblings Mark and Donnie Wahlberg and their chef brother Paul, opened in November at the SoHo Metropolitan Hotel. With two floors, the 4,440-square-foot gourmet burger restaurant is decorated with memorabilia from the family. The restaurant seats 140 guests with televisions on both floors.
The cocktail lounge for hip King Street West sushi restaurant Blowfish, Barfish Cocktail Lounge occupies 1,000 square feet of space adjacent to the former Bank of Montreal building, where its sister restaurant is located. With seating for 40 people, the lounge features hand-painted traditional Japanese murals, velvet banquettes, a narrow onyx-topped bar, and red brick interiors. It opened in December.
