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.
The International Centre completed the first phase of a major renovation in the fall. It includes a remade main entrance to Hall 1 that can be used for events and a 9,740-square-foot "connector building" between Hall 4 and Hall 5 that holds 812 people and can be used for registration, receptions, booths and displays, and lounge areas for food and beverage. Arch-Tech Design Group designed the new spaces.
