King Street Social Kitchen & Bar
Hyatt Regency
370 King Street West
Toronto
416-343-1234 ext. 55
torontoregency.hyatt.com
Rating: ****
Dinner & drinks for 2: $80
I think eating in a hotel restaurant can be awfully sexy. Descending into the King Street Social Kitchen and Bar below street level — in the former Holiday Inn and now home of the swanky Hyatt Regency — certainly feels sexy.
The spacious dining room and lounge is decked out with creamy banquettes and glossy ebony paneled walls. The only drawback? A low, basementy ceiling.
The shockingly small menu isn’t impressive, but the food and service make up for it.
The Certified Angus New York Strip 10 oz. Steak ($29), plump and incredibly tender, is served with brilliantly grilled vegetables that include the oft-forgotten green onion, fennel and cipollini onions. Indian Lamb Korma with Rice ($27) is unrelentingly fiery and presented in two small stainless steel pots, with a crisp pappadum slipped in vertically between servings of yogurt and homemade chutney.
Even the Caesar Salad ($9) astonishes with a light, lemony dressing and stunning garlic crostini.
The service is outstanding, with our server Ronnie splitting our salad into two bowls and others attending to our every whim.
There is nothing negative about the place except that it remains tucked away from the crowd it’s meant for.
And the low ceiling.
Dining out
Doggonit!
Burkie’s Dog House, a new concession stand at Air Canada Centre is offering an upscale take on stadium fare. The Poutine Dog, layered with matchstick French fries, gravy and cheese curds and the Kobe Dog topped with wasabi mayonnaise and pickled ginger, are just two of the many options. Located in Air Canada Centre’s new Atrium.
Cross Country
All the way from the west coast, Joey Don Mills has opened up a brand new location at The Shops at Don Mills. Choose from Ahi Tuna Tacos, Lobster Grilled Cheese or something from the wok. Complimentary valet parking. Call 416-445-6391 or visit www.joeydonmills.com.
