Toronto Restaurants by Stephanie Dickison

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Style Plate – Toronto’s Most Fashionable Fare

Photo by Renata Kaveh

Lace up your heels and shimmy into something fabulous because the first ever Style Plate is almost here, and you don’t want to miss it.

This cool collab by Toronto Fashion Week and Bloor-Yorkville BIA takes over Yorkville September 4th to 6th.

Select restaurants and bars in the swish neighbourhood are featuring a unique dish and/or cocktail inspired by a top designer’s collection.

Take a closer look:

Amber x WRKDEPT

The whirlwind of Fashion Week can be intense. Wind down from back-to-back shows with Amber’s eponymous cocktail.

Refresh and reset with a Prosecco, Aperol, and soda spritzer while you decide which WRKDEPT pieces to order.

Amber - 119 Yorkville Ave.

Bar Reyna x Christopher Paunil

Christopher Paunil’s designs are always jaw-dropping, so no doubt the new bridal collection will set your heart aflutter.

After the show, dish about your favourite dresses over cocktails and dessert at Bar Reyna.

A Pink Pavlova (meringue, pistachio semifreddo, raspberry coulis) pairs well with with vegan libation Informal Therapist, boasting Beefeater Gin, Pisco, lychee, honey, and splash of citrus.

The finish of aqua faba (chickpea water) and cynar (bittersweet liqueur made with artichokes) make it a veritable elixir.

Bar Reyna - 158 Cumberland St.

CIBO x HENDRIXROE

Designer Jordan Erin McKay’s bold, luxe handcrafted collection, HENDRIXROE, will change how you think about clothes forever.

While you reimagine your closet, soon-to-be infused with McKay’s serious rock ‘n roll vibe (think: fringe EVERYWHERE, “Venom” biker coat, and silk for daaaays), tuck into Cibo’s Seared Bay Scallops - a creamy beet risotto base crowned with scallops steeped in lemon - while sipping on The Naomi (lightly spiced gin, St-Germain, Contratto, fresh lemon, and Prosecco).

Rock on.

Cibo Wine Bar - 133 Yorkville Ave.

Kasa Moto x Tara Rivas

The minimalist, versatile designs of Tara Rivas are reflected in the featured cocktails created by Kasa Moto.

Wine down after the show with the one-two punch Tequila and Wine (Tromba Blanco, Fino Sherry, blueberry, basil, and lime) and floral-meets-tropical concoction, Be There in a Prosecco (vodka, Crème de Violette, Passion Fruit puree, vanilla apple, lime, and Prosecco float).

Kasa Moto - 115 Yorkville Ave.

ONE x Christopher Bates

Oomph. How much do you love Christopher Bates? Producing sexy, stylish, and innovative garb for the last decade, the detailing alone is enough to send you into a frenzy (that Kiss Print tho).

Celebrate all that is C.B. at celeb-fave ONE, located in the swish Hazelton Hotel where the modish set congregate and convene.

Whether you dine indoors or nab a hard-to-procure table on the tree-lined patio, guests enjoy 25 per cent off of all Toronto Fashion Week Shows and Talks (a code will be given at the table) in addition to two features available only September 4th to 6th:

- PEI Beef Carpaccio dijonnaise-brushed beef tenderloin served with crostini, shallots and fresh arugula)

- Rossetto Martini Raspberry-infused Belvedere Vodka, sparkling wine, fresh berry garnish.

ONE Restaurant - 116 Yorkville Ave.

Oxley Public House x Namesake

If asked to name the leather jacket of your dreams, chances are you’d reply Namesake.

Designer Rosa Halpern makes these bespoke stunners with your choice of premium leather, silk lining, and other customizations: Gun Metal, Rose Gold or Black Oxide hardware? Belt or epaulettes? Monogram? (Hint: always.)

Sure you’re going to have to save up, but it’ll be so worth it.

While you weigh all your options, delve into The Oxley’s Beet Cured Acadian Sturgeon with dill caviar, Yukon gold potatoes, horseradish and crème fraiche, coupled with an elevated Shantay, You Stay! (Whitley Neil Rhubarb and Ginger Gin, St-Germain, grapefruit juice, fresh dill) or two.

Now, what to wear with said jacket…

The Oxley Public House - 121 Yorkville Ave.

PLANTA x Triarchy

With “salad” right in the name, the Chopped Salad tipple at Planta is practically a cleanse.

Get your daily “greens” (celery, gin, mint, basil and lime) while celebrating Triarchy’s must-have sustainable denim.

If only workouts were this enjoyable.

Planta - 1221 Bay St.

Sassafraz x ZOFF

Designer Michael Zoffranieri’s ZOFF line features fine tailoring and a luxurious elegance that will have you rethinking your entire wardrobe.

While you decide what to toss or keep, sip on Sassafraz’s

TFW (read: Toronto Fashion Week and The Fire Within), made with Belvedere vodka, “it” ingredient activated charcoal, Cassis, cranberry juice, topped off with soda.

Perk: The long-standing resto is still one of the best spots in the ‘hood for people-watching and star-gazing.

Sassafraz - 100 Cumberland St.

Trattoria Nervosa x Hilary MacMillan

Hilary MacMillan’s designs have long captivated the crowd  (Feminist Capsule, for instance). so there’s little doubt her forthcoming collection will continue to ooze charm and magnetism.

The cruelty-conscious womenswear brand also happens to be reasonably priced, so fête the fact that you actually afford to shop the line with Nervosa’s Moda.

The herbaceous sipper with a kick of heat unites rosemary vodka, and fresh ginger-lemon juice, polished off with ginger ale and nutmeg-ginger liquor. The result: invigorating (with a side of serious fall feels). Good thing, you’ve still got shows to catch.

Sweet bonus: Toronto Fashion Week ticket holders receive a complimentary glass of Prosecco upon arrival.

Trattoria Nervosa - 75 Yorkville Ave. 

Sofia x NARCES

Every NARCES dress and gown is a sight to behold.

So where better to celebrate such beauty than one of Yorkville’s newest arrivals, Sofia.

The dramatic room - outfitted with blood-red chairs and banquettes, herringbone marble floor, mirrors galore, and Russell Young’s Brigitte Bardot dusted in diamonds – makes an ideal backdrop for The Lobster Lena (lobster crudo and roasted corn with olive oil, chili and herbs) and Fashion Royale (Botanist Gin, Cointreau, passion fruit juice, ginger, grapefruit, honey, and splash of ginger beer).

Wallflowers need not apply.

Sofia Yorkville – 99 Yorkville Ave. 

STK x Victoria Hayes

The Cotton Candy Boyfriend Blazer and Pool Tile Jacquard Trench Coat by Toronto’s own Victoria Hayes are just two examples of her compelling strong, bold aesthetic.

It’s no wonder a-listers Andra Day, Cardi B, Ariana Grande, and Lady Gaga have all donned her coveted designs.

Lucky for you, her designer pieces on display at STK September 4 to 6!

Take in the beauty while dining on Executive Chef Tommy McHugh’s The Venus of Terra. The spirited dish pairs queenie scallops with an Artisan Farms Fillet, accompanied by roasted yellow tail mushrooms and cauliflower, garlic and parsley purees, bordelaise jus, and crispy leeks.

Your “dinner and a show” is further enhanced with a glass of bubbly**. Patrons also enjoy 25 per cent off of all Toronto Fashion Week Shows and Talks (you’ll receive a code at the table).

** reservations required

STK – 153 Yorkville Ave.