Earth’s owner Ed Ho at the bar (Image: Jag Gundu)
Earlier this year we reported on the closure of My Place , the massive Bloor West Village pub that lasted only a year. Many restaurant owners would find it daunting to take over an 18,000-square-foot space, regardless of location, but Ed Ho (Globe Bistro , Earth Rosedale ) saw it as an opportunity to service an area of town that has long been considered a culinary dead zone. His solution: a neighbourhood bistro serving local and seasonal fare paired with a lounge and private event space.
Although Earth Bloor West is similar in concept to Earth’s Rosedale location, the most obvious difference is its sheer size: its kitchens and bars will be ready to cater to 735 guests. The Ron Nuhn –designed dining room is a sleek mixture of dark finishes (slate tiles) and organic elements (reclaimed barn boards), illuminated by stunning pendant lamps made of fabric strips suspended between two metal rings. The chef’s table, made from reclaimed bowling alley flooring, offers groups of six to 18 diners a view of executive chef Kevin McKenna ’s open kitchen as they eat.
Besides dinner, McKenna’s “think global, eat local” menu caters to business lunchers, weekend brunchers and lounge enthusiasts alike. Simple options include Ontario pig bits (crispy pork belly, house-made chorizo and rillette, $6) or a 40-day dry-aged rib-eye from Wellington County (starting at $24/8 oz.), red fife capellini with Monforte toscano ($19) and whole roasted daily Ontario fish ($24).
Earth’s back bar features an eye-catching red lacquered bar top and large, L-shaped sofas and ottomans. At the back, a series of small dining tables fit 24 under a shower of un-shaded incandescent lights. Expect to find an extensive and locally driven wine list, including the restaurant’s own wines: Earth Chardonnay and Globe merlot/cabernet blend, both bottled by Cave Spring in Jordan, Ont.
In addition to the 125 that can fit in Earth’s main dining room, the rooftop patio can accommodate 75 and is equipped with its own kitchen. Staying true to the “eat local” mantra, there are plans for a rooftop garden with fresh herbs and produce like tomatoes (eventually, the snaking vines and fruit along the rooftop arbour will become a part of the decor).
71014 (Image: Jag Gundu) The Bloor Street entrance of Earth’s three-and-a-half-storey building Introducing: Earth Bloor West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-sign.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-sign.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-sign.jpg 360 540 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-earth-bloor-west-ed-hos-massive-new-outpost/slide/earth-sign/ earth-sign 0 0
The Bloor Street entrance of Earth’s three-and-a-half-storey building
71006 (Image: Renée Suen) The main dining room at Earth Bloor West comfortably seats 125. Introducing: Earth Bloor West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-dining-room.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-dining-room.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-dining-room.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-earth-bloor-west-ed-hos-massive-new-outpost/slide/earth-dining-room/ earth-dining-room 0 0
The main dining room at Earth Bloor West comfortably seats 125.
71015 (Image: Renée Suen) A table setting in the main dining room Introducing: Earth Bloor West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-table-setting.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-table-setting.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-table-setting.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-earth-bloor-west-ed-hos-massive-new-outpost/slide/earth-table-setting/ earth-table-setting 0 0
A table setting in the main dining room
71012 (Image: Jag Gundu) Executive chef Kevin McKenna carving a rack of elk at Earth Bloor West’s grand opening party Introducing: Earth Bloor West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-mckenna-elk.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-mckenna-elk.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-mckenna-elk.jpg 638 425 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-earth-bloor-west-ed-hos-massive-new-outpost/slide/earth-mckenna-elk/ earth-mckenna-elk 0 0
Executive chef Kevin McKenna carving a rack of elk at Earth Bloor West’s grand opening party
71005 (Image: Jag Gundu) The kitchen crew sandwiching owner Ed Ho and executive chef Kevin McKenna in Earth Bloor West’s open kitchen Introducing: Earth Bloor West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-chefs.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-chefs.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-chefs.jpg 540 360 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-earth-bloor-west-ed-hos-massive-new-outpost/slide/earth-chefs/ earth-chefs 0 0
The kitchen crew sandwiching owner Ed Ho and executive chef Kevin McKenna in Earth Bloor West’s open kitchen
71010 (Image: Renée Suen) A polished chrome light fixture from Luminart dominates the back right-hand corner of the main dining room. The structure will hang above a large round booth (not yet installed). Introducing: Earth Bloor West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-light-fixture.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-light-fixture.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-light-fixture.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-earth-bloor-west-ed-hos-massive-new-outpost/slide/earth-light-fixture/ earth-light-fixture 0 0
A polished chrome light fixture from Luminart dominates the back right-hand corner of the main dining room. The structure will hang above a large round booth (not yet installed).
71007 (Image: Jag Gundu) Earth’s owner Ed Ho Introducing: Earth Bloor West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-ed-ho.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-ed-ho.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-ed-ho.jpg 540 360 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-earth-bloor-west-ed-hos-massive-new-outpost/slide/earth-ed-ho/ earth-ed-ho 0 0
Earth’s owner Ed Ho
71004 (Image: Renée Suen) The chef’s tables: two custom-crafted tables made from reclaimed bowling alley flooring are housed in a back nook facing Earth’s open kitchen. The tables are a nod to Globe Bistro, Ho and McKenna’s first restaurant, which was a bowling alley in a previous life. Introducing: Earth Bloor West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-chefs-table.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-chefs-table.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-chefs-table.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-earth-bloor-west-ed-hos-massive-new-outpost/slide/earth-chefs-table/ earth-chefs-table 0 0
The chef’s tables: two custom-crafted tables made from reclaimed bowling alley flooring are housed in a back nook facing Earth’s open kitchen. The tables are a nod to Globe Bistro, Ho and McKenna’s first restaurant, which was a bowling alley in a previous life.
71003 (Image: Renée Suen) A red lacquered bar top is the focal point of the lounge. Introducing: Earth Bloor West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-bar.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-bar.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-bar.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-earth-bloor-west-ed-hos-massive-new-outpost/slide/earth-bar/ earth-bar 0 0
A red lacquered bar top is the focal point of the lounge.
71002 (Image: Renée Suen) Bottles from Earth’s locally driven wine list are featured in the back bar. Introducing: Earth Bloor West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-bar-card.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-bar-card.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-bar-card.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-earth-bloor-west-ed-hos-massive-new-outpost/slide/earth-bar-card/ earth-bar-card 0 0
Bottles from Earth’s locally driven wine list are featured in the back bar.
71013 (Image: Renée Suen) The rooftop patio easily seats 75 and has its own functioning kitchen and draft beer on tap. Introducing: Earth Bloor West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-patio.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-patio.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-patio.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-earth-bloor-west-ed-hos-massive-new-outpost/slide/earth-patio/ earth-patio 0 0
The rooftop patio easily seats 75 and has its own functioning kitchen and draft beer on tap.
71001 (Image: Renée Suen) The private dining space as seen from the main-floor bar. The open-walled room allows up to 60 diners to peek down at the activity below. Introducing: Earth Bloor West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-bar-and-mezz.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-bar-and-mezz.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-bar-and-mezz.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-earth-bloor-west-ed-hos-massive-new-outpost/slide/earth-bar-and-mezz/ earth-bar-and-mezz 0 0
The private dining space as seen from the main-floor bar. The open-walled room allows up to 60 diners to peek down at the activity below.
71016 (Image: Renée Suen) Besides the dining room and patio, patrons can enjoy sharing plates in Earth’s lounge and bar. Introducing: Earth Bloor West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-wine-pizza-tartare.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-wine-pizza-tartare.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-wine-pizza-tartare.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-earth-bloor-west-ed-hos-massive-new-outpost/slide/earth-wine-pizza-tartare/ earth-wine-pizza-tartare 0 0
Besides the dining room and patio, patrons can enjoy sharing plates in Earth’s lounge and bar.
71017 (Image: Renée Suen) Earth serves a number of locally produced wines, including the restaurant’s own Globe (a merlot/cabernet blend) and Earth (chardonnay), bottled by Cave Spring in Jordan, Ont. Introducing: Earth Bloor West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-wines.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-wines.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-wines.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-earth-bloor-west-ed-hos-massive-new-outpost/slide/earth-wines/ earth-wines 0 0
Earth serves a number of locally produced wines, including the restaurant’s own Globe (a merlot/cabernet blend) and Earth (chardonnay), bottled by Cave Spring in Jordan, Ont.
71009 (Image: Renée Suen) Farmhouse cheese flatbread ($12): this wood oven–fired flatbread features a blanket of cow, goat and sheep’s milk cheeses over red onion jam. Introducing: Earth Bloor West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-flatbread.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-flatbread.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-flatbread.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-earth-bloor-west-ed-hos-massive-new-outpost/slide/earth-flatbread/ earth-flatbread 0 0
Farmhouse cheese flatbread ($12): this wood oven–fired flatbread features a blanket of cow, goat and sheep’s milk cheeses over red onion jam.
71008 (Image: Renée Suen) Lean elk tartar ($12) served with fingerling chips, gently poached quail’s egg and pickled wild leeks Introducing: Earth Bloor West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-elk-tartare.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-elk-tartare.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earth-elk-tartare.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-earth-bloor-west-ed-hos-massive-new-outpost/slide/earth-elk-tartare/ earth-elk-tartare 0 0
Lean elk tartar ($12) served with fingerling chips, gently poached quail’s egg and pickled wild leeks
As an event space, each of Earth’s private dining rooms can seat up to 60 diners each. Like at Globe, the open-walled room on the upper mezzanine gives full views of the rooms downstairs, while the one at the restaurant’s rear will be equipped with audio-visual equipment. The restaurant’s enormous 14-foot-tall entranceway also leads to a private catering space in the basement that will eventually hold an additional 300, although it currently houses the group’s bakery.
Earth Bloor West , 2448 Bloor St. W., 416-763-2222, earthbloorwest.com .