Empire watch: Oliver and Bonacini to open new restaurant at The Bay’s Queen Street flagship
The experience of eating at The Bay is about to get a whole lot snazzier. Canada’s oldest corporation is bringing in restaurateurs Peter Oliver and Michael Bonacini to open new in-store eateries at various locations (the Bay’s existing restaurants will get revamped by another food services company). Much like she did by re-opening The Room last year, HBC CEO Bonnie Brooks is bringing in the proprietors of Biff’s and Canoe as a part of her efforts to nudge the retailer upmarket.
As part of the deal, the Oliver and Bonacini Group will get its hands on the Queen Street flagship’s art deco Arcadian Court, which the Bay is hoping will become “the most sought after private event venue in the city.” The deal also means the restaurant empire will have the opportunity to expand from its 11 GTA locations to select Bays across the country.
I am a HUGE fan of Jump, Canoe and Biffs. Since Sept I have tried their 3 new restaurants.
O & B Canteen: Decent service, casual atmosphere. Great gnocchi and SOMA chocolate brownie.
O & B Cafe/Grill: Nice atmosphere, great patio, serice fairly decent. Caesar salad pretty bland.
Luma: Food was not bad but compared to Jump etc it doens’t come close. Service was almost non existent.
Another restaurant from the guys who made and the guys who also made. Andrew I have to say to much praise for nothing that special and if the gnocchi is great then I dont think you have eaten at other places.
I’m excited about the prospect of O&B coming to The Bay, particularly if it means the one near me! Please!
That’s great. The Arcadian Court is such a beautiful space with so much history in Toronto. My grandmother loved going there for their chicken pot pies! Would love to see a restaurant with modern day excitement in that space.
Culinerd
I was just commenting on the one and only main dish I had @ o&B canteen.
I have been fortunate to have been to 120 plus dining establishments so I’m sure I know a thing or 2 about Toronto dining scene. I have certainly been to some great and really bad restos.