Introducing: Black Moon, the latest excuse for Bay Streeters to stick around after five
With the notable exception of Bay Street’s upscale banker-bait, it’s been hard to imagine Toronto’s financial district ever becoming a destination for more casual fare. But with the recent openings of The Gabardine and Blowfish on Bay, and now Black Moon, a new resto-renaissance seems to be taking hold. “Most people who worked here would leave the neighbourhood as soon as they finished working, but that’s changing,” says owner Abdi Ghotb, also the man behind the Sandwich Box. Since opening last week, the glitzy resto-lounge is already becoming a go-to spot for Bay Street’s in-and-out lunch crowd as well as office castaways looking for a late-night libations.
The French-inspired sharable menu is very of-the-moment, with a focus on seasonal, local ingredients (beef from Wellington County, produce from Cookstown Greens) courtesy of 14-year Toronto kitchen veteran Kai Zyganiuk (Truffles, The Spoke Club, Cucina). Aiming for whimsical takes on classics, Zyganiuk serves Ahi tuna ceviche with watermelon and green chili lime juice ($15) and a caesar salad tossed in a smoked-bacon vinaigrette and topped with a soft poached egg ($9).
“I think anybody could come in here and find something on the menu that they’re comfortable with, and that they’d like to order,” says Zyganiuk. The trofie pasta (twisted lengths of noodle) with smoked chicken served in a pistou porcini broth and topped with a generous helping of grana padano cheese ($15) is an early favorite.
Interior designer Sasha Josipovicz has provided a space with sufficiently swanky flourishes to match the location. Telling detail: the three massive gold-framed mirrors that loom above the bar are castaways from the Trump Plaza.
Black Moon, 67 Richmond St. W., 416-603-3100, blackmoonlounge.com.
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