Introducing: Fring’s, the King West resto-lounge from Susur Lee and Drake
Our review of Fring's
Name: Fring’s
Neighbourhood: King West
Contact: 455 King St. W., 416-979-9696, fringsrestaurant.com, @fringstoronto
Previously: Crush Wine Bar
Owners: Kai and Levi Bent-Lee (Bent), Susur Lee (Lee, Bent, Luckee), Angelo Ferraro (OVO crew member) and Aubrey “Drake” Graham
Executive chef: Susur Lee
The food
Bar snacks and comfort food, with the odd Asian twist. While Lee is responsible for the recipes, Kai and Levi designed the menu; it features flavours inspired by their travels and their mother’s home cooking. There are no actual frings here—the name comes from a patois term that the owners say describes a happy state of mind. The closest the menu comes to fried-onion goodness are the J.K. Frites supplied by Kai’s and Levi’s childhood friend Micha Kennedy.
Organic salmon crudo with gluten-free ponzu, jalapeño, cilantro and green apple. $18.
Forno Cultura toast topped with avocado, pistachios, preserved lemon, black olives, fresh mint and sumac. $10.
Mom’s Homemade Sweet and Sour Meatballs, topped with parmesan and bread crumbs. $12.
Spicy Rigatoni Rosé with pancetta and parmesan. $24.
Caramel Monkey Bread with caramelized apple, English cream, salted caramel and hazelnut ice cream. $14.
The drinks
Signature cocktails, wine by the glass and bottle, and a small selection of sake. Of course there’s also a short list of baller champagne.
Proper Ting: Belvedere vodka, Cointreau, white cranberry and grape juices, lime juice and egg white. $16.
Coconut-Lime Mojito: Sailor Jerry’s spiced rum, Malibu coconut rum, coconut milk, lime juice and mint. $16.
The space
The 8,000-square-foot space was designed by Bent Gable Design (that’s Lee’s wife’s company) and is divided into three areas: a lounge, a dining area and a private room. A 100-seat patio will open in the summer.
The main dining room. Sweet mohair chairs.
The 24-seat private dining area, complete with marble fireplace and AV system (for fancy board meetings, or just to watch the game).
Two interesting facts: the bar is lined with pony hair, and those chandeliers are made with clear coat hangers.
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-frings-king-west-resto-lounge-susur-lee-drake/&title=Introducing: Fring’s, the King West resto-lounge from Susur Lee and Drake&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/toronto-new-restaurants-bars-frings-susur-lee-drake-king-west-crudo.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_363785" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] (Image: Renée Suen)[/caption]
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Name: Fring's
Neighbourhood: King West
Contact: 455 King St. W., 416-979-9696, fringsrestaurant.com, @fringstoronto
Previously: Crush Wine Bar
Owners: Kai and Levi Bent-Lee (Bent), Susur Lee (Lee, Bent, Luckee), Angelo Ferraro (OVO crew member) and Aubrey "Drake" Graham
Executive chef: Susur Lee
The food
Bar snacks and comfort food, with the odd Asian twist. While Lee is responsible for the recipes, Kai and Levi designed the menu; it features flavours inspired by their travels and their mother's home cooking. There are no actual frings here—the name comes from a patois term that the owners say describes a happy state of mind. The closest the menu comes to fried-onion goodness are the J.K. Frites supplied by Kai's and Levi's childhood friend Micha Kennedy.
[caption id="attachment_363769" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] (Image: Renée Suen)[/caption]
Organic salmon crudo with gluten-free ponzu, jalapeño, cilantro and green apple. $18.
[caption id="attachment_363784" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] (Image: Renée Suen)[/caption]
Forno Cultura toast topped with avocado, pistachios, preserved lemon, black olives, fresh mint and sumac. $10.
[caption id="attachment_363775" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] (Image: Renée Suen)[/caption]
Mom's Homemade Sweet and Sour Meatballs, topped with parmesan and bread crumbs. $12.
[caption id="attachment_363779" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] (Image: Renée Suen)[/caption]
Spicy Rigatoni Rosé with pancetta and parmesan. $24.
[caption id="attachment_363776" align="aligncenter" width="1067"] (Image: Renée Suen)[/caption]
Caramel Monkey Bread with caramelized apple, English cream, salted caramel and hazelnut ice cream. $14.
The drinks
Signature cocktails, wine by the glass and bottle, and a small selection of sake. Of course there's also a short list of baller champagne.
[caption id="attachment_363783" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] (Image: Renée Suen)[/caption]
Proper Ting: Belvedere vodka, Cointreau, white cranberry and grape juices, lime juice and egg white. $16.
[caption id="attachment_363774" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] (Image: Renée Suen)[/caption]
Coconut-Lime Mojito: Sailor Jerry's spiced rum, Malibu coconut rum, coconut milk, lime juice and mint. $16.
The space
The 8,000-square-foot space was designed by Bent Gable Design (that's Lee's wife's company) and is divided into three areas: a lounge, a dining area and a private room. A 100-seat patio will open in the summer.
[caption id="attachment_363771" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] (Image: Renée Suen)[/caption]
The main dining room. Sweet mohair chairs.
[caption id="attachment_363782" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] (Image: Renée Suen)[/caption]
The 24-seat private dining area, complete with marble fireplace and AV system (for fancy board meetings, or just to watch the game).
[caption id="attachment_363767" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] (Image: Renée Suen)[/caption]
Two interesting facts: the bar is lined with pony hair, and those chandeliers are made with clear coat hangers.){kind=link}