Introducing: Hush, Gabby’s new, upscale sibling on King West
Todd Sherman, owner of the new King Street restaurant Hush, is no stranger to the food business. With many years at the family-run Gabby’s empire under his belt, Sherman is making the move into a more upscale dining territory. Located on the crowded strip between John and Peter streets, Hush is of course aimed directly at the TIFF and theatre crowds (sister restaurants Gabby’s and Hey Lucy are also within a stone’s throw of the place). Sherman told us he felt the strip had grown a little tired and was in need of a new, more upmarket eatery.
The decor brings a bit of club-like sensibility to King Street’s ubiquitous reclaimed and antique look: a chandelier mixes Edison bulbs with piano keys; two bar area tables are made from slabs of reclaimed wood; the bar top showcases 24,000 black iridescent marbles encased in an epoxy shell. Paintings from local artist Allison Knudsen hang on the walls alongside ceiling panels dipped in pewter, which can be flooded in any colour imaginable thanks to the LED lighting system.
Of the menu items, Sherman particularly recommends the prime rib, cooked in a Rational oven that injects steam into the Ontario beef as it cooks, keeping things moist ($21–$27). Lighter fare includes a seafood citrus salad, which comes with pico de gallo–topped lobster and shrimp and is served with grape tomatoes, red and yellow bell peppers, cucumber-wrapped field greens, avocado and a tangerine dressing ($15.50). Of particular note is the wine list, which was compiled by master sommelier Bruce Wallner of nearby Paese—one of Canada’s three Master Sommeliers—with average wines costing between $40 and $60 and nothing over $125. Suggested pairings are noted on the menu, and on Fridays and Saturdays the restaurant does a feature wine sampling.
Hush, 303 King St. W., 416-979-9799, hushrestaurants.ca
