Charles Khabouth’s new Bloor Street bistro, La Société, to open in June; two more Khabouth restos in the works

Charles Khabouth’s new Bloor Street bistro, La Société, to open in June; two more Khabouth restos in the works

Charles Khabouth beneath the just-installed stained-glass ceiling at La Société (Image: Gizelle Lau)

A few months ago, we announced that Charles Khabouth of Ink Entertainment would be taking over the space formerly occupied by dim sum staple Dynasty Chinese Cuisine. After five months of renovations, the new restaurant, La Société, is set to open on June 15th, and we got a sneak peek to see what it was all about.

Khabouth’s preferred design firm, Munge Leung—which was responsible for his Ame, Bisha Hotel and Residences, Ultra, and Dragonfly properties—was also behind La Société. The design is meant to evoke a classic 1920s Parisian bistro, crossed with the contemporary and casual vibe of Balthazar in New York City.

A rendering of the bar and lounge area, with the real version behind and very much in-construction (Image: Gizelle Lau)

The space will be outfitted with dark custom millwork and classic bistro-style mosaic floor tiling, but the pièce de résistance will be the dining room’s unique stained-glass ceiling. In addition to the dining room, there will be a separate bar space and a garden patio just outside the second-floor restaurant, as well as a large street-level patio right on Bloor.

La Société will be open for lunch and dinner on weekdays, and on the weekend, service will start at brunch and end at 2 a.m. On the menu, expect French bistro classics like tiered seafood platters (small $65, large $85), French onion soup ($10), steak tartare ($16), bouillabaisse ($29), saffron moules frites ($19) and steak frites ($37). In the kitchen, the executive chef will be James Olberg, and the executive sous-chef Trevor Ritchie, both of Tiara at Queen’s Landing in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Despite the “King of Clubs” nickname, Khabouth is more restaurateur than nightlife impresario these days, with La Société and the recently opened Briscola, as well as two new restaurants in the works—one Mexican, the other to be determined—on the strip of King West between Spadina and Brant. Naturally, they’re slated to open in time for TIFF.

La Société, 131 Bloor St. W., lasociete.ca.