Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe, a new downtown steakhouse from the old manager of Harbour Sixty
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
This TIFF season was a busy one for the intersection of Adelaide and Simcoe, with the opening of the new Shangri-La Hotel and Soho House Toronto. Just around the corner, Michael’s On Simcoe opened briefly during the festival and saw visits from the likes of Marion Cotillard, Emily Blunt and Colin Firth. The titular Michael is owner Michael Dabic, who worked as a general manager at Harbour Sixty for almost 10 years before striking out on his own. Unsurprisingly, his new restaurant, now open to the public, is squarely aimed at the suits in the financial district across University Avenue, with a menu that features steak, seafood and modern Italian.
The ultra-modern space was designed by Thomas Tampold and Eliana Diamond of Yorkville Design Centre. The dining room’s centerpiece is a glittering, painstakingly hand-assembled, 600-piece Murano glass feature flanked by plush, semi-circular banquettes. High-tech features include state-of-the-art LED mood lighting and three vanishing 55” TV screens built into the mirrors behind the bar. (Also of note for the folks behind the Canada’s Best Bathroom competition: the women’s bathroom features Toto Neorest bidets.)
In the kitchen is chef Boris Babic (formerly of A1 Autostrada in Concord), who focuses on the meat and seafood side, while sous chef Steve Morsi executes the Italian dishes, making pasta from scratch daily. The menu features appetizers like a seafood salad ($22) with scallop, shrimp, octopus, fennel and olives and a classic beet carpaccio ($12). The Italian mains feature luxe ingredients: the ravioli ($29) is topped with pieces of poached lobster, and the risotto ($29), naturally, is truffled. Steaks are all hand-selected USDA Prime, with cuts that have been dry- or wet-aged from 21 to 35 days. Prices start at $28 for a 7-ounce tenderloin and stretch up to $64 for a porterhouse. The wine list is a work in progress, currently offering about 150 labels, and, behind the bar, the focus is on those classic steak liquors: scotch and bourbon.
171133 Flourless chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream and crème anglaise ($12) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels13/ oct12michaels13 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171134 Lemongrass panna cotta ($12) with orange vanilla glaze and berries (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels14/ oct12michaels14 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171132 Colorado rack of lamb with cucumber raita, olive tapenade and braised red cabbage ($49) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels12.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels12/ oct12michaels12 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171129 USDA Prime porterhouse steak, grilled and served in a cast-iron pan ($64) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels09.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels09/ oct12michaels09 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171128 Scallops and foie gras with forest mushrooms and swiss chard ($35) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels08.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels08/ oct12michaels08 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171127 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels07.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels07/ oct12michaels07 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171126 Lobster ravioli with poached lobster tail in saffron sauce ($29) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels06.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels06/ oct12michaels06 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171125 Veal cheeks and sweetbreads with braised corn cake and frizzled leeks ($26) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels05.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels05/ oct12michaels05 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171124 Cherry tomato salad with shallots, basil and red wine vinaigrette ($14) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels04.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels04/ oct12michaels04 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171123 Seafood salad alla mare adriatico with scallop, shrimp, octopus, fennel, olives and caperberries ($22) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels03.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels03/ oct12michaels03 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171122 Foie gras torchon with calvados poached figs ($26) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels02.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels02/ oct12michaels02 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171121 Beet carpaccio with goat cheese mousse and roasted almonds ($12) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels01.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels01/ oct12michaels01 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171140 The meat-aging locker (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels20.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels20/ oct12michaels20 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171136 The bar at Michael’s (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels16.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels16/ oct12michaels16 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171135 The bar at Michael’s (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels15.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels15/ oct12michaels15 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171131 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels11/ oct12michaels11 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171137 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels17/ oct12michaels17 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171138 The dining room’s centrepiece is this painstakingly hand-assembled, 600-piece Italian murano glass feature (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels18.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels18/ oct12michaels18 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171139 The dining room’s centrepiece is this painstakingly hand-assembled, 600-piece Italian murano glass feature (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels19.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels19/ oct12michaels19 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171130 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels10/ oct12michaels10 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
171120 The dining room at Michael’s was designed by Thomas Tampold and Eliana Diamond of Yorkville Design Centre (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe Introducing: Michael’s on Simcoe https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12Michaels_intro.jpg 656 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-michaels-on-simcoe/slide/oct12michaels_intro/ oct12michaels_intro 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
Michael’s on Simcoe, 100 Simcoe St., 416-260-5100, michaelsonsimcoe.com , @MichaelOnSimcoe
WOW! Sexy food, sexy atmosphere :)
Congrats!
Impressive. Looks like they are going to give Jacobs & Co. a run for their money in the swanky steakhouse category. Best of luck to Michael’s.
The price point isn’t bad either – and i’m sure they know their meat so maybe there could be a bit better value there than hitting up Jacobs or Harbor 60
LOOKS COOL