Take a look inside the newly renovated Amber, Toufik Sarwa’s Yorkville mainstay
For almost 12 years, Yorkville’s Amber has been the place to see and be seen. Having just finished turning his Cinq 01 into the new Briscola Trattoria at the end of February, it seems owner Toufik Sarwa has reno fever—he’s just completed another major renovation at Amber. We checked in with Sarwa to get the dish on the new digs.
Behind the remodelling is designer Montana Burnett, a former editor at Canadian House and Home and a long-time patron of Amber. Throughout the years, she’s seen Amber progress from minimalist to Moroccan inspired to Miami South Beach. “This fourth and final incarnation is the most mature Amber has ever been,” Sarwa says. By bringing an outdoorsy, beachy theme inside, the bar and lounge has been transformed from a dark, subterranean hideout into a space reminiscent of old Hollywood or 1950s Havana.
Caramel-toned banquettes, white lattice accents, turquoise art deco trims, banana leaf prints, large bamboo lounging chairs, retro lighting sconces and a bright new bar made of Calcutta marble create a warmer space than the previously all white, almost sterile lounge. Toronto artist Matt McNaught was hired to create the new, edgy, green graffiti mural at the entrance.
The new menu will no longer offer sit-down dining options or entrées. Instead, it will feature smaller tapas-style plates (from $18), like tuna or beef carpaccio and vegetable crudités, designed for sharing over cocktails and drinks. New, Havana-inspired cocktails (from $14) will include creative twists on the classic mojito, margarita and sangria.
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- The resto-lounge as seen from Yorkville Avenue
- Inside the renovated Amber
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- Amber’s new bar is made from Calcutta marble
- Inside the renovated Amber
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- Inside the renovated Amber
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- Inside the renovated Amber
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- Inside the renovated Amber
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- Inside the renovated Amber
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- Inside the renovated Amber
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Just in time for patio season, the deck behind Amber will also be getting the full makeover treatment. Slated to open by the end of April, it will feature a fresher Mediterranean beach-side feel replacing the old black and white scheme.
Amber, 119 Yorkville Ave., 416-926-9037, amberinyorkville.com .
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/food/take-a-look-inside-the-newly-renovated-amber-toufik-sarwas-yorkville-mainstay/&title=Take a look inside the newly renovated Amber, Toufik Sarwa’s Yorkville mainstay&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/amber-bar.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_62537" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Amber’s new bar is made from Calcutta marble (Image: Gizelle Lau)"][/caption]
For almost 12 years, Yorkville’s Amber has been the place to see and be seen. Having just finished turning his Cinq 01 into the new Briscola Trattoria at the end of February, it seems owner Toufik Sarwa has reno fever—he’s just completed another major renovation at Amber. We checked in with Sarwa to get the dish on the new digs.
Behind the remodelling is designer Montana Burnett, a former editor at Canadian House and Home and a long-time patron of Amber. Throughout the years, she’s seen Amber progress from minimalist to Moroccan inspired to Miami South Beach. “This fourth and final incarnation is the most mature Amber has ever been,” Sarwa says. By bringing an outdoorsy, beachy theme inside, the bar and lounge has been transformed from a dark, subterranean hideout into a space reminiscent of old Hollywood or 1950s Havana.
Caramel-toned banquettes, white lattice accents, turquoise art deco trims, banana leaf prints, large bamboo lounging chairs, retro lighting sconces and a bright new bar made of Calcutta marble create a warmer space than the previously all white, almost sterile lounge. Toronto artist Matt McNaught was hired to create the new, edgy, green graffiti mural at the entrance.
The new menu will no longer offer sit-down dining options or entrées. Instead, it will feature smaller tapas-style plates (from $18), like tuna or beef carpaccio and vegetable crudités, designed for sharing over cocktails and drinks. New, Havana-inspired cocktails (from $14) will include creative twists on the classic mojito, margarita and sangria.
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Just in time for patio season, the deck behind Amber will also be getting the full makeover treatment. Slated to open by the end of April, it will feature a fresher Mediterranean beach-side feel replacing the old black and white scheme.
Amber, 119 Yorkville Ave., 416-926-9037, amberinyorkville.com .){kind=link}
Wow, that’s ugly. I’ve seen better renos on Restaurant Makeover.
Restaurant Makeover? I’ve seen better renos on Trading Spaces.
This is so awful …rofl
Yikes! That’s hideous.
Reminds me of the 1970s wet-bar my parents used to have in their basement… which they got rid of about 15 years ago.
This looks horrible! I would take the old Amber back any day.
Oh no Toufik! What have you done?!?!
This looks great. This is much more interesting than the old Amber.
That has to be the worst bar/resto reno I have seen yet.
What was the designer thinking? Or what was Toufik thinking hiring a former House and Home assistant market editor? I hope he is not serious on this being the ‘final incarnation’.
Amazing…still has the same feel, with a nice refreshing vibe…can’t wait to go back!!
This space is gorgeous and done in such high style! Hello Amber!
OMG! Stunning stunning stunning! I haven’t been there forever but now I’m going back!
BRAVO Toufic!!! Very cool and a wonderful change from the regular ‘cave’
look!!!
The design is certainly eye-catching and a drastic departure from the old aesthetic. A bold change to a once upon a time white room. Regardless, the patrons of this establishment are usually pretty blotto anyways and won’t notice the new decor. The place is usually so packed it’s standing room only (Thursday-Saturday)and this opens the space up dramatically from its previous design which was pretty restaurant makeover as well.
This is really cool! So much better then before! really cool. Love the hints of green and marble bar. I think that is unique and refreshing for Toronto. It really stands out because every bar looks the same in Toronto and this actually pushes the envelope. Well done! :)
Sounds like a bunch of jealous ”
‘wanna-be’s’ and with no taste too!!
I bet “ewww” works at House and Home, or somehow knows the designer. The article only states the designer was an editor at House and Home and this person seems to know a little more about the designer than the article put forth.
Sounds like some disgruntled designers didn’t get the job.
A number of people with no taste are attacking a great designer. Perhaps Toufik should have hired the designers that do all of Toronto’s Pan-Asian restaurants to create an atmosphere that blends in with the boring GTA design mainstays.
Wish we had something like this in New YorK. Look forward to the experience when I’m up next time.
This is sooo HOT! Who are these people with noo taste whatsoever? You guys need to get out of the suburbs!
Wow! I’m going to hire Montana Burnett! This space is beyond sophisticated!
I totally disagree with these mean-spirited reviews.
They obviously wanted the job themselves and didn’t get it!!
The project has turned out beautifully and Toufik should be so happy. Its really cool and refreshing!!
Wow, so many positive comments in so little time. Odd.
Obviously “mattagascar” is a crazy person…
Get a life Mottagasgar!! Shame on you!
@mattagascar Totally! Hilarious how 10 over-the-top positive comments appear within a minutes of eachother. A designer trying to do a little PR face-saving?
Here are my 2 cents: This place looks like a design disaster. Granted I didn’t favour the previous design of Amber but this new look isn’t any better. I don’t see how the rattan stools (let alone with white fabric) will withstand the high volume traffic of a bar. I do like the idea of the vintage Havana-style, but the space is sub-par from what I would expect from Toufik. Commute Home’s design of Toufik’s Briscola was well executed and looks great.
It’s mattagascar and shame on YOU for encouraging this designer.
Someone seems to have a bone to pick….weirdos
WOWOWOW Sudee! You are a visionary. Congratulations!!
Even a blind person could tell this is ugly.
Thank you all for your comments. Keep them coming. Never before has changing my Decore caused so much debate. It is a sign you are all passionate about AMBER. I am thrilled with the new AMBER design and I applaud Montana for her work. Stay tune for the Patio.
Looks nice to me
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Looks like a lawn bowling club house.
Very elegant post by Toufik.
I for one, am a fan.
@BeReal…how would you know about coke and escorts???Obviously you’ve had some practice in that department…be real!
This is simply heinous. Where are the dusty silk flower arrangements?
@ FAT CHANCE…maybe lawn bowling is what they have in mind for the aforementioned patio.
These 3 pages of comments just gave me a good chuckle. So in summary:
– numerous people opine that the design is hideous (which I tend to agree with)
– Montana Burnett tried to defend herself by posting comments from fake individuals how glorious of a design it is and what a great designer she is (har)and then a family member is called in to support
– Toufik is happy with the space and the attention
Keep it up while I grab some popcorn!
@A.Mused – I find it very a.musing that you sit behind your veil of anonymity and accuse others of malpractice. The same argument that you made can go both ways. That said, enjoy the popcorn, enjoy your weekend.
Ok guys…that’s enough now..let’s all play nice! Love it, hate it….all good! Jesse Burnett..you’re one loyal broheem!
@ sickofcupcakes I do like outfits though.p.s. I am sick of cup cakes too.
I think it’s really cute in there! Can’t wait to see the patio!
That design is hideous! How embarrassing.
Toufik! Love the new look, its so refreshing! Look forward to seeing what your gonna do w. the Patio. Will come for a visit soon. :)
Now hideous has a new name!
Awesome job Monty. You’ve created a cool classy place for us to enjoy at my favorite getaway. Hope to see you there soon.
This is great. It’s a scenester sort of place where one’s gran will feel right at home.
Or I can see an aesthetician with a home-based business in an upper middle class suburb renovating his or her walk-out basement in this style.
To be fair, I’m sure it’s more impressive live.
This is atrocious! The designer should go back to art school. My 5-year old daughter could do a better job.
i read all the comments before looking at the pictures, and thought people MUST have been just being overly vicious and catty. but nope. seriously, who the hell though this would ever look good? It’s patently AWFUL.
it looks like what would happen if a 70’s lounge and a mini putt got drunk, had sex and birthed a new venue. and the baby had fetal alcohol syndrome.
my god. awful.
This is VERY different for Toronto…more the norm in LA or NYC. groovy overall. I dig it
Lol
is Amber still open? this place was sooo 2001.