Take a look inside the redesigned Victor restaurant at Hôtel Le Germain
With upscale bars and restaurants popping up in new hotels in and around King West, Victor, an operation that staked an early claim to the area, has given itself a makeover. Long-time general manager Michael Sullivan and chef David Chrystian recently stepped in as the new owners of the restaurant, located in the Hôtel Le Germain, and have relaunched it with a new menu and a contemporary facelift by Jenny Francis Design.
The expanded lounge space remains cozy, with plush velvet couches and oversize lampshades by the windows overlooking Mercer Street, while the zinc-topped herringbone-patterned bar lines the opposite side of the room. The reconfigured space includes a new semi-private dining room, which has an art deco feel and Escher-inspired flooring and can seat up to 40 guests.
The revamped “Taste Toronto” menu is designed for sharing, with a selection of dishes reflecting the various ethnic pockets around the GTA. The seven options change weekly, ideal for those who want to snack on a variety of cuisines without leaving King West. Highlights include the channa masala with mango chutney from Little India and the arepas with carne asada, salted onions, avocado and pepitas from Kensington Market ($14 per dish, three for $36, four for $48, five for $60 or all seven for $79).
The main menu features sustainable seafood options like marinated sardines with shaved bean salad and crisp potatoes ($14), as well as mains like the roasted elk and venison sausage and loin with braised cabbage, mustard and sweet potato tart ($28). Decidedly unusual twists on classic cocktails include the Bourbon Cosmopolitan ($15) and a “Manhattan” with Clase Azul tequila ($18).
Victor Restaurant, 30 Mercer St. (in the Hôtel Le Germain), 416-883-3431, victorrestaurant.com
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