Chef Cory Vitiello’s first new restaurant in more than a decade is now open
The Frederick shares its Financial District address with its sister spot, the Chase
Name: The Frederick
Contact: 10 Temperance St., thefrederickto.com, @thefrederickto
Neighbourhood: Financial District
Owner: Richard Jaffray
Chefs: Cory Vitiello and Nick Bentley
Accessibility: Fully accessible
The Frederick marks the first ground-up project for Cory Vitiello since he launched his fast-casual lunch counter, Flock Rotisserie and Greens, back in 2014. “Since Flock, I’ve created three or four full brand concepts just because it’s something I really enjoy doing—and it also kept me creative during Covid,” says Vitiello. “The concept for the Frederick was the one that I knew I would launch one day, no matter what.”
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Vitiello was hired by LFG Growth Partners as executive director of concept and culinary development in 2022, and his first order of business was to relaunch the Chase. “We spent two years restoring and rebuilding the Chase, going through different menu iterations and renovations,” he says.
While Vitiello remained dedicated to making the restaurant all it could be, he was still chasing (pun intended) his own dream. “I came into the group with the concept of the Frederick in my back pocket. The idea needed a big space, so it had to be a downtown or midtown location.” As luck would have it, a vacant spot on the main floor of the Chase’s building (formerly home to the shuttered Chase Fish and Oyster) was just what he needed.
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The restaurant, however, isn’t exactly as buttoned-up as the Financial District it finds itself in—but it was Vitiello who helped casualize fine dining with the Harbord Room back in the early aughts. “This is not a concept that’s breaking the mould, but I’ve spent almost two decades in the industry, and as a chef, it’s selfishly the kind of place I want to eat at. Hopefully everyone else will too.”
The Food
A menu of unfussy yet soulful comfort food, executed with reverence. “We’re lucky to have access to all the same producers and distributors as our sister restaurant,” says Vitiello. “So everything is top quality and always fresh.” That quality shows: house-baked rolls arrive lacquered with molasses butter, zucchini is fried to a golden crisp and seasoned just right, steaks arrive firm and juicy, and the burger—well, for those who remember the Harbord Room days, it’s a delicious blast from the past. (However, the buns weren’t ready for their close-up on the day of our shoot, unfortunately.)
The Drinks
The non-denominational cocktail list offers something for everyone. There’s a classic martini, a Sazerac, some sours, a lychee martini and even tropical, tiki-inspired libations.
The Space
Cherry millwork, warm textures, vibrant art and splashes of colour decorate a dining room filled with booths and high-tops. It’s like a welcoming clubhouse where everyone gets a good seat.
Erin Hershberg is a freelance writer with nearly two decades of experience in the lifestyle sector. She currently lives in downtown Toronto with her husband and two children.
