What’s on the menu at Hy’s Steakhouse and Cocktail Bar, the new 18,000-square-foot flagship in the Financial District
Name: Hy’s Steakhouse and Cocktail Bar
Contact: 365 Bay St., 416-364-6600, hyssteakhouse.com, @hyssteakhouse
Neighbourhood: Financial District
Owner: Neil Aisenstat and Rob MacDonald
Chef: Saku Velummylum
Accessibility: Fully accessible
The food
Steak, steak and more steak, but some new items, too. Most of Hy’s core menu remains, however, diners living that plant-based lifestyle have a few more dishes to choose from, including a vegan bowl and vegetarian meatloaf. Caesar salads are still made tableside and the cheese toast—which has been a staple since day one—isn’t going anywhere. Funny story: Hy, the founder of the steakhouse, and the father of the current CEO, opened the first location because he wanted to save money to go to school for journalism. (How things have changed!) The restaurant was such a success, however, that Aisenstat quickly changed his career path.
The drinks
As expected from a steakhouse, there’s a very deep wine list, as well as a bunch of classic and signature cocktails, including some zero-proof tipples, like the Adelaide Sour made with Seedlip. Upstairs, another smaller bar serves exclusive whiskeys and fancy champagne. Here, cocktails start at $35 and a special menu lists caviar as a snack.
The space
Hy’s closed its Adelaide Street West location in late 2018 after being there since 1999. (Prior to that, it was on Richmond Street West from 1977 to 1998). The new 18,000-square-foot space is spread over three floors, each decked out in a whole lotta wood and Canadian art. A lounge area on the main floor features a 35-foot wraparound bar, with some cozy nooks where guests can kick their feet up and catch whatever game is playing on one of the TV screens. On the mezzanine, a quieter dining area, and the aforementioned fancy whisky bar, overlook the lounge. There are some private dining rooms, too: a few smaller ones on the mezzanine, and a couple much larger ones with their own wet bars on the lower level.
 The restaurant was such a success, however, that Aisenstat quickly changed his career path.
[caption id="attachment_507110" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] Hy's Cheese Toast for Two has been a fan favourite since 1955. $10.95.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_507112" align="aligncenter" width="3888"] Here, chef Velummylum gets started on the tableside caesar.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_507113" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] These guéridon are stocked with all the fixings necessary to make the salads. $21.95.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_507133" align="aligncenter" width="3813"] The Organic Vegan Bowl features sweet potato, yam, purple yam, cassava root, lotus root, Japanese eggplant, mushrooms, grape tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, green beans, eggplant and tempura okra all in a tamarind curry sauce. $34.95.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_507129" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] And here we have the porterhouse ($84.95) with maple-pecan carrots ($13.95), charred lemon-parmesan asparagus ($17.95) and sautéed cremini mushrooms ($14.95).[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_507111" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] And here's a slice of Hy's Famous Cheesecake, topped with a berry compote. $12.95.[/caption]
The drinks
As expected from a steakhouse, there's a very deep wine list, as well as a bunch of classic and signature cocktails, including some zero-proof tipples, like the Adelaide Sour made with Seedlip. Upstairs, another smaller bar serves exclusive whiskeys and fancy champagne. Here, cocktails start at $35 and a special menu lists caviar as a snack.
[caption id="attachment_507116" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] From left to right: Hy's Juice, house-made tomato juice ($10); Safe Haven, a tk cocktail from the whiskey bar, made with Deveron 18-Year-Od Highland Single Malt with vanilla liqueur and orange ($35); the Venture Cap, a mix of Bombay Sapphire gin, Fentiman's tonic, aloe vera and lemon ($17); and Disclosure, a boozy blend of Haku vodka, Antica Formula vermouth, apricot liqueur, marsala, ginger beer, orange and lemon ($19).[/caption]
The space
Hy's closed its Adelaide Street West location in late 2018 after being there since 1999. (Prior to that, it was on Richmond Street West from 1977 to 1998). The new 18,000-square-foot space is spread over three floors, each decked out in a whole lotta wood and Canadian art. A lounge area on the main floor features a 35-foot wraparound bar, with some cozy nooks where guests can kick their feet up and catch whatever game is playing on one of the TV screens. On the mezzanine, a quieter dining area, and the aforementioned fancy whisky bar, overlook the lounge. There are some private dining rooms, too: a few smaller ones on the mezzanine, and a couple much larger ones with their own wet bars on the lower level.
[caption id="attachment_507128" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] Looking down at the main bar and lounge area from the mezzanine.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_507126" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] Here's the main lounge area again.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_507125" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] That painting up at the top has hung in all of Hy's Toronto locations over the years.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_507122" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] This section of the main-level lounge has a few TV screens.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_507130" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] Here's a section of the mezzanine-level dining area.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_507132" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] And another.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_507134" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] Here's the upstairs whiskey bar. (The Pink Panther is a nod to Henry Mancini, composer of the Pink Panther music, and once a regular at Hy's Vancouver location.)[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_507109" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] Neil Aisenstat chose some of the books that stock the restaurants many bookshelves.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_507120" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] On the way to the washroom is this wall dedicated to the history of Hy's.[/caption]
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