What’s on the menu at Vela, a stunning new restaurant with Roaring Twenties vibes and a caviar sandwich
More New Restaurants
Name: Vela
Contact: 602 King St. W. (entrance off Portland St.), 416-364-111, velatoronto.com, @velatoronto
Neighbourhood: King West
Owner: Amanda Bradley (Alo, George) and Robin Goodfellow (Bar Raval)
Chef: Jeffrey Lapointe (Soho House, Piano Piano, Splendido)
Outdoor seating: A 2,000-square-foot, covered CaféTO patio along Portland
Covid-19 safety measures: Hand sanitizer stations at entrance and doorways, tables are sanitized between seatings, masks to be worn when not at tables
Accessibility: A flight of stairs leading to the main dining room of the restaurant
The food
Classic American dishes that pay homage to glamorous, golden-age hotel dining—chopped salads, shrimp cocktail, house-made pasta, ribeye steaks—but with subtle tweaks, many of which cater to contemporary tastes and sensibilities. Take the decked-out wedge salad, for example, that’s completely plant-based and gluten-free (it’s made with “sunflower chorizo”). There’s also a cashew torchon and artichoke cakes—the former is foie-gras free and the latter is crabless, but both dishes are uncanny mimics of their respective influences. Besides the dinner menu, there’s a shorter “room service” menu that’s available all day and into the night. Coming soon: lunch and weekend brunch.
The drinks
The Old World–dominated wine list curated by sommelier David Ouellette (Aprés Wine Ba, Lee) spotlights champagne and its sparkling cousins, but also includes some skin-contact wines and some bottles from Ontario producers. And with Goodfellow and his team behind the bar, there’s a tipple for every taste. Cocktails here are divided into four sections: champagne-based beverages, spirit-forward “vacation drinks” inspired by international cities, whimsical creations that take their cue from movies and global classics. There’s also an interesting selection of placebo (alcohol-free) cocktails.
The space
The design team at Partisans (Bar Raval, Gusto 501) helped bring the grand hotel lobby bar to life, giving the historical building a classy makeover. The 1920s are weaved throughout the massive space—from the dramatic entrance to the standing champagne bar. Leather banquettes are seafoam green, tables are made of white Carrera marble, and—in true Partisans-style—the undulating molded ceiling comes to life with integrated LED lighting.
When indoor dining is permitted, guests will have their choice of 160 seats divided among intimate booths, cozy dining room tables, seats at the bar or open kitchen, and in the lounge. Until then, there’s ample room on the 2,000-square-foot covered CaféTO patio that runs along Portland.
NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY
Sign up for Table Talk, our free newsletter with essential food and drink stories.
