TORONTO ―Frenchy’s opened yesterday inside the main lobby level of the newly renovated Hilton Toronto.
The restaurant held a grand opening party earlier this week, where the city’s influencers and industry leaders got a chance to experience Parisian flair and preview first-hand the changes made to the hotel over a year-long renovation program. Guests also had the opportunity to tour an eclectic and whimsical installation of specially curated rooms on the 32nd floor of the hotel depicting the various neighbourhoods of Toronto.
Designed to be the heartbeat of the property, Frenchy’s offers what the hotel is calling a “relaxed yet refined ambiance ― the perfect blend of sophistication and defiance, offering an experience of easy indulgence with a boldly uncomplicated attitude.”
The restaurant is designed by award-winning studio DesignAgency, in collaboration with Barney River, the owners of the hotel. “Frenchy exudes style and sophistication, creating a re-imagined space that seamlessly transitions between grand and intimate,” says a release by the company.
Frency’s features deep banquettes and armchairs to elevate comfort, creating spaces for celebrations or quiet conversations. A palette of deep burgundy hues, wood, marble, and florals
promotes a feeling of elegance. The stately private dining-room showcases Frenchy’s wine collection in lacquered wall cabinets, offering the perfect setting for meetings, tastings and special occasions.
To provide a transition from day to night, soft ambient lighting warms the space in a gentle glow from corner to corner. “We envisioned Frenchy as a nexus that would draw visitors and locals to gather and sit comfortably side-by-side,” says Matt Davis, DesignAgency founding partner. “The unique result combines the energy of a sidewalk café with the polish of a fine-dining experience.”
Central to the design is the chic, European-inspired lobby bar and lounge, which is positioned around a sweeping oval-shaped bar wrapped in rich-high-gloss red tambour panelling, and topped with a sculptural brass gantry. The bar serves as the epicentre of lobby, and the hotel team is hoping it’ll become a premier destination for those in search of European charm, while setting a new standard for the quintessential lobby bar experience in Toronto.
Guests at the bar will be offered an innovative signature cocktail lists that includes the Frenchy 75, a spin on the French 75, infusing the classic gin, Champagne, and lemon concoction with a
red Hibiscus syrup in a blush-pink glass, while the Frou-Frou will serve as the indulgent spin on the espresso Martini with a rich pistachio flavour. In addition to the inventive blends is an extensive selection of European wines, beers, and non-alcoholic alternatives. Bar snacks include crispy olives, escargot vol-au-vent, truffle brie gougères and croque monsieur sliders.
“We wanted to make this hotel and its food-and-beverage offerings the best they could be so Frenchy would naturally integrate into Toronto’s culinary and hospitality landscape,” says Salim Manji, president of Barney River. “The bar, lounge and restaurant all interplay to create a buzzy room reminiscent of the best social havens around the world.”
The culinary team at Frency’s is led byexecutive chef Aaron Chen. “When designing the
menus, we wanted to ensure that no matter what guests opt to order, they enjoy a culinary experience that perfectly blends comfort with class,” says Chen. “Every bite at Frenchy’s should celebrate the essence of French gastronomy with a touch of relaxed elegance.”
Frenchy’s is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Those kick-starting their morning can indulge
in the Parisian-inspired breakfast offering while the lunch menu includes an extensive salad and sandwich selection. At dinner, guests will choose from such French staples such as oysters and escargots to truffle-baked brie and foie gras mousse, bouillabaisse, côte de boeuf for two, gnocchi Parisienne and duck confit cassoulet. Frenchy’s signature “Avec Frites” section has re-imagined the classic steak frites.
