TORONTO — Oliver & BonaciniHospitality’s (O&B) much-anticipated Maison Selby — a chic all-day dining restaurant and bar — will open April 10. Located in the 136-year-old C.H. Gooderham House at Bloor and Sherbourne streets, Maison Selby celebrates timeless French cooking with a modern accent.
Originally designed by acclaimed architect David Roberts Jr., Maison Selby’s façade features red brick cladding, a cross-gable roof, dormer windows and brick chimneys. On the interior, the home’s original fireplaces, cornice mouldings, stained glass and 12-foot ceilings exude charm and elegance. To showcase the age of the building, yet keep the design current, Solid Design Creativehas incorporated a mix of vintage and modern light fixtures, as well as jewel-toned accents, rich velvets and antique brass. Hand-painted landscape murals and custom-designed wallpapers help differentiate each of the home’s four rooms. In May, Maison Selby will launch a 32-seat garden patio wrapped around the southeast corner of the building.
Maison Selby’s culinary vision is driven by O&B corporate executive chef, Anthony Walsh and district executive chef, John Horne (Canoe, Auberge du Pommier). Menus are largely inspired by the bistro and café genre, with many dishes integrating old-school European techniques.
“We want Maison Selby to become the neighbourhood go-to for your early morning espresso and croissant fix, late-night cocktails and oysters and everything in between,” says Horne.
Breakfast and weekend brunch will showcase a thoughtfully curated selection of pastries and savoury dishes, such as the Eggs Hemingwaywith smoked salmon, spinach and Béarnaise sauce, served on a flaky croissant ($19). Lunch offers bistro fare, such as the ALT Sandwichwith avocado, lettuce, tomato, mayo and frites ($14); and a Tuna Niçoise Saladwith quail egg, anchovy, haricots verts and tomato ($29). At dinner, guests can dig into familiar French favourites, such as French Onion Soupwith Gruyère, baguette and parsley ($14); and Coq au Vin with lardons, mushroom, pommes purée and red-wine jus ($29).
The bar program boasts a list of 35 hand-crafted cocktails, including a Gooderham & Worts Manhattan ($16), the Aperol Spritz ($15), the absinthe-leaning Bijou($17) and a Selby Mulethat combines Jaral de Berrio mezcal and Olmeca Altos Plata tequila ($15). Beverage offerings are rounded out by six beers on tap, including a Belgian-style wit bier custom-brewed by Big Rig, as well as a balanced selection of wines by the glass.
Tucked away downstairs, guests will discover Sous Sol, an underground speakeasy and cocktail bar featuring an array of Parisian-inspired nibbles and a curated list of $10 original cocktails.
