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N  umerical-chic naming continues apace with a whopping three new adventurous eateries that have been labeled with numbers. Cue the distinguishing ad hoc packaging full of gastro-archeology and shiny design clichés, and you’ve got yourself a numerical catfight.
For now, the number is Eight, which, of course, is at 8 Colborne Street. Eight replaces Doku 15, a gorgeous bar that nobody went to, taking up much of the lobby space of the Cosmopolitan Toronto Hotel. The lounge/restaurant is still undeniably glamorous, yet the space still feels more like a club than a restaurant and, in many ways, it is.
The crowd is older, mostly traveling businessman meets Lipstick Jungle (or Cashmere Mafia, your call). Yet the bass-heavy soundsystem, concrete aesthetics and glam customers can’t detract from Eight’s dishes being surprisingly good. Overworked and fussy perhaps, but Chef Derek Kennedy's ingredient pairings work – think pan-seared black cod, or charcuterie plates of Niagara proscuitto, foie fras terrine and Serrano ham.
Kennedy's short menu of mains features a Kimchi-rich Ahi tuna ($24.00), nicely plated with ginger soy sauce to deliver the proper amount of bite. The ravioli ($16.00) is another good option, with puffy pillows filled with the meat from oxtail cooked with five-spice powder. They are sauced with a zesty tomato sauce with king oyster mushrooms. I loved this dish, although a tighter grip on the spices would have been appreciated.
From the grill, a 14 oz rib-eye, an imposing inch and a half thick, was pink and juicy, cooked to medium-rare to retain its soft, elegant texture. A tidy, little mound of whipped potatoes and veg rounds out the meal. The wine list commands much attention, reflecting a collection long in the making, and it’s aptly focused on substantial reds with a hefty markup. Regardless of the abandoned-lounge aesthetics, there’s a serious restaurant in here mostly due to Kennedy's presence. And the drawbacks? A meal here doesn’t come cheap, and that name…
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AT A GLANCE
Eight Wine Bar
8 Colborne Street, Toronto, ON
416-350-8188
American
Financial District
Venue:
Restaurant
Hours:
Daily from 5pm-12am
Price Range:
$$$ (Within Reach)
Payment:
Master Card, Visa , American Express
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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9 Reader Reviews | The wine list is excellent and well thought out...the staff make the place...it is worthy of repeat visits - fine for business or fun.
1. Anonymous's Review :: April 17, 2009 Anonymous's Rating: 4 Stars |
Went for the Winterlicious Dinner, I was very happy with the menu offering. had the fish with shrimp polenta, incredible choice.
Service was exceptional, Jay did an amazing job, loved every moment, this is me new restaurant of choice.
Highly recommended.
2. Michelle's Review :: February 01, 2009 Michelle's Rating: 4 Stars |
The decor of the restaurant is stunning. It oozes sex and glamour - perfect for a night out for designer clad folk. Eight presents a fantastic selection of wine guaranteed to please the palet of even the most selective wine conoseur.
The food wasn't as good as I had hoped it would be. Our server seemed to be very rushed and cut into our conversation on numerous occasions. Upon presenting the bottle of wine to us, he mercilessly wrestled with the cork. I suspect that he was new, or just not properly trained to serve wine.
Overall I would visit Eight again because of the atmosphere and the great wine. The space is also very intimite with very little distractions - perfect for entertaining clients.
3. L. Sienkowska's Review :: December 01, 2008 L. Sienkowska's Rating: 3 Stars |
V.G. wine selection and choices (big list is not necessarily a good list, this one works)... VERY friendly staff who always accomodate... yes, a little overpriced food wise, but the wine prices are more than fair, food menu could use more 'nibbles' or 'amouse bouche' to go with wines, local cheeses/charcuterie are always welcome but the gratis bread with humus is actually fantastic
4. Dravafox's Review :: October 22, 2008 Dravafox's Rating: 3 Stars |
I was at Eight last night and was surprised by the level of service I received. At the start, I was expecting the basic lounge-like experience but got back so much more than I bargained for. I met two friends there and ordered a few plates between us to split (a duck shepherds pie, mini bugers and a cheese plate)..food was good, wasn't pricey at all but the kicker was our server. She was cute, attentive and paired our food with a few great wines. A friend of mine is not from here (New Jersey) and she recommended a few sites to see in the city and knew her way enough around the city to give detailed directions. To top it all off, the manager came by and gave us printed information on driving directions to a couple of places including info on the wines we tasted and how to get them for ourselves. The service was flawless, attentive and over-the-top. As we looked around the place, we noticed wait staff engaged in conversation with everybody in the place in the same way. I have to admit, the washroom on the second floor isn't very functional, but they are tasteful. Overall, the food was good, priced right, but there should be some grilled fish on it. GREAT, GREAT service!
5. Anonymous's Review :: February 27, 2008 |
I was at Eight last night and was surprised by the level of service I received. At the start, I was expecting the basic lounge-like experience but got back so much more than I bargained for. I met two friends there and ordered a few plates between us to split (a duck shepherds pie, mini bugers and a cheese plate)..food was good, wasn't pricey at all but the kicker was our server. She was cute, attentive and paired our food with a few great wines. A friend of mine is not from here (New Jersey) and she recommended a few sites to see in the city and knew her way enough around the city to give detailed directions. To top it all off, the manager came by and gave us printed information on driving directions to a couple of places including info on the wines we tasted and how to get them for ourselves. The service was flawless, attentive and over-the-top. As we looked around the place, we noticed wait staff engaged in conversation with everybody in the place in the same way. I have to admit, the washroom on the second floor isn't very functional, but they are tasteful. Overall, the food was good, priced right, but there should be some grilled fish on it. GREAT, GREAT service!
6. Belinda Thurway's Review :: February 27, 2008 Belinda Thurway's Rating: 4 Stars |
Tried Eight Wine Bar... disappointed. Found the space to be unsuited to the decor, the menu was over priced signigicantly and the portions were very small, the fact that the restroom is inside the hotel and not even in the restaurant was also a bother. Do not recommend.
7. Julie Howlett's Review :: February 25, 2008 Julie Howlett's Rating: 2 Stars |
I went and tried "Eight" after all the glowing buzz on here. I have to be honest...I was kind of disappointed. Maybe expectations were too high. THe interior was cool, like in this article, but the food was nothing really to write home about. Staff was cute, but kind of aloof. Am I missing something here?
8. Anonymous's Review :: February 15, 2008 |
I went and tried "Eight" after all the glowing buzz on here. I have to be honest...I was kind of disappointed. Maybe expectations were too high. THe interior was cool, like in this article, but the food was nothing really to write home about. Staff was cute, but kind of aloof. Am I missing something here?
9. Erin K.'s Review :: February 15, 2008 Erin K.'s Rating: 2 Stars |
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8 Colborne Street, Toronto, ON
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