nlike West Queen West, which is hemorrhaging development and gentrification, the east end has removed itself from the radar and remained an area of play where a different breed of mover and shaker is turning to. Amidst the furniture shops and galleries comes a new resto- or at least the name is, anyways. Veritas (formerly known as Eggplant) has changed its name to a much more elegant sounding resto.

Owners Rocco Gagliesse, Dave Conlon and Terry Tompkins decided they not only wanted to install a restaurant but a hub that will service the burgeoning King Street district - not just for the community but a destination for all things cool.

“There’s no real restaurant around here aside from the pubs, greasy spoons or a jazz bar up the street,” says Gagliese in his calm tone but looking like he’s ready for action. “I think this neighbourhood is starting to build up around here with all the condos being built and the ad agencies and production companies. We feel there are many people like ourselves in the neighbourhood that don’t have a place. We decided that we would build it and they will come.”

Veritas is an open-concept, two-floor restaurant with high ceilings that gives hints of what is to come in the ‘hood. This resto has an über-slick design that embraces urban flair while sticking to simplicity. Both floors are black tiled with a combination of white wall space and exposed brick. Mod wooden chairs and tables line both floors, a comfortable banquette owns the dining room and hi-back wood stools gather at the bar. There’s also a stage on the main floor that will host planned performances - don’t be surprised if an impromptu music jam breaks out with some of the cities top players.

Executive Chef Deron Engbers is at the helm providing a modern French menu with a Caribbean and Latin twist. The lounge area features a small menu with items such as handpressed burgers in tortilla ($14), Sauteed Clams with parsley and lemon, and roasted chicken with yellow oyster mushrooms ($21). If you’re not that hungry, give one of the appetizers a try- they’re quite interesting. For example, Veritas offers lamb sausage with shiitakes and bacon on tomato lentil ragout. I’d have that for dinner and be perfectly satisfied.