ow are you going to keep the riffraff out?” A full-on Yorkville Princess and soon-to-be Flow patron is asking co-owner Julian Gova about the patronage of the restaurant-lounge, in the space that was previously a Movenpick location. It’s a question he’s heard before, as this project, after all, is brought to us by the very people who brought us Centro.

Yet, as Gova would tell me later, “The Flow discipline is more about catering to anyone who genuinely want to be here. While Centro is more of the Forest Hill and Rosedale crowds, Flow is aimed as the New Yorkville.”

Tony Longo, Gova with Chef Richard Andino (North 44) came about the Yorkville location by charting Movenpick’s downward trajectory from a fun and lively eatery to the bottom of hotel-café-ism. The reflection turned out to be a blessing for them - not only for liberating the sought-after space, but also to restudy the corporate perception of what a thirsty and hungry crowd purportedly wants here. This led to attention paid to prevent the same kind of dull Yorkville crapulence over again. (Though, in Movenpick’s defense, their livelihood continues, but under the more focused Marché brand.)

That study led to Flow. In its first week, a massive melting pot of A-listers has found their way here. Flow’s not easy to miss. With a vibrant LED projection that changes the colour of the exterior, giving the building a rich, pastel haze (sometimes blue, sometimes, red, sometimes...), giving life to the very corner where we all have bought an ice-cream cone at some point in our lives.

Step inside Flow, and an uncluttered design lets the upper-level restaurant and the lower-level lounge take shape and lets the upper-level diners and lower-level drinkers develop and define their own prerogatives. One of main elements that give both levels a grip on the senses is the presence of a large glass-enclosed waterfall that leads you to the downstairs lounge, where candied stripes of brown, turquoise and green are the backdrop of the bar. Created in its entirety by ll X lV Design, the restaurant and lower-level lounge features Dymex-produced sound, an intelligent lighting system and wired private rooms.

Over the incessant chatter of a room-full of BlackerryLexus types, this is a Yorkville energy that resembles Lobby more than it does Sassafraz. Yorkville purists will deplore that, but younger people looking for some late night fun probably won’t care. And they won’t care that Flow, preaching the gospel of late-night fun, doesn't possess the epic feel of Centro - certainly not lounge vs. lounge. Nor does the room feel as coin-dropping heavy. In fact, the whole place really does feel approachable. This isn't the bar to watch if you're looking for morally ambiguous Yorkville heroes. Flow is clear about where this area is headed.

Flow, in all its glory, could very well be the new Yorkville. Developers have always had an eye on Yorkville, and much is going on now. The Hazelton, a boutique hotel across the street from Flow, is in construction mode and is already gathering much attention.

Upshot: This handsome Clark Kent - a mild-mannered lunch spot by day, a gloss superhero by night - steals generously from the rich and gives right back to them- DE




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Reader Reviews

cozy yet funky feel
Luan, Toronto,
Sept. 9, 2004
A new restaurant was what we were looking for having just arrived back from South East Asia. Strolling along Yorkville Avenue on a Monday night, we came across the recently opened Flow Restaurant and Lounge. Flow is a open concept styled restaurant with two floors. A lounge bar downstairs with spiral staircase leading you to the upstairs dining area and a patio that wraps around the restaurant. With a glass wall with flowing water, high ceilings, warm lighting and complementing beige and brown themes, this restaurant definitely has a cozy yet funky feel. The name of the restaurant and the design work well together. The hostess told us that there was no room on the patio outside and that we could go downstairs to the lounge for a drink until a table opened up. Before long we were brought up to our patio table facing Yorkville Avenue and were able to watch all of the action passing by as we enjoyed our meal. The crowd at this restaurant was laid back perhaps because it was a Monday evening and the wait staff were friendly, accommodating and professional. We enjoyed a decanted bottle of red wine and rare beef salad to start and then the succulent lamb chops with polenta. We ended our meal with two specialty coffee's. Their wine list is amazing and you will not be disappointed by their Martini and Cocktail list. This restaurant has a great Zen fusion concept and the design made the fact that it used to be the Movenpick Restaurant almost unrecognizable. I recommend this restaurant as a casual place for either a romantic dinner on the patio while summer lasts, or a meeting over a nice fruity martini in the downstairs lounge. It is a refreshing new addition to Yorkville.


Non pretentious staff
Z, Toronto
July 13, 2004
Went there with a friend of mine and was blown away with the lavish interior and even more so with the friendly, non pretentious staff. Definetly going back for dinner. A nice refreshing break for Yorkville.


one of a kind
Jordan Andino, Unionville
July 13, 2004
Flow is the place to be. An elegant mix of style and class to shake up a wild and crazy resturant. It's interior decorating is immaculate and food is exquisite. Chef Richard Andino's food is one of a kind, the kind you'll only find at a perfect restaurant.