I've long loved 1 Hotel Toronto for its environmental focus, reclaimed wood furniture and the oodles of live plants adorning the property. It's also got its fare share of drinking and dining destinations — Casa Madera gets all the hype for its vibey atmosphere and Harriet's Rooftop offers one of the best patios in Toronto. But the stunning Flora Lounge in the lobby and the adjacent 1 Kitchen remain relatively under the radar.
1 Kitchen Toronto: What's the vibe
More in line with 1 Hotel Toronto's airy guest rooms than its other moodier restaurants, 1 Kitchen is a natural light-filled space surrounded by large windows and brimming with plants. Beiges, creams, browns and plenty of wood are accentuated with pops of soothing sage green and a cheerful, muted orange. In the warmer months, a sidewalk patio lined with greenery offers an extension of the restaurant.
1 Kitchen Toronto: What's on the menu
Ontario produce, ingredients and artisanal items shine across the breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch menus. Local farms are name-dropped throughout, while some of the ingredients come from as close as the hotel's own Garden Pavilion. For dinner, salads and handhelds are offered alongside meatier mains like roast chicken and steak frites.
We start with the Spiced Caesar Salad, which comes loaded with parmesan and gets a pleasant kick from a slightly spicy dressing. It's hard to decide which I like more: the soft and fluffy Pull Apart Rolls or the savoury St. Brigid's Butter they're served with.
I don't have high hopes for the spicy rigatoni, since it's a relatively simple pasta dish, but the combination of the flavourful house-made vodka sauce, big chunks of gooey stracciatella and fresh basil leaves exceeds all my expectations. I can't resist adding a side of pan-seared salmon, which comes beautifully seasoned and perfectly cooked. The succulent bone-in pork chop is another excellent option with its savoury flavour balanced by poached apples.
Everything tastes incredibly fresh and light. Even after scarfing down almost all of the pasta, I don't feel heavy or bloated.
1 Kitchen Toronto: What's on the drink menu
During the daily Spritz Hour, the effervescent drink comes in its many iterations, from Aperol and Campari to Hugo and Limoncello.
Outside of that, there are signature and seasonal cocktails, local and imported beer, and plenty of wine by the glass with the Niagara region well represented. They also offer cold-pressed juices that range from sweet and fruity to more vegetable-forward.
Whether you're staying in the hotel or not, 1 Kitchen is a breezy place for a light meal full of fresh Ontario flavours.
Dinner and drinks for two: around $120 before tax and tip
