What’s the vibe
Figures is a hip, comic-book-themed resto-lounge from restaurateur brothers Nader and Patrick Marzouk. The Yorkville restaurant’s entrance foyer leaves zero doubts about its theme, featuring walls covered in a striking mural made of comic book pages and art. From here, a hidden door leads into a speakeasy-style lounge that tones down the theme and cranks up the class with its stylish banquettes and sleek, dark colour palette.
One wall is dominated by a custom art piece packed with visual comic book trivia, while references to superheroes and villains are peppered throughout the food and drink menus. You could easily spend your whole meal here nerding out, but those with no interest in comics will find it just as easy to simply enjoy the retro tunes and sexy vibes.
What to drink
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Mixologist James Bailey’s show-stealing cocktail menu makes Figures worth a visit for the drinks alone. The menu is divided into two sections, Classic and Contemporary. The Maleficent might be the most dazzling option on the Contemporary menu, a bold mix of double still rye, pineapple and lime juices, Angostura bitters, sage and activated charcoal (as if that isn’t elaborate enough, it comes served lit on fire). The Classic menu is a little less flashy but equally interesting, featuring boozy drinks like the Bijou, made with gin, vermouth, green chartreuse and orange bitters. Beers on tap include a house lager, while the wine list offers a solid mix of new and old world wines.
What to eat
Executive Chef Ron Stratton’s seasonal menu of small plates is designed for sharing – you’ll want to order about three plates per person to make it a full meal. The concise menu, which changes up regularly, features three sections: earth, sea and land.
We started with a punchy beet tartare paired with a panko-covered goat cheese ball. The next dish, an egg-topped lobster salad with a crispy lobster claw on the side, played with a similar juxtaposition of soft and crunchy textures. Our favourite dish, however, was a rich hunk of oxtail braised in Red Stripe beer, served over a savoury plantain pancake.
Dessert was a round shell of chocolate, smashed open at the table to reveal a creamy square of dark Mexican chocolate crowned with edible gold and little robot-shaped chocolates (needless to say, it was chocolatey!).
Dinner and drinks for two: around $200
137 Avenue Road, 416-900-1022, figuresto.com
