Marked Restaurant: The late night vibe
Before heading out for a raucous night of dancing at one of the many nearby nightclubs in the Entertainment District (it's Toybox — don't judge) we stop at Marked Restaurant to try out their new late-night menu of South American-inspired bites. We arrive late on a Friday night and the restaurant is bumping. The massive space is cleverly designed to be divided up into different areas, each with a slightly more intimate feel, rather than being in one giant room. We opt for the Pan-Am Lounge, a bar area with high-top tables that feels a bit more relaxed than Comedor, the dining area.
I've now been to Marked Restaurant on a Sunday morning(ish) for brunch, on a weeknight for bites, on a weekend for dinner and now for their late-night eats, and I can say it holds up every single time. The vibe changes depending on the time of day and where you're seated, but Marked Restaurant always delivers on an upbeat atmosphere and delicious bites. Dancers twirl and shake around the restaurant in bright, feather-adorned costumes and live DJs spin bumping beats.
Marked Restaurant: The late night menu
Some of my favourite dinner menu items also make it onto the late-night menu. The mushroom coxinha is a crispy, crunchy shell with a creamy porcini mushroom and truffle mayo treasure inside. Striking the perfect balance between savoury and sweet, the dates dates wrapped in double smoked bacon with pickled pepper and manchego cheese is a flavour symphony in our mouths. All of the dishes we order are perfectly snackable and shareable with all of us getting at least one of everything — sometimes two.
The grilled chicken wings covered in a Brazilian spice blend is another winning dish. Meanwhile, the Shrimp a la Parrilla features giant, juicy, grilled shrimp with marillo marinade, pineapple and huancaina sauce. Since the plates are small, we get to order a whole smorgasbord of flavours with just the right amount of spice. We sink our teeth into the pasture-raised AAA Ontario beef flat iron steak, that's pre-cut into beautiful, medium-rare slices for easy sharing once again, and then we're finally fuelled up for the night's adventures.
Marked Restaurant: The late night drink menu
Marked Restaurant is an excellent cocktail spot, but since it's a big night, we opt for bottles. We start with the Mionetto ‘Prestige’ Prosecco Brut, toasting to our lovely evening with the dry sparkling that pairs well with our flavourful plates.
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Next up: full-on bottle service. Our Cazadores Blanco Tequila arrives with all the fan-fair worthy of this vibrant atmosphere and special night. A sparkler's flames dance into the air as two giant trays are placed on our table — one with fresh juices and glasses, and one with more snacks! We can't help but feel even more excited about the night as we nibble on candies, chips and pepperettes. They're the perfect munchies to go with all these drinks.
Between the great service, delicious snack plates and flowing drinks, Marked Restaurant serves up a whole lot of fun with its new late-night menu.
