Skylight: What's the vibe
Strolling through the polished streets of Yorkville, with high-end shops winking their glistening front windows and crowds of well-dressed folks moving in every direction, already sets the tone for the night ahead. Inside the W Toronto hotel, guests are greeted by a patterned Bearbrick and modern design. Take the elevator up to the ninth floor, where the doors open onto a spacious boho oasis.
Lush greenery and drapes cascade from the ceiling in the large open space full of cozy, burnt orange and deep purple chairs and loungers. The atmosphere is alluring but relaxed; it's the kind of place that would be equally as adept at hosting a romantic date or a big night out with friends.
Outside, the rooftop patio is wrapped in the twinkling lights of skyscrapers. If you can snag one, the rounded, birdcage-style booths draped in greenery are luxuriously private while still being part of the patio energy.
Skylight: What's on the menu
Chef Karan Ramchandani began his culinary career in Bangalore, India before cutting his teeth at luxury properties in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Amman. A reflection of his diverse culinary background, chef Ramchandani's menu is full of Mediterranean flavours.
We start our meal with selections from the raw bar: Big chunks of Haidacore tuna are given a kick with capers and a salty crunch from prosciutto crumbs. The lamb tartare is as tasty as it is beautifully presented. The minced lamb loin comes wearing a large rice cracker hat adorned with edible flowers and sitting on a dish of ice. Spoiler alert: It isn't made of solid ice, but it definitely looks that way. Cured egg yolk, kelp dukkah, dill chermoula, madras shallots and capers give the meat its flavour.
For our main, we couldn't resist the 10 oz Australian Wagyu coulotte. The meat comes a perfectly tender medium rare and pre-sliced for easy consumption in the sultry space. On the side, a delectable Lebanese garlic sauce (toum) and spicy harra potatoes are a match made in heaven with the juicy steak.
Skylight: What's on the drink menu
Every cocktail we try at Skylight is delicious. The Golden Hour is a bright and fresh mixture of Cointreau, vermouth, green tea, lemon and cucumber, topped with prosecco and garnished with more edible flowers; the Lavender Sky (vodka, crème de violette, Galliano Vanilla, lemon) is a slightly sweeter serve.
The real showstopper, however, is the High Park. The cocktail arrives encased in its own gold and glass terrarium shrouded in fog. Opening the tiny door unleashes a plume of smoke, revealing the drink nestled in a bed of moss. Full of booze and more booze (plus some bitters and demerara syrup), the spirit-forward cocktail features coconut oil fat-washed mezcal and sherry, giving it a luscious mouthfeel and mellowing out the sharpness of the alcohol. It makes for a great nightcap to end an evening in this seductive atmosphere surrounded by the lights of the city.
Dinner and drinks for two: around $200 before tax and tip
