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.
![Inside Skylight rooftop bar at W Toronto hotel Inside Skylight rooftop bar at W Toronto hotel](https://cdn.foodism.to/dynamic_height_full_small/64dba3c518aeb.jpg)
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.
![The terrace at Skylight rooftop patio at W Toronto hotel The terrace at Skylight rooftop patio at W Toronto hotel](https://cdn.foodism.to/dynamic_height_full_small/64dba3c6b30c8.jpg)
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.
![Heirloom tomato and stracciatella salad at Skylight at W Toronto hotel Heirloom tomato and stracciatella salad at Skylight at W Toronto hotel](https://cdn.foodism.to/dynamic_height_full_small/64dba42223c89.jpg)
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.
![A spread of dishes on the terrace at Skylight rooftop patio at W Toronto hotel A spread of dishes on the terrace at Skylight rooftop patio at W Toronto hotel](https://cdn.foodism.to/dynamic_height_full_small/64dba3c51f4e2.jpg)
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.
![An orange cocktail at Skylight rooftop bar and restaurant at W Toronto hotel An orange cocktail at Skylight rooftop bar and restaurant at W Toronto hotel](https://cdn.foodism.to/dynamic_height_full_small/64dba3c627672.jpg)
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