Call it a purposeful hidden gem. Abode Public Residence (128 Peter Street, Toronto) has no signage, no address marker. Looking into the windows of the red-washed building reveals but a gorgeous greenery wall. Given the area you might mistake it for a creative studio. But inside rests a two-storey expanse, awash with modern accoutrements but a subtle homey feeling. A humble abode, if you will.
That’s the idea behind Abode Public Residence, which officially opened doors to the public on January 1st. (It has been operational as a private event space for going on two years. Thank the City for its proper launch delay.) Suhaib Jamal Nasir, one of the establishment’s owners, took us on a tour of the chic space, awash with intricate lighting, beautiful dark woods, exquisite tiling, and…beds. Two to be exact, that are centrepieces in Abode’s private rooms. “Exotica, not erotica,” says Suhaib, plays in loop on flatscreens throughout the space, modelled to feel like a person’s home. It lends itself to the social dining atmosphere. Tres cool: the mirrors in the bathrooms, which are motion activated and only provide a reflective surface when someone stands in front of them.
The menu at Abode is purposely simple to digest, or rather, understand. Dishes are named to showcase food’s accessibility, not meant to dissuade an order. We tried a quad of appetizers to start while sitting in a little area made to look like a home library. A spoonful of the Onions and Cheese – a not-too-strong take on the classic French Onion Soup, very mild and surprisingly without too much aftertaste – followed by the Salmon and Olivier – deliciously thin slices of smoked salmon atop a modern take on a traditional Russian potato salad. Next were bites of the Tartare and Toast – perfectly ground steak tartare with a pleasant spice palate – and Sashimi and Nicoise – tuna ‘sashimi’ (was a little thick to be labelled as such but buttery nonetheless) with anchovy giving the perfect salty contrast. Our Earl Grey Tea Martini down to a sip at this point.
As an entree we were treated to the Beef and Blue, an expertly seared beef tenderloin (our fave cut) with a Roquefort and mustard sauce (a hint of the blue cheese flavour but not at all overwhelming), served with haricots vert and what was essentially a potato hashbrown. Gone in five minutes flat. To end the meal, we had Abode’s Chocolate and Scotch, a beautiful chocolate layered cake with a hazelnut hint and creme anglaise. It tasted excellent with a glass of port and mocha digestif.
Abode will soon be open from noon through to closing, and will offer fine dining throughout. Lunch will give way to afternoon espressos and high tea, which will then mingle with dinner and exquisite late-night bites.
Abode is not meant to be just another pretentious thumbprint on the Entertainment District, though the treatment by the service staff would have anyone feeling like a VIP. It’s a spot for the young to mature professionals to dine with class in a social atmosphere. With an at-home feeling of sophisticated comfort (if you’re more than mildly affluent, that is) and well-executed food and cocktail menus, Abode Public Residence should be filed in your address book. Put it under: social home away from home…or something like that.
