Following its successful re-launch last October, REDS Wine Tavern, the longtime financial district lunchtime and after work staple, opened a second location last month a little futher north. Located at the corner of Yonge and Gerrard, the new location, REDS Midtown Tavern (382 Yonge Street), is a refreshing addition to the slightly stale Yonge Street strip and is already packed each night. Here’s why you should check it out:
It’s Central for Everyone
The designation of “midtown” is a tad deceiving; where exactly is midtown Toronto these days anyway? We’re told “midtown” means a central location for friends to meet, especially if one lives in Roncesvalles and the other lives in Leslieville… because we all know that travelling from one end of the city to another is at least a $35 cab ride. REDS midtown, then, serves as the neighbourhood hotspot for Toronto’s growing East and West end communities – and it’s right on the subway line.
It’s Feel-Good Food
REDs offers edible comfort just in time for the colder weather. Led by executive chef Matt Robertson, the REDS culinary team has created a menu of re-imagined classics and has a strong focus on shareable dishes, fresh fish and seafood. Wednesday’s tasting dinner included things like Steak Frites (a 7 oz. filet mignon topped with mushrooms and served with truffle parmesan fries and a Madeira jus), the creamy and delicious Vegetarian Carbonara (a rigatoni with sweet garden peas, chives and comfit garlic and a poached egg), the Pan Roasted Salmon (with a sweet pea puree, sugar snap peas, fingerling potatoes, heirloom carrots in a butter sauce) and the Crispy Roasted Chicken (herb-roasted chicken with asparagus, wild mushrooms, fingerling potatoes and a sage and onion jus). This was in addition to appetizers like addictive fresh-shucked oysters, the Knife and Fork Caesar, and desserts like the unforgettable Grasshopper Pie (a chocolate and mint schnapps mousse in an Oreo cookie crumble.) Delish.
It Facilitates Interaction
REDS Midtown offers a more relaxed feel than the suit-filled Adelaide location and features an interactive experience for guests, perfect to break the ice on a first date or dinner with potential clients. For starters, there is no shortage of sharable plates or communal tables. New shareables include the Pacific Albacore Tuna Tataki (with microgreens, mango puree, pickled mustard seeds and ponzu dressing), Ultimate Chicken Wings (with Buffalo butter sauce, fresh market vegetables and blue cheese dip) and REDS’ signature Tavern Butcher Board (artisanal charcuterie, pickled vegetables, Kozlik’s mustard with fresh bread available in two sizes). Other ice-breaking crowd pleasers includes a shuffleboard and high-tech jukebox. The welcoming, airy vibe and mixed crowd means you’ll likely meet new people (singles, take note).
It’s a Cool Space
The two-storey restaurant is surprisingly huge. The 6,800-square-foot space features a variety of spots perfect for large party reservations and private event bookings, as well as a 90-seat urban patio. The inviting atmosphere at REDS Midtown Tavern reflects the design elements from the downtown location and is the type of space where you’d notice something new with each visit. This means an assortment of eclectic talking points, like reclaimed wine bottle chandeliers, vintage champagne riddling racks, warm brown leathers, massive mirrors, an exposed ceiling and communal tables from McMaster Library. Keeping with REDS’ theme of playful juxtapositions, the space is peppered with small collections of vintage items, such as 1950s sunglasses, Zippo lighters and motel keys. Two large, 360-degree prints by panorama artist Christos J. Palios complete the space.
You Can Go Just for the Drinks
While REDS Wine Tavern’s extensive cellar of over 300 wines is a particular draw, REDS Midtown Tavern focuses on draught beer and cocktails. It has 30 varieties of beer on tap, with an emphasis on local craft brews, handcrafted cocktails and a well-priced wine list. Come for the cocktails; they feature a handcrafted cocktail for all tastes, like the Maple Bacon Bourbon Manhattan (Bulleit bourbon, house-made bourbon-soaked cherries and bacon bitters), Smoked Sidecar (cognac, Grand Marnier, lime juice and Tromba agave syrup), and the Ginger Rogers (vodka, peach schnapps, ginger beer, apple and cranberry juice). An approachable wine list features 20 types of wine available by the glass and over 80 bottles in the cellar.
You Don’t Have to Break Your Diet
The menu also features four dishes from REDS’ sister restaurant, FOUR (187 Bay St.), which offer a more guilt-free dining experience. Each of the nutritionally-balanced FOUR dishes available at REDS contains less than 650 calories. But this doesn’t mean bland or boring. Case in point: the Aegean Lamb Sirloin Salad (grilled lamb set on a bed of marinated tomato, English cucumber, couscous, mint and black olive tapenade, dressed with lemon, sumac and olive oil).
It’s Perfect for the Holidays
The space makes a no-fail option for your holiday work dinner with colleagues and clients. Not only will the menu accommodate diverse tastes, the restaurant features a variety of spaces perfect for large party reservations and private event bookings. Not to mention, located just blocks from the Eaton Centre, it offers a rewarding and well-deserved way to end a busy day of holiday shopping.
Check it out for yourself. REDS Midtown Tavern is located at 382 Yonge Street. Visit www.redsmidtowntavern.com or call 416.598.3535 for more information.
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