ICONINK, Toronto’s leading hospitality
company, is excited to announce its partnership to provide all of the food and beverage
services for Bisha Hotel Toronto. The property will boast a luxurious lobby bar, a Bajainspired
rooftop restaurant, a 24-hour café, celebrity chef Akira Back’s first-ever
namesake restaurant in Canada and an event space with breathtaking views on the
forty-third floor.
With the exception of Akira Back, the culinary program will be led by executive chef Ben
Heaton. Heaton has worked in reputable Michelin star restaurants throughout England
and is currently overseeing Estia, Figo, Weslodge Toronto and Weslodge Dubai for
ICONINK.
Located on the 44th floor rooftop, KŌST (pronounced ‘coast’) will offer cuisine inspired
by the Baja peninsula, bringing together the bright, fresh and lively flavours of the
Californian and Mexican coastlines. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, guests of the
dining space will enjoy unparalleled panoramic views of downtown Toronto at any time
of day. The breakfast and lunch menus offer healthy options such as the Coconut Arroz
Bowl, Quinoa Ranchero Bowl or Adobo Chicken Bowl, as well as signature salads and
sandwiches. For dinner, the menu focuses on fresh and light appetizers such as
ceviche, tiradito and tartare. Salads such as Charred Corn and Chickpea, as well as
Peach and Arugula, highlight the seasonal availability of local markets. A variety of
house-marinated meats and seafood are grilled to perfection and offered half or whole
for diners to share.
“Finding harmony between the hotel and its food and beverage offerings was critical,”
says Charles Khabouth, Executive Chairman, ICONINK. “As we explored ideas and
concepts, we kept the core values of the luxury boutique experience central to all our
decisions, in an effort to create unique and memorable moments regardless of where
you are in the hotel.”
The Lobby Bar embodies the decadence and sophistication of the quintessential hotel
bar. At its core, the bar is classically rooted but finds balance through modern touches,
and is paired with a commitment to impeccable food and service. Guests will experience
a meticulously curated wine and cocktail list along with a lunch and dinner menu that
offers crave-worthy classics.
Also located on the ground floor is French Made, the hotel’s Parisian-inspired café,
where freshly baked pastries, handmade gourmet sandwiches, salads and custom
roasted coffee will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Bisha Toronto will also offer a dedicated event space serving culinary driven cuisine that
steers away from traditional banquet-style offerings. Perched atop the 43rd floor, the
venue offers a unique glimpse of the Toronto skyline and waterfront, creating the perfect
environment for both social and business events.
Also joining the culinary offering at Bisha Toronto will be Akira Back, the first-ever
Canadian namesake restaurant led by celebrity chef Akira Back. Announced earlier this
year, Back is known for his signature style of blending Japanese cuisine with Korean
ingredients and flavours.
“Creating exceptional dining experiences was extremely important to us,” says Hanif
Harji, CEO, ICONINK. “We wanted to introduce thoughtful and relevant concepts that
stayed true to the heart of Charles’ vision for the hotel, but still satisfied a gap in the
Toronto market”.
The hotel and its culinary outlets are designed by award-winning firm Studio Munge,
whose vision for Bisha Toronto was guided by a passion for great design. A reimagined
island paradise, KŌST diners will be drawn to the interlocked marbles in shades of
tropical peach, ivory and green at the bar, muted apricot velvet barstools and woven
ivory banquettes. On the main floor, Lobby Bar will be cloaked in rich, midnight textures
and will include custom furnishings including an Onice Verde Onyx bar complete with an
emerald green leather bar front. Guests of French Made will be drawn to the masculine
matte black details of the space, contrasted with a sensual high-gloss jet black counter,
and both punctuated with deep blue accents.
“Our goal was to create individual spaces that reflected upon Bisha Toronto as a luxury
boutique hotel, yet to give each property a look, feel and identity of its own,” says
Alessandro Munge, Principal, Studio Munge. “Our use of various colours and materials
throughout the hotel will elevate the guest experience to ensure they have the best, most
exclusive experience possible.”
KŌST, Lobby Bar and French Made are scheduled to open in the heart of the
entertainment district early-September 2017 at 80 Blue Jays Way. Akira Back will open
to the public October 2017.
