The Design Food Marriage

In Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet instructs the actors in his play within the play, on how best to make the show successful. His advice to them is “Suit the word to the action, and the action to the word” – essentially saying that what you say and what you do, should work together. He could have given the same advice to any restaurateur and it would be equally valid as they create the Entertainment experience of eating out.

Nothing is more frustrating for a patron of a restaurant, than to get something different than what the room and atmosphere promise them. If I’ve gone to a ‘greasy spoon”, ordered eggs sunny side up and what arrives is a deconstructed, molecular gastronomic version of eggs served in an oversized martini glass, frankly, I’m pissed! – I just wanted sunny side up eggs to be served on the arborite blue flecked table, with inelegant plate and inexpensive fork that bends if you use it with too much force. That’s what I signed up for when walked in and that is the culinary experience I wanted to have.

If restaurant were simply intended to serve food, then the city would be just fine with a few of selections from the various regions of the world and a variety of skilled chefs. The reality is that we want the establishment to suit our mood and the reason we have decided to dine out. Like clothes, sometimes we want jeans and a t shirt, sometimes we want fine suits and designer shoes and Toronto is blessed with enough selection that it is possible to have the food I crave in an atmosphere that suits my mood. Some are more successful offerings:

Gio’s on Queen East provides us with a simple room that seems to be somewhat cobbled together. When you read the Italian inspired menu, it is simple yet tasty foods where the entrees and sides are completely a la carte so you cobble your meal together to suit yourself. It’s a relaxed casual yet energetic atmosphere that works well.

Mistura, on Davenport, also serves Italian inspired foods in an elegant atmosphere. The room offers clean but luxurious lines and fine finishes with some unexpected elements- its modern classic. The food and presentation is completely in line, simple, elegant with touches of the unexpected.

The Blue Plate on Roncesvalles offers a culinary experience of elegant comfort food. The space has hints of a diner without being a museum piece coupled with a menu of diner classics without being exactly what you expect of a diner.

Opus on Prince Arthur presents a classic luxurious space and an elegant fine atmosphere. The menu has the same fine luxuriousness with an extensive wine list and exceptional services. The combination of atmosphere and menu are very well matched

Glow – the new Rose Reisman restaurant provides a natural blond wood atmosphere in muted vegetable colours. The organic natural elements offered by the menu where simple health is the focus is exactly what this room offers and the kitchen doesn’t disappoint.

Ruby Watch Co, Lynn Krawford’s new space on Queen East, offers a daily changing menu of local organic foods straight from the farm in a room that is created of lovely found objects that speak to the simplicity of the past when food came from the earth, not the grocery store.

Earth, a new offering by the people that give us Globe restaurant on the Danforth, gives us a space that is well matched with its name. Serving local organics in a space that is a combination of stone and wood details. A perfect pairing.

With something to suit almost any mood and culinary experience you are looking for where food and décor are a perfect marriage – Toronto remains a world class city with world class offerings!

Celebrity TV Designer Glen Peloso, Principal designer of Glen Peloso Interiors, Inc. has been designing spaces for commercial, corporate and residential clients for fifteen years.

You may recognize Glen as the host of such television design shows as Restaurant Makeover, Take This House & Sell It, and Renovate my Wardrobe to name a few, as well as his regular guest appearance on various TV and radio shows across Canada. His involvements with projects TV shows and speaking engagements have taken him across Canada, the U.S. and Europe and in private practice he has worked on a variety of projects from legal offices to cafes and restaurants, retail spaces and residential clients.

With a Masters in Fine Arts, Glen is a regular contributor and is often featured in national magazines and newspapers. Glen is the Design Editor of Trader Magazines Home & Decor and a regular design contributor for national magazines such as Canadian Home Trends. VIVA Magazine, Canadian Restaurant & Foodservice Magazine

Glen is a designer who is committed to creating spaces that are not only functional but adapt to your way of living. Glen Peloso creates environments for clients that are true expressions of who they are, and living spaces that reflect their lifestyles!

www.glenpelosointeriors.com