March's Pick: Kōst Why Not?
Kōst this is the kind of view that would drag your sleepy bum out on a weekend's day for brunch. :D
Located right on top of Toronto's Bisha hotel, Kōst is owned by the famous hospitality leader ICONINK (properties including Weslodge, Byblos, Patria, FIGO, La Societe in Toronto) featuring Executive Chef Ben Heaton. Heaton brought on our plates the amazing colours and exciting flavours from an Californian-Mexican culinary fusion. The place is equipped with impeccable view of the Toronto's skyline, habourfront, and our financial district. If you're wondering what's the vibe there because you're as hippy as I am, it's LA beach mixed with luxury home comfort. Exactly what you'd expect from a rooftop bar on top of the high class Bisha. ;)
This second view to your left probably does a better job at explaining the "LA beach mixed with luxury home comfort" vibe above. Those loose-hanging ceiling light wires and running thin wood lines draw up the image of a sunny cruise trip with the wires being the sail rigs and the wood being its rigged, floating body. Brunch doesn't really start without me sinking in the scene and give the waiter/waitress a big thank-you smile. Those are standard Huy brunching etiquette. :D
ICONINK does a spectacular job with designing the restaurant's interior. From the little pop of blue and pink on the light wood canvas to the shapes and texture of the lighting, the chairs, they all work together with the best kind of canvas running around the restaurant: the panoramic skyline of the city.
A tip for the nice view of the CN tower while dining is to request a table to your right side walking out from the elevator entrance. The left side is closer to the bar but you'll miss out the painting of water and capitalism - harbourfront and the financial district.
Though I would understand if you choose the left side too since what's better than an open kitchen bar? Getting to see the making and plating of your food definitely elevates the experience.The only strange thing about Kōst is its washroom since you'll have to walk downstairs! It's a bit of a walk through the exit door but you get a ;)
Enough of bar talk, let's get to the hippy, instagram worthy dish: Avocado Toast! Kost won the best combination of texture and juiciness with them heirloom tomatoes! Every bite was a joy of life and the jalapeño vinaigrette definitely popped a burst of flavours in your mouth. Tina (my hand model to the left) couldn't have be a better friend wearing her honey-bee top that day. The yellow heirloom tomatoes were happy to found their human version. Haha.
Featuring more beach vibes is my Eggs Bennedicts to the right! Let me know if the bolillo bun reminds you of a surfboard!! And the fact that it was plated on a blue dish along with some sunshine hollandaise on top made my day. Best of all was the green chorizo! It found the sausage to be a perfect choice with the finely diced pico de gallo.
All was too good.
Now for a healthy option we have the Kōst Energy Bowl to your left. Brunch can be light and energizing with the classic açaí yogurt, toasted coconut, banana, fresh berries, chia seeds, poppy seeds and honey. The fresh mint on top is a perfect reminder that life can be spiced up by choice, you just gotta have the courage to get out of bed for brunch.
We ended the morning with a shared dish of the Tres Leche because it's a bit rude to not get the tres leche when you visit a Mexican restaurant...just kidding there is no such thing, you order what you feel like!
It was a perfect ending as we were all fighting for that toasted almond ice cream right there. Tina didn't like the almond crumbles (I know right, what a hater) but Lena and I was digging them! The plate was empty after 15 seconds. Haha.
I will definitely come back for the view, the food, and the vibe!
For more info about Kōst, visit http://kosttoronto.com/.
All photos are taken by Huy Tran. Special thanks to our waitress for accommodating us with grace! I'm so sorry I forgot your name but I'll come back to find you.
