Happy Sunday, everyone! I hope you’re having a great weekend.
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’re probably well aware that I love checking out fabulous new restaurants and bars in and around Toronto – whether they’re new to the neighbourhood, or simply new to me. But like many of us, I’m also trying to save money and be as frugal as possible in this challenging economy. That said, life has to be lived, and I think it’s important to find the right balance between staying mindful of your spending while still allowing for the occasional “treat yourself” moment. That’s where happy hour comes in!
Until relatively recently, I wasn’t aware of just how many amazing happy hour deals there are to be found in Toronto. Many of these deals stayed pretty under the radar for years, thanks to a 1984 law that banned Ontario bars from advertising discounted drink prices. That changed in 2019, and now happy hour is legal in all Canadian provinces. You can find several articles online that round up Toronto’s best food and drink deals by day of the week, and it’s not just dive bars either… you can find happy hour specials at some of the city’s best restaurants! When I recently learned that 1 Kitchen hosts a daily happy hour from 3-6, I knew I had to check it out.
1 Kitchen is located in the 1 Hotel, one of Toronto’s finest luxury hotels. Part of the global 1 Hotels brand, the 1 Hotel Toronto is renowned not only for their luxurious accommodations and amenities, but for their commitment to environmental sustainability. Since its inception in 2015, 1 Hotels has shown the world that luxury hospitality doesn’t have to come at the expense of the planet. From Melbourne to Copenhagen to our very own Toronto, 1 Hotels has created 16 “Sustainable Sanctuaries” around the world, and is continuing to expand. As with all their locations, sustainability is at the core of the LEED-certified 1 Hotel Toronto: from its biophilic design, on-site composting programs and advanced energy-saving systems to its farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable staff uniforms (made using zero-waste production processes) and the 3,300 native plants located throughout the building. You can read all about the 1 Hotel’s eco-friendly initiatives here.
Toronto’s 1 Hotel opened in 2021 and has 112 guest rooms and suites, a rooftop pool with a stunning view of the city’s skyline, and four restaurants: Casa Madera, the Flora Lounge, Harriet’s Rooftop and 1 Kitchen. 1 Kitchen is located on the hotel’s ground floor, and I’d actually been there before when it was a different restaurant: the Thompson Diner (before the 1 Hotel took over, the building was home to the Thompson Hotel.) The Thompson Diner was a high-end take on a 1950s diner, and though I loved its moody vibe and retro-inspired decor, I have to say that the space definitely got a glow-up when 1 Hotel moved in. With its nature-inspired colour palette, blond wood furniture, and whitewashed ceiling adorned with hanging plants, the interior feels like a breath of fresh air. I love the pops of green throughout the space, from the pale green chair legs and wall trim to the (literal) greenery everywhere.
1 Kitchen is open daily for breakfast, brunch, lunch, cocktails and dinner. All their menus – including their happy hour menu – can be viewed here. The happy hour menu offers reduced prices on select cocktails, wines, beers and appetizers, and is offered every day from 3-6 (yes, including weekends!) Tania ordered a glass of Chardonnay from Niagara winemaker Good Natured ($10) and I got the S’mores Martini ($14, normally $18.) The martini is made with espresso, Dillon’s vodka, chocolate liqueur and marshmallow syrup, and is garnished with a mini marshmallow. Now, I know what you’re thinking: that sounds like a seriously sweet cocktail! But our server assured me that it wasn’t, and he was right. In fact, it was actually one of the least sweet espresso martinis I’ve had (and trust me, I’ve had my fair share of espresso martinis!) It was rich, strong and flavourful: a beautifully balanced drink!
For food, we ordered the charcuterie board ($22, normally $28) and the pull-apart bread ($7, normally $9). The charcuterie board is beautifully presented and includes a selection of local meats and cheeses served with sliced baguette, berries, house pickles, poached apple slices, mustard, local honey and house-made jam. My favourite things on the board were the ash brie (it has a delicious smoky flavour that’s rich without being too overpowering) and to my surprise, the poached apple! I always go for the cheeses and meats over the fruit on any charcuterie board, but it was honestly so delicious. It tasted like an apple pie without the crust!
Tania and I were both big fans of the fluffy, warm, pull-apart bread, which comes sprinkled with smoked sea salt and served with a rich black garlic butter on the side. Comfort food at its finest!
I was thoroughly impressed by all aspects of 1 Kitchen – the food and drinks, atmosphere, service and presentation – and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great happy hour spot in Toronto. I look forward to returning soon to try out their brunch menu, which looks incredible – just check out this beautiful avocado toast!
Do you have a favourite happy hour deal in Toronto? Please let me know – I’d love to hear your recommendations!
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