REVIEW | The One Eighty

If you're a Torontonian, there is no doubt that you know about Panorama - the lounge that was at the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre in Yorkville.  I've been there a few times and yes, although it has the fantastic views of Toronto and it's a romantic spot, the food offering was lacking and after just a couple of visits, I never went back.  To my excitement the venue has been reinvented as The One Eighty. What makes it different than its former venue? There's a bigger focus on the culinary experience, an elevated cocktail menu the space itself has been revamped to be both fun and luxe.

The new space at 2,500 square feet is modern but comfortable with grey underlying tones with rich metals. You get both traditional and contemporary luxury at The One Eighty! The floor to ceiling windows on the North and South side of the restaurant brightens the entire space with natural light during the day and in contrast, the venue becomes a romantic setting after sunset.

 

 

Keeping to Panorama's lounge vibe, there is no shortage of cocktails are The One Eighty.  You can get anything from a light refreshing drink like the Blood Orange Sangria to a bourbon-based Draper.

 Shaken & Stirred is the One Eighty's house-mixed bottled cocktail at $15 each with 2oz. alcohol in each bottle. They look like one of those extremely sweet cocktails because of their bright and fun colours but they're not! There are 6 different kinds in total ranging from gin, vodka, Jim Beam, or bourbon mixes.

 The "On The Cart" service is literally a gold trimmed cart full of small plates of Chef's daily creations to share amongst your group. It's a fun idea to pick and choose smaller portioned items that you can get a taste of. You can ask your server to make a cart stop by your table!

 The new food menu featured new takes on familiar comfort food using fresh ingredients. Take a look at some of the menu items that we tried:

 The One Eighty ($22.00)
Prosciutto, smoked provolone, pesto & arugula on a hand stretch dough with spicy & chive infused extra virgin olive oils

 Beef Carpaccio ($16.00)
French green beans, frisée, chive oil & pecorino

 Halibut Tacos ($16.00)
Red slaw with coriander, Sriracha sour cream, pico de gallo & lime

 Chèvre & Grilled Leek Tart ($15.00)
With vegetable pickle & peppery lettuces

 Crab & Lobster Dip ($18.00)
Served warm with house made black pepper kettle chips


Gem Lettuces ($15.00)
Grilled artichokes, cured tomatoes & cipollini onions


Ribbon Salad ($14.00)
Spring vegetables & maple mustard vinaigrette


Ricotta Caprese Salad ($16.00)
With Arugula, micro greens & market tomatoes

 Provencal Salmon ($28.00)
Le Puy lentils, baby kale, tomatoes, olives & lemon

 Pork Tenderloin Porchetta ($27.00)
Smokey summer succotash & pepper broth

 Beef Tenderloin ($36.00)
Pan seared beef tenderloin server with buttermilk spun potatoes & asparagus

 Jumbo Molten Chocolate Macaron ($13.00)
With vanilla bean ice cream

 Creamsicle Panna Cotta ($11.00)
With candied orange & petrified mandarin crisps

Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart ($12.00)

Candied peanut bark & dark chocolate ganache

Overall, the food menu definitely improved since Panorama, the highlights of the night for us were the Chèvre & Grilled Leek Tart, Crab & Lobster Dip, Provencal Salmon and the Beef Tenderloin. Everything we had on the dessert menu, however were all delectable. I would totally go back for more of that  Jumbo Molten Chocolate Macaron! The Porchetta dish was very dry and not enjoyable and the Fish Tacos didn't prove taste as good as it looked.

With the weather getting nicer in Toronto, The One Eighty is going to be a hot spot this summer, especially once their 1,500 square feet patio opens!

 - Our meal was complimentary but opinions are our own -