Meet Toronto’s New Parisian-Inspired Lobby Bar and Brasserie
Frenchy brings a dose of delight to Richmond with classic eats and artful interiors by DesignAgency
With hints of deep red, luminous gold accents and statement-making light features, Frenchy, Hilton Toronto’s new lobby bar and brasserie, checks all the boxes of a contemporary hotel restaurant renovation. Imagined by international studio DesignAgency in collaboration with Barney River, the concept has been designed for easy indulgence in an urban setting.
Photography by Alex Lukey.
Masterfully curating the space, DesignAgency employed custom lighting by Viso Lighting to evoke a certain je ne sais quoi above the dining room floor. Here, a grand light fixturte, reminiscent of a high-fashion headpiece, makes a statement among four surrounding pendants in a matching style. As you glance up from below, you’ll notice the intricate shadows it casts upon the ceiling—emphasizing its height.
Recently, the studio also brought its creative approach to Abrielle, a coastal Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Toronto’s Sutton Place Hotel. This project shares the same level of detail and artistry that defines Frenchy’s inviting design.
Millwork and fabrication, Ramm. Photography by Alex Lukey.
Upon entry, Frenchy’s Art Deco-inspired bar greets guests with tempting libations, and its elegant Gatsby-esque allure. Reeded wood paneling pairs perfectly with gold accents and reflected sparkle from the bar’s mirrored backdrop. In many ways, the bar acts like an island, adjacent to the restaurant’s sprawling dining room floor but in close enough proximity to guide your eye to the rest of the space as you make your way in.
Like Frenchy’s design, its cocktail menu items embody the spirit of originality. For example, the Frenchy 75 (a twist on the French 75) incorporates red hibiscus syrup for a new age approach to the classic cocktail.
Photography by Elaine Kilburn.
Frenchy boasts comfy banquettes and armchairs that are just as fitting for group gatherings as they are first dates. A palette of rich merlot hues, marble and floral motifs create a sense of opulence and elegance. The scheme truly comes to life with the addition of a textile wallcovering by Arte. Around the corner, a private dining room highlights the restaurant’s expansive wine collection and is the ideal seat for wine tastings and celebratory toasts.
There are moments throughout the restaurant that make Frenchy feel authentically Parisian, there are others that echo a Torontonian charm. Either way, the dining and atmospheric experience of this new downtown gem makes it a spot worthy of any foodie’s palate.
