This striking restaurant on Queen West is Toronto’s newest it spot, Canada Reviews

Co-owner Conrad Calabrese describes Miss Ivy as a blend of King Street and Queen Street vibes. It offers Asian-inspired share plates, craft cocktails, daily happy hour specials and live DJs, making it a vibrant new hot spot on Queen West.

“A lot of places on Queen Street are casual and dive bar–like, but we felt there was a need for a more refined atmosphere,” says Calabrese. “We
didn’t want to be intimidating, though. We aim to blend the accessibility of Queen Street with the sophistication of King Street, to cater to both casual diners and those seeking something a bit more upscale.”

Featuring a fish-forward menu, signatures at Miss Ivy include the yellowtail crudo, made with wafu sauce and chili oil, and the mouth-watering salmon tataki, made with lim miso, red onion pickle and chunk wasabi. Other not-to-be-missed shareables include the charred green beans, chicken bao and gyoza.

The Asian influence is evident in dishes like the watermelon feta salad, wagyu beef tacos and the Cajun pineapple topping on the Hawaiian-style
short rib.

The concept was inspired by Calabrese and his brother Stefan, who bring nightlife expertise from owning King Street’s Door Three, combined with the hospitality experience of their two other partners.

Miss Ivy’s dining space embodies its name with lush foliage and a focus on nature. The decor blends Renaissance and modern elements, high-
lighted by a striking mural of the Garden of Eden, featuring two Eves with handbags. The design merges contemporary and classic styles, natural and urban elements and casual and elevated vibes.

Calabrese hopes that the opening of Miss Ivy will inspire more upscale venues to emerge in the neighbourhood.

“The Queen Street culture has definitely been a staple in the city for a long time, but I think there’s room for improvement, and when you drive on Queen Street, so many storefronts are under construction or for lease, so I think it will be a very different landscape in the near future,” he says. “We’re definitely excited to grow with the area and build and establish ourselves as a go-to brand on the busy strip.

”Miss Ivy is open at 502 Queen St. W. from Thursday to Sunday, at 5 p.m.