Kitchen Party

'Homey' décor in commercial spaces is a trend that seems to have staying power. New restaurants in hotspots like New York (www.bobnyc.com) are embracing décor that is more like a friend's eclectic, old-world apartment rather than a sparse, modern cafeteria. Closer to home, I recently went to a lounge/restaurant opening party on Toronto's West Queen West strip that takes it even further. Called Kitchen, because the party always ends up in the kitchen (stay tuned for our April issue that features a kitchen dinner party based on this same idea), it is a casual, warm and comfortable spot that you can go to anytime, in any outfit. The menu is easy-going tapas-style, and they're refreshingly anti-VIP sections and bottle service. Head to the 'expensive' bar downstairs where drinks cost 25 cents more and check out the arty graffiti wall by Thomas Ruiz.
- Andrea Mills, Home Associate.

Photo by Paull Peterson. Visit thekitchenonqueenwest.com.