Team behind several popular restaurants just opened a new two-level concept in Toronto
Published September 5, 2024 at 9:50 am
The team behind some of the top restaurants in Toronto just suddenly opened a brand new space in an area that’s slightly off the beaten path.
General Public is a new restaurant from Jen Agg and her team, who are behind restaurants Le Swan, Michelin-recommended Bar Vendetta and Bib Gourmand recipient Grey Gardens. She also used to have a well-known restaurant called Black Hoof in the space where Bar Vendetta now stands.
A few days ago the restaurant’s Instagram page suddenly quietly posted that they were now open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday. The interior is spacious with lots of wood, deep greens and alcoves that recall churches and smoky old school bars in equal parts.
The menu includes dishes like curried lamb tartare, halibut persillade (fish with an English parsley sauce), NY strip steak and even a breakfast sandwich that took “many weeks of development” to create.
“General Public is inspired by trying to imagine what an upscale English pub would be if it had the heart of an American brasserie (and was open 11 to 11). It’s also going to signal a little bit of steakhouse, but not too much. And finally, it will look behind itself at the Black Hoof, which you will see reflected in James Santon’s menu here and there,” reads the description of the restaurant on Open Table.
“In terms of vibe, the main floor is ‘everything’s gone green,’ with lush comfortable banquette seating for everyone, warm wood, and barstools designed for long conversations over many cocktails. Upstairs you’ll find a completely different space that transports you to a peachy 80s dream. Somehow these two halves make perfect sense, and complement each other in a seamless conversation, where neither wins the argument, but you really do have to see it!”
General Public is now open at 201 Geary Ave.