Winterlicious is in full swing in Toronto, and Reign at the Fairmont Royal York is offering one of the season’s most inviting three‑course prix‑fixe lunch and dinner menus until February 12.
Paired with warm, attentive service, a refined cocktail list, in the restaurant’s timeless dining room, it’s the perfect opportunity for a romantic evening or a leisurely, elevated lunch.
Lunch is available weekdays from 12 PM to 2 PM for $55, and dinner is served from 5 PM to 10 PM daily for $75. The lunch and dinner menus are very similar, however the dinner menu features a more upscale steak option.
Everything we tried was delicious, and the menu stands out with the care and attention to every detail, and effortless blending of flavours and ingredients.
My first “wow” moment came with the cocktails. My wife ordered the Golden Cadillac Margarita; the cocktail is slightly sweet, with nice citrus, and subtle notes of saffron that really come out with the salt on the rim. It features El Tequileño Reposado Tequila, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao, vanilla, saffron, and lime.
I tried the Crown Negroni, and it was phenomenal. This was one of the best Negronis that I’ve ever had, with rich but nuanced flavours, balanced sweet and bitter notes, and it’s bold and thoughtful. It sums up everything that I love about the Royal York’s cocktail menus across every bar and restaurant. The cocktail is made with Plymouth Gin, Campari, pink peppercorn, cacao, cherry vermouth, and fennel for a robust smoothness.
Appetizers on the Winterlicious menu include Parsnip and Apple Soup, a Radicchio Salad, or the Reign Caesar Salad, and we tired the soup and Radicchio Salad.
The soup is creamy with bright flavours; simple and wholesome. The roasted parsnip is creamy, but it has lovely depth and beautiful savoury flavours against the gentle sweetness of the apple.
The Radicchio Salad was quite big, and it has lots of flavour, but the Krüger blue cheese stands out, creamy and distinct. I love the amount of vegetables and nuts, making it refreshing, light, with a perfect dressing.
For our mains, the Arctic Char is delightful. It’s so creamy, vibrant, flaky and sweet, with beautiful gnocchi, and a rich squash puree. The puree adds so much to the dish, balancing out the flavours, while giving depth and that characteristic sweetness.
The Steak Frites was cooked perfectly, with a vibrant chimichurri sauce, crisp and tender fries, and everything was lightly salted with a nice garlic aioli for dipping. If you opt to visit for dinner, the dish features a 6 oz flat iron steak, fingerling potatoes, heirloom carrots, and roasted pearl onions.
Overall the service is fantastic; prompt and quick, and the dishes came perfectly timed, with a little space to enjoy the atmosphere, menu, and drinks. Our server Brian, was always there when we needed something, offering suggestions, and taking care of the perfect experience.
For dessert we opted for the Haskap Cheesecake and the Chocolate Layer Gâteau, and it was another “wow” moment.
The cheesecake is ever so slightly savoury, well balanced, lightly sweet, and served with a vanilla sour cream, haskap berry compote, and lavender and rosemary elixir.
The Gâteau is simply stunning as well. The chocolate is bold and rich, but not overly sweet, with beautiful texture and served with a Single Malt Scotch Ice Cream. It was so good, I had to really remind myself to savour every bite.
Plan to book your reservation early, as the restaurant can book up, particularly Friday to Sunday. I highly recommend planning your meal over at least 90 minutes to soak everything up; sit down, order a cocktail, pair your main course with wine, and enjoy an espresso with dessert.
Looking for a dining experience at Reign outside of Winterlicious? The restaurant is offering special Valentine’s Day menu for February 13, 14, and 15, as well as a Family Day Feast on February 16.
Watch the Short peek at our delicious meal below.
All photos by W. Andrew Powell/The GATE.
