The top five items to try at Yorkville Village
The former Hazelton Lanes is now a sleek and snazzy food court with 185 seats
It is a food court straight out of a design magazine.
Gold and silver tiles swirl across the walls. Metal discs cover the ceiling like fish scales. Sinuous counters curve around the perimeter for single diners, while Saarinen-like tulip tables are for couples and foursomes. Even the garbage bins are sleek.
Yorkville Village’s relaunched dining area is as swanky as the neighbouring retailers.
The former Hazelton Lanes just underwent a $150-million makeover that includes a sleek 185-seat food court designed by GH+A.
“The design intent was to create a cosy ambience you would find in a high-end hotel bar,” a spokesperson said.
Vendors aren’t the usual fast-food suspects, no surprise given the mall’s two fitness clubs. Vegetarian and vegan options abound. A few upstairs kiosks round out the dining options.
Here are five top foods and drinks at Yorkville Village, 55 Avenue Rd.
Kebaberie Chickpeas are a triple threat — hummus, chickpea salad and falafel — at this Mideast counter.
Beirut-born owner Chucri (Chuck) Abou Saab laces his falafel balls with ground coriander and fries them to order, ensuring the middle is cooked by depressing the centre.
Order them as a hunger-killing plate ($10.99) with tabbouleh, lentils, grated cabbage with dried mint, pickled turnips and a fresh green salad. Kebaberie, 416-922-7373, kebaberie.com. Open seven days, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fresh Tea Shop This German chain offers tea cocktails such as the Awesome Tropical ($6.65 for 21 ounces).
“It’s like a mojito without rum,” promises the counter worker.
Like a bartender, he muddles lime, mint and cane sugar in a plastic cup; ice, green tea and a five-fruit syrup (pineapple, mango, peach, lemon and passion fruit) are shaken, not stirred.
For an even more refreshing result, request half the sugar. Fresh Tea Shop, 416-323-0818, thefreshteashop.com Open seven days, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mi’Hito Sushi Laboratory A dawn’s worth of colour lies inside the Rising Sun ($11.99) sushi burrito. Coral salmon, pink surimi and red tobiko fill the burrito-sized futomaki along with a host of vegetables. “No fruits or anything weird like that,” promises the counter staff. Expect to be sated by half an order in this off- shoot of all-you-can-eat Asian restaurant Spoon & Fork. Mi’Hito Sushi Laboratory, 416-922-0845, mihito.ca Open Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
ELXR Juice Labs Ignore the unproven health claims on bottled vegan drink Chaga Fix ($9 for 8 ounces). Take it for what it is: A wonderfully creamy (albeit slightly gritty) pick-me-up that tastes like rice pudding. Made from ground cashews, medjool dates, cinnamon, coconut oil and chaga, a powdered mushroom. elxrjuicelab.com
Palm Lane Crunch is the operative word in the Thai Crunch Salad ($13.25) from Palm Lane. . Corporate chef Tyler Shedden (ex-Four Seasons Hotel) creates texture from peanuts, fried shallots, pickled kohlrabi and fried rice noodles. The pretty bowl also holds chopped romaine, pink grapefruit and flavourful firm tofu. Palm Lane, 647-348-7000, palmlane.ca Open seven days, 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.