Eight Wine Bar: Refocused and Relaunched

Nov. 10, 2010 - PRLog -- TORONTO, ON – Eight Wine Bar, located in the lobby of the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Residences, was conceived in early 2008 with the aim of serving locally-sourced, market-fresh comfort food alongside an extensive selection of rare and interesting wines. Now that concept has been refined even further with a more wine-centric focus that places greater emphasis on food and wine pairings.

“We have always strived to cater to connoisseurs who appreciate great wines and gourmet meals,” says Sheila Person, Eight Wine Bar’s Manager and Sommelier. “We wanted to take that appreciation to a higher level by creating a new menu that pairs our dishes with wines specifically chosen to enhance their flavours. So, for example, if you were to order the roasted duck breast, we might recommend having it with an Australian Pinot Noir to achieve an exquisitely balanced taste combination.”

The portion sizes at Eight have also been distilled down to their essences. Chef de Cuisine Mark Richardson has made a marked departure away from traditional dinner-sized entrées toward more ‘sociable’ offerings, such as cheese and charcuterie platters, light appetizers and sharing plates.

“The idea is to promote a more interactive dining experience, not just among the diners themselves, but between the diners and their meals, as well,” explains Richardson. “With smaller portions, our guests will be able to taste a wider variety of foods and wines, mixing and matching flavours to their liking. All of us at Eight are passionate epicures, and we like to encourage that same adventurous gastronomic spirit in our clientele.”

Complementing the new menu is a redesigned décor that allows guests to dine in a more intimate setting. High-backed sofas and loungers have been added to the bar area to provide comfort and privacy, while the space that formerly served as the main dining room has been curtained off to create a private enclave. The overall effect is sensuous, atmospheric and inviting.

“We’ve made the room much more cozy and lounge-like, with booths that facilitate sharing and canoodling,” says Person. “It’s much less of a formal dining room and more like the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable unwinding and relaxing with friends.

“We’re very excited about the ongoing evolution of Eight. Our forté has always been food and wine pairings, and the changes we’ve made play perfectly to our strengths.”

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