The team that brings you Far Niente, Al Frisco's and Alice Fazooli's already has the King & Bay happy hour locked up with its latest area installment: Reds Bistro.

The two level restaurant offers a café and bar on the street level perfect for lunch, an after work drink or a bite to eat before heading out to a concert, the theatre or your favourite sporting event. Upstairs the warm elegant bistro provides a more formal setting for an intimate meal.

The menu reflects classic wine country cuisine from Canada, France, Spain, Italy and Portugal paying close attention to those that go best with wine. The massive wine list offers something for every palate and even if you’re not sure which wine will best accompany your meal each dish comes with two expertly chosen wine recommendations.

A chef’s table and two private rooms are also available for your next special occasion.
Source: toronto.com

REVIEW
rought forth by the same team that cultivated Far Niente, Al Frisco's and Alice Fazooli's, Reds is that spruce, street-level wine bar you drive by so often. Sitting in the heart of the financial district, Reds has to be one the most accommodating restaurants in the city. Walk through the door, and you feel like you've wandered into an LCBO catalog shoot.

Think muted earth tones, soaring ceilings and one complete wall lined with wine. Homey, comfortable seating arrangements are set around the place in conversation-friendly clusters. Most of the room shows off that floor-to-ceiling window, providing a fantastic view of the noon-hour Adelaide Street grid. The seating in front of the window fills up first. Arrive early, or hang out and be prepared to swoop.

Study up on your wine-tasting vocabulary before you go and you're sure to wow your date. Even if you’re not a sommelier, the wait staff is a collection of wine knowledgeable and helpful folk; when you're seated, the server is immediately by your side. No snootiness here, just a pure welcoming vibe to help you through the many offerings here.

Chef Michael Steh's food menu features an assortment of wine-friendly appetizers: smooth, rich chicken liver mousse, house duck pate, scallops with beurre blanc, deep fired calamari. A great choice is the French brie baked in a wrapping of phyllo with toasted walnuts. And a sushi-grade tuna in a sublime tartare that was the star, yet not always available.

The entree lineup features an astonishingly tender maple-glazed duck breast served with herbed savoy cabbage, carrots, zucchini and blackberries. The cured salmon with citrus creme fraiche. A Snob Salad with foie gras parfait, asparagus, crostini and greens. Or, for either lunch or dinner, try the recommended seared 12-ounce New York Angus steak, with frites.

Obviously it's all about the wine here -- more than 75 are available... by the glass. Priced anywhere from $6.50 an up, though most hover around $10. Of course, cocktails are available, too. And a world wide range of bottles (350+) are available, with plenty priced under $30. We suggest you try any of the revolving selected by the glass selection - California Cabs, Great Granache, and Australian shirazes. It really is a nice touch, encouraging diners to try something new, that they might not want to risk buying the bottle. Pick your favorite and order a full glass.

Pastry chef Sue Flemming is behind the not-to-miss dessert menu, featuring items like chocolate lava cake, a firm lemon tart, a raspberry crème brûlee and seasonal berries with a champagne sabayon (all $8.50) and with suggested dessert wine parings.

For the most part, the crowd is older, meaning late 30s and early 40s. We saw plenty of "double dates" -- married couples out for a night cap after dinner and a movie, no doubt -- and small groups of older women stopping by for a drink after that “late night meeting.”

One thing's for sure: as well dressed and generally attractive as the clientele is, they don't want to talk to you. This is anything but a hip schmooze resto. Most of the people who come through the door are there to meet co-workers, an important client, or appear to be on a second or third date.

This is a popular lunchtime spot and, though many aren’t aware, Reds doesn’t close between lunch and dinner service.
Source: martinboys.com