by arslan_ahmed | June 14, 2023 3:08 pm
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Toronto’s Prime Seafood Palace (PSP), Canadian chef Matty Matheson’s restaurant, was conceived as a bright wooden sanctuary, juxtaposed against an otherwise inconspicuous brick building blending into its surroundings.
Located at the heart of West Queen West, Prime Seafood Palace (PSP) offers a culinary retreat from the lively streets of Toronto. The aim was to extend the refinement seen in Omar Gandhi Architects’ (OGA) residential projects to this commercial venture.
The design centered around the use of wood and light. A neutral material palette, predominantly composed of white maple and brass, served as a backdrop for the main attraction: the unpretentious yet extraordinary cuisine crafted by the renowned Canadian chef. PSP further drew inspiration from Matheson’s East Coast roots and his admiration for Japanese and Scandinavian architecture. The restaurant’s menu reflects a deep respect for traditional steakhouse principles, presented with remarkable restraint.
The main entrance, nestled in a tranquil courtyard, beckons patrons away from the bustling activity of Queen Street West. Upon entering the main dining area, guests are greeted by a two-story vault adorned with wooden slats, suspended from the ceiling. A wooden canopy stretches the length of the restaurant, gently filtering natural light and casting a soft glow within. Vertical brass screens offer privacy and intimacy, while maintaining a subtle connection to the streetscape.
PSP’s interiors create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Booths upholstered in natural leather embrace the main dining space, drawing inspiration from classic diners, including Matheson’s grandfather’s Blue Goose Restaurant on Prince Edward Island. Thoughtfully curated music complements the sensory experience. The restaurant boasts a state-of-the-art lighting control system that adjusts interior illumination levels based on exterior light conditions.
Coolican & Company (Coolican) designed custom furniture, including booth tables equipped with hidden drawers to store the restaurant’s Perceval steak knives from Thiers, France.
Coolican’s special edition maple “Edwin Chair” incorporates brass spindles, echoing the brass screens found throughout the main dining area. Oak flooring extends from the main dining space to a gentle ramp that leads to the open-concept kitchen, allowing glimpses into the culinary team’s skilled work.
The accessible restroom, with its double height, features textured Bianco Carrara bamboo tiles and is bathed in natural light from an overhead skylight. Brandon Gore’s custom concrete sink draws inspiration from a hydrological map of Lake Erie and includes a recessed brass marker indicating Matheson’s farm in Fort Erie, Ontario.
In contrast to the main dining area, the rear addition includes a white-washed pine interior and a wood-burning stove, reminiscent of the cozy cottages found in Ontario’s countryside. Three sets of steel and glass doors open to the exterior courtyard, flooding the space with warm evening light in summer.
The project designed for the restaurant team of Matheson, Gary Quinto, Coulson Armstrong, and Our House Hospitality Company had these as the collaborators: physical model creator, Mary Ma; structural engineer, Diomis Engineering; MEP engineer, Spline Group; code consultant, LMDG Building Code Consultants Ltd.; lighting controls and dimming, OneLX; custom furniture, Coolican & Company; millworker (primary), Canara Woodworking Inc.; additional millwork, CNC Cutting Inc.; custom concrete sinks by Brandon Gore (Hard Goods); custom booth pendants by Concord Custom Lighting; custom signage by Filo Timo, and contractors, Mazenga Building Group (primary) and Bootstrap Design/Build.
Source URL: https://www.constructioncanada.net/omar-gandhi-brings-japandi-esthetic-to-matty-matheson-restaurant/
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