Luxuriant banquettes in oxblood leather and white tablecloths. Terrazzo floors, sculpted ceiling, a bar framed by a golden arch with a backdrop wall of shimmering tiles. Accents of dark stained wood, marble, polished brass and gold. Walls crammed with enough art to remind you of London’s Berners Tavern. Everything about the design of Sammarco makes a statement: Luxury rules here.
As does great design — in this case, by a familiar perpetrator, Toronto’s incomparable II BY IV DESIGN. They left no detail compromised. From the sculpted globular gold table lamps to the bespoke drinks trolley in marble and dark wood, everything is a design element. And nothing draws the eye quite so magnetically as the centrepiece of the main dining room — a chandelier cast as a single, huge gold orb that evokes the sun…setting, here over the cluster of outward-facing, asymmetrically domed semi-private banquettes.
There is no more appropriate setting to celebrate, extravagantly and indulgently, a special occasion with Martinis and trophy wines, luxe seafood and magnificent steaks. It works. Sammarco is our pick for Best Restaurant Design of the year.
