Megan Lawton Special News / BESO by Patria, Toronto in Canada / By Megan Lawton / Publisher LLM Reporters

Toronto’s King Street West has no shortage of fashionable addresses, but the newly relaunched BESO by Patria is already making a strong claim to be among them. After a short hiatus and a glamourous redesign, it reopened its doors in April of this year – and just two weeks in, it’s already lively, packed, and proving hard to secure a reservation.

From your first step inside, BESO makes an immediate and lasting impression. Designed by Toronto-based studio NIVEK REMAS, the space embraces bold colours, rich textures, and exciting energy.

High ceilings and a grand mezzanine overlook the bustling main floor, while floor-to-ceiling rouge curtains frame the room, setting a sultry, intimate tone. Hanging oriental lamps cast dim, warm lighting across the diners below, enhancing the sense of theatre.

From our table, we looked out towards a striking feature wall which, if you peer closely enough, is covered in hand-painted Spanish motifs, from bulls and matadors to flamenco dancers. Like the rest of the interior, the artwork is locally made, created by Toronto’s CROW art studio. Painted over 10 days, the mural celebrates Spanish culture but is subtle enough not to tip into cliché territory.

The bar space is a gallery in its own right

At the centre of it all is an impressive island bar, instantly eye-catching from anywhere in the room. This is a space to entertain and to be entertained, and while some restaurants tuck their bars away in a corner like an afterthought, the BESO bar makes you want to arrive early to enjoy one of its signature cocktails.

Much like the restaurant interior, the new BESO promises a modern taste of Spain in all its colourful diversity. It’s something executive chef Stuart Cameron has delivered.

The menu is playful, bold, and hard to resist, a deliberate nod to the restaurant’s name ‘Beso’, meaning ‘kiss’ in Spanish.

To start, bacon-wrapped dates arrived, as recommended by our waiter. A refined, creative spin on pigs in blankets, they were caramelised to perfection and literally melted in the mouth, leaving behind a rich, smoky aftertaste.

Octopus followed, beautifully chargrilled, tender and moreish. Toronto is landlocked as far as the sea is concerned, but the octopus tasted freshly caught. Another seafood standout was the snow crab bruschetta. Light, tart, and zesty, it was sharp without being overpowering.

The dishes at BESO are deisgned to be shared and savoured. Image credit: Paula Wilson

After watching showstopping bowls of paella land on nearby tables, we had to try it for ourselves. Diners can choose between chicken, white fish, or a traditional seafood version, we went for the latter. It arrived as a generous portion, packed with succulent prawns and mussels, and finished with a zesty drizzle that cut through the richness of the dish.

To drink, we kept it light. A martini with a twist offered a clean, crisp counterpoint to the bold food flavours, while a glass of recommended Rioja proved to be smooth, full-bodied, and perfectly matched to the flavours of the meal.

Our meal was most definitely enhanced by our excellent waiter, Sterling, who brought warmth and knowledge to the service, and pointed out some dishes we wouldn’t previously have considered.

If you’re familiar with Toronto’s hospitality scene, you probably know the name Charles Khabouth. He’s the founder of INK Entertainment, one of Canada’s leading lifestyle and entertainment companies, who represent some of Toronto’s best restaurants, including BESO.

Not just known for its Spanish plates, BESO is a popular cocktail spot too. Image credit: Paula Wilson

For Khabouth, this latest venture is about injecting some warmth to, what can be during the winter, a pretty chilly city. “We’ve poured our hearts, and a little heat, into making this space and menu something special,” he said. Adding, “it’s all about playing with flavours, keeping things exciting, and bringing the heart of Spain to the heart of Toronto.”

It’s a formula that is proving popular. On the night we dined at the restaurant there was a full house, with groups arriving to be seated from 7pm right through to 9.30pm. It’s also a space that seems to appeal to all, from colleagues to couples and friend dates, too.

BESO by Patria doesn’t just serve food, but atmosphere and a good time, too. With its glamorous design, perfectly curated menu, and vibrant energy, it feels like the place to be.

In a nutshell

This restaurant is high-end and inviting, where the drinks are sharp, the plates are generous, and the vibe is fashionable and exciting. If you’re after a buzzy night out with serious attention to detail, this spot more than delivers, and is quicker (and cheaper) than booking a flight to Spain.

Factbox

Address: 478 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 0A8
Phone: (416) 367-0505
Website: besotoronto.com