W Toronto Unveils Multiple Dining Concepts Led by New Executive Chef Keith Pears

July 8, 2022 Bradley Dean

Toronto’s newest, long-awaited luxury lifestyle hotel, W Toronto – opening on July 21, 2022 – has officially announced its Executive Chef and dining concepts. From plant-forward “grab and stay” fare, champagne flights and locally-inspired tapas, to a raw bar, mezze and craft cocktails, W Toronto is home to three distinct food and beverage destinations. Each is uniquely its own, all while embodying the W brand’s signature, socially-charged energy. Helmed by Executive Chef Keith Pears, reservations starting July 21, 2022 are now being accepted.

“It’s a dream to bring to life the W experience at each of these three concepts,” said Keith Pears, Executive Chef, W Toronto. “I am inspired by the diversity of the city and how it is reflected in the colorful, spirited spaces throughout this stunning hotel. I had so much fun crafting these very distinct menus and I want people to enjoy every bite, sip and moment of being at W Toronto.” 

Born and raised in Vancouver, Keith Pears was born into a family of chefs, destined to thrive in the culinary field. His parents owned a small café where he spent most of his time growing up, surrounded by family creating great food while he eagerly played and learned. Keith went on to compete in several food competitions, including Best of the West, MasterChef Canada, Gold Metal Plates, B.C. Chef of the Year, Garland Canada International Shellfish Chef Challenge, 2016 Bocuse d’Or National Selection in addition to winning Chopped Canada as well as Gold at Canada’s Great Kitchen Party. 

PUBLIC SCHOOL

With its nod to pop culture and nostalgia, the two-floor, rebellious coffee house, kitchen and bar, with convenient access right from Bloor Street is sure to become Toronto’s new favourite hang out. Guests can enjoy barista culture, fueled by De Mello Coffee, and a playful, unpretentious plant-forward menu to energize the day. By night, cocktails, new school tonics, elixirs and low or no alcohol (by volume) beverages will flow at the main floor kitchen and bar – with a throwback soundtrack from the 70’s to the 2000’s.

PUBLIC SCHOOL’s locally driven, made-from-scratch menu features modern twists on old school classics. Offerings such as Strawberry Overnight Oats with Bee Local honey; Chickpea Fries with garlic tahini aioli, tomato jam, and chives; and the Valedictorian Burger, a beet and kale patty with miso harissa ketchup, smashed avocado and sprouts are destined to be stellar standouts. The Oat Milk Soft Serve is sure to be a sweet treat fave, topped with a choice of freeze-dried Ontario fruits, fresh berries, vegan brownie, chocolate pretzels, and exotic caramel. 

For more information, visit and get social @publicschooltoronto. The ground floor PUBLIC SCHOOL coffee house can accommodate 36 guests with its indoor/outdoor café-style seating. Hours: 6:30am – 12:00am. The kitchen + bar on the upper level seats 84. Hours – Breakfast: 6:30am – 11:30am; Lunch + Dinner: 11:30am – 12am. To make a reservation, book here. 

Living Room

Tapas, bubbly and late-night revelry can be had in the W brand’s signature lobby/lounge – the heart and soul of the hotel. The 6^th floor, 5,000 square foot space with a three-story glass box atrium, is filled with natural light lending endless opportunity for working solo, meeting and mingling. With three distinct seating areas – the Fireplace, the Yard (outdoor terrace), and the Living Room Bar – it’s a place to socialize, explore and enjoy programming such as provocative panel discussions, fashion and art presentations and live music sets. The energy of the room will evolve throughout the day with beats per minute picking up late into the night with nightly DJs.

Inspired by the world’s most multicultural city, the Living Room menu is punctuated by Toronto tapas: a menu of light, small shareable bites representing the city’s diverse neighbourhoods. Guests can take a food tour of the city, enjoying menu offerings such as Barbacoa Tacos (Kensington Market) with grass-fed beef, onion, cilantro, avocado salsa, and lime; Jerk Chicken Skewers (Little Jamaica) with roasted pineapple aioli, cilantro, and lime; and Fogo Island Cod Cheeks (Little India) with fried, masala dusted, Kashmiri curry yogurt, and pickled onions. 

Champagne and bubbles define the drinks on offer, with premium selections, rare bottles and an exclusive Perlini corking system allowing for unique Champagne flight experiences and the finest bubbly by the glass. Traditionally used as a champagne preservation system, it will also be incorporated into the cocktails to make anything sparkling. House-infused, culinary-inspired cocktails with a focus on sustainability include the Celery Sour (celery infused gin, pineapple scrap syrup celery bitters, pasteurized egg whites and celery dust garnish); the Green Goddess Bloody Mary (vodka, tomato juice, celery dust, cayenne powder, Worcestershire sauce, bacon smoked Maldon sea salt, black pepper, garnished with basil leaves, celery stalk, bacon, pickles, and dehydrated green tomato wheel); and the Rum Away (rum, plum wine, muddled stone fruit, topped with peach kombucha and garnished with almond oil and house made dried apricot fruit roll-up). 

The Living Room will also house an exclusive Moët & Chandon vending machine, the only one of its kind in Toronto. 

For more information, visit and get social at @WToronto. The Living Room is located on the 6^th floor with 100 indoor seats and 34 outdoor. Hours – Breakfast: 9am – 11am; Lunch + Dinner 11:30am-12am. Reservations are not required.

SKYLIGHT 

As the sun sets, SKYLIGHT rooftop, casts a spell on the city’s dinner and late-night scene with alluring curated cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired dishes and raw bar. The enchanting rooftop oasis, accessible from street level with a dedicated exterior glass lift, is the spot to celebrate the end of the long day or the start of a long night. The indoor-outdoor boho aesthetic overlooks Toronto’s iconic Bloor Street, embodying the provocative and artistic spirit of the 1960s hippie revolution in Yorkville.

SKYLIGHT’s menu (and vibe) is a playful expression of the Mediterranean, taking guests on a culinary journey with every bite. The familial menu is best enjoyed together, with a bounty of elevated share-style plates spanning Mezze & Spreads, Raw Bar, and Salatas & Tajines. Mezze standouts are the Eggplant & Pine Nut Kibbeh with smoked yogurt and mint, as well as the Sharak platter, a flavourful array of mezzes and spreads including baba ghanoush, muhammara, hummus, beet labneh, olives, pickles, kibbeh, and crispy halloumi. The Cauliflower & Chickpea Tajine is a contemporary take on the traditional dish, elegantly prepared with saffron sultana rice, tomatoes, artichokes, tzatziki, and cilantro. Seafood Towers are the ultimate in sharing luxury – with a selection of oysters, clams, shrimp cocktail, escabeche, tuna and scallop crudos, king crab legs, lobster, and caviar. 

SKYLIGHT’s grill offerings include a Beef Tomahawk Steak with a house made spice blend, served with beet labneh and grilled carrot mostarda, as well as the Za’atar Garlic Cape d’Or Salmon with tomatoand artichoke caponata, toasted almonds and grilled lemon. Equipped with an in-house spit, SKYLIGHT will also feature daily chicken shawarma dishes. House made Maneesh, a Middle Eastern style flatbread, will be prepared à la minute, served as a side and to accompany various dishes including the tajines. Cap off the night on a sweet note with a selection of decadent desserts including the Instagrammable Chocolate Birdcage, a nod to the stunning outdoor patio pergolas – an edible nest using phyllo pastry, vanilla and cassis flavored cake and truffle eggs.

SKYLIGHT’s cocktail program is Vermouth and Amaro-centric with an edgy selection of upscale cocktails, seasonal spritzes and adult slushes. Indulge in standouts such as the Aloe Glow, a unique mix of Gin, dry Vermouth, peach white tea syrup, and activated, suspended charcoal avocado oil. Snap, post and sip the Coco Mezcal – a too-pretty-to drink cocktail of Mezcal, amontillado sherry, cedar smoked citrus tepache, and coconut oil wash served on crushed ice with shaved coconut in a glamorous lantern vessel. 

For more information, visit and get social @skylightrooftop. SKYLIGHT is located on the 9^th floor (Roof Top) with 180 indoor seats and 40 outdoor including two private pergolas (for 6 to 8). Hours:  Dinner: 5pm – 10:30pm, Snacks: 10:30pm – Late. Reservations Recommended. To make a reservation, book here.

About the Author