where jess ate

After closing up in mid-February, Panorama Lounge has been reinvented as The One Eighty (@the51stfloor). Located on the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre in Yorkville, the new name isn’t only a reference to the 180-degree view but also to their new menu approach.

While the space and food may be different, there’s one thing that hasn’t changed: the stunning unobstructed north and south views of the city. Upon exiting the elevator, you’ll find yourself in a modern 3,000sq ft space which features high ceilings, cool greys and warm wood elements. During the day, the space is filled with sunlight giving it a light and airy feel. As the sun sets, The One Eighty transforms into a more cozy and lounge-y space.

The One Eighty is owned by Eatertainment, a Toronto-based catering company which also owns the Bloor Street Diner. Featuring table-side service where servers visit in between courses to offer tasty little bites and specialty cocktails from bar carts, the restaurant’s concept is inspired by President Sebastien Centner’s travels around the world.

Eatertainment’s Executive Chef Christopher Matthews has incorporated his fresh take into comfort food favourites including buttermilk fried chicken and waffles with cherry chutney, crab & lobster dip and green pea risotto with edamame.

I recently attended the media preview for the reinvented restaurant. Here’s a look at what you can look forward to:

Bites from the table-side bar cart

Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

Halibut Tacos – red slaw with coriander, sriracha sour cream, pico de gallo & lime ($16)

Chèvre & Grilled Leek Tart – vegetable pickle & peppery lettuces ($15)

Beef Carpaccio – French green beans, frisee, chive oil & pecorino ($16)

Crab & Lobster Dip – served warm with house made black pepper kettle chips ($18)

The One Eighty Pizza – prosciutto, smoked provolone, pesto & arugula ($22)

Ribbon Salad – spring vegetables & maple mustard vinaigrette ($14)

Ricotta Caprese Salad – arugula, micro greens & market tomatoes ($16)

Gem Lettuces – grilled artichokes, cured tomatoes & cipollini onions ($15)

Beef Tenderloin – pan seared, buttermilk spun potatoes & asparagus ($36)

Pork Tenderloin Porchetta – smokey summer succotash & pepper broth ($27)

Provençal Salmon – Le Puy lentils, baby kale, tomatoes, olives & lemon ($28)

Jumbo Molten Chocolate Macaron – with vanilla bean ice cream ($13)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart – candied peanut bark & dark chocolate ganache ($12)

Needless to say, we were very well fed! My personal favourites were the brussels sprouts caesar, chèvre & grilled leek tart, Provencal salmon, jumbo molten chocolate macaron and chocolate peanut butter tart.

In between courses, a bar cart of small dishes is brought around to the tables (dim-sum style). Take a look at the offerings and if you like what you see, take it. I picked up the Brussels sprouts and enjoyed this refreshing take on the caesar. From the appetizers, the chèvre & grilled leek tart was a surprising favourite. I’m not always the biggest fan of goat cheese but its flavour was subtle and I loved the sweetness of the grilled leeks. From the mains, I had a bite of the Provençal salmon and thought it was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The accompanying lentils were a classic pairing and all in all, it was a delicious entrée.

As if this wasn’t enough food, we had a selection of desserts to indulge in. If you’re a fan of molten chocolate cakes, the molten chocolate macaron is an absolute must. A crisp exterior with a melty, gooey interior and a scoop of ice cream… heavenly! And let’s not forget about the chocolate peanut butter tart. The peanut butter filling was light and fluffy and I loved the addition of the candied peanut bark which added a nice crunch.

The One Eighty is open everyday from 5pm. As the weather is starting to warm up, their north and south patios will soon be open. Don’t miss out on the stunning views!

*This was a complimentary meal. The opinions in the post, as always, are my own.*