Never has “new American” looked so good: the Ontario-based interiors firm Studio Paolo Ferrari has outdone itself with Daphne, a welcome addition to Toronto’s bistro scene. Elaborate interiors immerse diners in a wonderland of modern design, rooted in homages to the greats of classic film, from Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining to the oeuvre of Nancy Meyers. The firm even likened the space to “an exquisitely designed film set” and leaned heavily on custom furnishings and artisan craftsmanship for the restaurant, which features a hand-painted landscape mural and a monochromatic burnt orange dining room that would feel right at home in a futuristic Twin Peaks reboot.
There are more subtle homages throughout, like a fluted cocktail bar that references the columnic works of Beaux-Arts architect Henry Bacon. In keeping with its sumptuous interiors, Daphne’s menu is brimming with hearty savories, like beef tartare and roasted bone marrow with port jam. Wash it down with bar director Nisham Chandra’s namesake cocktail, the Daphne negroni, a cherry-infused-gin take on the classic drink.
