King Street West is home to many restaurants. But now it can add the best steakhouse in Toronto to its ever-growing list with MARBL.
Located at the corner of King Street West and Spadina Avenue, MARBL Toronto dazzles with sophistication. It adds a bit of elegance to a street filled with nightclubs and fast-casual eateries.
Owner Peter Girges (the brains behind West Oak restaurant in Vancouver) wanted to infuse a bit of the chic Yorkville vibe into one of his own restaurants while still attracting all the Bay Street hustlers.
No matter who you are, MARBL restaurant is the perfect stop off for an after-work cocktail or to indulge in some extravagant steakhouse classics.
Step Inside MARBL Restaurant Toronto
Taking over the former Drake and Susur Lee’s restaurant Fring’s in 2018, owner Peter Girges and his team did a complete overhaul of the 3,500 square foot space to make it into the opulent King West restaurant it is today.
To coincide with the name, the Toronto steakhouse features marble pillars, tabletops, counters, decorative pieces throughout and gigantic windows, which give it a bright open feel. You’ll also find an open kitchen, with a view to watch Chef Ryan Morrison (The Glowbal Connection in Vancouver; Scarpetta in New York, Toronto and Beverly Hills) and his team in action. Sitting across the chef’s rail, there is a semi-private table for 10. The entire restaurant seats 180 or holds 200 cocktail style.
Brandon Chandler, director of marketing at MARBL Toronto tells Dobbernationloves exclusively that he and owner Peter Girges sat down to discuss the name one day when MARBL came to Chandler.
He remembers presenting the idea to Girges, explaining that MARBL was the perfect word association: it meant taking risks, it meant luxury and it would attract the restaurant goer who was willing to take all the marbles. This is how the MARBL restaurant was born.
The Bar at MARBL Restaurant in Toronto
At the heart of MARBL Toronto, you’ll spot a floor to ceiling glass wine cellar, which accents the extensive list of exclusive and rare wines. Their wine list has been curated and offers a range of biodynamic wines and small-production wines from the U.S., Italy, and France. Glasses range in price from $14-$26 for a 5-ounce pour and pairs perfectly with the Toronto steakhouse offerings.
The in-house cocktail program at MARBL Toronto was recently re-launched and has taken to focusing on familiar cocktails with an elevated twist. While there, we got to try the French 74 ($16) with vodka, prosecco, simple syrup, and lime juice and the classic Manhattan ($16) with 2oz Bourbon, 1oz Sweet Vermouth & Angostura Bitters. These classic cocktails were timeless and perfectly mixed, with a sophisticated flavour blend and beautifully balanced.
If you’re coming to MARBL restaurant in Toronto for just a drink, you’ll be warmly welcomed at the bar. Actually, we recommend it. Although this may be one of the best steakhouses in Toronto, you will be blown away by the cocktail quality and wine selection. On second thought: it might even be worth taking a seat at the bar.
MARBL Restaurant Toronto Menu
Led by Executive Chef Ryan Morrison, guests to MARBL can expect a fine-dining atmosphere with steakhouse classics including tuna tartare, Caesar salad, and, of course, a selection of steaks.
Morrison began his cooking career in Toronto, before departing for the United States and working for the Scott Conant Management (SCM) hospitality group, as Chef de cuisine of Scarpetta locations across North America then eventually promoted to Director of Culinary Development for SCM’s family of restaurants.
In 2013, Chef Morrison moved back to Vancouver to join The GLOWBAL COLLECTION as Assistant Corporate Chef. Morrison shares with Dobbernationloves that he and Girges had known each other for close to 13 years, before ever officially working together, sharing that his uncle worked for Girges prior to him. He felt like accepting the position of Executive Chef at MARBL in Toronto was like going to work for a family.
The menu is split into four different sections: starters, entrees, grill a la carte and sides. While not listed, they do have an entirely separate menu for their desserts, so save room and don’t forget to ask about it. To experience the menu, in its entirety – we suggest ordering one dish from each section of the menu. For two people who are sharing plates, this is more than enough food – trust us!
MARBL Restaurant Toronto: Starters
Chef Morrison tells us, “Besides the regular inspiration of different seasons, we like to work on ideas together in the kitchen […] It all comes together in a great way when you let the ingredients tell you what to do.” This shines through best with the starters, which range from old school classics to beautiful elevated and simplistic offerings. Starters range from $12-19 and include the following:
- TOAST MADEMOISELLE: bread, olive oil & balsamic, marinated olives, roasted red peppers, pickles
- GOLDEN CAESAR: gem lettuce, warm guanciale, egg, croutons, grana padano
- SCALLOPS: rutabaga, brown butter, citrus, sea asparagus
- YELLOWFIN TUNA: shoestring potatoes, caper, dill, lemon
- LOBSTER & RICOTTA DUMPLINGS: leek & concentrated tomato
- BEETS: whipped goat cheese, frisée, pistachio, pomegranate molasses
- CHEF CAMPBELL’S SOUP
- STEAK TARTAR: ricotta salata, truffle, toast points
- WEDGE SALAD: bacon, tomato, blue cheese
- MEATBALLS: veal & pork, fennel seed, creamy polenta, rapini pesto, chilies
- MONTREAL SMOKED OCTOPUS: rye mustard, cocktail vegetables
MARBL Restaurant Toronto: Entrees
Chef Morrison tells us that he wants guests to be spoiled by beautifully crafted food. The entrees menu does that and more, with bright and beautiful seafood offerings alongside freshly-made plates of pasta. Using fresh ingredients, their approach is to make a dish that is special to them will leave guests excited. Many of the entrees range in price from $21-39 and include the following:
- BAIT & TACKLE: salt spring mussel vinegarette, charred rapini, market fish
- VEAL CHOP “PARM”: burrata, tomato, basil
- TAGLIATELLE POMODORO: house made pasta, san marzano tomatoes, basil, grana padano
- ROYALE WITH CHEESE: lettuce, diced onion, pickle, tomato, thousand island sauce
- BRAISED LAMB SHANK: couscous, goat cheese, roasted red peppers
- HERB ROASTED CHICKEN: barley & broccoli risotto, chalet sauce
- AGNOLOTTI: winter mushroom, toasted garlic, Jerusalem artichoke
- CHINOOK SALMON: lentils, mirepoix, charred lemon
- BONELESS BEEF SHORTRIB: potato stack, carrots, horseradish jus
- SEAFOOD BOIL: shrimp, mussels, potatoes, corn, old bay, grilled bread
MARBL Restaurant Toronto: Grill A La Carte
Clearly, this is the pièce de résistance on the MARBL restaurant’s menu. When looking for the best steakhouse in Toronto, look no further. With classic cuts like striploin, bone-in ribeye, and tomahawk – MARBL Toronto has paid special attention to the finer details and prepares a mean steak. If high-end cuts of beef aren’t your thing, there is also lamb and pork on offer. Dishes range from $39-$155 and include the following:
- 8oz BEEF TENDERLOIN
- 14oz BONE-IN STRIPLOIN
- 20oz BONE-IN RIBEYE
- TOMAHAWK PORK CHOP – 12oz
- 48oz TOMAHAWK STEAK
- RACK OF LAMB
- HALF RACK OF LAMB
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MARBL Restaurant Toronto: Sides
Of course, no main course dish would be complete without side. Wouldn’t you know it, the best steakhouse in Toronto does not mess around when it comes to sides. Chef Morrison wanted to keep things playful yet classic. He tells us that they make an in-house Cheese Whiz style sauce for the broccoli and wanted to offer a seasonal vegetable with a twist. Side dishes are $8 and here’s what is on the menu:
- ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS: bacon, chillies, grana padano
- ROASTED CARROTS: curry, cashews
- FRIES: malt vinegar aioli
- LITTLE POTATOES “POT ROAST”: sour cream, pan drippings
- SPAGHETTI SQUASH: brown butter, chillies, pecorino
- CHARRED BEAN “CASSEROLE”: dill, garlic, mustard
- FALAFEL: garlic sauce
- BROCCOLI & CHEESE: aged cheddar
MARBL Restaurant Toronto: Desserts
No meal is complete without dessert. While there are many King West restaurants that boast an over-the-top dessert menu, what we liked about MARBL restaurant is that it kept it simple and to the point. All desserts are $12 and essentially childhood classics and throwbacks. Chef Morrison tells Dobbernationloves that what he placed on the menu were things he would like to eat on his own day’s off. So what are they? Have a peek for yourself:
- WARM APPLE PIE: salted caramel ice cream
- PECAN PIE BAR: vanilla bean cool whip
- CARAMEL CHEESECAKE: pecans, egg cream
- GIANT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE: vanilla ice cream
- DARK CHOCOLATE MARQUISE
Skip Downstairs to Mademoiselle Champagne Bar Toronto
Mademoiselle is the champagne lounge located on the lower level of the building. It seats 50 or holds 120 for receptions. Brandon Chandler, director of marketing gave an exclusive tour that showcased the high-end champagne lounge.
Chandler explains that Mademoiselle is the long-lost lover to Pierre’s Champagne Lounge located in B.C. and another one of owner Peter Girges properties. The lounge feels intimate, exclusive and high end, similar to Pierre’s. We think that it will be a hit during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) circuit.
MARBL Restaurant Toronto Hours
Mon – Fri: 4pm – Late
Sat – Sun: 11:30am – Late
MARBL Restaurant Toronto Reservations
455 King Street West, 416-979-2660
