One of the many siblings in the growing Oliver & Bonacini family, Beaumont Kitchen matches restaurant with retail at its location inside Saks Fifth Avenue in Sherway Gardens.

The 5,000+ square foot eatery is a feast for the eyes, a mix of modern with a nod to Mad Men. The space seats over 100 in the dining room and over 30 in the bar area. A mix of banquettes and tables face the open kitchen, a feature shared with many O&B restaurants. Punchy oranges invigorate the space, with neutral grays and tans creating a pleasing backdrop.

Beaumont Kitchen has a total capacity of approximately 130 diners. (IMAGE: LIBBY ROACH)

District Chef Michael Hay has created a menu with nods to California and Mexico, plus the odd Middle Eastern and Italian dish thrown in for good measure.

The menu delivers what stylish shoppers will be gunning for, salads and lighter bites are studded throughout the lunch menu, while dinner features sturdier options like steaks and pastas. The brunch menu sees guilty pleasures like the PB&J Stuffed French Toast ($18) counterbalance more diet friendly fare like the Smoothie Bowl ($16).

Two of the cocktails options at Beaumont Kitchen. (IMAGE: LIBBY ROACH)

The bar menu sprinkles boozy concoctions with fruity sippers ensuring there’s a little something for everyone. A few drinks can take the sting out of shopping, or derail it completely. The Testarossa ($14) falls safely into the latter category, with a hefty punch from Wild Turkey Bourbon blended with Cassis and Walnut Bitters. A lighter cocktail, The Beaumont 75 ($14) is citrusy and bright, with prosecco, brandy, ginger liqueur and fresh lemon zest creating a refreshing sipper.

Using locally sourced ingredients, chef de cuisine Paul Senecal executes the menu in the kitchen. After stints at Biffs and Canoe he has worked his way up through the corporate kitchens and earned his own. Lighter fare like turkey meatballs ($22) are dusted with Parmesan cheese, and swimming in a broth with Israeli couscous and collard greens.

The porchetta pizza at Beaumont Kitchen. (IMAGE: LIBBY ROACH)

Pizzas come thin-crusted and crispy. The dough is brought in fresh daily and is seasoned with herbs and flax seed, giving it an earthy flavour. The Porchetta ($18) marries lightly pickled pineapple with a chunks of porchetta, green chillies and fior di latte cheese.

Robust in both colour and flavour, the Spiced Beet ($12) salad ties a medley of vibrantly coloured beets with in house made ricotta, toasted walnuts and a dose of fresh mint.

This plate of tuna tartare keeps the punchy colour theme going. (IMAGE: LIBBY ROACH)

Yellowfin tuna tartare ($19) combines cubes of tuna with juicy watermelon. A spicy dotting of jalapeno vinaigrette, made with jalapenos gives it a bit of a spicy kick, matched well with a side of Yucca chips for scooping it all up.

If Sherway Gardens is a bit off the grid, then stay tuned for the launch of Leña, O&B’s next offering at the Saks opening on Richmond in June. Leña may be the younger sister, but she’ll definitely be bigger, spanning three floors in total giving ample room for seasoned shoppers to toast their retail therapy conquests.

Published on: Feb 26, 2016