Prime Seafood Palace by Omar Gandhi Architects

Created for celebrated Canadian chef and The Bear actor Matty Matheson, this Toronto restaurant by Omar Gandhi Architects emanates warmth, solidity and an inward-gazing focus that inspires meaningful dining experiences.

A maple framework arches high over the main dining area of Prime Seafood Palace, enveloping the space almost like an architectural hug and creating what Omar Gandhi Architects describes as a “light-filled wood cathedral”. Set within a nondescript corner building on a busy Toronto street, with a white-brick second storey and black-framed windows on street level, the timber slats are a striking feature of the interior, lending a character that references both Japanese and Scandinavian architecture.

The timber slats are a striking feature of the interior, lending a character that references both Japanese and Scandinavian architecture.

The maple slats that extend from the ceiling over the windows allow diners to see snatches of activity in the outside world without losing the sense of seclusion.

The solidity and craftsmanship of boat building is also evident here, with heirloom speciality carpenter Coolican & Company fabricating the custom tables, benches, chairs, the large butcher block-style counter and kitchen workspace. Working with limited space, the design also includes clever nautical-style additions such as drawers in the booth tables to hold artisan steak knives and overhead shelving in the kitchen to store non-essential items.

Brass elements lend gleam and shine, with Cone pendants by Toronto-based Concord Lighting suspended over the booths and brass screens adding privacy from the street. Similarly, the maple slats that extend from the ceiling over the windows allow diners to see snatches of activity in the outside world without losing the sense of seclusion. Booths are crafted from leather for an upmarket diner look, and provide both comfort and softness. They will also age gracefully as the restaurant is enjoyed over time.

The cafe, clad in knotty pine and opening onto the street, is the casual family room to the more formal dining suite that is Prime Seafood Palace.

The design direction veers significantly in the bathrooms, where an expansive void clad in oyster-shell-toned marble tiles reaches double height to a skylight above. The sinks were created by concrete artist Brandon Gore to reflect a topographical map of Lake Erie, complete with a spot to mark the location of Matty Matheson’s farm, a clever personal touch.

In addition to the restaurant, the building also includes a cafe, The Cottage. Clad in knotty pine and opening onto the street, this is the casual family room to the more formal dining suite that is Prime Seafood Palace. Here, sheepskin adds comfort to the dining chairs, while a wood fire brings warmth during Toronto’s blistering winters. Attention to detail throughout both establishments includes everything from custom oak-and-marble pepper mills designed by Matheson to subtle, blue-toned crockery that references the ocean, creating a cohesive series of spaces that foster conversation and memorable meals.

Architecture by Omar Gandhi Architects. Artwork by Darby Milbrath.