For all its Jane Jacobsian charm and vigour, the Annex strip
of Bloor Street is not exactly a diner's delight, unless you really, really like sushi. And if you're looking for
Italian, that most basic of North American culinary imports, you've been pretty
much out of luck since ZiZi Trattoria closed (at the same location that Red
House Dim Sum did a few years later).
Now Gabby's brand Hey Lucy, well known as an inexpensive
(and as a result often crowded) option on the King West theatre strip, has
moved into the space abruptly vacated by Mel's Montreal Delicatessen.
Renovating since October, during which they got rid of
everything but the exposed brick and the ceilings, the casual 92-seat
restaurant with a wood-burning oven and regular $3.99 martini specials, had a
soft opening Dec. 29, and will have its grand opening on Jan. 29.
According to general manager Brian Taylor, it employs 8 back
of house staff and another 12 in the front.
Taylor describes the Hey Lucy concept as Gabby's foray into
"finer dining," explaining that they "don't want to be fine dining. It's a more
casual atmosphere, exclusive to no one."
Writer: Bert Archer
Source: Hey Lucy