There’s a new restaurant at Yonge and St. Clair, but this time, it’s not another sandwich or burger shop. Step inside Schnitzel HUB for serious, homemade Eastern European comfort food and an array of house-infused vodkas.
HUB owners Yan and Rita Khalfon are two of the sweetest people you might have the good fortune of meeting. The inspiration for the business came from the couple’s love of food, travel and each other. They wanted a space that wouldn’t feel sterile, but a place their customers could feel like a part of the family, as if they were eating at the Khalfon’s home. And they certainly achieve that.
From the moment you walk into Schnitzel HUB you notice that the space mimics an Eastern European home with an inviting, cozy, chic feeling. Featuring elements like exposed brick, chandeliers, ornate picture frames, mirrors and a lot of wood, it sets the tone immediately.
The HUB also has a 40 seat private dining room (pictured below) and a bar-side lounge area—a great place to start your evening, perhaps sampling a flight of house-infused vodkas. With a selection of over 40 varieties, the Khalfon’s use triple distilled vodka and organic, natural ingredients. With a flavour for anyone, choose between sweet, spicy, savoury and even ‘medicinal.’ The Morning Boost, for example, is infused with coffee beans, vanilla and cinnamon, Shot of Youth, with goji berries.
The bar, which resembles an alchemist’s lab, also has an extensive list of beers and lagers from Germany, Belgium and Austria and wines from across Europe.
Schnitzle HUB’s kitchen is led by Yan, a Le Cordon Bleu trained chef. The focus of course, is on authentic fare and is always prepared fresh, from scratch. Expect hearty goulash, handmade dinner and dessert pierogies and giant stuffed schnitzels. The food is hearty, flavourful and comes with all the traditional fixings. Expect to leave feeling very satisfied.
The restaurant is located at Yonge and St. Clair and is a quick walk from the subway station, just north of the Pleasant Boulevard exit, on Yonge.
Schnitzel HUB
1415 Yonge Street
Toronto, M4T 1Y7
647-351-5558
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