What’s the name? Toronto-based restaurateur Zark Fatah, already known for his hip establishments Blowfish and Century Room, adds edge to his latest undertaking by naming it with the Japanese word for ‘poison’. Culture fosters a rich collection of symbols and words to describe danger: ‘toxic’, ‘deadly’ and the legendary ‘skull and crossbones’ to name a few. Why then would one give a snazzy spot such a negative association? Maybe to distinguish this eatery from others mushrooming in the city. Or to appeal to our dark side… to go for that thrill of doing something forbidden or potentially harmful. In this case it’s more to titillate then to invite us to actually put ourselves through risk. Opened last March, Doku 15, an Asian fused hub combining a restaurant and a lounge, is snugly located within the skyline Cosmopolitan Hotel. Expanding on the hotel’s Zen and Feng Shui themes, already infused with by local firm Core Architects Inc, a minimalist, meditative spirit is carried through to the restaurant – but with a modern spunk.
Prototype Design Lab, an interiors and manufacturing company founded by Antonio Tadrissi, gave shape and atmosphere to the new swanky establishment. A medieval aura is achieved with dimmed lighting, bare concrete walls, and slate tile. Upon entering through glass doors, guests find a trendy lounge dwarfed by the double height ceiling. A glazed pebble wall flanks the bar, giving the lounge a warm, antiqued feel. The marble-topped counter, undoubtedly flooded with the after work crowd most evenings, serves up the latest trendy cocktail from its glowing orange altar of spirits. Seating consists of an intimate sofa bench, also in orange and running the length of the wall with plush toss cushions lightly accessorizing it. Dainty café tables with petite wooden stools face the bench. Pillar candles ennoble each setting with an amber glow. The result: an inviting hallway space for a romantic rendezvous, or some casual mingling with friends sitting two by two.
The dining area courses through the ground floor and up one storey, allowing a partial view of the lounge below. Here, wide communal tables of afghan wood with blackened stainless steel legs, wrap around the perimeter of the room in true banquet fashion. Furnishings with rich finishes, from walnut wall paneling and vacuum-formed laminate to laser-cut banquettes and ebony veneered tables, evoke a spirit of mystery. Two glass chandeliers flaunting delicate vine designs float above the lobby and lounge areas. They give the room a subtle candle glow, without a trace of eeriness. In keeping with the restaurants emblematic colours, purple LED lighting runs along the baseboards, adding a certain etherealness to the room – guests can half expect some dry ice fog to appear as well. Interspersed wall-mounted lamps with triangular beams help to illuminate the area while keeping with the mood. A private dining room is offered for smaller parties. Doku 15 effectively captures the intriguing properties of its name – without the warning labels.
Hinge magazine about "Doku15"
What’s the name? Toronto-based restaurateur Zark Fatah, already known for his hip establishments Blowfish and Century Room, adds edge to his latest undertaking by naming it with the Japanese word for ‘poison’. Culture fosters a rich collection of symbols and words to describe danger: ‘toxic’, ‘deadly’ and the legendary ‘skull and crossbones’ to name a few. Why then would one give a snazzy spot such a negative association? Maybe to distinguish this eatery from others mushrooming in the city. Or to appeal to our dark side… to go for that thrill of doing something forbidden or potentially harmful. In this case it’s more to titillate then to invite us to actually put ourselves through risk. Opened last March, Doku 15, an Asian fused hub combining a restaurant and a lounge, is snugly located within the skyline Cosmopolitan Hotel. Expanding on the hotel’s Zen and Feng Shui themes, already infused with by local firm Core Architects Inc, a minimalist, meditative spirit is carried through to the restaurant - but with a modern spunk.