How a prolific Toronto chef and his partner are rewriting the story at a local restaurant
A much-loved neighbourhood restaurant in Toronto is entering a brand-new chapter as an established local chef and his partner take the reins.
Corktown's The Rosebud is a hidden gem in the truest sense of the term. The not-so-secret restaurant is obscured by its signage, which reads "The Kingsbrae," an homage to its past life as a longstanding diner.
Still, not even its quiet location on King East between Sumach and River, nor its misleading signage, could keep The Rosebud, with its cozy-chic atmosphere and exceptional eats, all that hidden, and that's thanks to former owners Justin and Amira, who transitioned the space from sleepy diner to hot ticket.
Now, the restaurant is undergoing yet another transition as new owners, Chef Eric Valente and his partner Tam Phan, take over, embedding a refreshed culinary vision into the business.
Chef Valente brings over 18 years of culinary experience, spanning the Gordon Ramsay Group in London, to acclaimed Toronto favourites like Canoe, Auberge du Pommier, and AP Restaurant, as well as a 2021 recognition as one of Canada's 30 Under 30 in hospitality.
Suffice it to say, die-hard fans of The Rosebud shouldn't fear any regression of quality from the restaurant, but rather a new culinary era. From Chef Valente, you can expect a seasonally rotating menu rooted in French, Italian and Asian influences.
"Toronto's dining scene has grown so much in ambition," Chef Valente says, "but what people are craving again is comfort, sincerity, and quality without the pretence. The Rosebud is about bringing that balance back."
As for his partner — both in business and in life — Tam Phan, taking over the restaurant represents the culmination of a lifelong dream.
"In his late life, my father worked in kitchens as a head chef," says Phan. "It's always been my dream to open a restaurant one day, and now, I feel like I'm carrying that legacy forward in my own way."
Specializing in design and marketing, Phan has spearheaded a refresh of the Rosebud's outward appearance to complement the updated menu. Much in the same way that Valente's new food program still honours the original Rosebud, so too does Phan's updated design.
"For me, design has always been about emotion, belonging and community," Phan says. "I wanted The Rosebud to feel like a space where people feel connected to the food, to the people, and to the story we're telling."
Phan and Valente's new-and-improved Rosebud is already in business Wednesday through Saturday, 5:30 to 11 p.m., and, to make things even sweeter, they've got a special New Year's Eve dinner planned to usher in the new era.
On Wednesday, Dec. 31, you can dine on a $125 per person four-course menu, boasting options like foie gras torchon, spiced duck breast and roasted cod. And, really, what better way to usher in a brand new year than with a brand new Rosebud?
The Rosebud is located at 498 King St. E.
The Rosebud
