Vinny is easily one of King West's chillest destinations. A place where mellow diners graze on nostalgic bites to a boppy soundtrack of inoffensive hits, it's a low-key Toronto take on the current listening-bar craze.

If Vinny teaches us anything, it's that we've matured from the macho maximalism of Weslodge, past the ostentation of Pink Sky, to a reality where we seek simple escape via good music, food and company.

INK Entertainment's latest revamp of the King West destination, Vinny aims to ride the current wave of appreciation for nostalgic comforts — be they auditory or edible.

"Vinny is just a fun place," says chef Andrew Bradford. "Vinyl is cool, the dining room is cool, the food is cool, the music is cool. It's just a super cool place."

By Nivak Remas, Vinny was designed to feel lived-in yet fresh. Like a loft occupied by a well-to-do collector, the space is decorated with a bounty of vintage records and stacks of speakers.

A first-floor DJ booth — spinning an impressive 400-count catalogue — vies with a second-floor photo booth for diners' adoration. This being a space designed to please, however, they can easily worship both: soaking in the sounds from the first as they anticipate visiting the second once they've paid the cheque and been handed the coveted QR code.

Named for classic tunes, drinks at Vinny lean on tradition for their approachable flavours.

For abstainers, there's the bracingly green (in both flavour and colour) Summer Madness ($14), a fresh combination of Seedlip Garden, cucumber, coconut, lime, matcha and cucumber syrup.

Similar to a Porn Star Martini, the Pleasure Principal ($22) counts on vodka, fruit (in this case, white peach and passionfruit), plus a splash of prosecco for its sweet, gently effervescent disposition.

I Feel Love ($24), meanwhile, is a sweet, smooth, strawberry-forward spritz layered with Bombay gin, St. Germain, strawberry liqueur, yuzu and grapefruit.

Recognizable for its bold cherry hit, the Play That Funky Music ($22) features a trio of bright, cherry-flavoured elements blended with Ketel One Vodka, aperitivo and grapefruit soda.

On the plate, explains chef Bradford, the team excels at harnessing nostalgia for a new generation.

"It's classic comfort food with a twist," he explains. "It's very warm, comforting, approachable. Things that people understand. We find the greatest hits of what people know and love, and we just try to execute at our best."

From a selection of crowd-pleasing apps, Coconut Shrimp ($26) and Tuna Pizza ($30) are easily shared.

The naughtier of the two is a tidy, tropical pile of crunchy-fried butterflied shrimp served with pineapple salsa and house nuoc cham.

Best described as petite, the second is a baked flour tortilla topped with truffle-marinated tuna, truffle aioli, avocado crema, and a smattering of pickled and fresh garnishes.

For those who prefer a dish for one, French Onion Soup ($16) is deep and warming and, like most soups, not easily portioned out.

Its recipe begins with sweet, butter-caramelized onions, then jumps to dark chicken stock enriched with red wine. A dash of honey and sherry vinegar add brightness, with a Gruyère-topped crostini gifting diners the showy cheese-pull moment they so desperately desire.

Few people would reject a plate piled high with crispy, golden morsels of Fried Chicken ($34). An order that brings half a bird to the table, each piece is marinated in buttermilk, then double-fried for maximum shatter.

Accompanied by buttermilk ranch, fermented cabbage slaw, bread-and-butter pickles and three house sauces — Tennessee sweet and spicy mustard, hot honey and whiskey barbecue — each bite takes on the lure of DIY flavour adventure.

A top-seller and chef's favourite menu item, Steak Frites ($42) centres on a grilled 8oz hangar steak doused in red wine veal jus and café de Paris butter. Is it nearly overshadowed by the plate's mammoth, craggy, hand-cut Russet fries? That depends on the diner.

From sundaes to double chocolate cake, desserts at Vinny are basic, in the best way. Loaded with bananas—in a sponge, caramel, boozy cream and sticky garnish—Caramel Banana Pie ($14) is a homestyle dessert meant, says chef, "to bring back memories."

Whether you visit Vinny to remember good times, enjoy new ones — or both — it's likely to provide exactly what you're after. 

Vinny is located at 478 King Street West.