Toronto is getting a Russian tea room to rival New York City

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Moscow Tea Room is moving in at 161 Yorkville Ave. The location is the second of its kind in Canada, with the original Moscow Tea Room located in Byward Market in Ottawa. Toronto’s tea room is projected to open by mid-August, though a representative from the company couldn’t confirm an exact date.

The original tea room has a long history of hosting all kinds of high-profile guests, including federal ministers, mayors and entertainment industry moguls. The new location in Yorkville is likely to attract a similar clientele.

Abbis Mahmoud, the mastermind behind Moscow Tea Room, previously launched other well-known venues in the city, including Orchid Nightclub, Tequila Jacks, the Brunswick House and Lobby.

Toronto’s Moscow Tea Room will be filling a hole in the market left behind by location’s previous occupants, Sorelle and Co., which offered an allergen-free high tea service and closed its doors in 2018. The spot has been vacant since then.

The Russian-style tea room in Ottawa offers an elevated menu of appetizers, seafood, champagne and more, including fresh oysters, braised short ribs and the Moscow special: a seafood platter for $90 including Atlantic lobster, shrimp cocktail, mixed sashimi and salmon tartare. Ilon Tyan, director of marketing with Dreammind Group, the team behind the new launch, says the Toronto location will offer high tea, dinner and late night menu options to choose from.

Tyan says the design is inspired by Russian opulence, art and adventure. “This is a true four wall experience venue, as if you have just stepped foot into a private salon of Russian royalty.”