A new kosher restaurant has opened inside one of Toronto’s most iconic boutique hotels, adding a fresh dining option to the city’s upscale Yorkville neighborhood. Chagall, led by veteran Canadian chef David Adjey, is now operating inside the Windsor Arms Hotel with a globally inspired kosher menu. The opening marks the return of kosher dining to the historic property and introduces a new concept built around bold flavors, seasonal ingredients, and an elevated hotel dining experience.

Chef Background and Vision

Chef Adjey has spent decades in Toronto’s culinary scene, known for his work in fine dining, television, and restaurant development. Although he is not Jewish, he has extensive experience working within kosher parameters. Years ago he served as the executive chef in the Windsor Arms kitchen when the hotel previously offered kosher service. He later gained deeper familiarity with kosher food systems while working with kosher processed poultry on a national scale.

With Chagall, Adjey aims to bring creativity and global influences to a kosher audience. His approach focuses on refined comfort dishes, plating built for a hotel atmosphere, and flavors that borrow from Asian, Latin American, and Mediterranean cuisines. The goal is to offer something stylish and contemporary for diners seeking upscale kosher meals in central Toronto.

Menu Highlights

The menu at Chagall leans heavily into fusion dishes that appeal to a wide variety of guests. Early standouts include short rib mini tacos that combine slow cooked beef with bright garnishes and soft tortillas. There are also Korean inspired meatballs with a soy chili glaze and pickled daikon, designed to balance spice, sweetness, and acidity. Another dish is Thai spiced chicken lollipops, glazed with a honey garlic marmalade that adds richness and texture.

The kitchen approach emphasizes layered flavors without compromising kosher standards. Ingredients are chosen to complement the global direction of the restaurant, and preparations rely on familiar techniques presented in a modern style. While the menu is compact at launch, it is designed to grow as seasonal ingredients become available and as the team refines its offerings.

>>> Click here for the restaurant’s menu

Dining Experience and Setting

Chagall sits within the ground floor of the Windsor Arms Hotel, a property built in 1927 and known for its classic architecture and intimate atmosphere. The dining room blends old world charm with updated design choices. The restaurant’s aesthetic has been described as sitting between a speakeasy and a relaxed lounge, offering a mood that feels both sophisticated and comfortable.

The space benefits from the hotel’s boutique scale. Guests enter through a quiet lobby before reaching the restaurant, creating a private and peaceful dining environment compared to typical street-level venues. Chagall is designed for both hotel guests and local diners who want a refined kosher dinner option in the heart of Yorkville.

Service is currently focused on dinner hours from Sunday through Thursday. The hotel’s team has noted that the restaurant will expand its offerings over time, potentially adding lunches, special events, or holiday meals depending on demand.

Importance for Toronto’s Kosher Dining Scene

Toronto’s kosher restaurant landscape has grown over the past decade, yet fine dining options remain limited. The launch of Chagall adds a new upscale choice, particularly for those seeking hotel-level service. Its central location makes it accessible to residents of midtown, downtown, and visitors staying in the Yorkville area.

The Windsor Arms Hotel has a long history of attracting both locals and travelers. Bringing a kosher restaurant back into the building reconnects the property with its earlier years when kosher events and meals were more common. For kosher diners, the return of a fully supervised kitchen in a luxury hotel is a notable development and adds variety to the broader market.

Address, Hours, and Kosher Certification

Chagall is located inside the Windsor Arms Hotel at 18 St. Thomas Street in Toronto’s Yorkville neighborhood. The restaurant is open for dinner from Sunday through Thursday.

Chagall is kosher certified by COR.