IDES

Smith Street dining without the stiff rituals—IDES turns multi-course degustation into high-wire culinary theatre. Tables sit comfortably spaced across the room, leaving plenty of breathing room for conversation while dishes roll out from an inventive kitchen. Regulars point to the sake-spiked Shark Bay clams, rich beef short rib, and toothfish layered with deep umami. Expect playful touches along the way, right down to cracking open a black shell with a miniature hammer at dessert. Thoughtfully paired wine flights match the rhythm, rounded out by unpretentious service and Le Labo soap in the washroom.