Sponsored Sponsored content Neighbourhood Stops and Shops: Slate celebrates six years of serving up local flavours in the Beach
SLATE Restaurant & Bar, perfectly placed in the heart of the Beach community, has just celebrated six years of success, thanks to the vision and dedication of owner and head chef Sam Zarkesh, alongside his sister Sanaz, SLATE’s Marketing Manager, customer service and event management lead.
The sibling duo is immensely grateful for the community’s support over the years, with Sam expressing his deep appreciation, stating, “I’m so honoured, and we feel so incredibly special to belong to such an amazing community.”
SLATE’s success is rooted in the Zarkesh siblings’ commitment to staying true to the restaurant’s name. As the name suggests, much like the formation of slate stone, their business has been built through layers of dedication, process, and growth. Each layer adds to the restaurant’s luxury and desirability, a philosophy that has allowed them to build a strong reputation in the neighbourhood.
Whether for casual date nights or important celebrations and milestones, the restaurant has become a go-to venue for intimate special events, and Sam and Sanaz take immense pride in being part of the community’s memories.
After years of working in high-end kitchens, mastering French and Italian cuisines, Sam embarked on creating a restaurant that was more than just a dining destination—a place for neighbours to gather, celebrate, and enjoy the comfort of a local establishment.
While SLATE certainly welcomes the influx of tourists that visit the area during peak seasons, Sam and Sanaz have always prioritized serving the local community and fostering relationships with regular customers and other local businesses.
“We’re proud to say we’re always evolving and trying new things to make our customers happy and excited to return,” said Sanaz, noting that the restaurant frequently updates its menu, decor, and even recently underwent renovations to convert the patio into an all-season experience.
These changes have helped SLATE cement its position as a top local venue for private events.
From corporate holiday parties to family gatherings and intimate weddings, SLATE provides a customized experience for every occasion. From working with customers to craft the perfect menu to partnering with local vendors for floral arrangements and decorations, Sam and Sanaz take pride in delivering high-quality customer service that makes each event memorable and unique.
Community has been central to SLATE’s mission, and it’s reflected not just in their service, but in the food itself. Sam is proud that more than 80 per cent of the ingredients used in SLATE’s kitchen are sourced from nearby Queen Street East retailers.
His commitment to freshness extends to preparing everything in-house, from hand-made pastas and pizza doughs to butchering meats and crafting authentic sauces like Carbonara and Spicy Arrabiata.
SLATE’s homemade sauces and specialty cocktails can even be purchased for customers to enjoy at home, either in-store or via Uber Eats.
“We believe in real food that’s homemade and makes you feel good when you eat it,” explained Sam.
His dishes are free from artificial additives, relying solely on authentic, high-quality ingredients to deliver outstanding meals.
SLATE’s menu is filled with customer favourites, including the Prosciutto Salad, Tomato Lime Tuna, Eggplant Parmesan, Truffle Mushroom Ravioli, and the Piccante di Pollo Pizza.
Sam’s passion for his craft is evident in the food and his desire to stay current with culinary trends, ensuring that SLATE continues to evolve and excite its patrons.
“I love putting my own modern twists on authentic Italian dishes,” he said, explaining that his goal is to create unique, exciting dining experiences while staying true to the traditional flavours he fell in love with early in his culinary journey.
As SLATE Restaurant & Bar marks six years in the Beach, it’s clear that the Zarkesh’s dedication to their craft and community has been the key to their success. With a commitment to quality, fresh ingredients, and strong relationships with their customers, SLATE remains a cornerstone of the neighbourhood—a place where diners can expect warm hospitality, thoughtful dishes, and a sense of belonging.
SLATE is located at 2237 Queen St E. To view the restaurant’s full menu or learn more about hosting events, visit https://www.slateristorante.com/reservations or call the restaurant at 416- 686-0800.
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