Partners Nanci Barone and Michael Tong (ex-owner of Ellipsis and ex–head chef at Kubo, respectively) attribute a personal touch to their growing success in recent years. Although the team caters to groups of up to 200, most of their business focuses on smaller, private events in people’s homes (the barbecue package was a hit this past summer). Word of mouth continues to be their most effective marketing tool—they’ve never used traditional advertising. Tong is thrilled with Toronto’s growing appreciation of innovative flavour and texture combinations, and the city’s fascination with novel cuisine presentation. This approach marries well with the pair’s East and West influences, bringing such appetizers as marinated quail with a marsala glaze, and roast Peking duck dumplings with a soy glaze.