Toyk, a new dining experience has opened in Warwick Street, Leamington Spa where the contemporary wine bar offers an imaginative menu.

Toyk has been created by the brother and sister partnership of Rhys and Hayley Kane and is located in the premises previously known as Kane's.

The original coffee shop and luncheon trade developed by Kane's has been retained but regular customers now have a much wider choice. Breakfast is available from 11am until noon and an 'all day menu' is served from noon until 6pm, this includes Antipasti, Toasted Paninis, Sandwiches and Baguettes, Salads and Pizzas. Daily specials are also available.

The main restaurant menu is available from 1pm until 2.30pm and from 6pm until 10.30pm. Toyk opens all day, everyday, except Sunday evenings.

This was our first visit to Toyk where we had booked our table for 7.30pm. A genuine friendly atmosphere welcomed us and the modern decor blending with traditional wine bar furnishing made an immediate impression.

As an appetiser we were served Olive Tapenade with whole grain bread.

The wine list is not huge but has been skilfully compiled, our preferences on the night were the Cotes de Duras Sauvignon Blanc and the Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon both suited our palate and priced at just £10.90 and £2.70 for a bottle or glass respectively left an even better after taste.

Choosing our meal proved to be a difficult task with all the dishes appealing.
We finally decided to start by sharing a plate of Antipasti, which rekindled pleasant memories of Tapas lunches enjoyed during our recent holiday in Spain. We chose Chorizo, Marinated Olives, Roasted Peppers, Anchovies and Feta, these represented only one third of the selection available.

For our main courses my wife, Rosemarie, opted for the Mussels of the Day, which were served in a Tomato and Basil cream sauce. I was easily persuaded by the Filets of Sea Bass on Vermicelli with spring Onions and Sugar Snap Peas in a creamy Coconut sauce.

Other temptations, which now await our next visit, included Venison Sausages, Braised Oxtail, Rib Eye Steak and home made Wild Mushroom, Spinach and Parmesan Ravioli.

Neither of us generally have a desert but the pudding menu at Toyk was too tempting. The homemade Ice cream was well recommended, our choice of Balsamic Vinegar, yes honestly, Christmas Pudding and Goats Cheese as our three selections from the astonishing varieties available were truly delicious. Describing these strange flavours has already provided us with great conversation with friends.

Coffees were served in generous sized mugs and were the perfect finale to our Toyk experience.

The service was attentive but not intrusive and we are now looking forward to our next visit when we shall take friends with every confidence of having another superb meal.

This review was made on Wednesday 3rd November 2004 by Peter Smith representing Leamington Today Restaurant Guide.