Sonny Can’t Dance brings a high-energy steakhouse experience to King West

My last memory of 788 King Street West involves a bachelorette party and an illuminated wall outside the washrooms. Stepping back into the space now occupied by Sonny Can’t Dance, the atmosphere feels distinctly transformed.

Arriving on a Wednesday evening, the dining room is remarkably busy, yet it hits a comfortable balance where conversation flows easily without competing against the music. The playlist leans heavily into Fleetwood Mac, which automatically earns major points in my books.

Growing up with a dad who loves to barbecue steak more than most people, visiting a steakhouse outside the usual small-town suspects is still a relatively fresh experience for me. While the space operates as a modern steakhouse, the menu extends far beyond classic cuts, offering a range of raw bar items, pasta and comfort-driven plates.

We start the night with cocktails. My date chooses the Banana Punch, which gives us good-natured flashbacks to those banana marshmallow candies.  I opt for the Mama Mia Tini, a mix of basil olive oil-washed vodka, tomato water and dry vermouth. It tastes remarkably like a Caprese salad in a glass and stands out as my favourite drink of the evening, marking a high point in my ongoing quest to try every tomatotini across the city. We also sip on the Orchard 75, then finish off with a kick thanks to the Picante Marg.

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To begin the meal, we order the Nova Scotia-style crab cakes, which are O.K., but honestly completely eclipsed by the beer-battered Everything Bagel Onion Rings. Seriously, the onion rings end up stealing the show early on, which feels almost funny to admit while sitting in a steakhouse.

For the mains, we select two distinct cuts: the 35-day dry-aged Ontario Prime NY Striploin and the Japanese A5 Wagyu Striploin. Served pre-cut, the Ontario Prime striploin emerges as the clear standout for me. The crisp sear along the edge combined with a medium-rare center holds an incredible depth of flavour. While the Wagyu offers a rich texture that melts instantly, I find myself reaching back over to the other plate. When it comes to steak, I prefer a bite with a bit more structure to sink my teeth into.

The service throughout the evening is phenomenal, attentive without feeling intrusive. As dinner winds down, the arrival of the dessert trolley brings a whimsical touch to the meal that I eat up, both literally and figuratively. We select a mini coconut cream pie and a slice of Princess Cake featuring vanilla buttercream and fruit-flavoured tiers. For a return visit, I would happily go straight for the coconut pie.

If you are planning a midweek visit, the restaurant runs a Dice Night promotion every Wednesday. Each table gets the opportunity to roll a single die, and if you land on a one, your food bill drops to just $1. We of course gave it a go, and while we didn't land the right roll, it's a very amusing way to end the meal. If Wednesdays don't work for a night out, Thursday might tempt you with 50 per cent off bottles and glasses of wine and champagne.

Between the playful rituals, plentiful menu options and polished service, Sonny Can’t Dance offers a lively new chapter for King West.