Downtown Toronto looks different when you get above the traffic and rooftops of neighbouring buildings. Aera’s location at The Well offers the sweeping city skyline on one side (including a prominently placed CN Tower) and the tranquil Lake Ontario on the other. Direct yourself towards the Lake if you want a spectacular sun set view, although getting a table right by the window will require prepayment first. No one said these views come easy.

The views don’t come cheap either. Aera’s prices are on the higher end of the spectrum, but the dishes are at least solid and a respectable size. The Maritime lobster spaghetti ($52) uses fresh spaghetti to create a chewy pasta that soaks up the buttery tomato and lobster bisque sauce. This was heavenly, and I’d happily have a plate to myself. Just don’t go expecting for a ton of the crustacean.

Kazi, our waiter, notes Aera’s is known for their steak and sushi … so many of Toronto’s new Financial District restaurants say the same (Black + Blue, Blue Bovine, etc.) so we heed his advice and try both. The Canadian prime striploin ($85) was cooked a perfect medium rare with a nicely salted crust. The cut was tender and meaty, everything you’d want in a striploin. Check, Aera’s a good steakhouse.

Conversely, while we ordered the spicy scallop roll ($28) they must have thought they do the creamy tuna crunch roll ($30) better as that’s what arrived. We let it go as it was a close second anyways. The maki had a thick layer of tender tuna and was adequately stuffed with avocado, picked radish, and crispy bits. There rice was just too cold and too stark and brought down the experience. Sushi house they are not.

The sticky bourbon toffee pudding ($16) was beautifully presented adorned with a lattice cookie maple leaf that makes you hear “True North strong and free” before the first bite. The scoop of vanilla ice cream covered with crushed walnuts was certainly solid and strong, so difficult to cut through without squishing the soft cakey pudding on the bottom. It’s a good dessert but would be even better if the caramel sauce was thinner and less sugary.

For those seeking a view, Aera probably has one of the best in the city. Whether it’s enjoying the sights with a glass of wine and steak in their dining room or on the open-air rooftop during the warmer months, you’ll marvel at the beauty of the city. Oh, Canada!