TORONTO — Lisbon Hotel, the new cocktail bar and café located at 19 Lawren Harris Square in Toronto, has opened its doors. Inspired by European art hotels, the eclectic Lisbon Hotel is a cozy, light-filled space adorned with Persian rugs and tucked into an award-winning building designed by Saucier + Perrotte.
At the helm stands general manager Sally Gillespie, a seasoned hospitality professional who has honed her craft at some of the city’s most renowned cocktail bars including Bar Raval and PrettyUgly Bar. Beyond daily operations, Gillespie leads Lisbon Hotel’s programming including a weekday, specially priced aperitivo hour, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The eatery’s menu includes flavour-forward dishes such as Garlic Shrimp & Shishitos; Ricotta and Pear Toast with port poached pears and crispy prosciutto; Warm Chorizo with Green Sauce; and a Winter Citrus Salad with endive, radicchio and spiced pecans. The Cheese Boutique supplies a wide variety of cured meats, cheeses and preserves. The rotating cocktail menu features unique libations such as Not a Martini with gin, akvavit, herbs and basil oil; the Lobby Spritz, an effervescent highball with limoncello at the base; and the Daisy 0.0 per cent, a delicious non-alcoholic drink with bitter aperitivo, lemongrass and ginger. Lastly, Barbershop Pastries and Baker & Scone offer an array of baked goods.
“A good day includes coffee and cocktails”, says Adam Hijazi, hospitality veteran and co-owner of Lisbon Hotel with Urban Capital co-founder David Wex, River City’s premiere developer. “We wanted to create an unparalleled bar and café with simple operations and broad appeal. Lisbon Hotel will serve a globally-inspired menu that allows the quality of ingredients to shine. It’s well-travelled and simultaneously hyperlocal with a menu that has all vices covered.”
