The casual cousin to Toronto’s upscale Barchef mainstay has invaded Toronto’s west-end. Frankie Solarik, along with his partner and the restaurant’s designer, Brent VanderVeen, have created a Victorian-inspired restaurant and bar, which is home to vintage paintings and photographs coupled with wood accents, marbled tabletops and a tin ceiling. Novice chef Justin Newrick serves contemporary bistro fare, offering dishes of lobster toast ($11), squid ink risotto with scallops and shaved fennel ($26) as well as Ontario pork loin with smoked apple butter, hazelnut and bourbon mustard ($24). Of course, the bar boys haven’t forgotten to spice up the beverage program. It features a list of wines and brews, 15 spirit classics ($14 to $18) and 15 original cocktails ($14 to $16), including the Pineapple and Almond Crusta with pastis, Amaretto, lemon, almond orgeat and pineapple juice ($14). The green fairy — absinthe — also makes an appearance.
924 Queen St. W.
