As petite and charming as the little bird for whom it's named, this sweet Bloordale Village restaurant is a standout for its hearty, locally derived, seasonal mealtime offerings. Chalkboard menus — trumpeting such bursts of flavour as a marinated olive starter, an artichoke and clam soup and a branzino main — create the desired effect of chilling in a friend's kitchen over a swath of rustic, old-school fare. A small but thoughtful, mostly French wine list doesn't disappoint, and there's a decent selection of beer, too. Regulars rave about the six-course chef's menu, and the sense of enlightenment with which the experiencer leaves you. The street-facing counter provides ongoing entertainment.more...See more text
The spacing might be a wee compact at this new Bloor Street bar, but its casual setting basically makes it the perfect new local hangout (think the bar in How I Met Your Mother). They’re big on cider, have three of their own classic cocktails, and an abundance of Mediterranean-inspired food. Bartenders are known to whip up made-for-your cocktails after asking what kind of spirit you like, and what kind of day you had.
This local bar might have a dark, gritty vibe (it’s next door neighbor is a strip club, after all) but Chef Daniel Usher takes a high-minded approach to his creative food and drink menu. Behind the bar, the taps feature a who’s-who of local small-batch brewers: Bellwoods Brewery, Beau’s and Junction Brewery — there’s even one tap dedicated to Ontario ciders. Non-beer drinkers can imbibe in a good selection of wine and handcrafted cocktails. The kitchen is open nightly until 2 a.m., ushering out gourmet snacks (Italian-style grilled squid or mushroom and pecorino gnocchi) to satisfy late night cravings.
Named for the number 47 TTC bus (which runs up and down Lansdowne Avenue), this cool neighbourhood bar offers craft beer on tap and eclectic eats that are designed for sharing. A hip crowd nibbles on a smorgasbord of upscale snack plates from Executive Chef Daniel Usher. The inventive tapas-style menu features grilled squid, ricotta gnocchi and socca (chickpea flour crepes) topped with lamb, red onion and tahini. Open ‘til 2 a.m. from Tuesday through Sunday, this late-night spot is definitely a tastier option than the nearby fast food joints.