YORKVILLE
Bar and Patio Guide
BY Sivan Keren May 14, 2008 18:05
Link to article on EYEWEEKLY.COM
See how the rich and famous kick it in the bohemian-turned-absurdly-wealthy neighbourhood of Yorkville. With bars, patios and restos peppering the pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, bar hopping around here is a lot more fun than cynics may suspect.
OLD STANDBYS With a massive 340-person patio, Remy’s (115 Yorkville, 416-968-9429) is about as swank as outdoor fine dining can get. Too busy to be pampered on a work-night? Treat a special someone to Remy’s rooftop on the weekend for a romantic Italian meal with live music to boot.
Named in honour of the WWII flyers (and established during the war itself) The Pilot (22 Cumberland, 416-923-5716) offers a sleek approach to the rooftop patio, which is cleverly named “The Flight Deck.” And don’t let crummy weather stop you, either. With regularly scheduled events like weekend jazz matinees, The Pilot is a Yorkville hot spot, rain or shine.
You don’t have to climb the CN tower to get a breathtaking view of the city. On the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre sits the aptly named Panorama (51-55 Bloor W., 416-967-5225) where the cocktail options are as impressive as the patio’s views of Toronto north and south.
Need a quick snack and a place to rest your stiletto-battered feet? Have a seat on the skinny sidewalk patio at MBCo (100 Bloor W., 416-961-6226) and enjoy fast food with a gourmet twist, including sandwiches, pizza and exotic fresh-squeezed juice combinations like lime and cucumber.
Redefining the term “old standby,” the resilient, post-fire and reopened Sassafraz (100 Cumberland, 416-964-2222) is not only in the heart of this neighbourhood, but it’s central to Yorkville’s identity. The stunning yellow house is a landmark for Torontonians and visitors alike. And with the availability of online reservations (www.sassafraz.ca), arranging a full Yorkville experience on the flowery awning-covered patio couldn’t be easier.
BEST BET: CHILLED MARTINI
If you’d rather die than sip a tepid drink, head to Flow Restaurant + Lounge (133 Yorkville, 416-925-2143), where the bartenders use their ice-chip wizardry to craft a martini that’s perfectly chilled even on the hottest summer day.
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK On the ground floor of The Hazelton Hotel, you won’t just find Yorkville’s rumoured new “It” resto, but you’ll find out why One (116 Yorkville, 416-961-9600) lives up to all the hype. Although the wraparound patio hosts 70, expect a wait. To kill the time, you might consider robbing a bank to pay the hefty bill headed your way.
NO TRUST FUND REQUIRED In a grey and dreary land mostly occupied by high-rises, condo-dwellers in Yorkville’s southern region will find a cheaper (albeit less glamorous) night out at The Foxes Den (1075 Bay, 416-961-1975). Although the people-watching is far better a few blocks up the road, the newly renovated den, which now boasts two patios, may be the only place in Yorkville where the sweatpants-off-your-floor look won’t turn any heads.
BEST PLACE TO STALK BEN AFFLECK If it’s glitz and glam you crave, wind your way down the street to star-studded Hemingway’s (142 Cumberland, 416-968-2828). Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you a few hours on one of the city’s finest patios — so grab that cute Bay Street investment banker (or just her wallet) and get drinking.
