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| - I've given the House on Parliament hundreds of my hard-earned dollars over the past couple of years and I'm like, yeah!! Cuz, goodness always happens in return.
Parliament and Carlton / Cabbagetown is a weird hodge-podge of gross and fancy. HoP is nestled in there taking both refined and casual as their thing! The decor is muted, comfy and British, not trying to prove anything. Every last square inch is not stamped with the Queen's seal nor wrought with Empire nostalgia. So, you won't feel colonized.
The menu changes, seeming to rotate given the day of the week, but is always delectable and well-presented. They are really lucky to have whoever it is in that kitchen!! I've had almost everything on their menu from the Ploughman's lunch to steak to bangers to fish to Cobb salad to eggs Benedict and none disappoints. Everything tastes like one of the very best versions you've had of it in the city. Food is portioned thoughtfully and you are guaranteed to eat well.
Their drinks are plenty on tap, come fast and are well-priced. Gin martinis are well-made.
The service can be spotty--especially when they are busy or when you don't get a veteran server. They kind of don't care, because they know you'll be back. But the infraction is never mega. Upstairs' seating has terrible acoustics and sounds like 15 people shouting in a kid's bedroom. I've been to private events there and it's not a good set up for that--especially for sound. Try to sit on the ground floor, where they don't forget about you and the ambiance is much nicer. I've never sat on the patio(s?) so don't know that part.
Go!! Though, you may have to wait for a table.
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