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| - PARTIAL REVIEW ...Elan Marks has created an extensive 66-cocktail list culminated into a story-book like menu- an appropriate theme considering the name of the event space we were in. Just a quick flip-through the stylized 1920s pages and I feel as though I have been swept back to the age of speakeasies and prohibition. The preface states with literary splendor, "A tale is told through each ingredient, conceived and composed to elicit gusto with each flavour. This story stretches across eras from industrial to deco, a mise-en-scene unlike any other. Beyond the clamour of charades and drunked jest, is a parlor filled with lore for our ages." Drinking so often leads to great stories, and I was quite excited to see how mine would come together.
The menu is loosely organized by predominant spirit, each page featuring whimsical artwork and enchanting famous quotes. In addition to a creative name and a full description of ingredients, each cocktail is accompanied by a seductive series of tasting notes- poetry like "fatty little rich bitch, intriguing balance of fat & acid". Mmm... apparently, I'm quite fond of fat rich bitches. In addition to an extensive selection of cocktails featuring whisky, rum, and tequila, there is a full page of Manhattans, another for different Old Fashions, and even a selection of absinth-based drinks.
My favourite page, however, was definitely "The Sin of Gin", which featured 7 gin cocktails, each appropriately named after each of the deadly sins (gluttony, bring it on). And if you're feeling extra sinful, you can go for Dante's Inferno which apparently features a short of each sin - oy! If for whatever reason you're not feeling the straight-up spirits one night, The Cocktail Parlor also does wine. There are about 18 different international offerings to choose from, most of which are available by bottle, 3 oz, 5 oz or 1/2 bottle pours. Over the course of my visit, I had a chance to sample a few of the house favourites (okay, so maybe I did more than just sampled.. and I had more than just a few). Here's a little #cocktail porn to get you pumped for this hotspot.
The Looking Glass : Bowmore 12yr Scotch, Yellow Chartreuse, Edmond Briotett Dark Crème de Cacao, Fernet Branca, Tincture of Cinnamon, Orange Oil ($22)
The Doppler Effect : Roasted Blueberry Vodka, Housemade Weissbier Liqueur, Fresh Lemon, Orange bitters ($14)
Christopher the Green Mule : Green Chartreuse, Fresh Lime, Simple Syrup, House Ginger Beer ($14)
Cavendish : Makers Mark Bourbon, Banana Liquor, Tinctures of Cloves and Cinnamon, Angostura Bitters, House Dried Banana ($16)
Stormin' in Like a Jerk : Jerk Spiced Rum, Fresh Lime, House Ginger Beer, Cinnamon, Thyme
Sloe Gin Fizz : Sloe Gin, Gin, Spiced Orange Syrup, Lemon, Egg White, Soda ($14)
Orange Spiced Old Fashioned : Bulleit Bourbon, Orange Spiced Syrup, Angostura Bitters, Xocolatl Mole Bitters, Orange Oil ($16)
south of France : Absinthe, Sauvignon Blanc, Mint, Simple Syrup, Tincture of Ginger ($19)
Day of the Dead : Fortuna Mezcal, Knob Creek Small Batch Bourbon, House Coffee Liqueur, Tincture of Coffee, Grapefruit Oil ($23)
o pair with the boozy menu, Chef Stuart Cameron has prepared a small menu of nibbles and bar bites. We're not talking about chicken wings and French fries here, folks. Oh no, no, no. The menu here is sexy, sophisticated, and absolutely scrumptious. Here's a little teaser of what you might taste on your visit.
Smoked Bar Nuts- Espelette Pepper & Honey ($4)
Fried Zucchini Flowers - Curried Chickpeas & Jalapeno ($8)
Spiced Ash Hamachi - Bruleed Lime & Coconut Dust ($10)
Mennonite Chicken - Stuffed with Chorizo with Long Pepper & Honey ($14)
Duck Terrine - with Foie Gras within Buttery Brioche topped with Pickled Pear ($8)
Dry Aged Ribeye - Topped with Piri Piri and Yukon Potato Puree cooked on a Himalyan Salt Block ($14)
Tarte Flambe - with Chanterelles, Pecorino & Crème Fraiche ($14)
Sweets Plate - Apple Cider Ice Cream, Brioche & Brown Butter ; Limoncello & Aperol Bon Bons ; Chocolate Mousse with Yuzu Curd & Seasalt ; Aero Chocolate, Strawberry & Sumac ($8 per head)
The Cocktail Parlor is located on the 2nd floor of STORYS at 11 Duncan St and is open 5 PM - late Wednesday to Friday, and 7 PM to late on Saturday. You can make a reservation by calling 416-367-5151, which I strongly suggest you do. Sexy cocktail bars like this don't go unnoticed, and I have an feeling the Cocktail Parlor may be one of the top TIFF hangouts this year. Cheers!
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