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| - On the way to a concert at the ACC we were happy to wander upon this place in a rather "dead" zone by Union station. I knew it would probably be more expensive than a local neighborhood spot offering similar fare based on the location, but I had fairly high hopes for the food as it bills itself as a "classy sports bar" and is located near the Fairmont Royal York.
Disclaimer: definitions of "classy" may vary.
The service was good: we were pleasantly greeted at the door, seated right away, and our waitress was prompt, polite and accommodating.
The food was merely okay. I would not define it as a "gastropub" based on the menu.
We started with an order of chicken wings (6 wings, two celery sticks, two carrot sticks) which were quite meaty, but eating them was rather awkward as we weren't provided with our own plates nor a dish for the bones: just the shared serving platter they came. Plus on and we only had the linen napkins the cut,ery came rolled in to try and mop up the sauce and blue cheese dressing that dripped onto the table (because no plates) and ourselves. I pity the staff member tasked with laundering all the hot sauce out of those napkins. I understand the place is trying for an upscale feel but when serving a relatively messy, finger-food, pragmatism wins in my book. Wetnaps and paper towels may not be "classy" but neither is chicken grease and sauce all over one's chin and fingers.
My husband got the burger and fries which were pretty basic but good, plus a great local microbew from the bar's nice draft selection.
I opted for the roast beef dip with salad. The sandwich itself was decent but the dip accompanying it was not "au jus," it was incredibly salty gravy and had that telltale "powdered mix" taste - I didn't finish it, since I didn't want to be transformed into a desiccated mummy. I just had tap water to drink. Lots of it. Literally four entire glasses. (Did I mention salty dip?) The salad meanwhile was a standard mixed mesclun blend with some grape tomatoes, shredded carrots and cucumber in a light vinaigrette - I mean, it was fine, it was fresh, it was a quality side salad, it tasted perfectly all right: but I wouldn't describe it as "classy" unless I was writing this review in 1993.
As for the place itself? It's very clean. It's quite new. It's a large space with ample, comfortable seating. I personally didn't really dig its overall ambience since I don't consider charcoal grey exactly a "lively" colour. Sure there are big-screen TVs and music playing, a large bar, games tables and comfy booths but the acoustics were such that I couldn't really hear the music, television nor even my husband sitting directly across from me - just loud echos of other people talking and clanking cutlery at far-away tables. It just was too cavern-like for my taste. Sports bars are supposed to be fun, but the environment at this place seemed a little oppressive and dull to me. Also the bases of the booths appeared to be unpainted particle board. I don't know what other people consider "classy" but unfinished wood chips ala a semi-renovated basement rec-room isn't my idea of upscale decor.
The two Ladies' bathrooms were also a little weird. They both were nice and clean, but the lower one was so small that upon entering, I bumped a woman washing her hands with the door, and when I was using the sink someone else coming in hit me with the door. It didn't have a mirror which was rather annoying. The larger restroom up near the bar did have a mirror, however it was playing some sort of flash ads across it, so my reflection was obscured by animated spots plugging paper towels and budget vacations which was even more annoying. While many bars do have advertisements located intrusively in their bathrooms, it is certainly not classy: it's the epitome of tacky. Having those advertisements aggressively covering one's face when one is trying to use the mirror is downright crass.
The verdict: six wings, a burger and fries, a beef sandwich and salad plus one pint came to nearly 70 dollars with tax. Pretty steep given the meal itself, but certainly not atypical for the "tourist trap" element on that section of Front Street. I am not including the $$ we got stuck shelling out 30 minutes later at the ACC for overpriced, bottled water, even though I suspect my meal was probably the cause of my intense thirst. (Did I mention the meat-infused, concentrated, reduction of possibly the Dead Sea itself served as a dip? )
If you're stuck downtown and looking for a spacious spot to meet up with people that has a decent drink selection, or want to grab a casual (albiet overpriced) sit-down dinner before a game, concert or train trip this is a reasonable enough option. But I wouldn't recommend a special visit here if you are anywhere near another sports bar or pub. Rectangular plates and linen napkins are not enough to designate something as a "classy" establishment.
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