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| - Came here to escape the cold while browsing the shops in the Distillery district. We were just coming off of a trip to St. Lawrence market, so we weren't particularly hungry, so we each got a flight of beers, and split the recommended smoked meat poutine (Thanks, Amy W!). The place has an Irish pub feel to it, complete with waitresses decked out in plaid skirts and knee-high socks. The beer selection is pretty expansive, which is why we opted for the flights of beer, my favorites being their signature tankhouse ale and the Meridian amber lager. Both were tasty in their own ways, but what I remember most is how well-balanced they were. Not too hoppy, not too sweet, and both had very easy finishes.
The smoked meat poutine was excellent, and the shredded pickles were key in keeping the overall richness of the dish from being overpowering. The meat was tender, and the hand-cut fries were very crispy, and somehow kept their texture, despite being covered in cheese and gravy. I can see why it was highly recommended. Definitely a great pairing with all the beer we had.
However, the service was very spotty throughout the meal. Not to mention, while the place was pretty large, some of the tables did seem kinda cramped together, for no particular reason. Neighboring parties kept bumping into us, despite the clearly large space. A little curious. Prices were very reasonable, with the flight 4 6oz beers only being about $9. Given that low price, it's incredibly dangerous, because you can just spend all day trying all the different beers they have.
Seems like a solid spot for lots of beer and pub food, and maybe catch some sports on the TV if you're in the area, if you can deal with the crowds and the less-than-ideal service. To be fair it's a little bit on the touristy side, but even so, I can see the entire experience being a little more enjoyable during warmer weather. May have to come back on my next trip to Toronto, if the weather is more suitable for outdoor drinking.
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