Barchef Toronto Review

So a recent trip to Toronto was fun which brought about a visit to one of Toronto's latest bars entitled 'Barchef'. Barchef is located on 472 Queen Street West, in a darkly candle lit establishment. Serving a variety of cocktails from $10'ish up to $45 for some smoked aged and rare Manhattan which is smoked with real wood chips right in the place.

The bar is the best place to sit to see all the action, which is subtly lit with a lot of candles, which intertwine amidst a range of syrups and bitters.

The bar itself is pretty cool, not too big - quite small actually with seating scattered about. It is a cosy and dark affair with nice ambient touches like a TV that plays some old black and white movies (on mute) while either minimal techno, or some DJ spins. I guess the music varies depending on the night you go, I went on a Saturday night and it was pretty busy. I did manage to get a seat at the bar, where I went about imbibing a few cocktails. I did want to try something 'molecular', but apparently they had stopped serving these as it was too late - or something.

I do remember trying one named 'Peat', which as listed on their website is: Islay Scotch, cinnamon infused sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, cynar soaked sugar cube, absinthe rinse and a lemon twist. This drink was tough to drink, definite sipping drink, think it took me a good 20 mins to digest it.

There were a couple more cocktails I tried, some 'newly fashioned' - a play on the classic cocktail the 'old fashioned'. This was good but not mind blowing, with some addition of house made cola bitters.

The problem to me seems to be that you are getting slightly different experiences depending on which bartender serves you. The guy in the picture is one of the owners, and he was making drinks for guests in the back - Drake in fact.

I like creative drink making, and Barchef would be one of those places you should check out if you are looking for something a little different from your cocktails.

Next time I will try the molecular drinks/amuse bouche.