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Barchef
Categories: Nightlife Bars Lounges Restaurants Canadian (Traditional) Lounges, Canadian (Traditional) [Edit]
472 Queen St WToronto, ON M5V 2B2
Neighbourhoods: Alexandra Park, Queen Street West
(416) 868-4800
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 6 pm - 2 am
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
46 reviews for Barchef
Review Highlights
"It also came with a mojito ravioli on a spoon."
(in 4 reviews)
"The vanilla smoked manhattan ($45) was awesome."
(in 3 reviews)
"Molecular cocktails = (TAs)Ty (Bu)t EXpEnS1ve."
(in 4 reviews)
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46 reviews in English
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Review from Paula C.
Toronto, ON
1/17/2012
Cool vibe, awesome (but pricey) cocktails, and a great show. By show I mean the mixologist/bartender's talents.
If you don't have cootie issues go with a group and share a few cocktails on the menu.
Awesome lounge! -
Review from Christine E.
Toronto, ON
1/9/2012
Okay drinks, a few quite delicious, but - as others have mentioned - less because they were brilliant "molecular" concoctions & more because they were stuffed with syrups. Have you ever been told by someone drinking a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks that they're "a real coffee lover" & thought, "But you're just drinking syrup?" Same thing here. I've got nothing against trashy, sugary cocktails, & if you're honestly selling them then good luck & Godspeed - but don't try to convince me that I'm drinking artisanal masterworks.
Staff were friendly & the bartenders were nice & accommodating. Decor is truly appalling. Looks like a university student's first off-campus apartment after buying all the slightly goth accessories at IKEA. Tacky leather barstools & couches that appear to come from a hotel bar's garage sale. It's all supposed to be crisp, clean, & opulent but it's flimsy particle board & hollow. Absolutely devoid of character or charm.
If they really wanted to drive home the fact that this place is all about manufactured character - mutton dressed as lamb - then they definitely got it right with the decor. Yuck. -
Review from Ksenja T.
12/8/2011
The best time to come to Barchef is undoubtedly during the week. I came here on a Tuesday night and it was not crowded at all. Alas, I was able to have a comfortable non-crowded cocktail-sipping experience without "the scene."
I would have sat by the bar, but we decided to get be a bit more comfortable. It is very dark in here and all the bottles and 'potions' at the bar add to the overall feel. The waitress was really friendly and knowledgeable, she knew all the ingredients for each drink by heart.
I decided to go with a sweet and sour cocktail--the almond and the orange cocoa cocktail. They were both GREAT drinks, the almond not as strong but the rim was surrounded with crunchy bits which made for a beautiful presentation. My orange cocoa cocktail literally tasted like orange and cocoa and was a bit stronger which I liked. I saw someone having the echinacea molecular cocktail but perhaps I'll save that for another time. At $45/drink, I have big expectations for those.
We also tried some of their small plates. I would highly suggest the sliders, they were so juicy and delicious. You can eat all three so fast. The frites with the truffle mayo aioli were very bland and burnt. My bf also got the beef tartar which was tiny and nothing to rave about . To sum up, I would definitely come back for the drinks. -
Review from Brad S.
Toronto, ON
2/8/2012
Love this place. The bar tenders and servers seem to really take pride in their drinks. Try something new when you come here, something you wouldn't normally do. I really recommend the 'Black Truffle'.
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Review from Rafi N.
Toronto, ON
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Barchef is a great place for a new drinking experience. The drinks are pricey, but it comes with great service and presentation.
*** FOOD & DRINK ***
I ordered a couple drinks and some sliders.
* Sailor's Mojito [Molecular] | $25 *
The mojito is very good. It comes with the standard mojito and a side "drink" called a mojito ravioli. The mojito has a strong citrusy flavour with a hint of mint. The alcohol content is deceptively high, which is good. The mojito ravioli comes in a narrow dish with some white foam called vanilla air. The ravioli and air slide into your mouth where it sits while letting the aroma build. Gently pushing the ravioli onto the roof of your mouth causes it to burst, filling your mouth with mojito. Part of the presentation is the dry ice smoke which comes out of a volcano shaped dish. This drink was a very interesting and tasty experience.
* Mamacita [Sipping] | $18 *
This was a suggested pairing with the sliders. The drink was good. The alcohol was more pronounced. There is a slightly spicy and smokey taste. A nice drink and good pairing with the sliders.
* Sliders | $13 *
The sliders were very tasty. The meat was well cooked, juicy and tender. The BBQ sauce was sweet and the cheddar added a bit of a savoury taste.
*** SERVICE ***
Service is great. Our server was very friendly and sociable. He gave us suggestions for drinks to try and pair with our meal. He explained how the drinks are made, their ingredients and how they should be consumed. Our water was kept topped up in a bottle. He was also very attentive and asked us if we wanted anything throughout the night.
*** ATMOSPHERE ***
Barchef is nicely decorated bar. The lighting is very dim with candle lights at the bar and tables. The bar is lined with bottles containing various concoctions. There are plenty of seats at the bar and at tables with couches. The entire place is clean. They play a variety of oldie music and I can remember hearing some Sam Cooke - awesome!
*** PRICE ***
Drinks are pricey, but you get what you pay for. The service is exquisite and the drinks are made with a lot of care. The price for the experience is definitely worthwhile.
* Sailor's Mojito [Molecular] | $25 *
* Mamacita [Sipping] | $18 *
* Sliders | $13 *
*** EXPERIENCE ***
Barchef is a great place for an extraordinary drink. While the prices are high, you won't be disappointed. The service and atmosphere is great. The drinks are very tasty and come in a fancy presentation. The food is very good too. This is a really good spot to bring a date. I will definitely return.Listed in: Noise 'n Poison
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
After my visit to the Barchef, I realized my search for the best cocktail lounge in Toronto is over !
No, I didn't try one of those fancy molecular drinks. I just have one of those basic cocktails which cost $13 and even at the first sip and I knew! One might argue that it is pricey, but when you realized all those unique ingredients that they used to make your drink were prepared and infused in house, the receipe for the exact portion to make a balanced and polished drinks, it really does worth that price tag.
Though the loungers looked comfortably inviting, sit at the bar! Talk to the bartender, watch he prepares all the drinks, that alone is an experience!
My Yelp Drinking Buddy would have ordered more drinks and food if not for our dinner reservations at 8 PM. I just love my Strawberry and Lavender Cocktail ($13) which was so delicious, I licked every single lavender infused sugar off the rim of my martini glass.
And it was also the rare occasion that I fought and made sure I had my share of the Sliders($13). Hey, get your hands off my half of the slider! Don't even think about it!
I definitely will be back again and again to Barchef for some of their cocktails and a pre dinner snack! -
Review from Alan W.
Toronto, ON
6/26/2011
I really love this bar!
The $45 Vanilla Smoked Manhattan was really that good. If it wasn't $45 I would be drinking it all night. The smoldering wood chips is not just for show, it leaves a subtle mellow smokey taste off the rim of the glass as you drink the heavenly contents inside (very smooth, slightly sweet, with various levels of flavours). It also creates a warm soothing campfire scent in the bar. I really admire the perfectly carved chunk of ice that's served with the drink -- smaller ice cubes would dilute the concoction.
Instead of ordering another Manhattan I sampled at least 4 other well crafted cocktails which were also very good. Another great cocktail I had was a whiskey shaken with saffron and egg whites.
The drink menu often changes, which really shows off Frankie and Brent's talented craft -- be sure to check their menu on their website for their current concoctions.
Definitely sit at the bar, eventhough the counter is crammed with bottles and various ingredients (familiar and unusual). It's fun seeing the bartenders, or shall I say mixologists, put together their concoctions with blow torches, dry ice, and spray bottles. Their cocktails are often infused with unusual ingredients such as herbs, spices and homemade bitters.
Being an avid cook and cocktail afficienado it really made me want to try this kind of artistry at home or with friends.
A lot of people say this place is overrated or gimmicky, but I like the atmosphere, the service was excellent and the food and drinks were tasty. The vibe is great, very comfortable and not pretensious. There was a projection screen that was showing some vintage black & white films and the DJ which appeared later in the evening played an awesome mix of lounge, 80's and motown music. The staff were very friendly and great to talk with.
The place also attracts some great customers as well. Many of us sitting at the bar were chatting with each other and having a good time.
Yes, the drinks are on the pricey side, but all were well made with care and well worth it. Other bars that charge these kind of prices are often too pretensious (in both it's atmosphere and service) and don't offer the fun experience as Barchef.
This is the place I would take friends from out of town, celebrate an occasion, treat myself to something special, or take a special date to without disappointment.
Keep up the excellent work Barchef, if I was richer I would going here every week! -
Review from omar k.
Toronto, ON
9/22/2011
a place that prides itself on its ability to make drinks should be able to make a good, straight up manhattan. and barchef failed on that front. my manhattan had far too much bitters in it -- it was really surprising.
my friends' drinks were ok, but, in my opinion, too sickly sweet.
in a way, the drinks seemed to cater to the modern credo of just making it a little sweeter, and your clientele will smile.
the reason i'm giving the place 3 stars is because the woody smokiness in the air was quite nice, and the atmosphere was really appealing. go here and get a very simple drink that they can't mess up, and relax. -
Review from Priya B.
4/22/2011
I'm in love with this place and slightly disappointed that I have been missing out all this time. I was a little concerned about the price, but it's actually not as bad you'd expect. The drinks are strong and $13 for a double is not unreasonable, especially when the drinks are this amazing.
I would recommend sitting at the bar because you can get recommendations from the bartender and watch them make the more interesting drinks. Even if you can't bring yourself to buy one of the molecular cocktails, you can still watch them play with frozen carbon dioxide (apparently it carbonates the drink!) and create vanilla wood chip smoke.
The drinks on the Sipping menu taste stronger and have a lot more nuance than the ones on the Sweet and Sour menu. We tried drinks from both and liked the Sipping menu better, but I think that's just a matter of preference.
The only drink that I wasn't a huge fan of was the Spring Air, it just tasted like grapefruit and it had way too much egg white foam on top. It wasn't bad, I just have higher expectations at a bar like this.
I'm still thinking about the Mezcal-esque, which was probably the best margarita I've had. The fresh lime really makes that drink, and the slightly smoky flavor from the smoked salt rim and hickory syrup adds something different and unexpected. I will definitely go back and have another one of these. -
Review from Steph L.
3/29/2011
Molecular cocktails = (TAs)Ty (Bu)t EXpEnS1ve
Remember when you were new to drinking and you wanted to get your buzz on...
Taking all the booze in your cabinet, you threw everything together in a shaker, added ice... voila! It's a drink.
Now charge $45 for your concoction and serve it at a bar on Queen street.
Okay, I actually did like the drinks here!
Some of the drinks were odd but pleasant, however, the sweet and sour confusing my taste buds probably isn't my thing.
We came here for drinks on a Thursday night around 11pm. There was lots of space to sit and stand. The decor is modern and offbeat. I really liked the black and white plush chairs.... oddly matched with the into-the-wild tree wallpaper. It's perfect if you wanted to have a fancy cocktail night... in the middle of the woods.
Floral Fizz. ($20 Molecular)
* Frozen carbon dioxide (Buh? ...Gee, I couldn't taste it)
* Riesling
* Yellow chartreuse
* Cardamom syrup
* Apricot bitters
* Lavender sugar rim
* Topped with coconut foam
The drink was okay but didn't look "molecular".
It was super sour. I was hoping for more sweetness and floral accents from the Lavender sugar...The flavour was a bit harsh.
The best part was the foam... the things that I would eat that off of... Anyways, yeah.
Peat ($13 Sipping)
* Islay Scotch
*Cinnamon infused vermouth
* absinthe rinse
* lemon twist
This drink was one of the better ones of the evening. It was refreshing and well, you can't really go wrong with absinthe and Macallan single malt (which happens to be my scotch of choice).
The drinks here are damn expensive... but if you are looking for something different, you'll find it here. -
Review from Tina H.
11/7/2010 2 photos
Awesome drinks! Quite pricey for the molecular ones but they're quite exciting. The vanilla smoked manhattan ($45) was awesome!! They burn hickory chips and they cover the drink and let it infuse with smoke. My hair and hands smelled like campfire afterwords so if you don't like that smell, not for you. I on the other hand absolutely LOVE that smell so it made me fall in love instantly. Symphony #5 ($13) was a bit strong and I definitely wouldn't order that one unless you like the taste of pure gin!! The drink with muddled sage and grapefruit ($13) was awesome!
The atmosphere was gorgeous. The food was pretty good! No disappointments (except that it took 15 minutes to say they were out of what we ordered....) Sliders, baked brie... Quite delicious. Nothing super spectacular but a good complement to the tasty cocktails.
Service was friendly, patient and attentive. Not much passion when it comes to talking about the drinks but the menus are really well done and were quite self-explanatory. Prices range from $12 or $13 for the first few pages of cocktails, to the molecular ones ranging from something like $25 to $50.
They don't open the larger dining area until past 10 so if you come at an odd time there may be limited options for seating.
Overall, it's a great atmosphere with great drinks and I can't wait to go back! It's really great to see a place in Toronto focus this much on the art of drink mixing. Most places have boring cocktails that taste mediocre but this place was great. Definitely try it out if you appreciate fancy (but pricey) cocktails.Listed in: My Favourite Food & Drink…
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Review from Imran N.
3/26/2011
Ok the complete truth on this. Gastronomy bar that is very different but very expensive.
Atmosphere - kinda sucks
If you sit at the bar, it's way more enjoyable.
Wait time - terribly terribly long - but thats just what you get when you walk into a gastronomy bar. Let's get serious.
Now for the good stuff - if you're ready to spend some good money ($300 will get you in a good place, and $150 bux should get you tipsy) then you'll be impressed. It's all about trying different things here.
Franky Solaris does a good job with creativity and uniquness here, but then again ,he's the only one doing this in Toronto.
My most memorable drink has been a $45 manhattan, which literrally tasted like being in boy scouts. Some ppl would say this is over rated and over priced, but for me it was the experience of it.
What i recommend: Go here before going out for a special fancy dinner. It will get you in the right mood and take only cash to make sure you don't end up spending more than you might want to. Have one drink and ask your friends if you can try theirs. Then maybe have a twisted arm and take a second one but promise that will be it. Then leave to dinner.
Then go back there another time with a friend who would appreciate this and when you get your first paycheck of the month. Have no reservations about money and then you will have a good time.
oh and don't go on the weekend. -
Review from Luke S.
1/3/2011
Dark, long and narrow place; weird colored lighting. A bit dated if you ask me.
Liquor selection is quite limited, little high end stuff.
Close to zero wine/beer selection.
Sweet cocktails, varying in taste from cough syrup to Cool-Aid. I could not find a single cocktail on their menu that did NOT contain any syrup or 'bitters'. And that's what you are pretty much stuck with. Classic cocktails, not so good, lack of liquor selection. They make all the syrupy stuff themselves, apparently, and the bar looks a bit like Harry Potter's lab.
A poor (and 25 years younger) Carrie Bradshaw would probably like it here.
Excellent fries.
No Plymouth gin, which, in my book, automatically disqualifies ANY place from consideration as a watering hole. And no, its not the LCBO, they have it.
One of the bartenders kept wearing a weird hat inside, trying to channel Justin Timberlake???
Ahh, before I forget they are trying to offer 'molecular' cocktails. Now, I've been to Alinea, that's REAL molecular stuff, but at Barchef, all you get is a little smoke from dry ice, and some gimmicks. -
Review from Sam C.
7/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
This place is like walking into a mad scientist's lair for finding the next drinkable elixir. It is really cool, you can see at the bar all the different jars of fresh juices and mix and they're sometimes boiling or smoking of some sort. Great place to bring a date and try a few different drinks but be prepared for the hefty price tags. Most of the stuff that's worth trying will be greater $20, I even saw their famous Vanilla Hickory Smoked Manhattan being made as I walked in but at $45/pop I opted for Sailor's Mojito at half the cost. Great drink, very creative, and definately a conversation starter with your date but becareful cause they will get jealous.
All the drinks here are fantastic and they use nothing but the freshest ingredients. If you are a hard liqour fan they have some stuff you can't find at the LCBO. The service was fantastic as well, everyone is very informative with no attitude. They place does get packed up later on at night so arrive a bit early if you want a seat. -
Review from Jennifer G.
Toronto, ON
10/28/2011
This is a fantastic place. The entire experience, from watching the bartender chop off ice from the giant block on the bar, to a smoked Manhattan that is served under a smoking glass dome, is amazing. I tried one of the 'molecular' drinks...black truffle...and words can't even describe the flavour! I would have ordered more and stayed longer, but these drinks are pricey...not a place to go if you want to order from the wine list. This is a bar for serious cocktail enthusiasts! An experience for sure.
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Review from Tara Z.
10/14/2010
We stumbled into this place on a Wednesday night, after too many drinks elsewhere, and it was just what we needed to end the night. The vibe was incredible--the birch-tree wallpaper and the smoke from the recommended Fire and Ice cocktails made it feel like we were at a campsite in the middle of nowhere, very intimate and warm.
The drinks, too, were amazing: molecular gastronomy in a glass! Each cocktail felt like a work of art, with flavours that you don't normally find in liquid form (I ordered a seasonal gin-based cocktail that was spiked with dill and coriander). I highly recommend this place. -
Review from Leeor J.
5/14/2010
Easy to drop some serious dough here. They have a cocktail for $45. They char vanilla wood chips first and put the drink on a bed of it and cap it with some glass dome to get an aromatic effect. They do a lot of that here. The rest of the drinks are a bit more reasonable at between $10-20 or so.
I had 2 drinks here:
the madman: this drink is interesting but ultimately not spectacular. I forget the exact composition but it involved the use of some cinnamon infused liquid, a blow torch and some dry ice (you know on second thought, just about every drink here involves a blow torch and dry ice)
forget the name of the second drink but it was some play on a gin and tonic. It had cucumber bitters in it (all bitters prepared on site) and was very refreshing, if a little too anemic on the gin. A better and more affordable drink than my first.
My friend's drinks were a cut above mine. I tried them too. The first was some grapefruit based drink they lit on fire and concocted in front of him. A really complex flavour combination and very tasty. His second drink was also good, but i forget which one it was now.
This is not a place I would go regularly. It's too expensive and not my scene really. But it gives you loads of great ideas for your own mixology experiments. A good place to try once for the novelty. -
Review from Kat F.
10/2/2009 3 photos
Honestly, the only thing worse than feeling out of place in a bar is feeling downright unwelcome. Not since being the only kid in grade school to own a pair of 10-hole Doc Martens and being sneered at by my preppy, Tretorn-wearing classmates have I felt so...unwanted.
Nevermind the clientele - I knew they'd be pretentious, better dressed, more well-read, and perhaps more educated than me - but I expected more from the staff. It's really a shame because the drinks were OUT OF THIS WORLD DELICIOUS, not to mention inventive, and I arrived with money to burn.
The server making the rounds was more interested in appeasing the visibly wealthy than little ol' me and I stood around waiting for someone to hand me a menu for at least ten minutes. I mean, I may not have been wearing a cocktail dress but I didn't look like Sol the fucking Clown either. (http://www.youtube.com...)
I gave up and took a seat at the bar instead and was greeted with even snootier service from what I actually presume to be one of the managers - or at least, his let-me-lord-over-you-with-my-extreme-and-unparalle led-mixology-knowledge attitude conveyed that. I have been to mixology bars in NYC, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco, and felt welcome and intrigued by all of them. While I may not be an expert in the art of cocktails I am eager to learn more about the beverages I order and was disappointed by the attitude at Barchef.
As mentioned the drinks were outstanding and carefully crafted. I relied on several rounds of "Van Gogh's Downfall" ($12) which contained absinthe, orgeat, clove, orange blossom water, anise and lemon rind. I am not a fan of anise OR orgeat (an in-house syrup made of almonds, sugar and rose water) yet somehow this combination worked beautifully.
Drinks were surprisingly affordable at $8-12 each, with the lone exception being the $45 Manhattan (Crown Royal extra rare, fresh lemon, cherry vanilla bitters made in-house, hickory smoked syrup and vanilla cognac).
Shame about the attitude, really. 2.5 stars.Listed in: The Art Of Mixology &…
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Review from Neil T.
Toronto, ON
10/2/2009
Let me preface this by saying I've only been here once and am basing my experience on this one (and only) visit.
1) From the moment you walk into the place (assuming you can find the little black door), it screams douche-baggery. The bartender/servers with funny mysterious accents and the suit-only clientele confirmed my suspicions.
2) A $45 Manhattan? Is this a joke? For $45 there better be 5 oz of alcohol in this thing and be stirred with the bartender's diamond dick. Ridiculous!
3) Hey suits, you mind not staring me down on the way to the bathroom? Thanks. I would have headbutted you right then and there but you looked busy with your fellow suits giving you a reach-around.
Congratulations Barchef, you've just been blacklisted.Listed in: Neil's Blacklist
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Review from Robyn G.
Vancouver, BC
10/22/2011
I am giving this a place 4 out of 5 stars because the drinks were very impressive! I had an amazing Black Truffle cocktail. It was the perfect start to my friend's stagette!
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Review from susan c.
10/6/2009
Ever since I heard that Barchef is the kind of place that'll serve raw oysters with a Bloody Caesar*, I've been intrigued. So when Kat F. made it a stop on the Yelp Cocktail Crawl, I was all over it like Kanye West on someone else's special moment.
The interior is dark, all black and purple, giving it a creepy Michael Flatley love-den vibe.
It was a Thursday night and the place was packed with slicksters in suits and chicks who stay skinny by barfing up their drinks in the john after midnight. They all milled around the bar, held together by the invisible layer of slime they were collectively generating. We opted to lounge on the banquette near the entrance.
I sized up the extensive drinks menu and ordered the Cocktail du Jour ($15)--a surprise concoction the bartender whips up that day. Cool. I like surprises and I let this be a test for Barchef; it was their one shot to wow me.
The waitress brought my CdJ: a raspberry vodka drink with sherry and vanilla syrup and about three inches of foamed egg-white head served in a large wine goblet. It was definitely a well-crafted drink, I'll admit, but I generally don't like sweet cocktails and I was a little offended that they thought I was the kind of gal who likes raspberry vodka. What do I look like? A former cheerleader from Jersey who gives hand-jobs in the bathroom?**
I loved the drink Kat F. ordered (Van Gogh's Downfall, $12 http://www.yelp.ca/biz...) and I like the idea of a bar that approaches its drinks with an obsessiveness I normally only see in Japanese bars. It's pricy for sure but I'd rather pay $12 for a well-made cocktail than $8 for the well liquor-flat tonic water-desiccated lime wedge in a glass you get at every other booze joint. I'll be back to try another drink on their ever-changing menu--at a time before the smarmy brigade descends upon it.
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*For non-Canadians, Bloody Caesar = Bloody Mary with Clamato. Sounds ew but actually delicious.
**Um...I'm not saying I know anyone who fits this description, I'm just saying...Listed in: Places that Attract Annoying…
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Review from Mohammad G.
10/25/2011
overpriced, pretentious, way too hip, not enough substance and the cocktails certainly weren't as amazing as advertised.
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Review from Noel D.
10/2/2009
I try not to review places based on one visit, but this place left a particularly bad taste in my mouth. Maybe I am just not trendy enough to understand why I should be paying 15 dollars for a drink.
I came here on a Wednesday night and it was full of bar owners and 22-year old drunk girls. It took forever for the bartender to even ask us for a drink because he was too busy trying to impress everyone with his flaming brandy and dry ice. Seriously, he took 20 minutes to make one drink for some rich suit and it had dry ice served in a bowl. Maybe this sort of thing is cool for people who have seen it all, but I would have been more than happy if he just pulled a beer out of the fridge and popped off the cap.
While the bartender took his sweet time making drinks the owner explained to his "clients" what he was doing. It was as if I walked in on some bartending convention that I was surely not a part of. I felt uncomfortable and out of place. I finished my 15 dollar drink (which just tasted like alcoholic Kool-Aid) and was out the door -- heading to a place where I wouldn't be looked down upon.
This used to be a jazz bar before it was Bar Chef and I would always walk by thinking the place looked cozy and interesting. I regret not checking it out back then because I'm surely never coming back here. If you are a big spender and want to pay extra for snobby service then by all means this is your place.Listed in: One Star Reviews
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Review from Kat T.
2/21/2009 2 photos
Molecular gastronomy is making it big in NYC and was even featured on Top Chef. Drinks using gels and foams and "airs" are all found at Bar Chef. This place is crazy! Drink prices start high for some of the cooler items on the menu. I am told they have wine and beer, too.
The atmosphere is also a reason to visit. Stop by on a weeknight for after-work drinks or a weekend to blow your drinking budget on one fine drink. Not for those who would rather be across the street at Tattoo Rock Parlor... this is folks who want to appreciate the drink, not drink to get drunk. -
Review from Sean C.
6/24/2009
OK, so I'm a huge cocktail lover. I met a person at the airport bar who was lamenting the lack of depth in their bloody mary (just like me!), and got to talking. Thankfully, they were a Toronto native, and tipped me off to this place to get my mind bent by some crazy cocktails.
I'm not going to lie - this place was a fabulous recommendation. My fav cocktail place in Toronto. There are a lot of things to really love about this place - cool, chill, yet unpretentious atmosphere. Incredibly nice bartenders (go on an off night - they are a blast to talk to, and really know their stuff. Thanks Aaron!). Incredibly inventive cocktails, at a price to match (unfortunately), but really are worth it. Keep your palate clean - don't pregame, and get your tastebuds ready for an out of body experience!
The thing about the more inventive cocktails is that the liquor taste does not smack you in the face. To me, this is sort of a double edged sword - it makes them a lot more accessible to non-career alcoholics, but some miss a certain subtlety that a stiff whiskey drink can have...particularly in the finish (I'm referencing this to a lot of drinks I've had at Bourbon & Branch in SF: http://www.yelp.com/bi... or The Alembic in SF: http://www.yelp.com/bi...). Also, I should say that I didn't try anything off the "classics" list when I was there, but I will do so next time for sure.
Will I go back? Absolutely...probably later this week :). And yes, you will notice there is a $45 "manhattan" on the menu. Is it worth it? At least once. My curiosity would have killed me if I didn't do it - the description and ingredient list was a little too irresistible for me to not get. It is very smooth (thank you crown royal XR), very dark (thank you hickory smoking), and very complicated (thank you vanilla bean & house made bitters). I loved it. -
Review from Brian C.
Toronto, ON
3/19/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I go here because I am pretentious, better dressed, more well-read, and perhaps more educated than you to use another Yelper's words.
The drinks are fantastic. There are only a couple of places in town that serve drinks like this. Anything added to your drink was made from scratch including sweeteners, emulsifiers, and bitters. Many of their drinks are "molecular". Without getting in to details, fire is usually involved. Great care is taken for every drink made. Because of this service can be a bit slow but it is worth it.
The people there can be a little pretentious but it is pretty obvious who is there to show off and who is there to enjoy a drink. It is easy to start up conversation there since everyone is drinking something interesting and wants to talk about it. -
Review from Kurt G.
ON
6/2/2009 ROTD 6/14/2009
If you are looking for some cocktails that are given as much care as a high end chef does to an entre, check out Bar Chef on Queen West. Each cocktail has a carefully selected ingredient list and prepared with care. I can honestly say I haven't even heard of some of the ingredients and find some even confusing.. Air? However, the end result is some fabulous tasting spins on old faithfuls and some creative new concoctions.
It is pretty pricey for a long stay, but definitely worthwhile for popping by for a couple drinks after dinner or before heading out.
Thursday seems to be absinthe night at Bar Chef, clients are treated to a specials menu where they can have the old world spirit prepared in a variety of styles. -
Review from Mitch S.
Toronto, ON
12/26/2009 1 Check-in Here
So I had just come across some extra money and decided to go to barchef with some friends...being slightly tipsy already, I convinced a friend to buy a $45 cocktail so I wouldn't be the only crazy person at the table...That's right, a $45 cocktail!
I know by this point everybody thinks I'm crazy, but you know what, I have no regrets! The cocktail was delicious, presented beautifully, and is definitely something I can knock off the "stupid things to spend money on before I die" list.
Honestly though, the place has fantastic drinks and most fall between the $8-12 range, so don't be put off my craziness! Also, another thing I need to rave about is the sliders...my god they were soooo good...
This place is pretentious but the drinks and snacks are great...If you're up for a stylish night out, it's worth hitting up barchef! -
Review from Nik B.
8/2/2010 2 photos
Focusing more on the show than the flavor, Barchef caters to the first time crowd more than regulars. Sure, you could bring new dates here and impress them all, but personally I think I'd get tired of coming here and spending $20/drink on a cocktail show.
Barchef may be a little hard to find, having only a single unlit sign on Queen Street, but upon entering you'll wonder how you missed its presence. The beats are loud and the bartenders are moving. There is a smoky smell in the air. Perhaps it's diffusing from the Hickory Smoked $45 Manhattan that is sold at Barchef, featuring all sorts of molecular techniques.
I had the opportunity to try a few drinks, including Saffron meets Scotch ($13) (being Indian, I have a soft spot for saffron), Fire and Ice ($20), and the Savory Margarita ($20).
I was most excited for the Fire and Ice, being an absinthophile, but it was probably the most disappointing. The drink comes in 3 glasses, two of which are on fire and get poured as liquid flames into the third. It tastes more like kool-aid than absinthe. While the show was neat, it was probably the worst absinthe cocktail I've ever tasted. When I taste an absinthe cocktail, I want to be able to taste the anise and feel the kick of the high percent alcohol. Lighting the absinthe on fire doesn't do much for the cocktail.
I was also really excited for the savory margarita which included avocado foam, tomato caviar, and a coriander and tortilla chip rim. It arrived as a good sized margarita, paired with two spoons each filled with a salty avocado foam and tomato caviar. I'm not sure how one goes about creating tomato caviar but it was both intriguing and delicious when paired with the avocado foam, followed by a large sip of savory margarita, also preluded by coriander and tortilla chips. Mmm. Probably one of the best margaritas I've had in my life.
A nice surprise was the delicious flavor of the Saffron meets Scotch. It included a mix of saffron infused brandy, and some scotch. The first few sips won't give you much of the beautiful saffron taste, but keep sipping and towards the bottom you'll get lots of that unique flavor. It's one of the better Scotch cocktails I've had, and would definitely recommend it. One critique I had with the drink is that I would have preferred that all the saffron stands would be strained out before mixing the cocktail. They don't do much for the image of the drink and certain don't feel good in your mouth when you take a sip.
Overall, Barchef was a very entertaining experience. I had not yet seen a bar that was both about the show and the mixology. Some of the recipes could use a little improvement, but I'd still recommend this bar for both Canadians who have not been, and my fellow Americans visiting Toronto. -
Review from Rob D.
11/17/2010
OK ... to sum it up ... this is my absolute preference for style and neighbourhood of a lounge bar. Funky ass, wear what you wearin', graffiti'd up, cool Queen west --- MEETS --- stylish, clean, designer, boutique, exotic, a cut above the rest ambiance.
Now apart from the decor ... this place is all about the actual drink menu. I can't do it justice, or quite frankly remember at this point ... but there were certainly 2 different kinds of absynthe. A special one for my friend who needed to eventually go home to his wife, and educated Aussie staff provided the green coloured less pungent-stink-o-licorice-what-the-hell-were-u-drin king variety, vs my cloudy stiff as nails smelly ass version. Both equally as impressive with ice cold water in a large lemonade stand like bong contraption slowly pouring cold water over a melting cube of sugar on a holey spoon atop this mix.
I can only describe this so well because I can accurately recall the ingredients, whereas the more intricate cocktails ("signature" whatever it was called crown royal based one was $45 ... even being my birthday not feeling down with the crown). Ah haaah, I do recall one of them having pomegranite seeds, like 2" thick at bottom of the glass. I did a lil swirl like action in the oddly chosen champagne glass to serve that one in. It's all coming back to me now.
There was a raspberry vodka with all kinds of mint and lime ... yummy. In the $11 or $13 range.
Concoctions of all sorts. Pick your poison is the name of this game.
Now - on Thursday-Saturday nights, beyond 10, it does get busy ... but I would typically enjoy this place on an off night, grab a big cooshy loungey couch and table to yourselves, and sip away.
Nibbled on some apps and food. The menu was sparce, but better than decent. Pizza was great. Thin crust and cut for ya. Calamari was flavourful and not stringy or cheap-ass.
I like it. -
Review from Soukia S.
Toronto, ON
1/25/2010
Oh, you want to order a traditional gin martini with extra olives? Well too bad! If you go here, you have to order drinks with a minimum of five ingredients and sit there in an overly dark room with clothing clearly not suited for the likes of this place because you didn't know this was going to be the after-work drink spot.
That said, hey, do you like to try different types of cocktails that are not your traditional gin martini? Well, you've come to the right place. With an extensive cocktail menu filled with lots of adjectives: these fancy-little drinks will definitely have your palette wondering what the heck you've just put in your mouth. The flavours are playful and though some of the drinks are a miss and not a hit, you can at least say you tried it.
The price range is about $10-$12 but they do have the $20 section towards the back of the menu if you're feeling even more fancy than the usual $10-$12 fancy. I tried the Louvre, some cucumber-infused thing, and the seven-forty or some such number. I must say though that after this place, I was craving my usual drink(s). -
Review from jay t.
Toronto, ON
4/8/2010
A co-worker and I hit this place right after work. It's wasn't busy.
I'm not sure if pretentious is the right word. Maybe Trendy/Refined. I liked it, but it is pretty dark. More of a night spot than a mid week after work spot, although in the summer, it would be a nice respite from the heat I'm sure.
We were greeted immediately, and the server and the bartender were friendly. Which was a good thing, as I typically drink Mill Street Tankhouse in the winter, and Organic in the summer. Mixed drinks and I rarely cross paths.
I found the drink list pretty overwhelming. I first ordered a rum based drink...and it was fantastic! The next Tequila based one was better! and the bourbon drink at the end....well maybe someone else would like it?
In the future, I would stick to things on their menu I know I would like....when I tried the ones that I was not sure of, well, I should have trusted my instinct...
Expensive if you search out $3 beer specials, Not expensive when you consider that their edgy and well thought out drinks drinks are the same price as a vodka and soda in any other place with curtains for 5 miles.
You must appreciate a place that does things different, and raises the bar (unintended pun) in a category...and Barchef does that. If you head over and are prepared to explore a little...you will not be disappointed. Definitely put this on your to - do list! -
Review from Peter M.
Toronto, ON
1/27/2010
One of my complaints about Toronto when I first moved here was that I could not get a decent drink. Everyplace I went to either watered down their drinks or put too much of the liquors in to save money on bases. So when I heard about Bar Chef, I was cautiously interested. Would they screw it up or come through?
While I can't lie and say that they measure up to truly great places (Alembic in SF or Violet Hour in Chicago), they are doing pretty decent (said with understatement). LCBO has dealt them a crap hand by not importing a lot of the more interesting liquors being used in other cities (Maraschino LIquor, Creme d'Violette, Applejack don't even get me started about the lack of a good gin selection) but they are making due with what they have. I think that comprises about 1/2 a star above/ A trip to the bar will show that they are making bitters and syrups themselves and making the effort to make infused brandies, gins, and vodkas.
Looking at some of the other reviews, it seems like there has been some negative attitudes or service encountered. I've never had a problem with any of the people I have encountered there but I also make an effort to go on weeknights when it is a little slower. If you go while it is slower on weeknights you can avoid amateur hour and get a little bit more time to ask about more obscure things not on the menu, what might be in a drink or suggestions for things to make at home.
I'll close out on a suggestion: more bourbon and whiskey drinks. All the gin and vodka drinks are great in the summer but not as much in the cold winter.
Keep up the good work. -
Review from Betsey B.
Toronto, ON
5/18/2009
Barchef (Frankie) creates edible liquid art. This gem is unassuming from the street but once you step inside the incredibly chic lounge you are in for the culinary beverage experience of your life.
On a Friday or Saturday get there early to snag a seat at the bar where you can watch Frankie work his magic; your senses will be dazzled with fireworks, aromas, and taste sensations. Hazel's Lemons is the perfect balance of sweet & tart, not too much of either, just lovely and refreshing. I put myself in Frankie's hands for a Freestyle and wasn't disappointed with my trio of savory concoctions....can't remember what was in them but it was a surprising and delectable journey, including the edible flowers. The Caramelised Banana is like banana's foster in a glass, so good I had two. Everything is made from scratch from the best & freshest ingredients and although these are some of the highest prices for drinks in the city it is worth every penny!
The decor is warm modern glamour; perfect whether you're out for a romantic evening or a night on the town with friends. If you're out to impress this is the place to go. Also a great spot for a ladies night because Frankie's drinks aren't the only things that will make you swoon; this stylish man with his killer smile and luscious drinks is trouble!!
Barchef would rival any NYC establishment. -
Review from Dishan W.
3/16/2010 1 photo
I went with a group of around 7, we did make a reservation and had a high table to the left of the bar (right in front of the DJ) ready for us. The server was friendly and when it came to choosing the drinks she was very helpful in making me decide once I told her what kind of thing I was looking for.
The big advantage here was that since I was in a group of around 7 and each of us got 2 - 3 rounds of different drinks, I got to sample a lot of the drinks on the menu. And they were very hit or miss. Some of the drink were just not great tasting, and I don't mean in a way that gin and tonic is not super tasty(I do enjoy gin and tonic fyi), they just didn't seem to sit well with some of us.
Some of them were indeed excellent, I would like to say all 3 of my drinks were amongst our favourites, but then again I did have the servers backing when ordering them.
I wish I could remember exactly what I ordered, I know one was a certain award winner and the other was one off the $25 menu.(Mojito as pictured above). My first pick was a peach bellini of sorts, now I may not have the greatest knowledge on drinks, but in my head a bellini means an ice drink (thank you Milestones) but over here, it was just a normal drink that had some champagne in it. Slightly disappointed by that but it was OK.
I don't think some of the drinks are worth the amount they go for, the environment here is not the greatest for socializing as they just play the music too loud to hear anything(maybe being right next to the DJ did not help?). This place gets 3 stars because most of us left disappointed in the outcome of some of the drinks, but at the same time, the ones that hit it off with our drinks did leave very satisfied! I was expecting more though, while our server was friendly, I still didn't get a "friendly" vibe out of the whole place.
Definitely worth a visit if you want to try something like this out. I would suggest talking things over with your server if you need help with anything. -
Review from Melanie K.
Toronto, ON
11/24/2010
My friend and I were out one night having a couple drinks, and he suggested that we check out barchef...he had been a couple times, but it was a first for me...and definitely not the last. The drink menu is one to experience, with everything from sage to elderberry, to cucumber infused gin. The molecular cocktails are fun, a little pricey, but the presentation makes it totally worth it, not to mention they taste incredible. I have gone back almost every week since my first time there, to eat, to drink, to hang out...great vibe.
Decor could use a facelift...I'm no decorater but from a design perspective I think the place should reflect the same level of innovation as the drinks. It's an intimate space, but I feel that the "modern lounge" look is very millenium.. time for something new. Keep the couches though, those will never go out of style.
For people who appreciate the finer craft of things. Like gourmet cooking, everything is carefully thought out and put together with finesse. Very friendly staff and you can usually catch the owner behind the bar, speaking about his concept, and making customized drinks. Over all I'd recommend this place to anyone and everyone. -
Review from helen y.
Toronto, ON
10/31/2010
amazing drinks here... i love everything i have tried here..
real artists doing their thang... i would love to see this business grow nationally!! -
Review from Richie S.
1/2/2010
Found this place online...and more importantly the MENU...and knew that I had to visit.
Went here with a party of 5 during the Holidays and the place was pretty "bumpin'". Kids, did I use the term correctly?
Immediately fell on to a couch and started the orders rolling. Took a minute to get a menu...and personally, I would print a few more off to leave them with guests for the next round...just sayin - after the first round was complete, we had to wait for more menus, re-read and re-order. Just trying to save everybody some time, here.
Each and every cocktail was delicious, from Van Gogh's Downfall (the better of the two absinthe-based drinks) to the red licorice-infused vodka thingy - quite girlie, but tasty.
Things got a little hazy after the third round and forth rounds, but I still had my wits about me and it was quite easy to see that some of the clientelle was quite Douchie and obnoxious. Alas, I believe every young man goes through this stage in life. Sunrise, sunset.
...so we made fun and staggered home. Will return one day. -
Review from Rachael T.
Toronto, ON
7/12/2010 5 photos
Here it is.. my long awaited Birthday Review @ Barchef!... being someone who's up for new experiences, I wanted to find a place that would be a good atmosphere, and most importantly good drinks for me and my friends as I had not celebrated my birthday with them in Toronto for THREE YEARS!
I had read somewhere that Barchef was one of the top 100 experiences in the ENTIRE WORLD! That's pretty epic and it made me even more excited!
Getting all dressed up and wanting to make sure that I was going to secure enough seats for our crowd, I arrived in an empty bar at 8pm (they opened at 7 on Saturday). The room was dark, but classy and the waitress lit the tealights so we could see in the back. The bar was lined up with house made bitters and a large assortment of alcohol in the back.
My first drink was the strawberry lavender - strawberry infused lavender and elderberry bitter, lavender infused grand marnier, lime, and lavender sugared rim.... the drink was sweet, but not too sweet with lovely hints of lavender. The sugared rim definitely added to the overall flavours and for $12, I was happy. Throughout the night, I had the opportunity to sip some of my friend's inventive concoctions:
- Coconut mojito - made with coconut milk, it was very creamy, and minty at the same time... perfect for a dessert.
- Barchef Rocket - definitely tasted like a blue raspberry popsicle. Too sweet for me, but lived up to what it was meant to be.
- Sake Sour - by far the best drink I had that night out of the standard cocktail list - made with sake, cardemom cumin syrup, lime, egg white, apricot bitters, coconut rum and thai basil sugar rim. The egg white froth was fluffy with a hint of burntness that reminded me of creme brulee. I never wanted the drink to end.
Although I was very interested in the $45 vanilla smoke hickory manhattan which is smoked in hickory chips, it really was not my kind of drink........ instead, I was drawn to the Sailor's mojito @ $20. I was told that it would make me feel like I was at the beach! I watched as the bartender took the time to make this piece of art.. and lastly, he took out the liquid nitrogen and poured it into this little dish. It smelled of the beach and suntan lotion.. pretty impressive I must say. It also came with a mojito ravioli on a spoon. Not sure what the wrap was made of but when I put it in my mouth, this lemon juice and flavour bursted in my mouth. It was sweet and powerful, full of flavour and excitement! The mojito was smooth and very consistent in taste, not what I usually find in other mojitos where I have to crush the mint to enhance its flavours time and time again. It was definitely a must -try experience.
By the end of the night, the place was packed, the music was pumping and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.. I'd definitely want to come back to try all their other inventions.. I mean, how could I not? -
Review from Hratch P.
Toronto, ON
1/8/2009 ROTD 11/4/2009
Get ready for an experience unlike anything else in Toronto, or anywhere for that matter. barchef is the new creation of co-owners Frankie and Brent (both ex-Kultura) and a standout in the boring old bar genre.
Frankie is no bartender, he's a true mixologist, award winning, and with a passion for creating cocktails unlike any you could ever dream up yourself. Brent is a sommalier, an exceptional food and wine guy. The two of them bring their skill sets together at barchef in a cozy bar/lounge setting.
barchef offers seating at tables where you can enjoy great appetizers and small plates from an interesting menu along with your cocktails, but what barchef is really about is the barchef himself - Frankie. Try to come at a time when it's not so busy, sit at the bar in front of the elaborate ingredient set up, chat with Frankie, and see what goes into each drink he makes - you'll be amazed, and that's even before you taste them. I mean where else can your drink ingredients blowtorched, muddled, caramelized, mashed or smoked (yes - entire drink smoked in a glass chamber with smouldering hickory wood chips) right in front of your eyes behind the bar.
There is nothing ordinary at barchef; no boxed/canned juices, salt rims, or ice cubes, but rather fresh fruit to juice/muddle, fresh herbs/spices, homemade custom rims to match the drink, a giant block of ice to chip from, foams, airs, raviolis, and the list goes on...
Now, one warning - barchef is not your corner bar. Given the amount of care and time that goes into each drink expect to wait a few minutes to get it, and expect to pay for the experience. That said, at around $10-$15 for most cocktails the prices are reasonable for what you get.
My favourite - the Lemon Ginger mash, a drink that won Frankie a competition a few years back.
