A few delicately prepared oysters alongside a haddock tempura fish wrap or garlic and scallion fancy wings? Parkdale’s oh-so-romantic Chantecler can hook you up with everything from a lavish cocktails-and-tapas date to a quick happy hour with pals. If we’re talking vibe, the place is bustling seven days a week, lending a sense of anonymity and adventure to the exposed brick walls, modern tiling, and vaguely industrial pendant lighting. Invented-in-house cocktails range from the seductive Lost Boy featuring Havana Club, Aperol and burnt orange to the sherry-, Wiser’s- and grenadine-based Artist’s Special.
Like the sound of spicing up your oysters with kimchi? Jonathan Poon puts an Asian slant on his Canadian cuisine at this hip Parkdale eatery. Kale salad is reinvented with seaweed and sesame, while the beef tartare gets an added spice thanks to the addition of wasabi. The trendy crowd loves the build-your-own lettuce wraps served with braised beef, smoked pork-shoulder, steamed rice, and house pickles and sauces.
A Parkdale resto-bar beloved by the locals, Chantecler is your good vibes spot for a few glasses of wine with a friend or a gourmet tasting menu on a special occasion. They host a selection of red, white, sparkling and rosé by the glass, and an even more diverse collection by the bottle. In the way of date-night spots, this one is a must-visit – it’s easy to be romanced by the compact interior, with intimate group tables, a wraparound bar, and plenty of exposed brick.