Officially opening its doors today, Tuesday, Sept. 2, just in time for the Toronto International Film Festival, Thoroughbred Food & Drink (TBTO) is the city's newest bar and restaurant providing a dynamic, nostalgic dining experience.
Located at 304 Richmond St. W. across the street from the Scotiabank Theatre, TBTO boasts a modern yet cozy design, offering lunch, dinner and cocktail menus seven days a week. The first floor hosts the bar area, focusing on cocktails, wine and craft beer with seating for 55 guests. The second floor is more intimate for a refined dining experience, with seating for 35 guests. A second private room on this level features a Chef's Table overlooking the open concept kitchen that can seat up to 10 guests.
With over 20 years combined of working in the hospitality industry, and a shared passion for reviving the city's garment district, co-owners Ariel Coplan (chef), Jacob Fox (maître d') and Robin Kemp (general manager) have teamed up to develop a fun yet sophisticated menu and environment that will provide a sense of nostalgia for guests. Not only curators of food and drink, the owners have also planned collaborations with a variety of local artists for in-house exhibits, and the space will feature music from an in-house DJ creating a distinct, old school vibe.
"When people come to Thoroughbred Food & Drink they will be immersed in an environment of art, music and creative cuisine and beverages. We want to ignite nostalgia, featuring menu options resembling the youthful flavours of our past," said Ariel Coplan. "We also pride ourselves on a service model that breaks the barrier between the patron and the chefs and bartenders. So it's the chefs and bartenders who deliver their creations to guests, eliminating traditional servers. Unobtrusive hospitality is our goal."
With help from friend and Master Sommelier
Bruce Wallner, TBTO features an extensive list of premium natural, organic and sustainable wines, unlike anywhere else in the city, including 2010 Nerello Mascallese 'Fatagione' Cottanera (Etna, Sicily), MV Blanc des Blancs 'St Denis' Varnier Fanniere (Avize, Champagne), 2009 Pinot Noir 'Clos Pepe' Loring (Santa Rita Hills, California), 2009 Cabernet Blend 'Maximus' Cassini (Okanagan, British Colombia), 2012 Gewurtztraminer 'Frost' Tawse (Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario) and 2007 Riesling 'Hohenmorgen GC' Dr Burklin Wolf (Pfalz, Germany). There will also always be a wine on tap, beginning with Vineland Estates Riesling.
Craft beers available include Kensington Augusta Ale, Black Oak Bitter Years as well as extremely unique highly limited offerings such as Cheshire Valley Ginger Cream Ale. Others are available on tap; La Fin du Monde Unibroue (Quebec), Brooklyn Lager, Tom Green Milk Stout, Batch 1904 Brickworks Ciderhouse (Toronto) and more are available in cans or bottles.
Guests can choose from a range of cocktails including The Art Vandelay (made with London Dry Gin, Dr. Van Nostrand's tonic, sage, hopped grapefruit bitters, lime and egg white, $13), Catalina Wine Mixer (made with Tío Pepe, Strawberry Cordial, Dry Gin, Aperol, black pepper tincture and lemon oil, $13) and Cadillac Chrome (made with Tequila Tromba Blanco, fresh pineapple, lime, passionfruits syrup, salted campari and hellfire shrub, $13).
TBTO offers four food menus: the regular Lunch Menu will be served on the first and second floors from 11.30 a.m. until 2.30 p.m. and afterwards available only on the second floor from 5 p.m. until late. Menu highlights include the Chicken Liver Mousse (pickled cherries, granola and lambs ear lettuce, $12), Bagel and Lox (Giggie's trout, compressed cucumber, whipped crème fraiche, $12) and Chocolate Bar Truffles (flavours include Crunch Bar, Twix and peanut butter cup, $3).
The Bar Menu will be introduced on the first floor after 5 p.m. for those looking to nosh with sharable dishes while enjoying drinks. Dishes include Kung Pao Cauliflower (cashews, tofu, pea tendril and charred scallion, $12) and Butter Milk Fried Sweet Breads (biscuits, green apple and kohlrabi slaw, $12).
The Large Format Menu features platters for functions of four to six people, and must be ordered in advance. Highlights include Ain't No Party Like an East Coast Party (fresh lobster, little neck clams, mussels, chorizo, potatoes, charred corn and biscuits, $250) and Whole Porchetta (milk buns, grainy mustard, fried sprouts and rapini, $150)
TBTO also has a Function Menu, specifically designed for private events (available upon request).
"We're hoping to transform the garment district back to the popular neighbourhood it once was," added Robin Kemp. "There is so much residential development in this area; and we feel lucky to have an opportunity to rekindle a sense of community here - we want Thoroughbred Food & Drink to be a place where everyone knows your name."
