A new grill and lounge has just opened up on Roncesvalles, bringing something to the neighbourhood that seemed to be missing before. Sure, there are diners, high-end restaurants, and pubs, but Roncy has been missing an upscale watering hole for far too long. Thanks to The Roncy Public (390 Roncevalles), that’s no longer the case.
Floor-to-ceiling windows line the front of the building, allowing us to keep an eye on the bustling street outside. The atmosphere is intimate, but decidedly laid back. Booths hug both sides of the space, providing the perfect middle ground for either a private date or a talkative group of friends to gather. A few TVs rest high up on the walls, but the sound’s off and no one seems to mind. This isn’t a sports bar, after all, but that doesn’t mean they’re afraid of a little entertainment. The best of which, by far, is delivered on a nightly basis from behind the bar.
Owner James Cosgriffe is an award-winning flair bartender. Not sure what that is? Go watch Cocktail and come back when you’ve been Cruised. We’d order drinks we don’t need (if that’s possible) just to watch him make them. For us, he puts together a Kentucky Lemonade (bourbon, Triple Sec, Lemon Juice, and simple syrup) by flinging ice, glass, and alcohol into the air in some wild display of trickery we can’t really figure out except to understand that it’s very exciting. The only thing better than the act of making is the act of drinking – this cocktail goes down with dangerous ease.
A plate of Portabello Fries is placed in front of us. Yes, you read that right. They look somewhat like a cross between regular French fries and calamari, but are in fact chickpea-breaded portabello mushrooms served with a house-made lemon thyme aioli. They’re delicious, addictive, and quickly consumed. If you’re looking for a new way to start off a meal, this is one of our favourites. Next up, chef Christian Crepeau steers us down a healthier path with a Beet Salad that includes orange segments, chevre mariposa, crushed walnuts, and is drizzled with a sea-churned honey vinaigrette. It’s fresh, crisp, and a reminder that a good salad can give any appetizer a run for its money. Lastly, we settle in for one of The Roncy Public’s signature dishes, Fried Chicken and Waffles. This buttermilk-fried treat is paired with red velvet waffles, chutney, and spicy maple syrup. This is a level of savoury and sweet that’ll play tricks on your tongue for weeks.
So the next time you’re strutting down Roncesvalles and you’re looking for a great place to wet your beak and get your fill, step into The Roncy Public, a new local that’ll satisfy all your old needs.
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