Vino loving YPs can exalt in the fact that TO has some amazing sommeliers around town who’ve set the bar for excellent wine lists at fave restos. We’re also just a short drive away from Niagara wine country, so our selections are both worldly and local. Check out five of our favourite spots to grab a glass and sip back and relax…
REDS Bistro and Wine Bar
REDS has been around for years, and is a tried and true staple for Bay Streeters and just good food loving citizens alike. The wine list extensive, and features over 60 different wines available by the glass. Yes…60. Prices range from affordable to ludicrous, just as they should.
CRUSH Wine Bar
Head over for the ambiance, stay for the 20+ wines by the glass and over 150 bottles to choose from. Not for the newbie, perhaps, but the staff at CRUSH is always ready with a suggestion…or eight. Bonus, the food is delightful, and their chef will be seen nationwide on this season of Top Chef Canada.
SWIRL Wine Bar
It has an intimate and homey atmosphere – the Star‘s Corey Mintz mused it looked like someone’s apartment – and a smaller but still stellar wine list to boot. Trisha Molokach, SWIRL’s sommelier, has pieced together a successful selection of reds and whites that’ll appease anyone. PS Try one of SWIRL’S Jars from the menu…duck rillettes, perhaps…
MAVRIK Wine Bar
MAVRIK opened last summer to some great acclaim. This trendy little Queen West spot has a great sharing menu and perfect wines to pair. Order a bottle of Organized Crime Vineyards viognier and lobster croquettes and just bask in wine heaven.
416 Snack Bar
So, 416 doesn’t have the most extensive wine list by any means. It’s actually quite small. Tiny even. But it’s perfectly cultivated and each is worth more than a penny on the dollar. The Norman Hardie Riesling is fantastic, as is Grillesino Morellino’s riserva, and the smorgasbord is the best accompaniment, especially with the foie gras torchon.