Saying Goodbye to Staropolska (and the end of a Roncesvalles perogie debate)
About a month ago I noticed the windows of the Polish eatery Staropolska covered in newspaper and I thought to myself "what a shame, another old Polish spot bites the dust on the ever-changing Roncesvalles Ave." But then I felt reassured by the hand-written sign in the window indicating they were closed for a "reno." A week or two ago I noticed a new sign saying they'd be open soon, and figuring they had made like Cafe Polonez and spruced the place up, I kept going by so I could see the new look.
Turns out the new look means a whole new restaurant. A decidedly un-Polish restaurant at that (menu below). Thus, the birth of Bistro 299.
On one hand I'm not entirely surprised. Although my cousins consider Staropolska's perogies the best in town, my wife and I are partial to Cafe Polonez and particularly Roncesvalles Bakery (although those we get to make at home). We're not the only ones divided on the Staropolska vs. Cafe Polonez debate, but it's been obvious that while Cafe Polonez packs 'em in each night you never had trouble getting a table at Staropolska.
I'm also not entirely disappointed. I know that neighbourhoods naturally change over time, especially neighbourhoods with an immigrant base. Yes, there are still more Polish residents than any other ethnicity in Roncesvalles, but those demographics are changing and the main business drag only naturally changes too. Some of the Polish shops aren't much to get excited about anyway, so I'm happy to have the selection of wine bars, bookstores, cafes and so on that Roncesvalles offers. I don't even mind the idea of a bistro; my favourite restaurant in town is Silver Spoon, and they are definitely not Polish either.
But at the same time I'm disappointed that there is one fewer spot to get some darn good perogies on the block and I don't want to see the Polish businesses close because they aren't getting enough sales. After all, I don't want to have to go out to Mississauga every time I want a fix of homemade Polish food.
Hopefully a new look, new name and new menu work out at the prime corner location that I'll still think of as Staropolska for quite some time.
Photos by Joshua.
Comments (17)
Yep, it's better to see a neighbourhood go upscale than decline, but it's kinda sad to see the Roncesvalles retail strip get so Mount-Pleasanty. It's even sadder to see another corner get snapped up by someone other than the LCBO!
When the Tru-Valu hardware store closes down and becomes a resto-bar, I'll have to move on.
Having said all that, I'll give this neighbourhood bistro a try.
This is the curse of Blogto. Anything reviewed ends up being closed, "renovated", or 'change in management'.
Why aren't the Timmies that move into these neighborhoods reviewed? I would read that review. Or are we being prejudiced because we review the little polish restaurant that couldn't and not the corporate giant that could?
So sad. Absolutely love the pierogies from here. Often wondered what would happen to the restaurant when the little (very) old lady who made them couldn't do it anymore.
To my knowledge, blogTO didn't even have a listing for Staropolska, much less a review.
Would you really read a review of a Timmies? The Second Cup and Timothy's seem to do fine on their own, and I don't think the Roncesvalles locations are doing anything all that different than every other location.
What a well priced tasting menu... but really, people should be going to the Ukranian Halls to buy FRESH Pedaheh (the real word for these delicious boiled/fried pyrohy dough pockets - thanks Baba :)
We love all the restos on Roncesvalles, and have made an effort to give them all a try, especially the new ones. We too were hoping Starpolska was just doing a Polonez reno and were saddened when that turned out not to be the case. But we gave it a try 'cause you can't knock it 'till you try - it is fantastic! We did inquire about the lack of Polish food on the menu and were told that the menu will change here and there and will include Polish food down the road.
If, however, you miss the good old days of Starpolska, I suggest giving Lala Bar Café a try (145 Roncesvalles Ave). AMAZING food including all the Polish favourites and the staff are awesome. It took us awhile to try this one because of the beer-drinkers outside (thought it was just a drinking hole) but don't let them keep you from going in for the food. It is now one of our favourties!
Actually it is more or less the same owners. The grandson of the kindly old Polish lady has taken over the place. Being a regular I could not wait for them to re-open so I can have my regular fill of Polish food. The owner Chris assures me that he will once again make Polish food, but it will be some point in the future. I must say I am disappointed by Staropolka’s change over, but not entirely surprised. But I find that there are tons of sub par bistro’s on Roncesvalles anyways and you can’t convince me this will be any better (although I do like Silver Spoon). Having a Eastern European background I will say that the perogies here where pretty close to my grandmothers (which where still the best). The borchet at Staropolska even better than my grandmothers! If Toronto always wants to be like New York – one lesson we can take from there is you don’t mess around with authentic things. there are some wonderful multi-generational and successful eatery’s in New York that have remained true to their roots. I can barely name 5 in Toronto.
That’s not a tasting menu; that’s a prix fixe menu—unless I’m interpreting it incorrectly and you do get a small portion of every dish on that menu.
The food sounds unremarkable, but who knows? It might be good. I went past Bistro 299 today on the streetcar and it looks very cute and cozy—a definite improvement in that sense.
In other Roncesvalles news, Bravo Gelato up the street has closed down.
And I’m going off on a bit of a different subject here, but someone has already mentioned the LCBO in a previous comment: Wouldn’t the old Rogers video building at the north end of the street be perfect for an LCBO?
There was a real authentic communist milk bar feeling to Staropolska that will be missed, but that is mostly done for even in Poland. However the food at Bistro 299 is great, a step up. I spoke to the owner and it's still the same ownership as the old Old Poland (Staropolska) restaurant and they will have Polish food on the menu. Meanwhile Roncesvalles has Lala Bistro, Chopin, Polonez, Krak, Zagloba, and Intersteer which are all run by Polish owners and have Polish food on the menu. The best pierogies are at Intersteer. The best old school Roncesvalles feel is at Krak, best Polish food menus go to Lala Bistro, Chopin and Polonez. BTW The crepe at Lala are awesome!
the word in polish is pierogi (no need for the 's' at the end, it's plural already). not sure for the need to claim ownership to a dish variations of which are made all over eastern europe.
I went in last week to check out the newly reno'd Staropolska and I have to say I'm thrilled by this new incarnation! There is now a section of the menu entitled "Tribute to Staropolska" and all the best menu items from it's former days are there. Having tried these old faves (including the pierogi & borcht which are now on the menu!!) many a time, I took a chance on the Buffalo steak. What a payoff, cooked to perfection, beautiful reduction, lovely baby potaotes with chunky sea salt, and green beans that were steamed not a moment too many. Washed it down with a glass of shiraz, yum. The cappucinno was pretty darn good too. Now we have the best of both worlds: Staropolska faves, excellent bistro fare, lovely decor, and to be brutally honest...a clientele that doesn't make you cross to the other side of the street in anticipation of catcalls at you while you wheel your 2 year old daughter past. A very welcome change to our neighbourhood - thanks Chris!!! Looking forward to patio days lolling in the sun with a glass of refreshment.
We too loved the perogies of the old Starpolska, and were sad to see this place go.
But...like others here, we elected to try the new Bistro 299, and
we simply LOVE IT! Great ambiance, pretty darn good food (with a more extensive menu to come, according to the owner); the place has a very nice feel to it. We're definitely going back there again, and again.
We went a few weeks ago after rave reviews from friends but were not wowed. I posted a review on my blog: http://tiny.cc/FfWoW
View More Events
Suggest an Event
Join the blogTO Flickr group
Join the blogTO YouTube Group
RSS