Restaurants
The Rebel House
The Rebel House has been doing its thing for over 17 years now. Co-owner, Bruce Roberts, has seen locals come and go, shops open and close, and the neighbourhood grow since he opened up shop with partner David Logan in 1993, but still the Rebel remains strong.
Back then, the Rebel House was one of the only joints of its kind in the area, and Roberts fondly recalls the two hour-long lineups that went out the door onto Yonge Street. Today there is more competition, but this also translates into more diners checking out the area as a whole.
On my first visit for lunch, the restaurant is busy and the extensive menu offers up bistro-fare as well as an array of classic pub standbys, like meatloaf and mac and cheese. There's also a modest vegetarian selection. Daily specials -- featuring a soup, salad, mussel plate, daily bread (an appetizer with toppings baked upon toasted sesame flat bread), main entrée, pasta and dessert -- appear on a separate menu.
I order the daily soup: potato, bacon chowder ($5.75), and the spinach salad with julienned green apple, slivered almonds, and cheddar cheese dressed in a creamy maple dressing ($5.20). The side portion I opt for is plenty, and spills off the plate with the addition of flavourful and smoky blackened chicken ($4.50).
My date goes for the risotto appetizer ($7.25), which is equally generous. The barley is simmered in tomato and white wine with mushrooms and grilled vegetables and is marvellous. The earthy flavour of the mushrooms compliments the creamy grain and the sharpness of the Parmesan that is sprinkled on top, while the subtle tomato compliments the red peppers.
On another visit to the Rebel for weekend brunch, I chat with Bruce and ask him what advice he can offer to up-and-coming restaurateurs. It's pretty frank: "Get ready to work a lot. The more time you can put in at your establishment, the more it will stick to your idea of the type of place you want it to be. There were days in the early years here when we thought we might throw in the towel, but if you can ride out the tough times and continue to put out a quality product, customers will appreciate it." He also mentions how important it is that customers see their owners actively engaged in the business, and says on any given night, he can recognize a lot of the faces in the dining room.
Over the Comics section of the Saturday Star and a cup of tea, I enjoy a side of bacon and the "Franglaise Toast," made from thick slices of French loaf, dipped in a thick egg batter and served with a fruit compote and crème anglaise ($8.75). The portion is again generous, and the batter is delicious and sweet.
When I ask Bruce about longevity and the dominating food trend focused on sourcing local, he notes that the success of the Rebel isn't about trying to follow trends. He has always been committed to serving a quality product, and good food is made from fresh ingredients that feature the best of what the surrounding area (Ontario) has to offer.
Their extensive beer menu includes draught and bottled beer mostly from local micro-breweries and they only serve VQA Ontario wines. Bruce says there is nothing trendy about that, it just what makes sense, and it's what they've always done.
As I linger over the end of my tea and chuckle at Dilbert and the gang, I catch a shot of the eggs Benedict, served with peameal bacon and a salad, and make a mental note to order that next time. I leave with the prospect of more great meals to come, and with a pining for warmer days when I can enjoy a pint on the Rebel's excellent backyard patio.
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always consistant great beer list and food is always good ( great Brunch)...
Maybe that waiter had a fight with her boyfriend or the last table treated her poorly or the kitchen screwed up an order. You never know. Besides, she was at least partially right, who ever heard of ordering a latte in a pub? In fact, I dare you to find a pub in Rosedale that does serve lattes.
Give people the benefit of the doubt and it will be infectious. I've been to Rebel House many times and have never had a bad waiter or poseur experience. Rebel House was voted one of the best locals in Toronto a couple of years back. It's not a bad place by any means. I would recommend it (and recommend that Steph get an attitude adjustment).
Response to RICO: the Monk's is not snotty by serving imports only, they are actually respecting the Rebel by not serving local beers (which is the Rebel's niche). Make sure you not what you're talking about before making such comments.
Also, learn a little bit about business. Monk's Table doesn't owe The Rebel House anything. Anybody can pour domestic microbrews. You don't "respect" your competition, you compete with them.
I'd sooner be a respectful fool then a then a fellow industry individual who would hide behind the anonymity of the internet.
Many microbrewers are patrons of mine and understand why I choose an all European draft list. I would love to sit over Domestic/Euro pint and have you explain the foolishness of my business policies.
Adam Grant
adam-onthehill@hotmail.com
As far as the neighborhood not being flooded with domestics you should do your homework. Every one of my neighbors has micros on tap. Were just trying to be different, which has succeeded.
But Rico you’re still hiding behind the anonymity of the internet. Which makes me wonder?
The Beer Scene is certainly growing in Toronto but it is still small..... small and harmonious.
I sincerely doubt a microbrewer would launch a personal attack on a publican by calling him a fool. Things always change and you never know when someone’s business policies will change and allow new products in their restaurant.
With that being said I've given my contact info and presented myself with out any anonymity if you are who you say you are then why don't you do the same?
You have no idea. We and all the other regulars that pack the monks table are pleased Adam has a differentiated strategy and that we can go to the rebel house for other beer.
Plus it's he nearest pub after the the q and b to a true Aussie or UK pub
I think the strategy of only serving foreign products highly foolish. You don't like domestic products? You probably think they can't compete. Well, you're wrong. As for diverse products, North America is offering the largest change the brewing industry has ever seen. Ontario's micro scene is quite vibrant.
And with respect to your location, there's nobody relatively near you. But I'll give you some feedback:
- Rebel House is probably the most diverse product outlet near you. Ontario micros. But they are far down the street.
- Quail is cookie cutter, so they're predictably serving English beers not served in England, they are so bad. Essentially a Guinness joint.
- Yammy The Cat was huge interesting, but gone. Only had Creemore on tap anyway.
- Wylie's I don't think qualifies as a pub. It's more of a road house. Dos Equiis is what I had there last.
- Paulie's serves standard products for an Ontario location. Guinness is my choice there.
Up the road:
- Jester on Yonge has too many beers to keep fresh. Lots of selection, but nothing spectacular.
- Scallywags has predictable choices as well.
My point is that you can still be quite unique by using domestic microbrews. I'm not saying completely shift to foreign products, but to also adopt some items from Ontario. If I've missed anybody that has a good range of Ontario microbrews by you, then let me know. The products you get are obviously available through the LCBO's approved menu, so it's not like you are exclusive to these products.
Simon: I know one of the regulars there. Queen & Beaver a true UK pub? Wow. Where in UK? That thing is huge. While you like what the MT has done, I'm sure a rolling domestic micro tap would even spice things up more. If you have any doubt of that, head on down to Volo during a cask event.
I don't understand how you think something is foolish when it helps to fill the Monks almost every night.
Respect is important in everything and I'am sorry you don't want to sit down over a pint.
I have to say that I've made no attacks on your intellect or your personality. While you have mine. You assume I " don't like domestic products? You probably think they can't compete". We all know what they say about assuming.
I've stated why we dont carry them, and as you pointed out we are a bit out of the way so why not do something unique to help make us a destination spot. To the best of my knowledge we are the only Pub in Toronto thats entirly European.
I drink micros all the time and my next venture would probably be mostly micros. Ive donated the food on several occasions to several large beer awards that celebrated primarily micro. I donated the products/Dinner for the prepress launch for the 1st Toronto Beer week.
I respect Micro brewers since the do all their own marketing, packaging, sales, and delivery etc. All while they have to compete with a goverment mandated monopoly called the beer store.
I hope your micro brewery is well and that your unique way of dealing with publicans continues to work for you. I'll probably see you at Volo ( a beer mecca by the way)as I usualy attend their Cask Days. and if you can lower your self to having a Fullers Lancer, Porter, or ESB on Cask they are all here for the superbowl. 1st pints on me. sir.
You're a tool and you most certainly do not work in the brewing industry.
Having said that, I do quite enjoy The Monk's Table when I want something different. Sometimes it's alright to want something different, Rico... like being a steak and potatoes guy at home and enjoying spicy Indian once a month, or being a camper but opting for a cruise every few years. It's a destination because they serve European beers that don't fall into the typical Stella-Heineken-Guinness-Carlsberg group of imports at the VAST majority of bars. They fill a niche in that respect... Rico, did you have any Ola Dubh that came into the LCBO a few months ago? Any Norrebro recently? It's fine if you didn't, but you surely wouldn't decry those of us who have eagerly awaited something normally not widely available in Toronto? The folks at The Monks Table aren't so much shunning local microbrews as they are promoting the rest of the world's wonderful beers. The world of beer extends beyond the Ontario borders, as much as I love whats happening in Ontario.
Your argument is that the world of beer extends past Ontario. You say you want something different. I don't see you mentioning any other establishment, yet you insist on going to this place. I try things from all over, and mix in Ontario as well, without even knowing it. But thanks for the guidance on "trying something different". I guess Ontario micros aren't included in that. And yes, I did have some Ola Dubh that came to Toronto. But I didn't have to run to your little foreign-only location to do that. Maybe you should stretch out and see other parts of Toronto. You might be surprised what's at other locations.
I'll return to what I said, as you seem to be a bit simple on this concept: There's no real strategy in choosing imported beer only.
Did you actually think that post added anything new? Your point was "there is a world outside Ontario"? Well thanks for that. Maybe my "anger" comes from reading posts like this.
I did, actually. You just don't agree with Adam Grant and I do.
"You say you want something different. I don't see you mentioning any other establishment, yet you insist on going to this place."
I've been here a few times. It's not near where I live, so it's not on my regular route but if I want a *collection* of relatively fresh, relatively interesting European beers, I'll go here. It also helps a lot that their menu is great.
"I try things from all over, and mix in Ontario as well, without even knowing it. But thanks for the guidance on "trying something different". I guess Ontario micros aren't included in that."
I don't make it a conscious effort either. Most places I frequent MUCH more often than The Monk's Table -- Rebel House, Magpie, House on Harbord, The Local, Ronnie's, Victory, Volo, C'est What -- all prominently feature local beers. If I had to choose one or the other, I WILL choose local. But I don't have to make that eternal choice, so I fully support The Monk's Table's business model and market niche. They don't seem to be hurting, and I'd venture a guess to say that most patrons there also enjoy quality Ontario micros as well.
"And yes, I did have some Ola Dubh that came to Toronto. But I didn't have to run to your little foreign-only location to do that."
Of course, as a brewer I fully expect you to be worldly in your beer experiences. I didn't have any at The Monk's Table either. But they were available there, and not at most places that also had a good selection of local beer.
"Maybe you should stretch out and see other parts of Toronto. You might be surprised what's at other locations."
Thanks. I was recently at Beer Bistro and Bier Markt and this is a good reminder to be sure to hit up The Rhino and Smokeless Joe soon for my regular visits.
"I'll return to what I said, as you seem to be a bit simple on this concept: There's no real strategy in choosing imported beer only."
It's a conscious effort on their part to choose the imports they have chosen and not the Stellas and Guinnesses that most bars mark as "imported" and charge a buck surcharge on. Where else in the area can you find what they have on tap? Just because they didn't pick your beer, or any Ontario beer, doesn't mean that they're missing something. And before you say anything, I'd also say the same thing about Rebel House - they're not "missing anything" by serving only locals. They've picked a model (like Rebel House down the street has) and have stuck with it. Both are doing fine.
"Did you actually think that post added anything new? Your point was "there is a world outside Ontario"? Well thanks for that. Maybe my "anger" comes from reading posts like this."
What ARE you angry about? That someone has decided to eschew Ontario micros in favour of European stuff not found on 95% of taps in Toronto? That people support that? As I said, I'm about as ardent an Ontario microbrewery supporter as they come, and go out of my way much more than most beer drinkers to find a place that has Beau's, or Muskoka, or Black Oak, or County Durham, or Grand River, yet I'm being lashed out against because I also like other stuff and am not criticizing someone for not stocking it. How many local beers would've made you happy at The Monk's Table? 3? 5? 50%? I don't understand the anger. I'm trying to be conciliatory. I've probably had one of your own beers recently and liked it enough to order it again, but I like that we live somewhere where I can also have a choice of some of the better Belgian, German and the English beers available in Ontario a short subway ride away too.
Hope you have a good week brewing. Look forward to picking up a 6-pack or a pint of your stuff sometime. Just don't be surprised if you see me walk out with some Leffe or Erdinger at the same time.
Is their menu completely made up of food that's not from Canada or Ontario? No. If that was the case, you'd be asking why. Volo does not prominently serve local beers. You should have another look. You, only choose what's on tap. And for that matter, you're only going to get local real ales, because you can't get real ale from very far. But I'll skip that point and move on.
OK, after reading some more, I'll say the same thing. You haven't read what I put before. If you think I'm arguing for Stella and Guinness, then ... you haven't read what I've put. Try to focus on what's been said. Otherwise you think people are angry, when in fact I'm annoyed at how people just can't read. I say try again.
Oh, and why are you so against Ontario microbrewers? Do you avoid Ontario food as well? What restaurants do you go to that don't have Ontario on the menu?
This thread is going nowhere.
You come off as being very angry, first at the patrons of the Rebel House, later at The Monk's Table for not serving local. If you're not angry, I apologize, but implore you to express your views in a less confrontational way.
"Is their menu completely made up of food that's not from Canada or Ontario? No. If that was the case, you'd be asking why."
I see food and beer as slightly different. With a tomato picked in Ontario vs one picked in California, the Ontario one ALWAYS will win. That's not always the case with beer. Perhaps this is where we differ.
"Volo does not prominently serve local beers. You should have another look. You, only choose what's on tap."
I didn't say they PREDOMINANTLY have local beer at Volo, I said they feature them prominently. The last time I was there I had some delicious Great DIvide Titan IPA from Colorado in the bottle, thanks.
"And for that matter, you're only going to get local real ales, because you can't get real ale from very far. But I'll skip that point and move on."
Skip it, because we weren't talking just about real ale. Adam talked about it earlier, and you ignored his request to check out their casked Fullers. I haven't mentioned casked ale once.
"You haven't read what I put before. If you think I'm arguing for Stella and Guinness, then ... you haven't read what I've put. Try to focus on what's been said. Otherwise you think people are angry, when in fact I'm annoyed at how people just can't read. I say try again."
I NEVER ONCE SAID THAT YOU ARGUED FOR STELLA OR GUINNESS.
Your argument in a nutshell: The Monk's Table is limiting itself needlessly by only serving imported beer when a vast selection of Ontario microbreweries exist.
My response: The Monk's Table can't be everything to everyone so they have decided to focus on quality imported beers (i.e. NOT Stella or Guinness) that most bars don't have on tap, especially at the volume The Monk's Table has.
"Oh, and why are you so against Ontario microbrewers? Do you avoid Ontario food as well? What restaurants do you go to that don't have Ontario on the menu?"
Did you not read the parts where I said I frequent bars that serve local beer much more frequently? Or that I actively seek out local beer MOST OF THE TIME? Some quotes from what I've written: "I'm about as ardent an Ontario microbrewery supporter as they come, and go out of my way much more than most beer drinkers to find a place that has Beau's, or Muskoka, or Black Oak, or County Durham, or Grand River"… "Most places I frequent MUCH more often than The Monk's Table -- Rebel House, Magpie, House on Harbord, The Local, Ronnie's, Victory, Volo, C'est What -- all prominently feature local beers". Where do you get that I have something against Ontario microbreweries? Huh?
I actively support Ontario's craft microbreweries. I drink them probably 80% of the time. But sometimes I want a change of drink and a change of scenery and The Monk's Table offers that consistently and reliably.
Perhaps you've got the comprehension problem.
So you truly believe Ontario brewers are less than others. This is where I can truly challenge you as a ... as an anything, really. You consider yourself a beer drinker? Sounds like you're just a normal consumer that's pushed around by "whatever". You probably like tits n' ass. You see beer and food as completely different? That statement alone means you know nothing about beer. Move on.
You DID include Volo as being a predominantly local server. Wrong. This is the second time that I call you to re-read this thread, first time it's about your own comments. And you wonder why I find this to be such a bloody ordeal.
"Just about real ale". Oh sorry, let's ignore all the products that are delivered locally for real ale. We're spending time in a thread about unique products, but real ale is closed off because...the pub we're talking about doesn't serve them. They're not on the radar because...we don't know about them." Really. You've got to be kidding me. It's not real because we haven't seen it. Kind of like China doesn't exist because none of you dolts have ever seen it? Real Ale isn't a factor? Some of the most lively product ever invented in Ontario doesn't exist because you haven't seen it? And you say "skip it"? And you wonder why my general nature of this "pub" you guys go to, I say "skip it instead"? Are you blind?
They do not have cask Fullers. Nobody does. You missed that point. No cask comes from the UK to Ontario. I can tell you I know more about casks than you do. Especially since you drink beer in a place that "ONLY SERVES FOREIGN BEER". You probably have no clue what cask ale is.
Any pub in Southern Ontario can be anything it wants by a timely profile of all providers of any beer made available in Ontario. So you are wrong. There are establishments that do exactly that. You know little about business and little about the brewing industry. There is nothing the Monk's Table has that makes it any different than anybody else, and restricting its booze suppliers doesn't make it any more attractive than anybody else.
If you seek out local beer most of the time, why is it that you place some kind of special placement on a limited product place when other places obviously provide a much greater inventory and diversity of products? Answer me that. I've been asking so long now in this thread, and you still don't seem to get it. What is it that a limited place seems to have some kind of an advantage that other places don't? Cmon, where's the answer to that one? Give me yet another demonstration as to how I can shut this down...again.
You support Ontario microbreweries 80% of the time, yet somehow you have to chase another location in order to find foreign product? Bullshit.
Change of scenery is one thing. That place, restricting their product, is 100% crap. I say the same as I've always said, excluding domestic microbreweries is an attitude, and nothing else.
Some notes:
- Nothing said about what's on the rail for mixed drinks. I bet there's something Canadian there.
- Nothing said about the food (is the Garlic imported from Italy?)
- It seems everything on the menu is fine except for non-domestic microbreweries...but this is fine
You obviously miss my point. Like I said before, I find it ironic that this place has domestic brewers come in to lecture the crows that's there, on beer. I guess since they are local brewers, they have no clue?
Honestly, this thread is truly full of ignorance.
Nick, get a remedial business education. You might start to see something this place is missing.
beer selection great
beer selection great
It IS a pub. Do you ask for hamburgers at a seafood restaurant?
I didn't realize how big the portions were because I thought the "reasonable pricing" in Rosedale meant smaller portions. I was wrong. Great value and great service. It really did feel comfortable being there. Will Definitely go back since my wife works down the street.
What I realized on the comments was that some folks really love their beer...
From my understanding beer isn't some fancy drink. It's to be enjoyed with the company you're with. It's just a beverage...a really tasty one.
Also, every time I go, the service is nothing short of great. I always get the same guy - he's hilarious and makes it to be a quick and enjoyable experience.
Their caesars really pack a punch and the house-made pickled beans that are served with them cannot be overlooked.
Side note: Rico, you are a bitter bitter man. There are bars and restaurants all over Toronto that fill a niche market. That's what business is all about. If everyone served the same Ontario local beers, there would be something missing. Expand your horizons, my dude. This is Toronto - a city full of choice!