Bring Your Wine and Drink it, Too

Toronto instituted a long-awaited bring-your-own-wine policy way back in January, but how many diners have actually taken advantage it? I know I haven't, and the reason is wrapped up in those three deadly little words: the corkage fee.

Since the point of bringing your own wine to a restaurant is clearly to avoid astronomical mark-ups, it just doesn't make sense to fork over upwards of $30 to have the bottle opened by a scowling server. The deal gets even worse when you're forbidden to take home any leftovers!

Fortunately, while most establishments are busy punishing their clientele for this privilege, Dr. Generosity welcomes wine-bearers with open arms (on Mondays and Tuesdays, at least).

The Doc - a casual eatery in the Bloor West Village neighbourhood - offers $1 corkage fees on Mondays and $2 corkage on Tuesdays.

The Doc is an ideal place for 'bring your own wine' - it's a comfortable, unpretentious atmosphere (both inside and on the patio) that invites you to munch on some decent grub as you slowly sip away and chat with friends. And while the deal only extends to early in the week, Dr. Generosity is itself a weeknight sorta place.

Meanwhile, feel free to check out the fees your favourite restaurants have been offering ($60 at Susur, for example). Chances are, though, you've probably already decided to do things the old fashioned way and let sommoliers do their job. That, or you've stuck with beer.

Dr. Generosity
2197 Bloor St West
416 604 0704