Tacky Toronto neighbourhood soon getting a sophisticated new Japanese whiskey bar
Toronto's equivalent of Tinseltown is getting a welcome dose of refined sophistication with the help of an elegant new whiskey bar.
Have you ever asked your mom which of your siblings is her favourite, and watched as her smile quivers, falls and recovers before she, mostly convincingly, replies, "I don't have a favourite"? Of course, she loves all of you, but surely there has to be one she loves a little bit more. At the very least, there must be one she loves a little less.
That's kind of how I feel about neighbourhoods in Toronto. I love this city as the complete, traffic-riddled, occasionally garbage-scented agent of chaos it is, and each neighbourhood has plenty of outstanding good qualities...
... but if I had to rank them, the Entertainment District would fall somewhere near the middle-to-bottom of the list.
There's plenty to like about the area; the infinite choice, the hustle and bustle, the tangible buzz around it all during TIFF, but perhaps due to its touristy appeal, the whole area just feels a little, well, tacky. Maybe I'm just holding a grudge ever since we lost Gracie's.
The advent of a new Japanese whiskey bar in the heart of the neighbourhood indicates that the area might just be turning a corner to something a little less razzle-dazzle and a little more sleek and sexy, though.
Opening this summer, though the exact opening date has yet to be announced, Mizunara describes itself as a "contemporary cocktail restaurant," centred around showcasing the artistry of Japanese whiskey.
Born as a pop-up that hosted whiskey tastings and cocktail pop-ups at venues like Affinity Fish and Uncle Tetsu, the arrival of a permanent location means the team will be able to push the bounds of what Japanese whiskey can do even further, weaving their drinks with an equally impressive — though currently closely guarded — food program.
Mizunara will be located at 235 Adelaide St. W.
