Irish Luck & Libations

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Ceili Cottage In Leslieville

June 05, 2011

With Spring's late arrival this year we Torontonians have been thirsty for some outdoor time. So the moment the sun hit and the temperature soared, everyone hit the patios for summer libations. With winter gone for good, the whole city breathed a collective sigh, smiled and rediscovered a happy gait in their steps.

And despite the streets teeming with happy people, I had the luck of the Irish on my side when I scored a just vacant table on Ceili Cottage's 60-person patio located on Queen Street East. 

Situated just east of the downtown core in hip Leslieville, Ceili Cottage is one of many newly-arriving entrepreneurs that have opened funky casual vintage/chic dining destinations over the past seven years. After a near twenty year slow burn this downtown east side has become sizzling hot and extremely fashionable. The change is remarkable and a complete contrast to my own 1986 experience when I bought my first house on DeGrassi Street! You can read about that HERE. 

Ceili Cottage is about as charming and quirky as one can get in a Toronto Irish Pub. The patio is a mish mash of tables and chairs, doesn't contain a stick of greenery, and reeks of cigar smoke and 'empty' kegs in a contest of the stenches. Inside, the unadorned timber and concrete block structures hold simple wood furnishings and a ramshackle of art. The crowd is delightfully 'Anthing Goes' which makes for fun people watching. Given my own peculiarities, and an 80s deja-vu with the whole cigarette and cigar smoke wafting cross my nostrils, I peversely loved the whole vibe. I prefer the room without the gigantic flat screen tv.

This is the destination for liquor, oysters, endearing Irish food using mostly organic ingredients, and more liquor. The spinach salad with blueberries, pickled onion and cheese topped with a Maple Roasted Quail had nice components and flavour. The Lamb Shank with roasted beets, carrots, turnip and champ (mashed potatoes with parsley and chives) was honest and comforting. Enjoyed with a cocktail and wine, the bill was a reasonable $60 with gratuity.

Ceili Cottage is one of dozens of great places located on Queen Street east of The Don River. One of my favourite brunch spots here is Lady Marmalade (898 Queen East), for casual Italian I hit Gio Rana's 'Nose' (1220 Queen East), and when I crave swishalicious I'll dine at Table17 (782 Queen East). For outdoor patios and comfort food, Ceili Cottage is one of my new favs.

Ceili Cottage

1301 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA (just East of Leslie Street) 416-406-1301

By the way, although I'm tempted to get all Brangelina and call it 'Riverville', the Riverside-Leslieville village is also bursting with hip home furnishing retailers like Snob, Hardware, Green Tea, and MacFab. If you're craving some swish check out Avenue Road On Eastern Avenue. LOVE! With retailers and restaurants like these, this neighbourhood is nothing short of Hot.

Which brings me to propose a question...

Do you wish you could walk out the front door of your house and stroll to any or all of these places?

If the answer is Yes, then click HERE for Beguiling On Bertmount offered at $539,000, urbaneer.com's newest Leslieville property offering!

~ Steven

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