Gaarden, the latest addition to INK Entertainment’s bevy of hip dining destinations (Sofia, Cabana Pool Bar, Byblos, etc.) provides a leafy refuge for thirsty Queen Street shoppers. As you may be able to tell from the bar’s logo, this patio was created in partnership with Hoegaarden, makers of the Belgian wheat beer of the same name.
Set off a bit from the street, through a narrow alley, and then up a flight of stairs, this verdant patio is covered in gorgeous flowering plants.
“We wanted to create a sanctuary in the middle of the city,” says INK Entertainment’s senior marketing manager Michael Steele. “A place to escape the rush for a minute or an afternoon, and be transported to a tropical lush environment with cold beer, refreshing cocktails and shareable bites.”
A cool azure, grey, and white tiled bar lends the space a feeling of seclusion. On the building that frames the patio to the right is a bright graffiti mural (by Natasha Dichpan and Andre Castro) that patrons can admire from almost anywhere in the space.
“The garden offers a whole new energy to Queen Street West,” says Charles Khabouth, CEO, INK Entertainment. “It is the perfect place to take a midday break from shopping along Queen West or to enjoy Toronto’s summer nights.”
The cocktail menu was developed by mixologist Nishan Nepulongoda of Sofia fame. His fresh concoctions pair perfectly with the bar’s al fresco party vibes. For those that want to make a night of it, there’s bottle service available as well.
The jalapeño margarita ($13.25) packs a citrusy dose of 1800 Tequila and lime juice. The drink gets its name from the addition of a piquant jalapeño syrup, with an additional kick from the glass rimmed with spicy red taijin salt. The cocktail is dressed up with a fragrant sprig of thyme.
For a fresh take on a hot weather fave, the Aperol apricot spritzer ($13.25) delivers. Peach and orange Ketel One botanical vodka and Aperol provide the base for this fruity beverage. Then comes the apricot syrup, soda, prosecco, and a slice of orange to top it off. Refreshing and summery, this drink goes down real easy.
The food menu, developed by Kindred Spirits and helmed by Petar Berberovic, features shareable snacks and mains that run the gamut from light bites to more substantial meals.
The jerk chicken burger ($15) pays homage to the four cardinal directions of bar snacks: sweet, savory, creamy, and spicy. Crunchy pineapple mingles with roast chicken with just enough heat, all slathered in a smooth avocado mayo cut with a crisp coleslaw.
A trio of dips (salsa, guacamole, and hummus $12) served with pitas and tortilla chips is the perfect companion to beers such as Mill Street Organic and Stella Artois.
If you’re in the mood for comfort food there’s a lobster mac ‘n’ cheese (17) or “truffled” fries ($10), but you can’t go wrong ordering up the bratwurst ($12) while enjoying the sunshine on a hot summer day.
The Gaarden is open for your drinking and snacking pleasure Wednesday to Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. to close and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Gaarden, 314 Queen St. W
