Parkdale’s after dark scene has gotten far swisher in recent years, and Geraldine exemplifies this new direction. The elegant space is decorated just-so: vintage crockery is sat atop antique wood tables while jazz piano notes skip about overhead.
The turn-of-the century atmosphere is reflected in the cocktail list, created by bartender Michael Mooney. Selected from a menu titled "Libations" (but of course) the queen of the crop is the Scorched Daisy ($12). Something of a haute margarita, the herbaceously-named tipple has tequila (here it’s Tromba Blanco) and citrus in common with the Mexican staple.
Enhancing the drink is the house-made simple syrup, created by smoking strawberries and mint. Bitter orange Aperol and Xocolatl Mole bitters—adding notes of cacao and cinnamon—finish the drink off before its poured into a vintage tumbler over ice along with a sprinkle of Maldon salt and a garnish of cucumber slice.
Geraldine, 1564 Queen St. W., 647-352-8815
Karolyne Ellacott is a features editor at Post City Magazines. She pedals around town in heels, eating sandwiches and drinking cocktails. She writes about that, and about other stuff too. She is also on Twitter.
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