If the brotherhood of man had an official language, it would be sports talk. And if that brotherhood had a headquarters for ritualistic beer drinking and game-watching, it would be Danforth’s soon-to-open The Legion. With its high ceilings, fireplaces, shared tables, Greco-Roman architecture and charcoal-grilled steaks, the upcoming Greektown bar brings to mind a sort of Alexander the Great camaraderie.
Owner Safa Massoumi says the venue will seat approximately 245 people and will include a VIP mezzanine area only accessible to paid members. The mezzanine will have more of a lounge feel and will include a private bartender, a special menu and the option to request personalized dishes. “If you want bison, we’ll put the meal together for you,” says General Manager David Cusack.
Speaking of food, The Legion takes it seriously: the kitchen will feature a 20-square foot charcoal grill, and nearly all of the food will be made from scratch on-site. Chef Joe Friday heads up a sprawling menu that includes pizzas ($13-$16) cooked in a stone oven with such toppings as barbecue duck or pancetta. The kitchen is open concept, meaning customers can watch the chef toss dough for the pizza. Sausages ($13) will be house-made with different varieties available on a continual basis (like chorizo or lamb and leek, served with potato salad and homemade bread). The menu will also feature risotto, grilled wings, ribs, pork chops, lamb chops, as well as rib-eye and New York sirloin steaks.
On game night, VIP members will be offered driving services to and from sporting events. “If you have tickets to the Toronto FC or Raptors, you can come to us for a bite to eat, and we’ll drive you down and pick you up,” Cusack says. “You don’t have to worry about the $20 parking at the ACC.”
Friday and Saturday nights, the DJs come in and the bar transforms into a 21-and-over nightclub.
The Legion is scheduled to open in the third week of June.
The Legion, 417 Danforth Ave., 416-546-6151
