(Image: Renée Suen)
Name: Gaslight
Contact Info: 1426 Bloor St. W., 647-402-9728
Previously: Zocalo
Neighbourhood: Junction Triangle
Owners: Megan Jones (Reposado) and Tim Pritchard (Communist’s Daughter), who have a combined 26 years of experience in the hospitality industry
Chefs : Head chef Michael Greer and consulting chef Garth Legree, the former chef de cuisine at The County General and current executive chef at Little Anthony’s
The Food : Gaslight is more bar than restaurant, so the menu focuses on stuff that’s easy to nibble with a drink in hand—mainly sandwiches and snacks. Still, the short list includes some interesting options. “Poi boi” pierogies are stuffed with shrimp and chorizo, and broccoli poutine is served under a blanket of gruyere cheese sauce and pickled jalapeños.
The Drinks: This is one of the few places in Toronto where a complicated cocktail (house-made this, infused that) still costs around ten bucks. A couple house wines and over a dozen regional craft beers are also available, and the back bar stocks a sizable collection of quality tequilas and whiskies.
The Place: Owners Jones and Prichard gave the space a been-there-forever feel by replacing concrete floors with hardwood, and outfitting the room with cozy booths and church pews.
296250 <b>Gaslight</b> took over the space at 1426 Bloor West, near Symington. (It used to house a bistro called <b>Zocalo.</b>) Co-owner <b>Megan Jones</b> had her eye on the spot for ages, and was thrilled when it finally came on the market. (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Gaslight https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-02-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-02.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gaslight-toronto-bars-restaurants/slide/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-02/ gaslight-toronto-restaurant-02 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
296249 Like any good neighbourhood bar, the room has a warm, lived-in look. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-01-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-01.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gaslight-toronto-bars-restaurants/slide/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-01/ gaslight-toronto-restaurant-01 0 0
296253 Owners Jones and Prichard painted the mural themselves. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-05-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-05.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gaslight-toronto-bars-restaurants/slide/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-05/ gaslight-toronto-restaurant-05 0 0
296255 Cinnamon swizzle sticks! https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-07-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-07.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gaslight-toronto-bars-restaurants/slide/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-07/ gaslight-toronto-restaurant-07 0 0
296258 PEI Mussels are flavoured with white wine, butter and herbs de Provence ($10). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-10-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-10.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gaslight-toronto-bars-restaurants/slide/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-10/ gaslight-toronto-restaurant-10 0 0
296257 Poutine’s healthy when there’s broccoli in it, right? (Just don’t mind the bacon and gruyere cheese sauce.) Also in the mix: pickled jalapenos, chives and caramelized onions ($8). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-09-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-09.jpg 1000 641 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gaslight-toronto-bars-restaurants/slide/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-09/ gaslight-toronto-restaurant-09 0 0
296256 “Poi Boi” pierogies are stuffed with shrimp and chorizo and served with a “secret sauce” ($11). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-08-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-08.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gaslight-toronto-bars-restaurants/slide/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-08/ gaslight-toronto-restaurant-08 0 0
296252 The bar stocks a sizable collection of quality whiskies and tequilas. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-04-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-04.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gaslight-toronto-bars-restaurants/slide/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-04/ gaslight-toronto-restaurant-04 0 0
296259 There's also a “daily punch” special. The hibiscus-margarita punch (pictured left) blends tequila, Cointreau and cinnamon–all spice syrup with hibiscus tea, lime juice and salt ($25). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-11-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-11.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gaslight-toronto-bars-restaurants/slide/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-11/ gaslight-toronto-restaurant-11 0 0
296260 The Chanel No. 11 is a twist on a gin martini made with herb-infused Lillet Blanc ($11). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-12-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-12.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gaslight-toronto-bars-restaurants/slide/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-12/ gaslight-toronto-restaurant-12 0 0
296254 It may not be patio weather now, but this fenced-in area will be a great neighbourhood addition come spring. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-06-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-06.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gaslight-toronto-bars-restaurants/slide/gaslight-toronto-restaurant-06/ gaslight-toronto-restaurant-06 0 0
Love this place! So cozy – the bar that I would love as my neighborhood local – too bad it’s not in my neighborhood!