Name: Sparrow
Neighbourhood: Bloor West Village
Contact Info: 2197 Bloor St. W., 647-349-2211, @SparrowBloor
Owner: Michael Derbyshire, who also owns the Kennedy Public House next door
Chef: Matthew Ness, formerly of Patria. He’s being overseen by executive chef Tristan D’Souza, who helms the kitchen at Kennedy Public House.
The Food: Sparrow’s artfully composed plates set it apart from the area’s homey pubs and burger joints. Chef Ness borrows from French, Italian, Spanish and even Korean cuisine to create dishes that look almost too pretty to eat, like his saffron-infused branzino escabeche, pictured above, which is topped with olives, eggplant and fried chickpeas. On the all-day brunch menu, pulled pork hash comes crowned with a sunny-side-up egg and kimchi. Around 3:00 p.m. the smoothie bar gets swapped out for oysters.
The Drinks: The cocktail list includes tweaked classics—a pickled-cherry manhattan, for instance—as well as more creative concoctions, like a minty grappa-based drink garnished with a prosciutto-wrapped melon skewer. The ambitious wine list contains mostly international vintages you won’t be able to find at the LCBO.
The Place: The long, dark space is done up in typical Toronto-restaurant style: reclaimed wood, Edison light bulbs, exposed brick and tin ceilings. The space has a unique abbey-like quality, thanks to pretty stained-glass windows and the heavy antique door.
The Numbers:
• 86per cent of the wine menu is international
• 80 seats
• 50-seat rooftop patio opening soon
• 20 cocktails
• 4 variations on the Caesar, including a build-your-own option
• 2 former Patria employees (chef Ness and pastry chef Amanda Moulton)
273376 <strong>Sparrow</strong> is lodged next door to <strong>Kennedy Public House</strong> in Bloor West Village (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-07.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-07/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-07 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273370 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-01.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-01/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-01 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273372 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-03.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-03/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-03 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273373 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-04.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-04/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-04 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273374 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-05.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-05/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-05 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273391 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-22-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-22.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-22/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-22 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273390 Oysters are served with raspberry mignonette and bird’s eye chili sauce (MP) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-21.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-21/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-21 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273384 Octopus with ‘nduja aioli and vegetable crudo ($19) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-15.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-15/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-15 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273385 Boudin noir with roasted beets, shaved candied beets, quail eggs and sorrel ($10) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-16.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-16/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-16 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273386 Boudin noir with roasted beets, shaved candied beets, quail eggs and sorrel ($10) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-17.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-17/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-17 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273389 Charcuterie board ($24) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-20.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-20/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-20 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273387 Poached branzino escabeche with grilled eggplant, olives and fried chickpeas (MP)<br />
<br />
(Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-18.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-18/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-18 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273388 Espresso-and-Guinness braised pork belly topped with candied chili soil, cocoa and pickled veggies. The plate is intended to look like a garden ($20) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-19.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-19/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-19 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273378 <b>Suzanne Derbyshire,</b> owner <b>Michael Derbyshire’</b>s wife, designed the cocktail and wine lists (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-09.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-09/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-09 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273379 Raspberry Rose Fizz: Tanquery, Chambord, raspberries, egg whites, cava and rose petals (garnished with a carnation) ($13) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-10.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-10/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-10 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273380 Classic Caesar ($9) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-11.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-11/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-11 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273381 Vanilla Fig Old Fashioned: Mission fig-infused bourbon, vanilla bitters and orange zest ($10) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-12.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-12/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-12 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273382 Red Hot Margarita: Chili-infused Reposado, blood orange soda, basil and cucumber ($10) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-13.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-13/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-13 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
273383 Michael and Suzanne Derbyshire (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Sparrow https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-14.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/sparrow-toronto-restaurants/slide/sparrow-toronto-restaurant-14/ sparrow-toronto-restaurant-14 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
Best upscale resto in Bloor W.
the portions are small, and not cheap – BUT TOTALLY WORTH IT. Amazing flavour profile, perfect seasoning. And the cocktails were divine! Definitely reccommend for birthdays, special occasions etc.