More details on Chantecler chef Jonathan Poon’s new Queen West restaurant

Last week, we broke the news that Chantecler chef and co-owner Jonathan Poon was the restaurateur behind the mysterious golden storefront pictured above, near the corner of Queen and Shaw. Now we’ve got some more details about Bar Fancy—which, it turns out, is something of a misnomer.

“Despite the name Fancy, we are not going to be fancy at all,” says Poon, whose meticulous tasting meals at Chantecler are some of the best and most coveted in the city. Fancy is going to be different, at least initially—more neighbourhood watering hole than trendy restaurant, with pints and simple mixed drinks instead of $15 cocktails. The food will consist mainly of bar snacks (both traditional and nontraditional) and, in keeping with the dive bar theme, the kitchen will stay open until 2 a.m.

That’s just the beginning though. Once a planned extension to the building is complete, the space will also function as a full-on restaurant. When asked if the vibe will be casual or fine-dining, Poon is noncommittal. “The answer is probably both,” he says. He and business partner Jesse Fader have lots of plans for the space, including events and collaborations with restaurants and breweries from Ontario, Quebec, New York and even Europe. The low-key bar portion of the business should be up and running by the end of 2014.

Bar Fancy, 1070 Queen St. W., @BarFancyTO