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Fever pitch: five ideal places to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup
| June 9, 2010
The FIFA World Cup—soccer’s ultimate series—offers a riotous excuse to cut loose and bend your elbow before 11 a.m. Here, five places to cheer on your mother country (or adopted team)
ENGLAND
Queen and Beaver
Owner and football freak Jamieson Kerr is opening his gastropub in time for the first kick (7:15 a.m.). Go early for a spot on the couch. A bacon butty—buttered toast and house-smoked rashers—and a pint are fine fuel for morning games; later on, spring for a pitcher of Pimm’s.
35 Elm St., 647-347-2712.
ITALY
Trattoria Giancarlo
With a roomy patio, breezy vibe and a 48-inch flat-screen, this friendly pasta parlour is College Street’s choice location for watching the evening replay. A plate of carpaccio with a quenching Campari and soda makes for a sophisticated sticky-weather antidote.
41 Clinton St., 416-533-9619.
ARGENTINA
Sky Ranch
To indulge in Argentina’s music, meat and soccer insanity, head to the always rollicking Ranch. For morning games, they’re serving a special World Cup steak and egg breakfast. Win or lose, this place will erupt in a full-fledged fiesta. Have a cerveza.
2473 Dufferin St., 416-787-0491.
KOREA
Miga on Bloor
Remember 2002? When
it comes to soccer, the Hermit Kingdom is a wild party, and all-you-can eat barbecue at Korea Town’s most stylish spot adds to the over-the-top fun. Intense soju rice wine goes down well with an order of sizzling bulgogi beef short ribs.
584 Bloor St. W., 647-351-1147.
NEUTRAL ZONE
Football Factory
Airing games from morning to night, this pub is the Switzerland of the soccer scene—ideal for diplomats. The uncommitted can opt for the Cape Town snack of bacon-wrapped oysters baked in the shell and, depending on who’s winning, one of 14 global beers.
164 Bathurst St., 416-368-4625.
(Illustrations: Jack Dylan)
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