Fever pitch: five ideal places to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup
Fever pitch: five ideal places to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
 By Denise Balkissoon
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)){kind=link}
Being a Korean dude who lived in Argentina, I think you’ve successfully mistaken that country for a cheap Acapulco resort (Have a cerveza? Really?)
Also, since when is bulgogi made of short ribs and soju out of rice?
Honestly, are you so lazy you don’t even bother to wiki it? By the way, Miga is terribly overpriced and serve mediocre food at best.
He was trying to say “Kalbi”. I think so.
By the way, “Soju” is Korean Vodka.
Not sure this reporter knows her world cup soccer patios too well… Leaving out the Dip, corner of Clinton and College, is a big faux pas. Oh, and what about that little team from Brazil???????
To only provide places for 4 countries’ in one of the most multicultural cities in the world is, to say the least, pathetic. This uninspiring article, using sterotypes as research, leaving out the majority of teams that have such huge followings in this city is more disappointing.
The ‘neutral zone’ was a sad attempt to make up for all the places missed.
As mentioned above, missing Brazil and Portugal (heard of Cristian Ronaldo?), Germany, Spain, Serbia, Netherlands, Greece…the list goes on, unlike this article.
Hey, where are the people going for ________ watching?
You won’t find the answer here.
Call yourself a writer? Do your research, do the work.
I can name more spots off the top of my head…maybe because I actually live in Toronto (ie. south of bloor)
France – Le Saint Tropez
Netherlands – Betty’s (on king)
Argentina – La Merceria
Portugal – Nova Era Bakery
Brazil – Lula Lounge
since this is not my full time job, here is what I left out
http://www.toronto.com/bars_clubs/article/654361
For these reasons you’ve just listed is why I call this “magazine” Toronto Kyfe
Went to Miga on Bloor this past Tuesday. It is shut down with a legal service notice on the door.