/
1x
Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
Food & Drink

Introducing: Bean and Baker, a ‘50s malt shop on Harbord

By Rebecca Fleming
Copy link
(Image: Gabby Frank)
(Image: Gabby Frank)

Name: Bean and Baker Malt Shop Neighbourhood: Christie Pits Contact: 326 Harbord St., 416-536-7632, beanandbaker.com, @beanandbakermaltshop
Previously: The Bickford Flexitarian Owners: Liezel and Brennan Anderson

The Food: Sugary treats to be washed down by not-too-sweet sodas. All baked goods are made in-house (butter tarts, cookies, pocket-sized fruit pies) except for the sole savoury option, personal pies that are brought in from Wisey’s. Ice cream sandwiches are made with Ed’s Real Scoop ice cream and customers can mix-and-match the two-cookie casing.

The Drinks: Classic soda-shoppe elixirs, including milkshakes and floats (also made with Ed’s Real Scoop ice cream) and classic fountain sodas sweetened with one of six different house-made syrups (Gramp’s Ginger, Orange, Hibiscus, Cream Soda, Root and Cola, Citrus Zinger) then mixed with spiralled bar spoons. “We’re not just sloshing the pop from a  machine—there’s a lot of flavour going on here, " says Brennan. “It’s not just I’m hot and thirsty and I need to drink something—if you’ve come here, you’ve decided that you want to taste.”

The Space: A retro soda fountain that would have Archie and his gang feeling right at home. Black-and-white tiled floors, Arborite tables, red vinyl stools and a faux tin ceiling all add to the Fifties feel. And the jerks (hey, that’s what they’re called) are decked out in crisp, white caps and red bow ties. Music stays true to the atmosphere, so no Top 40 tunes, but chances are there’ll be a little Chattanooga Choo Choo.

Introducing: Bean and Baker, a '50s malt shop on Harbord
Introducing: Bean and Baker, a '50s malt shop on Harbord
Introducing: Bean and Baker, a '50s malt shop on Harbord
Introducing: Bean and Baker, a '50s malt shop on Harbord
Introducing: Bean and Baker, a '50s malt shop on Harbord
(Image: Gabby Frank)
Introducing: Bean and Baker, a '50s malt shop on Harbord
Introducing: Bean and Baker, a '50s malt shop on Harbord
Introducing: Bean and Baker, a '50s malt shop on Harbord
Introducing: Bean and Baker, a '50s malt shop on Harbord

THIS CITY

Obsessive coverage of Toronto, straight to your inbox

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The Latest

"Many of us have a Rob Ford in our lives": The director of Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem on the late politician's bewildering legacy
Culture

“Many of us have a Rob Ford in our lives”: The director of Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem on the late politician’s bewildering legacy

Inside the Latest Issue

The June issue of Toronto Life features our annual ranking of the best new restaurants. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.