Introducing: Furlough, a new Trinity Bellwoods bistro and cocktail lounge from the owners of BarChef
(Image: Renée Suen)
Name: Furlough
Neighbourhood: Trinity Bellwoods
Contact Info: 924 Queen St. W., 647-348-2525, furloughtoronto.com , @FurloughToronto
Previously: Ursa
Owners: Brent VanderVeen (sommelier, previously of Rain and Kultura) and Frankie Solarik (bartender), both of BarChef
Chef: Justin Newrick (La Société, Windsor Arms Hotel)
The Food: Small and large plates, including a platter of East Coast oysters; a pillowy pain au lait roll stuffed with foie gras and caramelized apples; and a creamy squid ink risotto studded with seared scallops. Weekend brunch service is scheduled to start in the spring.
The Drinks: Unlike the hyper-modern creations at BarChef , Furlough’s cocktail list is divided into 16 spirit-forward classics (Toronto, Last Word, Aviation), and 16 original recipes that make use of housemade syrups, bitters and booze-soaked fruit. There’s also a short wine list, a handful of eclectic microbrews and absinthe—complete with tableside fountain service (and a custom-built, bar-mounted fountain that’s on the way).
The Place: Think classic bistro: Parisian-style stools, a marble-topped bar and a wall peppered with vintage paintings, plus a tin ceiling to top it all off.
305834 Furlough's space, formerly home to <strong>Ursa</strong>. (Image: Renée Suen) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-02-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-02.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-furlough-new-trinity-bellwoods-bistro-cocktail-lounge-owners-barchef/slide/furlough-toronto-restaurants-02/ furlough-toronto-restaurants-02 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
305836 The space can accommodate 48 guests, and in warmer months, another 25 on the back patio. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-04-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-04.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-furlough-new-trinity-bellwoods-bistro-cocktail-lounge-owners-barchef/slide/furlough-toronto-restaurants-04/ furlough-toronto-restaurants-04 0 0
305838 Squid ink risotto made with homemade fish stock is topped with scallops and shaved fennel. ($26) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-06-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-06.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-furlough-new-trinity-bellwoods-bistro-cocktail-lounge-owners-barchef/slide/furlough-toronto-restaurants-06/ furlough-toronto-restaurants-06 0 0
305839 Foie gras, caramelized apples and frisée on pain au lait. ($17) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-07-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-07.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-furlough-new-trinity-bellwoods-bistro-cocktail-lounge-owners-barchef/slide/furlough-toronto-restaurants-07/ furlough-toronto-restaurants-07 0 0
305840 A half-dozen East Coast oysters, freshly shucked. The bivalves pictured here hail from Prince Edward Island. ($16) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-08-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-08.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-furlough-new-trinity-bellwoods-bistro-cocktail-lounge-owners-barchef/slide/furlough-toronto-restaurants-08/ furlough-toronto-restaurants-08 0 0
305841 The Lee-Metford Mark II: gin, campari, akvavit, rosemary-lavender bitters, rose water, cucumber with salt and pink peppercorns. ($16) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-09-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-09.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-furlough-new-trinity-bellwoods-bistro-cocktail-lounge-owners-barchef/slide/furlough-toronto-restaurants-09/ furlough-toronto-restaurants-09 0 0
305842 Pineapple and Almond Crusta: pastis, amaretto, lemon, almond orgeat, pineapple juice and an almond-sugared rim. ($14) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-10-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-10.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-furlough-new-trinity-bellwoods-bistro-cocktail-lounge-owners-barchef/slide/furlough-toronto-restaurants-10/ furlough-toronto-restaurants-10 0 0
305835 The (very) open kitchen. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-03-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-03.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-furlough-new-trinity-bellwoods-bistro-cocktail-lounge-owners-barchef/slide/furlough-toronto-restaurants-03/ furlough-toronto-restaurants-03 0 0
305837 Owners <strong>Brent VanderVeen</strong> (left) and <strong>Frankie Solarik</strong> (right). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-05-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/furlough-toronto-restaurants-05.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-furlough-new-trinity-bellwoods-bistro-cocktail-lounge-owners-barchef/slide/furlough-toronto-restaurants-05/ furlough-toronto-restaurants-05 0 0
West: 9
East: 2
yeah another spot with european wines, how original.
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