Introducing: The Hogtown Pub and Oysters, a revamp of Little Italy’s Auld Spot Pub
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
Following an ownership reshuffle, the College Street bar formerly known as The Auld Spot Pub has officially changed its moniker to The Hogtown Pub and Oysters, and relaunched with a new menu. Owner Darryl Brown and chef Josh Dalton (Rosewater Supper Club) have left the inside intact, but have revamped the food to offer more innovative fare to College Street’s revellers and pub-goers. We dropped by to take a look.
With two Auld Spots on the go (the other’s on the Danforth), Brown admitted, “This space was neglected.” The ownership shuffle helped get things into perspective. The new menu still offers comforting pub food, but aims to do so with a little more flair. “It’s easy to exceed expectations in a pub,” Brown said, adding that he thinks customers will be pleasantly surprised. Dalton’s version of pub grub comes in the form of a rotating menu, though a few customer faves—such as the burger—will always be up for grabs.
Between four and six different types of oysters will be available regularly at $3 each; the East Coasters go for $1.50 a pop on Thursdays. When we stopped by, Malpeques from P.E.I. were being served alongside Chippegans and Lameques from New Brunswick, all of them served with lemon and freshly grated horseradish. Additional items on the rotating menu include chipotle beef heart tacos with roasted red pepper, poblano salsa and garlic cream ($11 for 3), dried cherry and brie quesadilla with a foie gras torchon and smoked salt ($9) and Thai scotch eggs with sesame sauce gribiche ($12 for 3). Drinks include a signature Hogtown Bourbon Manhattan alongside brews from Mill Street , Steam Whistle and St-Ambroise.
144744 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Fingerling potato and Ontario asparagus hash with ramp pesto aioli (sample portion) Introducing: Hogtown Pub and Oysters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown15.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-hogtown-pub-and-oysters/slide/jun12hogtown15/ jun12hogtown15 0 0
Fingerling potato and Ontario asparagus hash with ramp pesto aioli (sample portion)
144743 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Dried cherry and brie quesadilla topped with foie gras torchon and smoked salt Introducing: Hogtown Pub and Oysters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-hogtown-pub-and-oysters/slide/jun12hogtown14/ jun12hogtown14 0 0
Dried cherry and brie quesadilla topped with foie gras torchon and smoked salt
144742 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Chicken and cheese: fried and smoked chicken with blue mac-and-cheese, breaded and deep fried, and served with buffalo sauce (sample portion) Introducing: Hogtown Pub and Oysters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-hogtown-pub-and-oysters/slide/jun12hogtown13/ jun12hogtown13 0 0
Chicken and cheese: fried and smoked chicken with blue mac-and-cheese, breaded and deep fried, and served with buffalo sauce (sample portion)
144741 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Chickpea falafel on cucumber with ranch and hot sauce Introducing: Hogtown Pub and Oysters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown12.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-hogtown-pub-and-oysters/slide/jun12hogtown12/ jun12hogtown12 0 0
Chickpea falafel on cucumber with ranch and hot sauce
144740 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Pulled pork dumpling: pulled pork in crispy wonton with caramelized onion, five-year-old cheddar and barbecue dip Introducing: Hogtown Pub and Oysters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-hogtown-pub-and-oysters/slide/jun12hogtown11/ jun12hogtown11 0 0
Pulled pork dumpling: pulled pork in crispy wonton with caramelized onion, five-year-old cheddar and barbecue dip
144738 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Thai scotch egg with sesame sauce gribiche (sample portion) Introducing: Hogtown Pub and Oysters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-hogtown-pub-and-oysters/slide/jun12hogtown10/ jun12hogtown10 0 0
Thai scotch egg with sesame sauce gribiche (sample portion)
144737 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Chippegan oysters with lemon and horseradish ($3 each) Introducing: Hogtown Pub and Oysters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown9.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-hogtown-pub-and-oysters/slide/jun12hogtown9/ jun12hogtown9 0 0
Chippegan oysters with lemon and horseradish ($3 each)
144736 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Chipotle heart taco: cast iron-seared marinated beef heart with roasted red pepper, poblano salsa and garlic cream (sample portion) Introducing: Hogtown Pub and Oysters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown8.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-hogtown-pub-and-oysters/slide/jun12hogtown8/ jun12hogtown8 0 0
Chipotle heart taco: cast iron-seared marinated beef heart with roasted red pepper, poblano salsa and garlic cream (sample portion)
144735 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) A Caesar salad soup shot: Ontario arugula and romaine purée with garlic croutons (sample portion) Introducing: Hogtown Pub and Oysters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown7.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-hogtown-pub-and-oysters/slide/jun12hogtown7/ jun12hogtown7 0 0
A Caesar salad soup shot: Ontario arugula and romaine purée with garlic croutons (sample portion)
144734 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The back of house Introducing: Hogtown Pub and Oysters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown6.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-hogtown-pub-and-oysters/slide/jun12hogtown6/ jun12hogtown6 0 0
The back of house
144733 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) A platter of Chippegan oysters Introducing: Hogtown Pub and Oysters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown5.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-hogtown-pub-and-oysters/slide/jun12hogtown5/ jun12hogtown5 0 0
A platter of Chippegan oysters
144732 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Hogtown Pub and Oysters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown4.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-hogtown-pub-and-oysters/slide/jun12hogtown4/ jun12hogtown4 0 0
144731 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Hogtown Pub and Oysters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown3.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-hogtown-pub-and-oysters/slide/jun12hogtown3/ jun12hogtown3 0 0
144730 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) A bartender mixing a Hogtown Bourbon Manhattan ($9) Introducing: Hogtown Pub and Oysters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown2.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-hogtown-pub-and-oysters/slide/jun12hogtown2/ jun12hogtown2 0 0
A bartender mixing a Hogtown Bourbon Manhattan ($9)
144728 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Most of the décor was preserved from The Auld Spot Pub Introducing: Hogtown Pub and Oysters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown_intro.jpg 656 420 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-hogtown-pub-and-oysters/slide/jun12hogtown_intro/ jun12hogtown_intro 0 0
Most of the décor was preserved from The Auld Spot Pub
144729 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The Hogtown Pub is a relaunch of The Auld Spot Pub Introducing: Hogtown Pub and Oysters https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jun12hogtown1.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-hogtown-pub-and-oysters/slide/jun12hogtown1/ jun12hogtown1 0 0
The Hogtown Pub is a relaunch of The Auld Spot Pub
The Hogtown Pub and Oysters, 633 College St., 416-645-0285, thehogtownpub.com, @HogtownPub