Jen Agg will open a wine and cider bar in Kensington Market

After nailing charcuterie, cocktails and Haitian food, the restaurateur Jen Agg is expanding her empire. The yet-to-be-named spot that Agg is calling “a wine and cider bar—with food” will open on Augusta Avenue in Kensington Market next spring. Even though she’s busy with Montreal’s soon-to-open Agrikol, Agg says that she couldn’t pass on the opportunity to nab the space. “I think Kensington is so great. It’s managed to gentrify and yet keep its independent spirit. There are great bars there, obviously—Cold Tea’s amazing and has changed what people think about socializing in the market—but there aren’t really any restaurants.”

Agg’s Instagram account proves she’s obsessed with wine, specifically natural ones. “If you have a delicious natural wine versus an amazing cider that’s not super carbonated, you can’t tell the difference. There’s a lot of crossover.” She says Toronto is miles behind when it comes to natural wine (it takes up very little shelf space at the LCBO), so much of what she’ll serve will be privately ordered. “It’s gonna be my dream spot. I love the Hoof, it’s my first born. But I feel like I’m building something with a lot of freedom now, and so much more experience.”