Introducing: D.W. Alexander, an updated library bar lodged in a 19th-century heritage building
Name: D.W. Alexander
Contact Info: 19 Church St., 416-364-8368, DWAlexander.com, @DWAlexanderTO
Neighbourhood: St. Lawrence Market
Owners: Former Foundation Room owner Jamil Kamal
Chef: Sean Simons, also the chef at Goods and Provisions in Leslieville
The Food: Canadian comfort dishes that don’t require a fork, like bison sliders and potato pancakes served with house-made apple crème fraiche. (Executive chef Sean Simons eventually plans to supplement the menu with his own house terrines and charcuterie.) Desserts include the “D.W. Mess,” a purposefully slapdash dish of meringue, poached apples and caramel.
The Drinks: Mixologist Aaron Beaudoin’s complex cocktails are named after character types: The Old Fascist is a stiff mix of bourbon, Amaro and a house-made tincture of black pepper, coriander and bay leaf. The Aficionado blends cognac, Lillet Rouge, Campari and a smoky cigar-flavoured infusion.
The Place: Owner Jamil Kamal wanted to capture the era of the heritage property’s original tenant, D.W. Alexander, who operated his leather-trading business out of the building in the late 1800s. Kamal recruited design firm Design Agency and Momofuku Toronto designer Allen Chan to transform the former Foundation Room space into an updated library bar. The subterranean lounge feels like a 19th-century gentlemen’s club with a few unconventional details, like a trio of decorative cast-iron bull’s heads and a tastefully camouflaged DJ booth.
The Numbers:
• 800 chartreuse subway tiles
• 750 square feet of ancient Japanese burnt wood
• 10 original iron posts from the building’s construction in 1872
• 10 types of premium rye behind the bar
• 4 cast-iron bull’s heads
• 2 house-made tinctures, including one that tastes like cigar smoke
• $0 for bacon-dusted popcorn; it comes free with any drink
264396 <strong>D.W. Alexander</strong> (formerly <strong>The Foundation Room</strong>) is located in Old Town Toronto, just a block away from St. Lawrence Market (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: D.W. Alexander Introducing: D.W. Alexander https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-15.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurants/slide/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-15/ dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-15 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
264393 The space was designed to look like an updated gentlemen’s club (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: D.W. Alexander Introducing: D.W. Alexander https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-12.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurants/slide/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-12/ dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-12 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
264390 (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: D.W. Alexander Introducing: D.W. Alexander https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-09.jpg 1000 630 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurants/slide/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-09/ dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-09 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
264392 Found objects and books decorate the library nook at the back of the lounge (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: D.W. Alexander Introducing: D.W. Alexander https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-11.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurants/slide/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-11/ dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-11 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
264389 (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: D.W. Alexander Introducing: D.W. Alexander https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-08.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurants/slide/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-08/ dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-08 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
264391 The bar (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: D.W. Alexander Introducing: D.W. Alexander https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-10.jpg 1000 654 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurants/slide/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-10/ dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-10 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
264385 Bacon-dusted popcorn comes free with any drink (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: D.W. Alexander Introducing: D.W. Alexander https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-04-e1394545178978-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-04.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurants/slide/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-04/ dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-04 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
264382 Three bite-sized bison sliders come topped with smoked cheddar, caramelized onions and chives ($13) (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: D.W. Alexander Introducing: D.W. Alexander https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-01.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurants/slide/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-01/ dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-01 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
264383 Potato pancakes are served with house-made apple crème fraiche and smoked ketchup ($7) (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: D.W. Alexander Introducing: D.W. Alexander https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-02.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurants/slide/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-02/ dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-02 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
264384 Salted chocolate brownie ($5) (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: D.W. Alexander Introducing: D.W. Alexander https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-03-e1394545199493-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-03.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurants/slide/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-03/ dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-03 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
264386 The Aficionado is a mix of Hennessey VS Cognac, Lillet Rouge, Campari and a cigar-flavoured tincture ($17) (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: D.W. Alexander Introducing: D.W. Alexander https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-05.jpg 1000 659 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurants/slide/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-05/ dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-05 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
264387 The Avro Arrow is a carbonated rye cocktail with a few unusual ingredients, including maple syrup, Sriracha and beer ($14) (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: D.W. Alexander Introducing: D.W. Alexander https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-06.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurants/slide/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-06/ dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-06 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
264394 Walnut bookshelves are filled with an eccentric mix of ancient books and curios inspired by the city, its history and the building (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: D.W. Alexander Introducing: D.W. Alexander https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-13.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurants/slide/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-13/ dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-13 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
264395 A custom <strong>Milke Bau</strong> chandelier hangs over the entranceway, which is also decorated with a trio of cast-iron bull’s heads (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: D.W. Alexander Introducing: D.W. Alexander https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-14.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurants/slide/dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-14/ dw-alexander-toronto-restaurant-14 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
and just like its predecessors and neighbouring c’est what it is inaccessible..
Do Toronto foodies who might read this also know you’re a liar? That you attribute quotes to Olivia Chow when she never said them? That you’re a Ford Nation CONjob with multiple accounts to post multiple lies?
They do now. ;-)
do you jerk off with your left or right hand while leafing through.. or do you switch? multiple accounts.. it looks as if you just aspire to be average..
http://www.torontolife.com/informer/toronto-election-2014/2014/02/10/toronto-election-poll-chow-tory-feb-10/#comment-1284975258