Introducing: Marcy, a Roncesvalles Polish restaurant reborn as a cocktail bar
(Images: Caroline Aksich)
For the past 15 years, Beata Kowalczyk served up hearty Polish fare at her Roncesvalles mainstay, Lala Bistro. Earlier this spring she decided to throw her apron away, and reopen the place as Marcy. And while the old regulars are grieving over the loss of her cabbage rolls, a new generation of patrons has quickly filled their seats—due in part, no doubt, to the presence of manager and resident mixologist Vanessa Handford, formerly of Goodnight.
Kowalczyk asked her neighbourhood pal Catherine Huizenga (of Mrs. Huizenga’s, a vintage furniture and tchotchke shop located a block south) to help with the revamp and the rebrand. Huizenga rechristened her friend’s bar Marcy, after the label on her well-loved fur coat (the official back-story: the Edvard Munch-esque painting at the bar’s entrance is of “Marcy” and her husband). Apart from inventing a fictitious owner, Huizenga reupholstered the chairs and booths with paisley, polka dots and even a comic strip print. She also decked out the exposed brick walls with an eccentric collection of paintings and knickknacks like a porcelain Pierrot head and rocking horse cutouts. In homage to Lala Bistro, the old backlit Lala Bistro sign, in the colours of the Polish flag, now hangs opposite the bar.
Although Kowalczyk may have turned her oven off for good, she doesn’t want her customers to go hungry. On offer are four cold plates: smoked mackerel ($14), smoked salmon ($12), kielbasa ($12) and avocado ($10), all served with Ubashi baguette, assorted pickles, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto and tapenade. Handford has also named one of her six signature cocktails (all $8.50) in memory of the bar’s Polish past; the Lala’s Mule is made with gin, limoncello, stirred mint and cucumbers, fresh squeezed citrus and soda. In keeping with the Polish-Canadian mash-up, the beers on offer include the big Polish beers (Tyskie, Żywiec and Tatra, all $6) and local craft beers on draft (Stonehammer Dark Ale, Beau’s Lug Tread Lagered Ale and Beau’s IPA, all $6.50).
134337 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy_intro.jpg 656 381 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy_intro/ apr12marcy_intro 0 0
134359 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Kielbasa plate ($12): served with Ubashi baguette, assorted pickles, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto and tapenade Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy22-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy22.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy22/ apr12marcy22 0 0
Kielbasa plate ($12): served with Ubashi baguette, assorted pickles, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto and tapenade
134357 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Lala’s Mule (left): gin, limoncello, stirred mint and cucumbers, fresh-squeezed citrus and soda. Blood orange Manhattan (centre): Maker’s Mark, light cinnamon aromatic bitters and sweet vermouth, stirred and topped off with a freshly squeezed blood orange. Jalapeño Margarita (right): Tromba Silver tequila, fresh squeezed lemon and lime juices, home-made simple syrup and Tromba Jalapeño juice, soda and salted pineapple garnish (all $8.50) Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy20.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy20/ apr12marcy20 0 0
Lala’s Mule (left): gin, limoncello, stirred mint and cucumbers, fresh-squeezed citrus and soda. Blood orange Manhattan (centre): Maker’s Mark, light cinnamon aromatic bitters and sweet vermouth, stirred and topped off with a freshly squeezed blood orange. Jalapeño Margarita (right): Tromba Silver tequila, fresh squeezed lemon and lime juices, home-made simple syrup and Tromba Jalapeño juice, soda and salted pineapple garnish (all $8.50)
134358 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Lala’s Mule ($8.50): gin, limoncello, stirred mint and cucumbers, fresh-squeezed citrus and soda Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy21.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy21/ apr12marcy21 0 0
Lala’s Mule ($8.50): gin, limoncello, stirred mint and cucumbers, fresh-squeezed citrus and soda
134356 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy19.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy19/ apr12marcy19 0 0
134355 (Image: Caroline Aksich) A porcelain Pierrot dole, one of the many tchotchkes Huizenga has adorned the place with Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy18.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy18/ apr12marcy18 0 0
A porcelain Pierrot dole, one of the many tchotchkes Huizenga has adorned the place with
134354 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy17/ apr12marcy17 0 0
134353 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy16.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy16/ apr12marcy16 0 0
134352 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Catherine Huizenga (of Mrs. Huizenga’s) reupholstered the banquettes, some of them with comic book patterns like this one Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy15.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy15/ apr12marcy15 0 0
Catherine Huizenga (of Mrs. Huizenga’s) reupholstered the banquettes, some of them with comic book patterns like this one
134351 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy14/ apr12marcy14 0 0
134349 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy12.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy12/ apr12marcy12 0 0
134348 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy11/ apr12marcy11 0 0
134347 (Image: Caroline Aksich) The old Lala Bistro sign hangs inside now Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy10/ apr12marcy10 0 0
The old Lala Bistro sign hangs inside now
134345 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy8.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy8/ apr12marcy8 0 0
134344 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy7.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy7/ apr12marcy7 0 0
134343 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Some Lala memorabilia Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy6.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy6/ apr12marcy6 0 0
Some Lala memorabilia
134342 (Image: Caroline Aksich) “Marcy” and her husband Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy5.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy5/ apr12marcy5 0 0
“Marcy” and her husband
134341 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Manager and resident mixologist Vanessa Handford Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy4.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy4/ apr12marcy4 0 0
Manager and resident mixologist Vanessa Handford
134340 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Marcy owner Beata Kowalczyk Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy3.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy3/ apr12marcy3 0 0
Marcy owner Beata Kowalczyk
134339 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy2.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy2/ apr12marcy2 0 0
134338 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Goodbye Lala’s Bistro, hello Marcy Introducing: Marcy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12Marcy1.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-marcy/slide/apr12marcy1/ apr12marcy1 0 0
Goodbye Lala’s Bistro, hello Marcy
Marcy, 145 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-516-2577, Facebook page
Please add cabbage rolls and pierogi. the new people will love it, trust me.