Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth, a new east end bar with classic cocktails and 17 craft beers on tap
(Image: Susan Keefe)
The roaring ’20s (or at least some version of them) have been roaring back for the last few years, with TV shows like HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and movies like the upcoming Baz Luhrmann take on The Great Gatsby . A new east end bar, Sauce on the Danforth, is hoping to capitalize on that interest. Owned and operated by Michelle Belisle and Johnny Lucien, the speakeasy-inspired room is open late, and showcases a collection of 1920s cocktails, craft beers, tapas and live music.
Located near the Greenwood subway station, Sauce is a bit of an oddity on this slowly changing stretch of the Danforth. Belisle describes the bar’s interior as “Victorian goth bordello chic.” She and Lucien were heavily influenced by the aesthetics of New Orleans’s French Quarter (one of the pair’s favourite travel destinations), and as a result, the bar sports glossy black wood panelling, vintage furniture and walls coated in a vibrant hue called Louisiana Hot Sauce. A 1920s player piano (with vintage piano rolls) holds pride of place in the corner of the bar’s lounge, and starting today, pianist Julien Fauth will be tickling the ivories from 5–8 p.m. every Tuesday. There’s also a small front patio and plans to transform the bar’s back lot into a year-round heated patio complete with an outdoor bar.
Sauce on the Danforth’s cocktail menu (all $9.25 for a double shot) is dominated by vintage favourites like brandy and whiskey sours and the French 75 (gin, champagne, simple syrup and lemon juice), although more contemporary alcoholic beverages (like Caesars) can also be found. To the delight of east end beer buffs, Sauce offers 17 craft beers on tap (prices vary brand to brand), with a rotating brew offered for $5 a pint every evening from Monday through Thursday. Chef Carolyn Hogg (formerly of Three’s Company ) serves a variety of finger-friendly foods, like daily cheese plates ($15 for a three-person serving or $25 for five) and dishes like prosciutto and herb cream cheese–wrapped asparagus ($7) and garlic-crusted chili shrimp ($8). Belisle and Hogg are currently developing a cutlery-free Sunday brunch menu that is set to make its debut later this week.
161855 Prosciutto and herbed cream cheese–wrapped asparagus, with a roasted red pepper and chipotle aïoli ($7) (Image: Susan Keefe) Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-sauce-on-the-danforth/slide/sept12-sauce-13/ sept12-sauce-13 0 0
(Image: Susan Keefe)
161854 Cheese plate ($15): seasonal fruit and a daily selection of cheeses. Each plate is served with a ginger-pepper-cranberry chutney. (Image: Susan Keefe) Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-12.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-sauce-on-the-danforth/slide/sept12-sauce-12/ sept12-sauce-12 0 0
(Image: Susan Keefe)
161853 A plate of smoked chicken salad puffs, which will be appearing on the fall menu (price tbd) (Image: Susan Keefe) Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-sauce-on-the-danforth/slide/sept12-sauce-11/ sept12-sauce-11 0 0
(Image: Susan Keefe)
161852 Olive plate ($5) (Image: Susan Keefe) Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-sauce-on-the-danforth/slide/sept12-sauce-10/ sept12-sauce-10 0 0
(Image: Susan Keefe)
161851 Garlic-crusted chili shrimp served with ginger-scallion dip ($8) (Image: Susan Keefe) Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-9.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-sauce-on-the-danforth/slide/sept12-sauce-9/ sept12-sauce-9 0 0
(Image: Susan Keefe)
161850 A caesar ($9.25) (Image: Susan Keefe) Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-8.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-sauce-on-the-danforth/slide/sept12-sauce-8/ sept12-sauce-8 0 0
(Image: Susan Keefe)
161849 Pimm’s Cup, New Orleans–style ($9.25): a mixture of Pimm's, lemonade and lemon-lime soda served with a cucumber garnish (Image: Susan Keefe) Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-7.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-sauce-on-the-danforth/slide/sept12-sauce-7/ sept12-sauce-7 0 0
(Image: Susan Keefe)
161848 A classic whiskey sour garnished with an orange wedge and a cherry ($9.25) (Image: Susan Keefe) Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-6.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-sauce-on-the-danforth/slide/sept12-sauce-6/ sept12-sauce-6 0 0
(Image: Susan Keefe)
161847 Wines are served in a decanter alongside a small goblet instead of the typical stem glass (Image: Susan Keefe) Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-5.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-sauce-on-the-danforth/slide/sept12-sauce-5/ sept12-sauce-5 0 0
(Image: Susan Keefe)
161846 Sauce features 17 craft beers on tap (Image: Susan Keefe) Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-4.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-sauce-on-the-danforth/slide/sept12-sauce-4/ sept12-sauce-4 0 0
(Image: Susan Keefe)
161845 A vintage 1920s piano in the corner of the lounge. Pianist Julien Fauth plays every Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. (Image: Susan Keefe) Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-3.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-sauce-on-the-danforth/slide/sept12-sauce-3/ sept12-sauce-3 0 0
(Image: Susan Keefe)
161856 Sauce on the Danforth’s owners describe the decor as ”Victorian goth bordello chic” (Image: Susan Keefe) Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-intro.jpg 656 438 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-sauce-on-the-danforth/slide/sept12-sauce-intro/ sept12-sauce-intro 0 0
(Image: Susan Keefe)
161843 Sauce on the Danforth’s small front patio; a much larger heated back patio is coming soon (Image: Susan Keefe) Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-1.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-sauce-on-the-danforth/slide/sept12-sauce-1/ sept12-sauce-1 0 0
(Image: Susan Keefe)
161844 The duo behind Sauce on the Danforth, Michelle Belisle and Johnny Lucien (Image: Susan Keefe) Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth Introducing: Sauce on the Danforth https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/sept12-sauce-2.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-sauce-on-the-danforth/slide/sept12-sauce-2/ sept12-sauce-2 0 0
(Image: Susan Keefe)
Sauce on the Danforth, 1376 Danforth Ave., 647-748-1376, sauceondanforth.com, @SauceOnDanforth
Seems a little pricey, no? $9 for a drink and $5 for a few olives? I think I’ll pass.
This place is a breath of fresh air on this stretch of the Danforth. Great atmosphere and service a nice selection of beer and cocktails and the place looks absolutely beautiful at night. I caught Julian Fauth there last night and it felt like we were transported to New Orleans for a couple of hours. A welcome addition in an up and coming area.
@ Jules: The drink prices are actually very reasonable. Please note that $9 is for a double shot, not a single. I popped in after work yesterday and had a large glass of pinot noir (I would guess at least 6 oz) for $6. That’s almost unheard of in the city.
Like Leo, I also caught the tail end of Julian’s set last night and was completely blown away.
Sauce, you are a very welcome addition to our neighbourhood.
I second @JennyDots’ and @Leo’s comments: the music is great, the vibe is cool, the owners are incredibly nice and the drink specials are great. In addition to the cheap wine, they have a daily $5 pint special!
Without a doubt, it’s the new neighbourhood watering hole.
@Jules: also wanted to point out $6 cocktails before 6. Perfect to get your after work drink on. Can’t beat that with a stick.
Live music on Thursdays, come and listen to the talented young Ewen Farncombe plays every Thursday from 5-8pm!