Introducing: The Oxley, the new Yorkville British pub from the team behind the Queen and Beaver
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
Planted smartly on Yorkville’s main thoroughfare, The Oxley Public House has arrived in style. This English-style pub is the work of The Queen and Beaver ’s Andrew Carter and Jamieson Kerr , who aim to bring pints, chips and pies to the area’s Anglophiles.
Housed in the former Courtyard Restaurant and Bistro space, the building still possesses a fire engine red exterior. Inside, however, the place has been completely revamped thanks to designer Elisa Sauvé, who also worked on the Queen and Beaver. Patrons are now greeted by a minty green paint job, caramel-coloured banquettes and a fireplace with Oxley spelled out on the hearth. In the main eating area downstairs, the walls are covered with large hunting scenes from times of yore; a trip upstairs reveals a pub, fit with charmingly mismatched furniture, a miniature Titanic and framed newspaper clippings of the namesake Frank Oxley, whom fittingly, we found nursing a pint (Carter apparently decided to name the new pub after the former newspaperman, marathon car driver and Queen and Beaver patron because “he represents the greatness of England”). Even the loos received a British once-over, leaving them wallpapered and chandeliered like those of a transatlantic liner.
The lunch and pub menus feature the sort of elevated pub food that has made the Queen and Beaver a downtown fixture in a few short years. Still, the only direct carry-over from the Q&B is the fish ‘n’ chips. Starring citrus-marinated haddock and chips, the dish comes with a homemade spiced ketchup and crème fraîche–based tartare sauce for dipping ($17). Carter’s take on rabbit pie layers braised rabbit between scalloped potatoes, wraps it up in a potato pastry and pairs it with fresh salad ($17). Come Sunday, a family-style dinner served on large platters features roast beef, mashed potatoes and Yorkshire pudding ($26/person). On tap are brews like London Pride, Black Katt Stout and the cask-conditioned Beau’s Beaver River from the Vankleek Hill, Ontario brewery. With both a front and back patio and an unpretentious vibe, The Oxley is sure to give the other Yorkville watering holes a run for their money.
141080 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Chips with house-made spiced ketchup made with cardamom, coriander, fennel and fenugreek ($6) Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley27-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley27.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley27.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley27/ may12theoxley27 0 0
Chips with house-made spiced ketchup made with cardamom, coriander, fennel and fenugreek ($6)
141079 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Fish ’n’ chips ($17): As at the Queen and Beaver, citrus-marinated haddock served with chips and homemade spiced ketchup and tartare sauce done with crème fraîche Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley26-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley26.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley26.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley26/ may12theoxley26 0 0
Fish ’n’ chips ($17): As at the Queen and Beaver, citrus-marinated haddock served with chips and homemade spiced ketchup and tartare sauce done with crème fraîche
141078 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Green oak lettuce and heirloom radish salad with pulled bread croutons and a horseradish yogurt dressing ($12) Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley25-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley25.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley25.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley25/ may12theoxley25 0 0
Green oak lettuce and heirloom radish salad with pulled bread croutons and a horseradish yogurt dressing ($12)
141077 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Lightly house-smoked salmon in horseradish yogurt dressing with an arugula and walnut pistou ($16) Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley24-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley24.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley24.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley24/ may12theoxley24 0 0
Lightly house-smoked salmon in horseradish yogurt dressing with an arugula and walnut pistou ($16)
141076 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The ladies' room Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley23-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley23.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley23/ may12theoxley23 0 0
The ladies’ room
141075 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley22-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley22.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley22/ may12theoxley22 0 0
141074 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The Oxley’s back patio Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley21.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley21/ may12theoxley21 0 0
The Oxley’s back patio
141068 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley15.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley15/ may12theoxley15 0 0
141066 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Yes, that’s a scale model of the Titanic Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley13/ may12theoxley13 0 0
Yes, that’s a scale model of the Titanic
141067 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The tap list Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley14/ may12theoxley14 0 0
The tap list
141064 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley11/ may12theoxley11 0 0
141065 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The pub upstairs Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley12.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley12/ may12theoxley12 0 0
The pub upstairs
141073 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley20.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley20/ may12theoxley20 0 0
141072 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley19.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley19/ may12theoxley19 0 0
141071 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley18.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley18/ may12theoxley18 0 0
141070 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley17/ may12theoxley17 0 0
141069 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley16.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley16/ may12theoxley16 0 0
141063 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley10/ may12theoxley10 0 0
141062 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley9.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley9/ may12theoxley9 0 0
141061 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley8.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley8/ may12theoxley8 0 0
141060 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley7.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley7/ may12theoxley7 0 0
141059 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Manager Deborah Hochman pointing out framed clippings of Frank Oxley's marathon drive around the U.S. back in 1954 Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley6.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley6/ may12theoxley6 0 0
Manager Deborah Hochman pointing out framed clippings of Frank Oxley’s marathon drive around the U.S. back in 1954
141058 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley5.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley5/ may12theoxley5 0 0
141057 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The walls in the main dining room are covered with hunting scenes Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley4.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley4/ may12theoxley4 0 0
The walls in the main dining room are covered with hunting scenes
141056 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The pub’s namesake Frank Oxley, who drove a Triumph TR2 on a marathon ride to all the U.S. state capitals in 1954 Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley3.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley3/ may12theoxley3 0 0
The pub’s namesake Frank Oxley, who drove a Triumph TR2 on a marathon ride to all the U.S. state capitals in 1954
141055 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The front patio looking out onto Yorkville Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley2.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley2/ may12theoxley2 0 0
The front patio looking out onto Yorkville
141054 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Outside, the building retains its old bright red paint job Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley1.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley1/ may12theoxley1 0 0
Outside, the building retains its old bright red paint job
141053 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The old Courtyard Restaurant has been done over as a traditional English pub Introducing: The Oxley https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/may12TheOxley_intro.jpg 656 436 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-the-oxley/slide/may12theoxley_intro/ may12theoxley_intro 0 0
The old Courtyard Restaurant has been done over as a traditional English pub
The Oxley, 121 Yorkville Ave., 647-348-1300, theoxley.com , @TheOxley1
Wait … 3 pieces of smoked salmon for $16?!
Thanks TL for giving me a better idea of what the bathroom looks like than the food. That picture of the fries was ground breaking stuff.
I love the food at the Queen & Beaver. Every menu item is done proper and the staff is very friendly :) Yorkville isn’t really my scene so I’ll stick with the original location. Best of luck with the new venture.
PS Try the Monk fish! yum yum yum
Precisely the kind of restaurant that will succeed in TO. Safe, familiar, conservative….with hamburgers and fries on the menu.
I went there two days ago and it was fantastic — great food and friendly service, and a great break from the summer heat! I really hope it succeeds.
@Wine: too funny!
I love the Queen & Beaver, but why open something so similar?? I don’t get any mad urge to head over there but would rather stick to the original. Somehow I tend to think that things are often best in their original form but knowing me I will still go and check this #2 a try. If it’s no good, I will probably still hope it does well.
Lovely article! It was a real treat to design The Oxley! I wanted to correct one small fact, which is that I completely re-furbished the exterior facade and patio. We made it one level, added antique iron work and painted the building red!
Cheers!
Elisa