Introducing: Williams Landing, a new Liberty Village spot with a prime patio

Introducing: Williams Landing, a new Liberty Village spot with a prime patio

The patio bar at Williams Landing (Image: Gizelle Lau)

Although it’s only been open for two weeks, Williams Landing Bar, Grill and Hub has quickly become one of Liberty Village’s busiest spots, thanks in large part to its prime second-floor patio overlooking East Liberty Street and the Brazen Head across the road. Behind the restaurant and bar are the owners of the Financial District’s South of Temperance and Leslieville’s Joy Bistro.

With 16 beers on tap, 11 by the bottle and a dozen wines by the glass, Williams Landing is targeted squarely at the local condo residents and office workers seeking drinks. Along with the classics, they also offer 12 signature cocktails like the Pink Tarantula ($11, tequila with pink grapefruit juice, agave nectar, lime and pink peppercorns) and the Carnival Punch ($9, spiced rum with spiced chai, lime juice, agave nectar and a sugar cane stalk).

In the kitchen, chef Marco D’Angelo (previously of E11even) and sous chef Beman Chan are all about “FLOSS”—fresh, local, organic, sustainable and seasonal—with suppliers like Beretta Organic Farms and Willowgrove Farm. On the menu, you’ll find appetizers like beef sliders ($11), Mongolian pork tacos ($12) or a house-cured charcuterie plate ($22). Mains include the Bliss BBQ Burger, a fresh-ground beef burger topped with house-smoked pulled pork ($17); pizzas like the Charcuterie Pizza, with prosciutto, bacon, salami and balsamic onions ($15); pastas like the Fettucine Forestière, with house-smoked chicken, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and parmesan ($17); and entrees like a pork loin chop ($24) and steak frites ($22). (The menu also features something we haven’t seen before: a small “T” beside certain items, denoting dishes where tofu can be substituted for the main protein.)

Brunch is served on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and includes healthy options for Liberty Village gym nuts like protein shakes ($6) or granola ($6). There are also gluten-free buckwheat pancakes ($11), brioche French toast ($10) and an “eggs willie”: poached eggs with house-smoked pulled pork, hollandaise and greens ($10).

The large space was designed by McMillan Design, whose restaurant work includes similar large bar–lounge–restaurants like Far Niente, Canyon Creek, Jack Astor’s, Alice Fazooli’s and East Side Mario’s. Inside, wavy wood panels slope along the ceiling and down the wall, warming up the otherwise standard trendy space that’s equally suited to those hoping to be seen as they grab some drinks after work and those sitting back to watch the game.

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Williams Landing, 120 Lynn Williams St., 647-340-8008, williamslanding.ca.