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.
84898 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Inside the new Liberty Village restaurant and bar. Introducing: Williams Landing https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-inside-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-inside.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-inside.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-williams-landing/slide/williams-landing-inside/ williams-landing-inside 0 0
Inside the new Liberty Village restaurant and bar.
84895 (Image: Gizelle Lau) The dining room, with private VIP booths at the back. Introducing: Williams Landing https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-dining-room-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-dining-room.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-dining-room.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-williams-landing/slide/williams-landing-dining-room/ williams-landing-dining-room 0 0
The dining room, with private VIP booths at the back.
84890 (Image: Gizelle Lau) The patio bar Introducing: Williams Landing https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-bar-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-bar.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-bar.jpg 656 436 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-williams-landing/slide/williams-landing-bar/ williams-landing-bar 0 0
The patio bar
84899 (Image: Gizelle Lau) The main draw: a large second-floor patio overlooking East Liberty Street and the Brazen Head across the road. Introducing: Williams Landing https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-patio-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-patio.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-patio.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-williams-landing/slide/williams-landing-patio/ williams-landing-patio 0 0
The main draw: a large second-floor patio overlooking East Liberty Street and the Brazen Head across the road.
84894 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Covered patio seating, complete with big-screen TVs. Introducing: Williams Landing https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-covered-patio-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-covered-patio.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-covered-patio.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-williams-landing/slide/williams-landing-covered-patio/ williams-landing-covered-patio 0 0
Covered patio seating, complete with big-screen TVs.
84903 (Image: Gizelle Lau) At Williams Landing, the wine is on display in a dining room cellar. Introducing: Williams Landing https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-wine-cellar-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-wine-cellar.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-wine-cellar.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-williams-landing/slide/williams-landing-wine-cellar/ williams-landing-wine-cellar 0 0
At Williams Landing, the wine is on display in a dining room cellar.
84901 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Charcuterie Pizza ($15): prosciutto, house-smoked bacon, summer salami, balsamic onions, dates, tomato sauce and classic thin pizza crust Introducing: Williams Landing https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-pizza-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-pizza.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-pizza.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-williams-landing/slide/williams-landing-pizza/ williams-landing-pizza 0 0
Charcuterie Pizza ($15): prosciutto, house-smoked bacon, summer salami, balsamic onions, dates, tomato sauce and classic thin pizza crust
84900 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Mediterranean-style Lake Erie pickerel wrapped in prosciutto with roasted-pepper tapenade, chickpeas, Moroccan olives and Israeli couscous ($26) Introducing: Williams Landing https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-pickerel-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-pickerel.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-pickerel.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-williams-landing/slide/williams-landing-pickerel/ williams-landing-pickerel 0 0
Mediterranean-style Lake Erie pickerel wrapped in prosciutto with roasted-pepper tapenade, chickpeas, Moroccan olives and Israeli couscous ($26)
84891 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Bliss BBQ Burger ($17): Beretta Farms freshly ground beef with house-smoked pulled pork, house barbecue sauce and gruyère Introducing: Williams Landing https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-burger-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-burger.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-burger.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-williams-landing/slide/williams-landing-burger/ williams-landing-burger 0 0
Bliss BBQ Burger ($17): Beretta Farms freshly ground beef with house-smoked pulled pork, house barbecue sauce and gruyère
84897 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Liberty Dip ($11): ancho-pepper hummus, avocado crema, pico de gallo and feta served with tortilla chips and pizza flatbreads Introducing: Williams Landing https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-dip-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-dip.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-dip.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-williams-landing/slide/williams-landing-dip/ williams-landing-dip 0 0
Liberty Dip ($11): ancho-pepper hummus, avocado crema, pico de gallo and feta served with tortilla chips and pizza flatbreads
84892 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Toy Factory Cheesecake ($9): no-bake cheesecake with chocolate fudge, caramel and mixed-berry coulis Introducing: Williams Landing https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-cheesecake-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-cheesecake.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-cheesecake.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-williams-landing/slide/williams-landing-cheesecake/ williams-landing-cheesecake 0 0
Toy Factory Cheesecake ($9): no-bake cheesecake with chocolate fudge, caramel and mixed-berry coulis
84893 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Chocolate Dim Sum ($9): cheesecake and seasonal fruit stuffed inside fried won tons, served with Toblerone fondue Introducing: Williams Landing https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-chocolate-dim-sum-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-chocolate-dim-sum.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-chocolate-dim-sum.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-williams-landing/slide/williams-landing-chocolate-dim-sum/ williams-landing-chocolate-dim-sum 0 0
Chocolate Dim Sum ($9): cheesecake and seasonal fruit stuffed inside fried won tons, served with Toblerone fondue
84902 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Syrups Introducing: Williams Landing https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-syrups-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-syrups.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/williams-landing-syrups.jpg 457 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-williams-landing/slide/williams-landing-syrups/ williams-landing-syrups 0 0
Syrups
Williams Landing, 120 Lynn Williams St., 647-340-8008, williamslanding.ca .
it will do well initially due to the fact the brazen head across is so terribly bad
The Crust on that pizza looks to round and perfect to be fresh. is it delissio?
Agree parkdaleeater. Brazenhead’s brunch is particularly bad. Had it once, and will never go back. Not sure how you can screw up an omelette, but they found a way to make it super greasy and disgusting. If we weren’t so hungry after waiting 45 minutes (for an omelette!), we would have sent them back.
Down the street, School’s brunch is ridiculously overpriced.
Will try this place and hope for something better….
i like both liberty belle bistro and liberty street cafe…i will never again walk through the doors of the brazen head or any mill street beer group restaurant
Was going to check it out, The day I went was Grand opening and well facebook ppl got in first till 9pm. Which at 830 i think it was okay to let non-face groupers in.
So on that note and notes taken from here I guess i will go for a drink(s).
Another meat based eatery what about something for the vegetarians and vegans in Liberty? I like the idea of the pancakes but I don’t think I can stomach the smell of cooked meat for that.
we went yesterday and it was good.
2 of us, pre-storm, pre-toronto fc. lots of pretty staff in tight, short, black clothes….all very nice to look at…but guess what-they were very nice, on the ball, got the orders correct and it was all delivered in good time.
calamari, korean short ribs, both good. seafood pizza-great flavours-not crazy about the crust and a very good cuban sandwich.
water poured without asking, 3 rounds of beer…with tax and $20 tip at $140
we will be back
Vegatarians need to eat too.
Funny tho you say the smell of meat, isn’t there a Piggie Slaughter house just up the street?