Introducing: Wind Up Bird, a new café, restaurant and community hub from the owner of Yakitori Bar in Baldwin Village
Name: Wind Up Bird Café (the name alludes to the Murakami novel )
Neighbourhood: Harbord Village
Contact Info: 382 College St., @WindUpBirdCafe
Owners: Claudio Gaudio, Yumiko Kobayashi and Sang Kim, who also owns Yakitori Bar and Seoul Food Co., both in Baldwin Village
Chef: Yumiko Kobayashi
The Place : A café, restaurant and community hub that hosts a raft of food-related programs for kids and adults (Comfort Food for the Broken Hearted, for instance, is a singles club for chefs, writers and musicians). The space is bright and cheery, with chartreuse booths and framed illustrations from popular kids’ books on the walls. There’s a small stage at the back for recitals, lectures and poetry readings.
The Food: Comfort dishes with some unconventional twists, like boeuf bourguignon with tongue instead of regular beef, and a sausage pot-au-feu with lotus root. During the day, Laptoppers can sip lattés and snack on house-baked muffins, pies and savoury snacks.
The Drinks: Signature cocktails include a kombucha cosmo with cointreau and lime, and the Beet It, a blend of ginger liqueur, beet juice and Johnny Walker Red.
The Numbers:
• 120-year-old joists from an Annex house used to make the bar
• 40 per cent of the patio will be converted into a children’s learning garden
• 34 framed children’s book illustrations
• 20 unique alternative programs that promote child food literacy, social environmental justice, culinary arts and literary arts
• 4 menus: breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner
• 3 restaurants opened by owner Sang Kim in the last year
• 1 TEDx Talk given by Sang Kim this year
249967 The Wind Up Bird is located at 382 College Street, at Borden (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-20.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-20/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-20 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249966 The space operates as a coffee shop during the day (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-19.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-19/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-19 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249964 The small stage at the back is for music performances, lectures and poetry readings (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-17.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-17/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-17 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249969 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-22-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-22.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-22/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-22 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249965 The colourful tabletops are decorated with blown-up illustrations from children’s books (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-18.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-18/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-18 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249968 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-21.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-21/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-21 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249963 <em>Shake the Dust Off Your Wings</em> by Steve Driscoll (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-16.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-16/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-16 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249957 Bacon, zucchini and cheddar gâteau salé ($3.50) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-11.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-11/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-11 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249948 Cured artic char, pickled radishes and carrots, bread and Mexican green chilli sauce ($16) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-02.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-02/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-02 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249955 Sliced salmon with brown basmati rice, rocket and soya-onion sauce ($14) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-09.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-09/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-09 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249949 Savoury loaf with chickpeas, mung beans, mushrooms and other veggies ($10) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird CaféIntroducing: Wind Up Bird Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-03.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-03/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-03 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249950 Sausage pot-au-feu ($14) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-04.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-04/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-04 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249951 Beef tenderloin, cooked sous-vide and then grilled ($18) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-05.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-05/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-05 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249952 Chicken Gabao with veggies, rice and fried egg ($13) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird CaféIntroducing: Wind Up Bird Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-06.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-06/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-06 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249953 Tofu-chickpea curry ($12) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-07.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-07/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-07 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249954 Grilled Atlantic salmon with house tartar sauce ($17) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird CaféBird Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-08.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-08/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-08 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249956 Lunch dishes include a choice of sides: daily soup, green salad or bean salad (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-10.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-10/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-10 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249959 Apple and raspberry crumble-topped muffins ($2.50) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-13.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-13/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-13 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249961 Raspberry cobbler ($4.50) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-14.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-14/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-14 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249962 Pumpkin pie ($6 per slice) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-15.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-15/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-15 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
249970 Owners Sang Kim and Yumiko Kobayashi (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: Wind Up Bird Café Introducing: Wind Up Bird https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-23-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-23.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/wind-up-bird-toronto-restaurants/slide/toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-23/ toronto-restaurant-wind-up-bird-23 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)