Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville, which has a kids’ menu and three (three!) patios
Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville, which has a kids’ menu and three (three!) patios
Name: Rock Lobster Food Co. (Leslieville)
Contact Info: 1192 Queen St. E., 416-533-1800, @rocklobsterfood, rocklobsterfood.com
Owners: Matt Dean Pettit and Mike Homewood, who also own nearby Boots ‘n’ Bourbon, along with partners Darryl Fine and Alan Thomson
Chefs: Executive chef Matt Dean Pettit and corporate chef de cuisine Deron Engbers
The Food: Fans of the Ossington and Queen West locations will recognize the lobster boils, lobster rolls and elaborately garnished lobster-tail Caesars. Everything else is new, including lobster bruschetta, a fried-clam roll with Sriracha mayo and a few vegetarian dishes. There are also kids’ options, like mac ‘n’ cheese topped with crumbled Goldfish.
The Drinks: Ontario wine, craft beer and a handful of cocktails designed specifically for this location (including a fancy take on Mike’s Hard Lemonade).
The Place: The former Curzon room was rebuilt from ground up and decorated in Rock Lobster’s signature style—i.e. lots of woodwork and rustic Canadiana (decorative antlers, wall-mounted snowshoes). Like the other locations, there’s a huge, colourful mural painted by Matt Pettit’s dad, Donald Pettit. Unlike the other locations, there are three distinct patios—one on the street, one in the back and a tiny one squeezed into a side alleyway—all of which are licensed until 2 a.m.
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- The new <strong>Rock Lobster</strong> is located at 1192 Queen East, at Curzon Street. It’s the third location for chef <strong>Matt Dean Pettit,</strong> who’s also got a new line of ready-to-serve seafood at Sobeys and a soon-to-be-published cookbook
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville
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- The lobster mural was painted by <strong>Donald Pettit,</strong> Matt's dad. He also created murals for the other two locations
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville
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- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville
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- Like the Ossington location, Rock Lobster Leslieville has a raw bar and wine on tap
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville
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- The narrow alleyway patio seats 20. The garden-style back patio, which opens later this summer, will be equipped with a charcoal barbecue and a raw bar
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville
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- The street-side terrace is outfitted with picnic benches, harvest tables and water bowls for dogs (pets are allowed)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville
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- These oysters come topped with the essential components of a Rock Lobster Caesar: vodka, Clamato, lobster, Worcestershire and lime ($13)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville
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- For the lobster bruschetta, toasted baguette is topped with a mayo-based lobster salad with avocado and Thai chilis ($13)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville
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- Maple pork belly and asparagus ($14)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville
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- The “Green Jacket” is a mix of sautéed seasonal greens—in this case grilled baby leeks, green beans and asparagus—topped with olive oil, lemon and Grano Padano ($12)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville
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- The fried-clam roll comes topped with Sriracha mayo and scallions. It’s served with a side of fries ($13)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville
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- This raw-bar platter comes with peel-and-eat shrimp ($13), oysters ($2.50), Atlantic snow crab ($10) and lobster tail ($12)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville
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- Bib lettuce cups with avocado, orange and almonds ($12)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville
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- “Matty’s Hard Lemonade” (named by bar manager Aaron Beaudoin in honour of chef Matt Pettit) is laced with lemongrass and lavender bitters ($11)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville
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- The Rhubarb Cup No. 1 is made with Pimms, rhubarb syrup and ginger ale ($11)
- (Image: Renée Suen)
- Introducing: Rock Lobster Leslieville
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Name: Rock Lobster Food Co. (Leslieville)
Contact Info: 1192 Queen St. E., 416-533-1800, @rocklobsterfood, rocklobsterfood.com
Owners: Matt Dean Pettit and Mike Homewood, who also own nearby Boots 'n' Bourbon, along with partners Darryl Fine and Alan Thomson
Chefs: Executive chef Matt Dean Pettit and corporate chef de cuisine Deron Engbers
The Food: Fans of the Ossington and Queen West locations will recognize the lobster boils, lobster rolls and elaborately garnished lobster-tail Caesars. Everything else is new, including lobster bruschetta, a fried-clam roll with Sriracha mayo and a few vegetarian dishes. There are also kids' options, like mac 'n' cheese topped with crumbled Goldfish.
The Drinks: Ontario wine, craft beer and a handful of cocktails designed specifically for this location (including a fancy take on Mike's Hard Lemonade).
The Place: The former Curzon room was rebuilt from ground up and decorated in Rock Lobster's signature style—i.e. lots of woodwork and rustic Canadiana (decorative antlers, wall-mounted snowshoes). Like the other locations, there’s a huge, colourful mural painted by Matt Pettit's dad, Donald Pettit. Unlike the other locations, there are three distinct patios—one on the street, one in the back and a tiny one squeezed into a side alleyway—all of which are licensed until 2 a.m.
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Do they really allow dogs on the patio? My dog Gracie wants to go.
Multiple publications have mentioned the new RL patios being licensed until 2am. This is simply NOT TRUE.
As a nearby resident I recently inquired with the local city councillor’s office about this matter. I was informed that RL took over The Curzon’s existing liquor license rather than applying for a new one. Therefore they are required to close their patios by 10pm as The Curzon was also required to do.
And yes this is indeed 1 hour earlier then the standard 11pm close time required by the TO bylaws for patios within 50 metres of residences.
Welcome to Leslieville RL. Just remember… Leslieville is more than the latest hipster fad. We are a neighbourhood of families – both new and old, and we hope you know how to be a good neighbour.
My little Dolce and Gabbana (both Yorkies) are wagging their tails – to be able to join there mama … thank goodness for summer, patios and restaurants that understand furbabies are part a family too! Can’t wait to check them out…
I’m confused about the new location. This post says it’s at 1192 Queen E., but the Rock Lobster web site says it’s at 538 Queen St. W. Which is it? http://rocklobsterfood.com/restaurant.html
Both. They have a location on Queen W downtown, and the newest location is Queen E in Leslieville.