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Food & Drink

Introducing: Switch, the new downtown bar and rec room from Hanif Harji

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Introducing: Switch, the new downtown bar and rec room from Hanif Harji
(Image: Caroline Aksich)

Name: Switch Neighbourhood: Downtown Core Contact Info: 55 Colborne St., 416-901-9990, switchtoronto.com Owners: Hanif Harji (Patria, Weslodge)

The Food: A pan-global menu of sharing plates. Dishes range from finger snacks (cheesy truffle popcorn and spiced, smoked marcona almonds) to more substantial nosh (scotch eggs and haute dogs). The kitchen is open from 5-10 p.m. and reopens at midnight with a curated selection of snacks.

The Drinks: A moderately priced continental wine list with both by-the-glass and bottle options. The bar is well stocked for the after-work cocktail crowd and late-night party-goers.

The Place: The cavernous space has been purposefully roughed up to give it an ultra-trendy post-industrial aesthetic. Faux turn-of-the-century adverts, exposed brick and unfussy leather banquettes are mixed with contemporary details, like a Bruce Nauman–inspired neon sign. The downstairs is more man-cave than well-heeled lounge with arcade games and big screens.

The Numbers: • 92 white candles • $72 for the most expensive bottle on the wine list (Querciabella’s Mongrana) • 8 vintage arcade games in the basement • 4 different kinds of haute dogs • 3 a.m. closing time Thursday to Saturday • 2 floors

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Caroline Aksich, a National Magazine Award recipient, is an ex-Montrealer who writes about Toronto’s ever-evolving food scene, real estate and culture for Toronto Life, Fodor’s, Designlines, Canadian Business, Glory Media and Post City. Her work ranges from features on octopus-hunting in the Adriatic to celebrity profiles.

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