Introducing: The Citizen, an unusually sophisticated sports bar in Brant House’s former digs
Introducing: The Citizen, an unusually sophisticated sports bar in Brant House’s former digs
Name: The Citizen
Neighbourhood: King West
Contact Info: 522 King St. W., 416-703-2800, thecitizento.com, @thecitizen_to
Owners: An anonymous cabal of investors
Chef: Amanda Walti, previously chef de cuisine at Origin on King Street
The Food: The menu breaks down into gussied-up bar snacks—jalapeño croquettes with tarragon-ranch sauce, for instance—and fancified pub dishes, like a compressed cube of smoked mac ‘n’ cheese topped with quarter-inch-thick slabs of seared pork belly.
The Drinks: Signature cocktails with 1930s-inspired names. The Penicillin, for example, contains two varieties of Scotch, plus ginger, honey and lemon. (It may actually be potent enough to kill a cold.)
The Place: A library bar for sports enthusiasts. Designer-of-the-moment Ian Rydberg outfitted the space with weathered leather couches and a miscellany of vintage sports paraphernalia (bowling pins, skates, badminton rackets). At the flick of a switch, retractable screens descend from the ceiling to divide the space, allowing for private functions.
The Numbers:
• 4,500 square feet
• $350 for the most expensive decorative sports tchotchke: a pair of weathered hockey gloves
• 100-plus items of vintage memorabilia, including polo, cricket and golf clubs
• $95 for the most expensive thing on the menu: a 32-ounce rib eye
• 40 floating beams salvaged from the Distillery
• 32 tufted leather bar stools
• 12 street lamps
• 8 TVs mounted above the bar
• 3 retractable screens stamped with vintage photographs
• 2.5 months to renovate the space, previously occupied by Brant House
Read More
- 265598
- <strong>The Citizen</strong> takes over the old <strong>Brant House</strong> space at 522 King West
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-14-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-14.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-14.jpg
- 667
- 1000
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-14/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-14
- 0
- 0
- 265589
- Designer <strong>Ian Rydberg</strong> turned the space into a library-slash-sports-bar with weathered leather couches, a huge central bar and lots of TVs for watching the game
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-05-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-05.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-05.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-05/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-05
- 0
- 0
- 265590
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-06-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-06.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-06.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-06/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-06
- 0
- 0
- 265585
- The 4,500-square-foot space can seat almost 200. Retractable screens section off different areas for private events
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-01-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-01.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-01.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-01/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-01
- 0
- 0
- 265600
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-16-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-16.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-16.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-16/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-16
- 0
- 0
- 265587
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-03-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-03.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-03.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-03/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-03
- 0
- 0
- 265588
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-04-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-04.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-04.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-04/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-04
- 0
- 0
- 265586
- Shelves and walls are adorned with vintage sports memorabilia, like old skates and badminton rackets
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-02-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-02.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-02.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-02/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-02
- 0
- 0
- 265599
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-15-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-15.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-15.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-15/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-15
- 0
- 0
- 265591
- Jalapeño-popper croquettes, served with tarragon-ranch sauce for dipping ($8)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-07-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-07.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-07.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-07/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-07
- 0
- 0
- 265592
- Smoked mac ‘n’ cheese is compressed into a cube and topped with slabs of pork belly ($18)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-08-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-08.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-08.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-08/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-08
- 0
- 0
- 265593
- An eight-ounce burger (half chuck, half brisket), topped with aged cheddar and charred-scallion mayo ($16)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-09-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-09.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-09.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-09/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-09
- 0
- 0
- 265594
- Deep-fried chicken livers and thighs, served with sweet potato mash, coleslaw and a chive buttermilk biscuit ($20). Walti brines the chicken for 12 hours before marinating it in buttermilk, dredging it in cornmeal and tossing it in the deep fryer
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-10-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-10.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-10.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-10/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-10
- 0
- 0
- 265601
- Black truffle and mushroom poutine, topped with goat cheese and fried leeks ($14)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-17-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-17.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-17.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-17/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-17
- 0
- 0
- 265602
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-18-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-18.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-18.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-18/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-18
- 0
- 0
- 265595
- Lemon brûlée tart with pistachio meringue ($6)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-11-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-11.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-11.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-11/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-11
- 0
- 0
- 265596
- The W.H Carrick: gin, Aperol, blood-orange syrup and lemon ($10)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-12-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-12.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-12.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-12/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-12
- 0
- 0
- 265597
- Chef <strong>Amanda Walti</strong> with her kitchen staff
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: The Citizen
- Introducing: The Citizen
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-13-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-13.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-13.jpg
- 1000
- 667
- https://torontolife.com/food/the-citizen-toronto-restaurants/slide/the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-13/
- the-citizen-toronto-restaurant-13
- 0
- 0
The Place: A library bar for sports enthusiasts. Designer-of-the-moment Ian Rydberg outfitted the space with weathered leather couches and a miscellany of vintage sports paraphernalia (bowling pins, skates, badminton rackets). At the flick of a switch, retractable screens descend from the ceiling to divide the space, allowing for private functions.
The Numbers:
• 4,500 square feet
• $350 for the most expensive decorative sports tchotchke: a pair of weathered hockey gloves
• 100-plus items of vintage memorabilia, including polo, cricket and golf clubs
• $95 for the most expensive thing on the menu: a 32-ounce rib eye
• 40 floating beams salvaged from the Distillery
• 32 tufted leather bar stools
• 12 street lamps
• 8 TVs mounted above the bar
• 3 retractable screens stamped with vintage photographs
• 2.5 months to renovate the space, previously occupied by Brant House
[gallery columns="6" ids="265598,265589,265590,265585,265600,265587,265588,265586,265599,265591,265592,265593,265594,265601,265602,265595,265596,265597"]){kind=link}