What’s on the menu at The Gaarden, Queen West’s new rooftop oasis
Name: The Gaarden
Contact: 314 Queen St. W., 416-666-7740, thegaardento.com, @thegaardento
Neighbourhood: Queen West
Owner: Ink Entertainment in partnership with Hoegaarden
Accessibility: Flight of stairs at entrance; no accessible washroom
The food
The fuss-free menu offers a selection of bar snacks, as well as a few more-substantial options from the grill, like jerk chicken, a bratwurst sausage and a cheeseburger. For those craving something a little more indulgent, they serve comfort food classics like poutine, lobster mac and cheese, and house-made fries with truffle oil and parm.
The drinks
The Gaarden’s concept was established—not surprisingly—around Hoegaarden, the Belgian wheat beer that’s served here by the pint and incorporated into some of the house cocktails. Their signature Hoegaarden Beer Cocktail uses the namesake brew as a base alongside Grapefruit and Rose Ketel One vodka, lime juice, house-made grapefruit syrup and Tajin spice. There are a few other beers on tap (Stella, Mill Street) and in bottles (Corona, Budweiser), and Barefoot wine by the glass or bottle. Thirstier groups can share sangria or mojito pitchers.
The space
Situated on top of Cube nightclub, the rooftop space is a plant-lover’s paradise. Guests are greeted by a giant fiddle-leaf fig tree amongst a whole whack of various potted plants. (The greenery offers some welcome shade above the Gaarden’s communal tables.) There are also couches for guests to lounge on and some seating at the bar.
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/food/whats-menu-gaarden-queen-wests-new-rooftop-oasis/&title=What’s on the menu at The Gaarden, Queen West’s new rooftop oasis&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/toronto-bars-clubs-the-gaarden-rooftop-patio-queen-west-lead-2000x1333.jpg&description=Name: The Gaarden
Contact: 314 Queen St. W., 416-666-7740, thegaardento.com, @thegaardento
Neighbourhood: Queen West
Owner: Ink Entertainment in partnership with Hoegaarden
Accessibility: Flight of stairs at entrance; no accessible washroom
The food
The fuss-free menu offers a selection of bar snacks, as well as a few more-substantial options from the grill, like jerk chicken, a bratwurst sausage and a cheeseburger. For those craving something a little more indulgent, they serve comfort food classics like poutine, lobster mac and cheese, and house-made fries with truffle oil and parm.
[caption id="attachment_497470" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] The dip trio (fresh salsa, guacamole, truffle oil–topped hummus) is served with tortilla chips and warm pita. $12.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_497459" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] The jerk chicken on a bun is topped with grilled pineapple and a creamy avocado mayonnaise. Served with a side of slaw. $15.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_497471" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] This Greek-inspired dish features charred cauliflower on house-made hummus, finished with olives, feta and fresh basil. $12.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_497469" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] Roasted salmon rubbed with a house-made spice blend comes on a bed of mango-pineapple salsa and Israeli couscous, and topped with pickled onions. $17.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_497462" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] Here's the menu.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_497454" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] And a spread.[/caption]
The drinks
The Gaarden’s concept was established—not surprisingly—around Hoegaarden, the Belgian wheat beer that’s served here by the pint and incorporated into some of the house cocktails. Their signature Hoegaarden Beer Cocktail uses the namesake brew as a base alongside Grapefruit and Rose Ketel One vodka, lime juice, house-made grapefruit syrup and Tajin spice. There are a few other beers on tap (Stella, Mill Street) and in bottles (Corona, Budweiser), and Barefoot wine by the glass or bottle. Thirstier groups can share sangria or mojito pitchers.
[caption id="attachment_497465" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] There's Hoegaarden on tap, of course.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_497466" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] The Hoegaarden Beer Cocktail is a blend of Grapefruit and Rose Ketel One Botanical Vodka, lime juice and grapefruit syrup. It comes rimmed with Tajin spice. $12.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_497460" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] The Coconut Crusher mixes 1800 Coconut Tequila with pineapple juice and coconut syrup. It's rimmed with coconut shavings. $11.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_497452" align="aligncenter" width="4100"] The Aperol Apricot Spritzer mixes Aperol with prosecco, soda, apricot syrup and Peach and Orange Ketel One vodka. $13.25.[/caption]
The space
Situated on top of Cube nightclub, the rooftop space is a plant-lover's paradise. Guests are greeted by a giant fiddle-leaf fig tree amongst a whole whack of various potted plants. (The greenery offers some welcome shade above the Gaarden's communal tables.) There are also couches for guests to lounge on and some seating at the bar.
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