/
1x
Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
Food & Drink

What’s on the menu at Roywoods, a new Jamaican spot on Ossington with a chef from Allwyn’s Bakery

By Caroline Aksich| Photography by Caroline Aksich
Copy link
What's on the menu at Roywoods, a new Jamaican spot on Ossington with a chef from Allwyn's Bakery

Name: Roywoods Contact: 198 Ossington Ave., 416-546-2941, roywoods.ca, @roywoods_ossington
Neighbourhood: Trinity Bellwoods Owners: Regis Jay and David Isaias Chef: Donald Simpson (Allwyn’s Bakery)

The food

Regis Jay grew up eating jerk sandwiches from Donald Simpson’s popular North York lunch counter, Allwyn’s Bakery. And even after he moved to King West, Jay would trek to his old neighbourhood just to satisfy his patty cravings. Rather than continue braving the DVP, Jay decided to bring a taste of uptown downtown by opening a shop that would serve his favourite Jamaican eats—made by his favourite Jamaican chef. This is Jay’s second Roywoods location (the original is in CityPlace) but it’s the first to serve booze and brunch.

What's on the menu at Roywoods, a new Jamaican spot on Ossington with a chef from Allwyn's Bakery
The jerk wings are marinated in the kitchen’s top-secret spice mix. $10.

 

What's on the menu at Roywoods, a new Jamaican spot on Ossington with a chef from Allwyn's Bakery
Cod fritters are served with a scotch bonnet mayo. $13.

 

What's on the menu at Roywoods, a new Jamaican spot on Ossington with a chef from Allwyn's Bakery
The jerk shrimp is cooked with pineapple and flavoured with scallions, allspice, scotch bonnet pepper and a hint of basil. $14.

 

Advertisement
What's on the menu at Roywoods, a new Jamaican spot on Ossington with a chef from Allwyn's Bakery
This coco bread lobster sandwich is one of the restaurant’s best-sellers. $17

 

What's on the menu at Roywoods, a new Jamaican spot on Ossington with a chef from Allwyn's Bakery
Fried chicken, topped with tomato and onion on a coco bun. Served with wedges and slaw. $10.

 

The drinks

Super-potent tropical cocktails—like the Sugar Pie made with coconut rum, amaretto, butterscotch schnapps and soda—that go down way too easily. On weekends, the kitchen closes at 11:30 p.m., which is when Roywoods becomes more bar than restaurant.

What's on the menu at Roywoods, a new Jamaican spot on Ossington with a chef from Allwyn's Bakery
The Racy Tales punch combines Wray and Nephew white rum with pineapple juice, grenadine, bitters and orange juice. $14.

 

What's on the menu at Roywoods, a new Jamaican spot on Ossington with a chef from Allwyn's Bakery
The Redd Foxy Ceze is rimmed with a jerk–celery salt blend and flavoured with rum, dill pickle juice and house hot sauce. $12. (Add a jerk chicken wing garnish for an extra toonie.)

 

Advertisement
What's on the menu at Roywoods, a new Jamaican spot on Ossington with a chef from Allwyn's Bakery
Here’s the lot of them.

 

The space

The 26-seat room is decorated with strings of twinkle lights and vintage furniture finds. The walls of the kitchen were even made from parts of an old New Jersey warehouse (Jay refurbished the steel and put in frosted glass). Jay is currently renovating a room in the basement so he can host pop-up shops on a rotating basis.

What's on the menu at Roywoods, a new Jamaican spot on Ossington with a chef from Allwyn's Bakery
What's on the menu at Roywoods, a new Jamaican spot on Ossington with a chef from Allwyn's Bakery
What's on the menu at Roywoods, a new Jamaican spot on Ossington with a chef from Allwyn's Bakery

NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY

Sign up for Table Talk, our free newsletter with essential food and drink stories.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
You may unsubscribe at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement

More New Restaurants

Toronto's new Thai restaurant makes The White Lotus –themed cocktails

Toronto’s new Thai restaurant makes The White Lotus–themed cocktails

Inside the Latest Issue

The June issue of Toronto Life features our annual ranking of the best new restaurants. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.