What's the Vibe
Yonge and Eglinton might not be known for anything but an overwhelming amount of construction right now, but underneath the dust and debris, new restaurants are popping up on every corner.
At the end of this summer, Eglinton East spot Cass Avenue opened its double garage-style doors for business. Named after the street where Jack White’s record label lives, the snack bar is all about Detroit Rock City vibes. Graffiti-covered walls and exposed lightbulbs set a faux grunge scene that feels cool and relaxed.
What to drink
After trying and loving Whitley Neill's Rhubarb and Ginger Gin, the Cass Avenue team decided to mix up a few cocktails to showcase the spirit. Go for the rhubarb mule or the refreshing Cass Avenue G&T to try the special gin.
Two happy hours a day means double the fun. Catch the first one from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the late night one from 10 p.m. to midnight. During happy hour, grab a bottle of red, white or even Prosecco for $30 while local craft brews drop to $6.
What to eat
The latest concept from Vittorio Colacitti (the Good Son), Cass Avenue's cuisine is all about snack-able bites and share plates. The menu is divided up into $5, $10 and “Baller” sections. Sample an assortment of the smaller dishes then, if you're up for it, spring for one of the high ticket items.
We started things off with crispy shishito peppers in tajin and lime. One out of every 10 of these sweet peppers is spicy so watch out – it's a game of shishito roulette. The Caesar bites make sharing a salad easier than ever, and the format sees the lettuce act less like the main event and more like a vehicle for shovelling shredded parmesan, bacon and croutons into your drooling mouth. Just the right balance of sweet and spicy, the Korean fried cauliflower is not to be missed. Crunchy fish tacos are also a must-try. Not in the mood to share? Go for the smash burger with American cheese and "dirty sauce." It's reminiscent of a Big Mac.
At this point our bellies were busting, our palates were satiated and we definitely could have thrown in the towel. But we're not quitters here at Foodism. We buckled down and tucked into the pièce de résistance – a 30-day dry aged 16oz AAA ribeye steak, cooked to perfection, dressed with chimichuri sauce and served with a side of fries. It does come sliced for easy sharing, but we won’t judge if you decide to tackle this beauty on your own.
Dinner and drinks for two: around $60.
150 Eglinton Ave. E, cassavenue.restaurant
