What's the vibe?
BATCH is the brainchild of Creemore Springs, and they've done a brilliant job paying homage to their roots. If you've ever been to the village of Creemore, you'll see it in all the little touches: the wood cladding, the simple linens, the brand's signature blue and white. The small town charm even extends to the staff—by the end of the night (and more than a few great pointers on the menu), we wanted to ask our server to join us. Come happy hour the bar is buzzing with Bay Street types, but if you've visited previous iterations of this space, that's hardly surprising. Reserve a table in the dining area to make the most of the chilled out vibe.
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What to drink?
The brewpub takes its name from the small batch offerings made in-house. With six on tap, you might as well try a sampler flight of four. Even if you're not partial to wheat beers, the Witbier is worth a try. It's mild but not watery, and complex without too many bold flavours—a nice, refreshing sipper to go with food. The Irish Red Ale is also excellent, with the deep, rich flavours and heft you'd hope to get from a beer of this hue. Not in the mood for beer? BATCH has you covered with a great little cocktail list. Try the Paddington, a refreshing long drink with gin and citrus.
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What to eat
Don't skimp on the bar snacks. As if they weren't tasty enough to start with, they come with some incredible dipping sauces. The Scotch olives—think Scotch egg, without the egg—are served with a satisfyingly spicy mayo, while the smoked chicken wings are elevated by a buttery dip that reminds us of hollandaise. When it comes to mains, you're under no obligation to stick to the classics. The lamb burger is a great choice if you like a little heat, but we really loved the trout with creamed kale. The greens are strewn with smoky hunks of bacon, and a drizzle of grilled lemon brings the whole plate together. Save room for dessert: there's an apple pie with cheddar baked right into the crust, and it's even better than it sounds.
Dinner and drinks for two: around $100
75 Victoria Street; 416-238-1484, batchtoronto.com
