Char No.5 – Raise a Glass to Canadian Whisky
Canada makes such fantastic whisky that Char No. 5 has created a whole bar around it.
Located on the ground floor of the new Delta Toronto hotel awaits a haven for whisky lovers.
Char No. 5 carries only Canadian whiskies, including some single malts, so don’t go asking for any scotch or bourbon. They do carry some beer and wine along with an organic gin and vodka, but it’s the whisky you’re here for, so try everything from small batch distiller Still Waters Distillery Stalk and Barrel (single $10/dbl $15), to Matersons 10 Year (single $17/dbl $25.50) and newest addition, a rare Crown Royal XR Blue (single $38/dbl $57). There are currently 60 whiskies available, with more to come.
Have yours neat, on the rocks (served with large 2"x2" squares made fresh daily) in a cocktail or mixed.
Enjoy an original cocktail created by various Char No. 5 mixologists – Jason Walker, Gabriel Quigley and Alex Boyd. Classic cocktails have been sourced from actual old cocktail recipes, the earliest from 1862 to as recently as 1948. Even the classic Caesar gets the whisky treatment with Ray Daniel’s Wintergarden Caesar ($16) creation. Everything is crafted in-house for cocktails including bitters (made by a local company), syrups and additives. And yet, cocktails are surprisingly affordable: $13-$18.
Whiskey Flights ($20-$55) give you the unique opportunity to try various kinds, and selections are changed weekly to highlight new products that are coming out.
Chef Daniel Craig created the brand new menu and worked closely in collaboration with Head Bartender Ray Daniel (who also happens to have his own Whisky Tasting Company) to marry the dishes with whiskey.
The menu is comprised of shareable snacks priced from $8-$19. Portions are generous and a few hearty dishes have been added, so it’s easy to quickly comprise a delectable meal. Be sure to save room for dessert, especially the homemade 40 Creek Ice Cream ($6).
The Canadian Ploughman’s Plate ($14) of cured meats (many of which are cured in-house), Canadian artisan cheese, smoked olives, baguette and house pickles is available for pairing with different whiskies. These will change bi-weekly.
Snacks include everything from mouth-watering Chef T-Bones Smoked Pork Ribs ($11) served with pickled veg and whisky BBQ glaze, to a Roasted Squash and Grain Salad ($13) featuring roasted Ontario squash, farro, black barley and quinoa, goat cheese, toasted Marcona almonds, and a cider and maple dressing.
Located near the ACC, the sleek, modern bar is slammed on game nights (Jays, Leafs, Raptors), so come early.
And come often. Canada’s first Canadian whisky bar has so much going for it – great food, great whiskies, great bartenders and great ambiance, all at a great price.
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Char No.5 is open 4:30pm to 2am Friday and Saturday, and Mon –Thurs 4:30pm to 1am.
Private parties are also available.
Check out our Facebook page for more photos.