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Marvelous martinis

Rated this place:

Bar Chef is a great place to go for a martini with friends or a date. It has a chic, black décor, with nice lighting and some great touches, like the birch tree wallpaper at the front. It also has comfy mini-couches that are perfect for lounging. But the star of the show is definitely the martinis! The martini menu is divided into four sections: sweet, sour, savory and molecular. Standouts included the Barchef Rocket, the Lavender Cosmo and the Dirty Bar Chef. The staff are very knowledgeable and give a great explanation of the concept of the bar and descriptions of the martinis. Bar Chef also serves food, including a number of vegetarian options.

Attention to detail

Rated this place:

Barchef has thought of everything! The drinks are delicious, the presentation spectacular, and the environment friendly. Obviously my favourite part was tasting the creative drink concoctions, like a sage and grapefruit vodka martini, but I also loved being reminded of all the ingredients when the drink was delivered. We sat in an area close to the bar, and were highly entertained watching the barchefs do their thing: ice "picked" off a block and put into the drinks; smoking hickory; alcohol on fire... and the list goes on. I love to chat, and I found both the servers and owners eager to share their experiences. Overall an extremely enjoyable experience!P.S. Don't be intimidated by the infamous $45 drink - martinis start at a very affordable $8.00.

Pretentious & Overpriced

Rated this place:

I am not sure how people are comparing this place to other new york bars. Being a New Yorker, this place doesn't compare to anything back home. Rule 1: Treat your customers nicely, and leave your attitude outside the door. Rule 2: You call this establishment a "bar" so customer's can go up to the bar if they need a drink. I was appalled that I could only order my drinks through the waitress whose attitude and service I might add really pissed me and my friends off. The music at this place is just ok. Rule 3: Keep your prices reasonable, specially when your drinks are mediocre. Never returning here!

Chef's fine work gets short shrift at Barchef

Rated this place:

I'm sorry, Toronto. I don't know what the $45 cocktail tastes like. I also don't know what a diamond tiara looks like on a wire-fox terrier. I can't afford either and I can't bring myself to spend that much of my employer's money on a single drink.

Now, it would be easy to label all of this silly or, at least in regards to the current spending habits of Torontonians, ill-timed. But, sure enough, there are groups of twentysomething ladies playing Carrie Bradshaw, clinking glasses, leaning back into dark, plush sofas... See Full Post