Friday, September 17, 2010

Parts and Labour

During my trip to Toronto I had the pleasure to experience/dine at Parts & Labour. P&L opened in 2010 as the new cultural hub of Parkdale – the hip west end neighborhood in downtown Toronto...comparable to Silverlake, EP or LES.


A former hardware store transformed into a restaurant, instantly overstimulated my eyes in the most amazing way. Above the bar, dozens of lamps made of fire extinguishers painted in candy shades provided color against a monotone background and exposed brick. There was a wall made of car windshields at the entrance and bar stools that resembled huge springs. These were only some of the intricate details the space provided. Designers Brian Richer and Kei Ng brought in communal tables (eight in the main dining room), as well as their iconic cylindrical light fixtures made of fluorescent bulbs (you may have seen these at the Chelsea in NYC)...they are quite magnificent.  A pair of chef tables in the back of the space are blessed with a wide eyed view of the exposed kitchen and the amazing staff that lives there.


Not only are the cocktails inventive and the food mouth watering, but all of the produce comes from their green rooftop. Twelve varieties of radish, nearly 30 types of lettuce and heirloom carrots sprout from rows of irrigated planters, soaking up the hot sun. Imagine a delicious cocktail while surrounded by this glorious garden on a Sunday afternoon. I'd make it my home.


Dessert: Bread pudding, chocolate, peanutbutter, banana, blackberry jam, vanilla ice cream.


Pinch me please.




























































1 comment:

  1. Glad you liked it.. here is our rooftop blog for images so you can see what we have growing up there. If you didnt get a chance, next time would be happy to give you a tour.

    http://parksrecroof.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete