ARTS & CULTURE
10 Obiter Dicta
Jurisfoodence: Adventures in the TO food scene
Food Adventure #1: Bar Volo
anthony choi › staff writer
Bar Volo
587 Yonge Street
Category: Beer bar
Atmosphere: Casual, laid-back
Additional info:
Has outdoor patio. No reservations taken.
Website: http://www.barvolo.com/
O
ur first review to start the school year
is about the well-known beer bar, Bar Volo.
Originally opened as an Italian restaurant,
the establishment underwent several
transformations to become one of beer lovers’ go-to
locations in Toronto. Indeed, this reputation was one
of the primary reasons why I suggested the locale to a
friend as a place to unwind and relax on a warm and
sunny Saturday evening.
When we first arrived, the first thing that struck
me was the casual and laid-back atmosphere that
permeated the entire place. The bar was not particularly spacious, but instead of making one feel crowded
or claustrophobic, it lent itself to a warm and cozy
feeling. The rustic wood and leather furnishings, oldworld chandeliers, and various beer-related accoutrements lining the walls completed the picture.
Given the incredibly pleasant summer weather outside, we decided to soak up some sunlight at one of
the communal tables on the outdoor patio overlooking Yonge Street. The crowd consisted mainly of 20to 30-year-olds, and emanated a certain “hipsterish”
vibe reminiscent of many places in Montreal.
One of the major selling points Bar Volo emphasizes is its vast selection of beers. Indeed, its website states that the bar features “twenty six rotating
regional beers, wines and ciders on tap along side six
traditional cask-conditioned ales and a rare bottle
beer selection.” We were not disappointed as, true
to their word, we saw a giant chalkboard listing the
wide selection of beers available on the far side of
the patio, with each entry labelled with a letter or
number to make ordering easier. Admittedly, my
friend and I were more beer enthusiasts than beer
connoisseurs, and the sheer number of possibilities
led us both to initial expressions of “huh” and “where
to begin?” I decided to start off with the Dieu du Ciel
Moralité, having recognized it from my undergraduate years in Montreal. My friend, meanwhile, ordered
an Okanagan Cider.
Bar Volo’s second selling point—and what we truly
came for—is their food, which includes a variety of
cured meats, cheeses, pizzettas, crostinis, and other
beer-friendly dishes. Both of us could live off cured
meats if we had our way (high blood pressure and the
associated increase in risk for heart failure or stroke
aside), and the night was a parting celebration for my
friend, who was departing to the West Coast to start a
new chapter in his life. With good reason, we followed
the modern-day adage of “go big or go home” and
ordered almost every type of meat available. Chorizo,
prosciutto, kielbasa, coppa, soppressata, carpaccio, the list goes on. Adding to this decadent feast,
we included duck liver pâté, pâté de campagne, and
some taleggio and manchego cheeses. The meats came
ê Photo credit: Torontolife.com
in tapas-sized dishes and were a reasonable $7 to $10
each, while the cheeses and pâtés came in portions of
about 75g for $7 and $14, respectively. To say that the
quality of the food was top-notch and the taste sublime would be an understatement; even the accompanying olives and rustic bread were first-class.
By the time we finished, the sun had long set, the
candles were out, and the place was abuzz with activity befitting that of a Saturday night. Regretfully, the
sheer size and gluttony of our meal made us physically incapable of sampling any additional beers. That
grand task would have to be postponed until a subsequent visit.
In the end, Bar Volo certainly surpassed all our
expectations. The only potential issue is the limited
seating, which could make getting a place to sit difficult during popular hours. However, the food was
unique and positively delicious, the staff friendly and
helpful, and the atmosphere perfect for anyone looking for a place to hang out with friends or for a casual
date. I would most definitely go again. P