I recently was invited to come check out Parlour, located on Adelaide West in Toronto’s entertainment district. Surrounded by loud bars and nightclubs, this oasis of sophisticated entertainment allows the option to head to a spot that has a full bar and kitchen, minus the din and crowds of the surrounded clubs.

Owned and operated by the brothers Gregory and Luke Vitale, you’ll enter a cozy room that has a parlour area with comfy chairs and sofas and and bar area adjacent to the main room.

I can see myself either beginning my evening at Parlour or getting away from crowded club. Here, I can relax, order a cocktail and actually carry a conversation without yelling or using sign language!

My gal ordered a Pink Parlour Martini while I ordered something more manly and fitting for a place like Parlour – a Spiced Old Fashioned with Jim Beam.

The menu is geared for sharing and Parlour brought in Chef Frank Ghanavati, Istanbul-born, locally taught and internationally trained to the kitchen and menu.

We began the evening with Quinoa canoes filled with vegetables and a honey/Dijon vinaigrette.

Next up were the Chicken Empanadas, made with a tender and flaky pie crust and the ratio of filling to do was perfect. Some housemade Chimichurri sauce and these were complete.

Meatballs are always good for sharing and noshing over cocktails and the next sharing plate was Albondigas made of beef and pork.

There were two flatbreads offered that evening – a classic Margherita with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil and our choice was the Kielbassa sausage and mushroom flatbread – something I have to try and make for myself!

The night ended on a high note…with the cheese board! We were given three cheeses, an orange marmalade and a delightful and must-try truffle honey.

If you’re looking for a quieter place to hang when in the city, Parlour is where it’s at – cool tunes being spun by a DJ, you can carry a conversation, attentive and friendly service with lots of bar options and well-made cocktails and a sharing menu ideal for nibbling and if you’re still hungry – just order more!

Parlour is located at 270 Adelaide West, downtown Toronto

Tel: 416-408-3666