Bymark, the downtown Toronto restaurant from Canadian celebrity chef Mark McEwan, has been popular among the city’s financial industry powerbrokers for more than a decade. With a kicked-up American comfort food menu that includes such items as the famous $35 Bymark burger (Prince Edward Island beef topped with brie de meaux cheese and porcini mushrooms) and a steak selection that includes a USDA 16-oz rib eye, it’s most frequented by those with an expense account.
But despite its businesslike crowd, Bymark has always taken its cocktail menu seriously. The selection of rotating bar creations might include an avocado margarita (made with avocado lemonade and chardonnay smoked salt) or the Evergreen (gin, sage, citrus and Perrier). Now, the restaurant is inviting patrons to learn about the art of mixology, with its #LiquidLab series.
Bartender Matt Bryan hosts the once-monthly evenings, each devoted to a different spirit. He’ll discuss the history of the spirit in question, talk about what flavours pair best with particular alcohols, and share tips on creating unique cocktail creations.
Those attending #LiquidLibations will be greeted with a cocktail and appetizers. Then, a hands-on tutorial will let participants play bartender, creating (and, of course, enjoying) a drink with the night’s star spirit. Finally, the evening ends with a Q&A period where guests can ask the bartender about how to properly stock a home bar and how to mix better drinks. During the Q&A, a third cocktail will be mixed by Matt Bryan for patrons to enjoy.
Those attending will leave with recipes for the cocktails they enjoyed, as well as a special gift from Bymark.
The series schedule is as follows:
July 2013: Bourbon
August: Gin
September: Tequila
October: Rum
November: Scotch
December: Vodka infusions
Spots can be book through Bymark at bymark@bellnet.ca.
