The Bar Towel

GregClow · Joined: 10 Aug 2001 Posts: 2930 Location: Parkdale

Something a friend emailed me earlier today that I thought might be worth sharing...

"I was walking down Yonge and I passed a place called "Volo Ristorante" at Yonge & Dundonald and I saw a sign saying they had Mill St. Tankhouse Pale Ale on tap so I popped in for a pint. First time having it and I agree, it's great! They also have Denison's Weissbeer on tap. In bottles they have La Fin Du Monde, Maudite, Duval and St. Ambroise and more. Not outstanding but pretty good for the area."

Greg

Cass · Joined: 17 Jun 2001 Posts: 1684

Thanks for the tip Greg. I work very close to Volo (I'm at Yonge & Bloor), so I'll have to check it out. Actually, the Y/B area is pretty devoid of good micro beer (Rebel House excluded) so this could be a promising place to visit.

Cass · Joined: 17 Jun 2001 Posts: 1684

So I went to Volo last night and it was very good. As your friend discovered, they do have Tankhouse & Denison's on tap, along with a few other draught selections (Cameron's, St Andre), and a good list of well-priced bottles.

They also have a nice patio that faces Dundonald, so it's a bit quieter than Yonge.

Be wary of their "pints", which are quite smaller than you would expect.

Haven't eaten there, but Volo is definitely on the good-beer list for that area.

[ This Message was edited by: Cass on 2003-07-07 07:48 ]

Cass · Joined: 17 Jun 2001 Posts: 1684

Just wanted to provide an update on Volo - I'm liking it more and more every time I go.

I was there again yesterday afternoon (in between Film Festival screenings), and they now have Unibroue's Raftman on tap.

This, plus Mill St. Tankhouse, Denison's, and a couple of other good taps (Wellington and a few more) is making Volo quite a nice place for beer in the Yonge/Bloor area.

They also have a good selection of bottles - I noticed another patron having a Quelque Chose yesterday (unfortunately it did not look heated).

Also, I retract my previous statement about small pints. They definitely serve their beer in normal size pint glasses. Mill Street's Tankhouse is in fact served in their own glassware.

Blankboy · Joined: 04 Sep 2002 Posts: 301 Location: Toronto

I went during the Film Festival as well and enjoyed a Tankhouse Pale Ale. The Quelque Chose bottles were going for $12 in case people are wondering. I'll definitely be going back.

PRMason · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2003 10:57 am Post subject:

I was speaking to Ralph at Café Volo today. He would like to expand the amount of draught beers he carries and would like to have our Corporal Punishment on tap. With "neighbour" taps like TankHouse and Denisons Weizen, I am thrilled to be asked!

borderline_alcoholic · Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 378

Ralph is also getting in [Church Key] Holy Smoke and [St Ambroise] Oatmeal Stout on tap. Additionally, there will be a rotating guest tap...

...Which is nice.

Things are looking up.

Maudite · Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 90

Had some Chambly on tap last week with a friend and Ralph. He is really supporting smaller breweries on tap and would love to try and get a "Rebel House" feel to his establishment. For those that haven't been to Caffe Volo pop in and grab a pint. Ralph and Ina are great people. Enjoy!

A · Joined: 24 Jun 2001 Posts: 400

I think this place has almost moved into the 'Tier 1' category of beer places in Toronto... And is there currently a better draught selection (quality, not quantity) than this anywhere in the city right now? I think not....

DAN-D-MAN · Joined: 29 Aug 2001 Posts: 248 Location: Toronto

Enjoyed their patio yesterday along with a Corporal Punishment. The Holy Smoke and Oatmeal Stout are indeed on tap as mentioned above. Had some excellent pizza for dinner too.

The waitress kept explaining to the patrons that the beer menu keeps changing nowadays and they are adding more and more selections so the menu may be out of date.

This place has just become another regular hangout!

Cass · Joined: 17 Jun 2001 Posts: 1684

I was also there yesterday for lunch. Great to see the three new draught selections. This place continues to impress! Hopefully it will still be nice in the winter - I've spent nearly every visit on the patio.

borderline_alcoholic · Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 378

Volo now have their first guest beer and it is a good one. They have Maudite on tap while it lasts.

They have also widened their bottled selection extensively and extremely positively. I also believe that they have plans to increase this further.

IMHO Volo is no longer in the 'almost tier 1' category, it is now second only to Smokeless Joe's in the Toronto bar scene.

Joe's have the premier bottle selection, the best atmosphere of any bar and the most knowledgeable and friendly staff of any bar in Toronto, but Volo have the best tap selection, an incredibly good bottled selection and an excellent intimate feel. They also have a fantastic Italian food menu.

The other main great Toronto bar contenders (for me, anyway) being C'est What?, The Granite, Mitzi's Sister and the Bow and Arrow. I am sure that for many the Bier Markt would also feature, but I personally despise the atmosphere and the indifference of the bar-staff in that place.

FWIW, I look forward to seeing what the Blue Meaney has to offer when it opens...

esprit · Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2003 9:41 am Post subject:

Starting today you'll be able to enjoy Chimay Blue, Orval, Rochefort 10, Westmalle Tripel, Maredsous 8, Barbar and Samuel Smith India Ale along with already available Duvel and Chimay Premiere! We're really pleased to add Volo to a slowly growing list of establishments around the city which are offering a fine selection of premium, imported bottled beers. Please support these guys and show them that there is a demand for establishments like theirs...good food...good beer!

esprit · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 9:42 am Post subject:

This weekend they'll be adding Achel 8, Mort Subite Framboise, La Choulette Ambree, Corsendonk Agnus and Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre to their portfolio.

beer_dude · Joined: 06 Nov 2003 Posts: 2

[ This Message was edited by: beer_dude on 2003-11-07 21:14 ]