Where is the east?

[Alfie]

Let's see some other areas of the GTA represented. Where is Feathers on Kingston Road? It has a wonderful draft beer selection. Where is the Black Dog in Scarborough, or The Fox Goes Free in Pickering?

[tupalev]

Welcome Alfie.

We need folks from all over the GTA to tell us about their locals. I'd love to hear what these pubs have to offer in terms of beer selection / atmosphere, so fill us in if you have some details.

[Gunny]

Let's see some other areas of the GTA represented. Where is Feathers on Kingston Road? It has a wonderful draft beer selection. Where is the Black Dog in Scarborough, or The Fox Goes Free in Pickering?

Welcome Alfie. Feathers has long been on my must visit lists, not so much for the beer selection but more to immerse myself in some of the rarer Single Malts available in the New World.

[JerCraigs]

Castros Lounge is (was?) a cool little place in the Beaches.

[lister]

Castro's was still there as of the summer. I don't usually go to the Beaches during the winter. We usually go after rollerblading and before dinner.

[Lubaka]

Let's see some other areas of the GTA represented. Where is Feathers on Kingston Road? It has a wonderful draft beer selection. Where is the Black Dog in Scarborough, or The Fox Goes Free in Pickering?

Welcome Alfie. Feathers has long been on my must visit lists, not so much for the beer selection but more to immerse myself in some of the rarer Single Malts available in the New World.

I visited Feathers a couple of times, a couple of years ago when I lived in Scarborough. They had Wellington County ale, (or was it Arkell?), cask conditioned, and I'm not sure I remember properly or that I know the correct term, but they used a hand pump?

They also served a phenomenal steak and kidney pie.

Thank you for reminding me of a place I need to revisit.

[Torontoblue]

Let's see some other areas of the GTA represented. Where is Feathers on Kingston Road? It has a wonderful draft beer selection. Where is the Black Dog in Scarborough, or The Fox Goes Free in Pickering?

The Feathers is on Kingston Road 2 blocks West of Victoria Park. They serve Wellington County on cask and it is always in top nick. They also have Fullers ESB and London Pride, and have recently started selling Headstrong Pale, a fantastic pale that has so many different flavours with every pint poured. There other beers bur I don't go near them, just County and Headstrong for me. Then it's on to the fabtastic Malt selection. The atmosphere in there is always top notch and has a real 'English Pub' feel to it. It can be called a proper local.

[Belgian]

I dunno, Feathers has always smelled funny (too much accumilated aroma of greasy wings?) and the service can be pretty ignorant.

But I'll try the WCA and HS if you all insist. It is only staggering distance.

[Torontoblue]

I'm sorry you've had bad experiences with the staff in there, Belgian. Thankfully, I find the staff wonderful, and they always remember what you drink. I like the fact that when I walk in the barmaid knows what I'm drinking straight away. If the place gets busy, as it is want to on a Friday evening, then they can get a wee bit 'touchy' but overall they are great. Now if you want ignorant staff just pop down to C'est What and you'll get a firkin load of arrogance and ignorance!!!!

[Steve-E]

It's unfortunate you feel that way about C'est What. I personally find their service great and have never encountered any arrogance there. I suppose it is no different than Feathers where you recieve good service as a regular, but other's find it lousy.

It's too bad that some places have two tiers of service, one for regulars and one for everyone else.

[HogTownHarry]

I"ve posted it before - I'm 100% in agreement about the attitude and poor service at C'Est What - the place is certainly fine, but the staff ... the last 3 times I have been I have said to myself (and my tablemates) "why do we come here?"

The last time I said I'd probably never go back, and a month down the road I'm still feeling that way. Too bad, it used to be quite a friendly place.

And ANY place that treats regulars well and non-regulars like crap deserves nothing but scorn - that's bad business, bad customer service and just plain stupid on their part. This isn't Paris, after all, where everyone is treated like a steaming pile of fresh crap.

[Belgian]

Yeah, but de Paris women are FIT, innit!

Besides the food is better, and wine isn't priced like some exotic commodity.

[midlife crisis]

I like Feathers, but I liked it better when they brewed (or had contract brewed for them) their own beer. Not being close by, there's a lot less reason for me to make the trek now - though the single malt selection is unparalleled. A few years back they had an oatmeal stout that was superb. Nice atmosphere though, and I've never had a problem with the service.

[HogTownHarry]

Yeah, but de Paris women are FIT, innit!

Of course you stand a pretty good chance of finding out that fit woman hasn't seen the business end of a shower head for at least 48 hours ...

[Alfie]

Thanks for all the replies. Feathers for me is still one of the top pubs in the city, good beer especially their two Wellingtons, County Ale (cask pulled) and Arkell. I have never had a problem w/ the staff but I tend to pop 'round during the afternoon. It has a lovely pub-like atmosphere, as does the Fox Goes Free on Hwy. 2 in Pickering, just a bit east of the Rouge Valley on the south side -- no TVs, thank god, Bellehaven and Bass on tap, and very cozy.