So Libra Lounge... this adorably petite lounge skirts on the hem of King West. With naked ladies on the walls lit by the cascading light from trendy chandeliers, Libra Lounge is a pretty good antithesis to MEC located across the street. Well last night was a little party held in its honour, complete with custom made tote bags and an ice sculpture/martini fountain.
Yes, I know, why do they always insist on making the ice scupture a martini fountain? I have yet to see one in use besides at that wedding I went to not long ago. I guess ice sculpters figure that the bougie couldn't possibly cool down their beverages with a straw and some ice.
Kicking it old skool is completely verboten.
Martini fountain functioning or no, the IceCulture Inc ice sculpture was great. You can see it in the photo - it looked like glass. I'm also totally crushing on those flowers - colour and everything.
The martinis were nice, but they weren't my favorites in the city. The Supermodel was more Adriana Lima than Daria Werbowy with sunny tropical citrus amidst something pink and laced with the soundtracked scent of coconut tanning lotion rum. The Ouiskey Business was the second from the bottom on the Martini menu, was tricky to pronounce and it kind of just tasted like Red Bull - although many people liked it, as it was recommended to me several times.
Perhaps the "Ouiskey Business" had something to do with copyright infringement?
For the entire time I was more interested in talking and not moving in such a way that would encourage my leggings to sag down a little bit more than they already had. Men have no clue how distracting that can be!
Kendra Court of Gathering Event Planning & Fundraising was the spirited event planner that brought it all together. I intended to introduce myself, but as I made a move she got caught in a stream of partigoers with only enough time to say, "Remember, 15 minutes before the complementary bar shuts and the cash bar comes up!" before she wass swept up again.
Thank you, Kendra and cheers to all the event planners who don't own restaurants!
Screw the budget!
I heart you.
So Libra Lounge... you were pretty rad. This would be a cute spot to rock out for a friend's bday. I can see how it works; I'm down for it. It's apparently a restaurant in the day time - although, I haven't been.
As my friends and I prepared to leave, a woman in black offered us simple black and white tote bags. After careful consideration, I had my heart set on the white canvas with silver strap, "What a cute shopping bag" I thought to myself as I was handed a black reflective bag with a Navajo print on the handle.
"Excuse me, may I have the white bag?"
"No, we aren't allowed to let people pick."
"Oh, but I'll use the white one..." she walked away.
Shame. Must be nice to have the best job in the world.
Over to my left were the remaining bags. Hmmm...
Black bag down.
White bag up - much better! The other one would've just gone to goodwill! I'm sure the designer would rather their bag get used than tossed. Right?
While we were there, I ran into a bunch of folks from Dine.TO and Deb Lewis of CityEvents as well as some rad folks from National PR.
I would probably go back, if I were to use it for an event - for sure. But, when we left the party we then realized there was a man make up studio on site doing man make up. Reado wasn't down for it, although I think most guys could benefit from some lip balm and tinted moisterizer.
There's a photo of my friends, the purses on the right, the fountain on the left and an unfinished Ouiskie Business infront.
Libra Lounge was fun. Until the next event!!
Some Stats on Libra Lounge:
391 King St W, Toronto, ON (Across from Mountain Equipment Coop)
416-599-7000
One Level + Front Facing Patio
Bathrooms on Lower Level
Street Parking + 2 Parking Lots Across the Street.
Capacity is 120 people
Outside Caterers are totally cool
Full kitchen
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
I knew something was up when we were asked if we wanted to turn our sandwich into a Po' Boy for $1 extra.
"That means on a baguette, right?"
"Well they all have a baguette."
"So isn't already a Po'Boy?"
"Well a Po'Boy means we put coleslaw on it."
"..."
Besides the grave inaccuracies surrounding what a Po'Boy is or isn't, Lou Dawg's Southern Sandwiches (589 King St West, Toronto, ON) is a decent stop for a bite - minus the fuss. But, contrary to their menu, don't get too excited, they don't have Po'Boys.
In the vein of many Tdot BBQ shops, Lou Dawg's only difference is that the BBQ is available only on a sandwich. While the delivery is different, the taste is the same - slow cooked pork and brisket inspired by Southern BBQ without the Southern soul. It's tasty, don't get me wrong. I did enjoy my sandwich, but that classic Southern sammy with the crusty shell and silken soft crumb, dressed with all the good stuff - was missing.
Don't get me wrong, for what Daryl D'Souza and chef Sean Smith have been able to build, it is the perfect post drinks haunt in the middle of the Douchery Distrik or lunch counter stop over. But true fans of Po'Boys and other Southern sandwiches will be disappointed.
While it isn't smoked, the best stop for slow cooked sandwiches in the city is still, in my opinion, Black Camel. Their brisket sandwich cannot be matched. Alternatively, Reggie's Old Fashioned Sandwiches only a few shops East of Lou Dawg's has a very respectable pulled pork sandwich, on a crusty bun that is MASSIVE. With a drink, it'll cost about $10.
The sides at Lou Dawg's were a little over priced. A $5 large fries is a suitable serving for one. The Yukon Gold potatoes were fluffy, with a good cajun seasoning on them - The fries were pretty damn tasty. But, $5 fries? Yukon Golds are not frying potatoes, they never were and they never will be. Unlike Smoke's Poutinery (Who also use Yukon Golds), Sean Smith has coaxed the maximum amount of fryability out of these bad boys. I just wish there were more in a large serving.
The coleslaw? It wasn't for me. The sauce was slightly curdled - I thought there was tahini sauce in it at first. The addition of dried cranberries and sunflower seeds didn't really add anything to it. It didn't really have any determinable flavour - eh. It won't offend you, if that's the experience you're going for.
All this really confirms, is that, you go to Lou Dawg's for the sammies. Don't go expecting a spot that channels real Southern sandwiches, because that's not what you will find. You will, however, find a clean, relaxed, sandwich bar with a decent product that's marginally pricier then other locals. Of course, you can't have a spot in the Douchery without Sleaman's and Mike's Hard on the menu - no Grey Goose bottle service found here.
I probably won't be seeking out Lou Dawg's again to scratch any cravings. It wasn't bad, but it didn't blow my mind.
Atmosphere = Cool
Price = $30 for two (2 sandwiches, 2 pops, large fries & coleslaw)
Rating = 6 out of 10
Return Visit = Prolly Not.