SCENE
By Monica Kass Rogers
Church Aperitivo Bar's signature
cocktails from left, The Saint, Divine
Intervention and the Trinity.
A Religious Cocktail
Experience in Toronto
Church Aperitivo Bar offers drinks and Italian fare in a holy setting
C
ocktail lovers in Toronto have an authentic place to worship: Church
Aperitivo Bar, which opened in February 2012 in a former Slavic
Pentecostal parish. The space boasts 16-ft. cathedral ceilings, a white
marble bar and original exposed brick walls and wood beams; the former raised
alter now houses an open kitchen.
Church Aperitivo Bar owner Sandra Cassaro wanted to bring new style and
panache to the city's Queen West neighborhood; she also wanted to hook Toronto
on her love of the Italian traditions of aperitivo culture.
The concept of aperitivo—early-evening, light-alcoholic drinks and
complimentary appetizers—is "very new to Toronto," says Cassaro. "People aren't
as familiar with the aperitifs and digestifs, and they are totally surprised by the free
snacks. Once they experience this, they keep coming back."
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| OCTOBER 2013
LET US DRINK
Church Aperitivo Bar relies on a
wide array of Italian spirits—aperitifs,
digestifs, grappa—that are enjoyed on
their own, and fashioned into cocktails,
both amaro (bitter) and dolce (sweet).
Whimsically referencing the sacred
origins of the space, drinks include
favorites such as the Saint which mixes
Vanilla Smirnoff vodka, prosecco,
Cointreau, lime juice and apricot nectar
and sells for $14; Divine Intervention,
www.cheersonline.com
