The Comrade
758 Queen Street East
416-778-9449

“You got your capitalist pig on my red flag.” “You got your commie pinko on my swank lounge.” Wait a minute… this is awesome.

“Holy crap” seems to be the shared sentiment when entering Leslieville’s new hot watering hole The Comrade. Think Shanghai-circa-1940’s meets Art Deco, and vogue as all hell. Opened in mid-January, The Comrade is among the latest in a string of hip developments to hit the Queen East strip.

The décor is a striking combination of custom furniture, Asian antiques, and reclaimed gems. The space is both warm and inviting, while impressively historic. The tin ceilings, an architectural and aesthetic triumph, were at risk of being covered over, thankfully saved by the good taste of co-owners Dean Fletcher, Nikki Andriet, and Ryan McVittie. If these names seem familiar, then its a good bet you have some wicked taste too, as Fletcher and Andriet are the owners of the oh so cool furniture store Leigh + James on Bathurst.

The Comrade moves seamlessly from “guaranteed-first-date-score” to “impress-your-boss-get-the-raise.” Just walking in seems to up your cool factor ten fold. While the objects d’art on the walls don’t exactly scream Communist restraint, the stoic posters of Chinese and Vietnamese Communist pride might make you rethink the folly of your Capitalist ways.

The Comrade, strictly speaking, is a lounge. Having received their liquor license last Tuesday, they now serve a well-thought-out menu of interesting beer, private stock wines, and mixed drinks. The Comrade also serves Mountain View Estates fair trade/organic coffee. Even the milk, sugar, and teas are organic, making this spot even more appealing to the carbon-footprint-wary.

The Comrade presently offers four plates of artisanal (mostly Quebec) cheeses. Like the drink list, these plates are impeccably well-placed. Three of the plates are meant to be shared and are specifically designed to be paired with your libation of choice. The Rouge Platter, destined for red wines, includes a sharp yet somehow delicate Chevre Noir, an Ile-aux-Grues two year old Cheddar, a Ciel de Charlevoix blue and some very tasty accoutrements including a cured Hungarian sausage.

The Blanc Platter (for white wines) and the Biere Platter (for beer) equally impress with with generous portions of distinctive dairy goodness. All three retail for $21.95.

For the lone cheese enthusiast, The Comrade offers a plate designed for one. Priced at $12.95 this is one of the best offers around, given that the plate includes a full 100 grams of cheese and a very healthy portion of bread and mixed treats. Word on the street is that more small food items will be appearing in the weeks to come.

Whether you live in Leslieville or not, make the trip to The Comrade. The scene alone is makes it worth it, and the drinks are icing on the cake. The slick stylings and friendly service will make you want to raise your fist and march for joy.