Parts and Labour: under construction (Image: Karon Liu)
First Cowbell, then Local Kitchen, and now this.
With the arrival of Parts and Labour, a hardware store transformed into a restaurant, the tail end of Queen West takes another step from weekend antiquing destination to social hub. Parkdale locals are excited about the new spot, and with good reason: it represents a new partnership between the owners of The Social, Castor Design and Oddfellows.
During a tour with Richard Lambert, one of the owners, we’re told that Parts and Labour is designed for “Social graduates who want to be more mature and don’t go out to clubs as much anymore.” He adds with a laugh, “We also have a no-electronic-music policy.”
Although the space is huge (6,000 square feet) and seats 120, Lambert insists that Parts and Labour is not a supper club catering to rich, condo-dwelling 30-somethings. “I hate the term ‘supper club,’” he says. “This is first and foremost a restaurant, but with a laid-back, rock ’n’ roll vibe to it.” And since the neighbourhood has many low-income housing complexes, Lambert says the goal is to make the place inviting to everyone—not just fans of Oddfellows and The Social. “You can have bolognese for $12 or a salad for $6. There are also entreés for $35. You can spend $10 or $100 here.”
The restaurant is still weeks away from opening, but elements of Oddfellows and Castor Design are already evident. Designers Brian Richer and Kei Ng are bringing in communal tables (eight in the main dining room), as well as their iconic cylindrical light fixtures made of fluorescent bulbs. The firm is also playing up its quirkiness with a wall made of car windshields at the entrance and bar stools that resemble huge springs.
Oddfellows’ chef, Matty Matheson, will be in charge of the menu and will be cooking here five nights a week (he will retain his post as executive chef at Oddfellows). The back of the restaurant will double as a venue for parties and art shows, and the basement, called The Shop, will act as a music venue.
“It’s definitely becoming a foodie destination,” says Lambert. “Cowbell is beside us, and Mitzi’s Sister is a few doors down. It’s the reason why we’re here. We’re not in a saturated neighbourhood, so we can be more flexible with what we do. I don’t think this would work if we opened on Richmond.”
Parts and Labour, 1566 Queen St. W. (at Sorauren Ave.), 416-588-7750, partsandlabour.ca.
Yes, there is a knee-jerk reaction to anything related to the Social “invading” this stretch of Parkdale. I live here and welcome more nice placed to eat and even more punk rock shows. The problem is not changing neighbourhoods, or fancier places coming in.
The problem is clubs in the guise of restaurants opening in residential neighbourhoods. There is a reason that gross Entertainment District exists — because after years of residents near the Copa and the Phoenix complainiing about drukerds shouting into the night and pissing on their lawns the city created a zone for nighttime fun away from where people actually live and sleep. Now you’ve got people buying condos to be near that action, then growing up a bit and complaining that the entertainment district is just too darned entertaining. And on the other end, people who want to run nightclubs that are not in that zone, so sneakily getting restaurant licenses then operating them as nightclubs. (Hello, Wrongbar. Add as many chefs as you want, you are CLEARLY operating as a DJ/dance/nightclub.)
If it’s true that P+L is already contravening its license before doors even open (if poster Dea’s correct about the number of seats required, etc.), we’re off to a lousy start.
There is a huge difference between a bar restaurant and a club. Bar/restaurant people generally don’t pile up on the sidewalk hollering as late as 3 or 4 in the morning night after night after night with taxi cabs honking at them. Sure, in Parkdale there have always been drunks making a fuss on Queen at all hours, that’s part of the life here. But clubs attract them by the dozens or even hundreds, night after night. People who live in the city have a right to sleep. Telling us to move to the burbs is ridiculous. We’re not the ones breaking the noise and restaurant by-laws.
June 4, 2010 at 3:35 pm | by ParkalienLast nights soft opening to friends and family was stupendous! The food was great, the vibe is fun and exciting. Our server Lisa was a delight. I didn’t see one drunk in the place, just a lot of people excited to try out a classy new restaurant :)
I had the lamb heart tartar to open and the short-rib for my main. For dessert I had the burnt honey ice-cream and it was spectacular :) They make all their own ice-creams in house.
The open concept kitchen with 3 chef’s tables was very popular and gives you a birds-eye view into the work flow of great kitchen. Much better than watching the food network :)
Since the live music is in the basement, called “The Shop” (in keeping with the Parts & Labour theme) it’s a small room so it’s highly unlikely anyone more than 20 ft from the building will hear anything other than a muffed thump or two.
Have any of the critics who have no clue as to what this place is, seen the blog about the roof top garden?? These guys are on the cutting edge of fresh eats in this city.
http://parksrecroof.blogspot.com/
The official opening is June 10
June 5, 2010 at 11:55 am | by SteveOaaaw poor crackies and hookers will be displaced by the hipsters. Gentrify away boys!
June 5, 2010 at 10:25 pm | by westwestqueenwestSorry to say, but the food at Oddfellow’s isn’t very good, at least not good enough (this is my own opinion, mind you) to warrant another restaurant being opened with this chef. I suspect it will be more club-like which will definitely take the emphasis off of the food, but for $35 on a main, I’m going to be expecting far far more than the passable ‘French’ food that’s served at Oddfellows currently. The place has always seemed like a cool place to eat, but not one of particular quality.
Design wise I think it’s overdone and obnoxious, but I think that’s the clientele they are aiming for.
June 8, 2010 at 2:25 pm | by expatparkdalermenu looks eclectic and fun but seriously only one local wine… AN ICEWINE ! Embarassing and a slap in the face to the other restaurants Cowbell and the Local Kitchen who focus on local food AND local wine. Also the lounge and live music aspect is not looking good.
June 10, 2010 at 8:04 am | by JojubeAs both restaurants & live music venues go, I do not think this place will be able to compete with fun, funky (& less expensive spots) like Mitsy’s Sister or the Cadillac Lounge.
June 10, 2010 at 1:11 pm | by Gzlathe food is very average at oddfellows…i am sure it’ll be the same at parts and labour. they aren’t interested in sourcing fine food products – they like to buy all their food in the same place they get their cleaning supplies and toilet paper (the one stop shop).
June 15, 2010 at 5:39 pm | by bapwhat’s so special about another place like that?
save your time and money…go to pizza libretto
pizza libretto … don’t waste your time or money
This place is TERRIBLE. Long line ups. Bad customer service. The food is burnt yet soggy (not sure how they managed to do such a poor job). There are many better pizza places in Toronto. If you get stuck in this area for dinner I’d recommend walking across the street to BQM (Burger Shoppe). The food, atmosphere, customer service and drink selection is 100% better than Pizzeria Libretto! Pizzeria Libretto… you need to get down from your high horse and humble yourself.
June 16, 2010 at 2:36 pm | by thomas paineyou missed my point mr. paine. i was talking about how oddfellows is less than average.
June 17, 2010 at 5:28 pm | by baplast time i looked we lived in a free society where we could voice our opinions. do you feel better after writing your last sentance? no need to be mean.
Mr/Ms Bap,
You made no valid point, you made false statements regarding Oddfellows sourcing of ingredients. I do not consider lies to be valid in any way, shape or form.
You expressed your opinion freely, I expressed mine or would you rather I not?
June 19, 2010 at 8:00 pm | by thomas paineanyone who eats here deserves to get all the equine parasites they serve via their horse meals
July 1, 2010 at 10:21 pm | by bravolaquered trogladytes!
April 8, 2011 at 10:47 am | by MegI live right across from Parts and Labour. The noise is not an issue and any day I would feel safer walking by a bunch a drunk kids and taxi cabs at night then finding myself alone with a couple of crack heads staring at me. That’s what it used to be like when I first moved in. A little bit of loud street traffic is well worth it if it’s the price for feeling safer. I don’t understand how people can put up such a stink towards something that attracts new revenue to an area that needs it badly. More street traffic will help all the small business around. I just wish people would give them a chance before pouncing on them over assumptions. I hope more new restaurants and nice bars open in Parkdale then more people can see what a beautiful neighbourhood we have. Also, yes, if you live off of Queen (a major artery to downtown toronto) it’s a little silly to think you are going to live in a quiet suburban neighbourhood, you should move if that’s what you are looking for.
August 8, 2011 at 12:24 pm | by Parkdale resident