Ici Bistro gets its liquor licence; Joe Pantalone calls it the “beauty of democracy”
After winning over Annex residents and fighting a protracted battle with various bureaucracies, chef J.P. Challet and his partners are being granted a liquor licence for their latest restaurant, Ici Bistro. The news came down late yesterday and can be taken as a victory for cooler minds. The licence itself has a few provisos—15, to be precise—that include a ban on video arcades and loud music. But perhaps the key condition of the licence is that it cannot be handed down to any new business on that property without another hearing with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission. This should be good news to deputy mayor Joe Pantalone, who opposed boozing at the bistro out of fear that a yet-unheard-of sleaze spot might one day move in, peddle hooch to local teens and tear the community asunder.
Ironically, the community was only strengthened by Challet’s efforts. The chef opened his Harbord Street restaurant to locals to show that his motives were gastronomic, not nefarious. After a fashion, Annex residents rallied around him, and many signed their names to a petition that supported the bistro’s licence application. For his part, Joe Pantalone seems to know when he’s beat. Once the licence was granted, the councillor told the Globe, “I respect the decision and will do my best to make it work. That’s the beauty about democracy.”
We’ll drink to that, Joe (even if we can’t get in a little NASCAR Showdown between the lobster bisque and steak frites).
• Annex’s Ici Bistro wins liquor fight [Globe and Mail]
The Globe is reporting that a hearing would be required if the license is transferred. This is not correct. The AGCO ruling only requires that the City be notified of any transfer, and that this notice be posted in the restaurant window. This is a condition that Ici agreed to long before the hearing, in negotiations with the community, along with all the other conditions. Councillor Pantalone knew that Ici had agreed to these conditions, but continued in his opposition anyway.
It is ironic that Councillor Pantalone should invoke the “beauty of democracy.” It was Councillor Pantalone who ignored the local, democratic conversation about Ici that had been taking place in our community, where supporters and objectors were meeting together in respectful dialogue. Councillor Pantalone refused to even meet with the Ici owners, or any Ici supporter, or anyone at all who had an opinion different from his own. Instead, he used municipal power to impose a City Council resolution, without notice, opposing the Ici license application. This top-down action ended any possibility of resolving the issue ourselves locally, and forced a two month delay as the conversation was taken out of the community to a hearing room in North York, where everything would be decided by an AGCO commissioner.
Clearly, Councillor Pantalone’s definition of “democracy” is as poor as his definition of “conflict of interest” or “legitimate work-related expenses.”
If John B.’s comments are correct, too bad. What Mr.B didnt mention is that this is the 4th try for a license at this location– the three prior attempts were basically video arcades.
No one has a problem with “fine dining” (in reality a showpiece for his catering business) , the neighbourhood JUST asked that the license not be able to be transferred to one of the video arcades that will surely take over in two years when ICI leaves and it will– two years in the industry average (less on College but heh thats money laundering)
Video arcades have come and gone there for 25 years–it right across the street from Harbord Collegiate. Why locate there and not one of the 3 established restaurant areas (Bloor, College or further down on Harbord –near Rick Salutin)?
Hmmmmmm could it be cheaper rents?– fine, but there is a reason they are cheaper. Won’t it be fun having your glass of Bordeaux in June while the Harbord Collegiate kids are going to summer school? Great (sic) location.
And by the way, ICI did not open its doors and talk to the community at any point. I live on Manning and never received a flyer, call etc for ” a local dialogue”. I guess ICI did for all the press people like Rick Salutin who don’t live anywhere near the place. I have never seen such a publicity blitz, even got Matt Galloway on CBC preaching from ICI’s book. “his good friend JP” So pathetic…
And good luck to find parking– there is none–why? it is a residential area– if JP is so good– locate in a restaurant district.
I guess Carol J sees little hope for a better future in our neighbourhood, and that’s too bad. Myself, I think the best way to support a change from video arcades would be to support a change from video arcades.
In any case, it is simply not true to suggest that Ici never opened its doors to the community. There were two open houses in late May and early June, clearly publicized in their window. And from June on, the door was open whenever the owners were there, and neighbours were welcome to stick in their heads, meet the owners, and see what was going on for themselves. The open door policy was how Ici was able to gather 285 signatures of neighbour support without any canvassing.
Ha ha ha I love it when whiners like Carol J are exposed as NIMBY liars. John B pwns her beautifully with the facts of the matter as well as some ugly truth about her atrocious attitude toward the very idea of improving the neighbourhood.
And another victory for ICI to enjoy is the fact that she won’t support their business – a sour face like hers in any establishment would be bad for business.
I guess she can get back to yelling at the traffic to slow down from her porch.
And I can’t wait to punt Pantalone in the next election.
I live 50 feet from ICI and supported their efforts. I am very happy they are now in my neighbourhood. I did not support the Liquor License application for Aftermath across the street as it is basically a student hangout with blacked out windows- ICI opens at 6pm so there wont be any students going to school summer or winter at that time
as for Mr . Pantalone… i will keep my opinion to myself
College St. Restaurants ” Money Laundering” LOL
In response to Carol J, I also live on Manning and ICI did indeed open their doors (as per John B’s post). I supported the liquor license application and am very happy they received it. Perhaps this will inspire other businesses to move west of Bathurst. Sam James coffee bar and now ICI!
I am all to familiar with the endless spools of red tape, we as restauranteurs have to hack and slash our way through to ultimately be there for the customer. I just wanted to say “congrats” to JP. Keep in mind, that is only your first small hurdle! They’ll come bi – weekly… At least!!!