PRAVDA VODKA BAR 

44 Wellington Street E. Toronto, On., (416) 366-0303 Dinner and Late Night Mon. to Sat.

We came upon Pravda Vodka Bar after dinner at a nearby restaurant called Bravi.  The exterior looked interesting.

The inside was quite spectacular and we had a chance to get a good look around the place before the evening crowd started to arrive.

On our way to the upstairs bar we came across a trumpet player playing a jazz tune.

The upstairs is as dramatic as the downstairs.

A wall of vodka bottles from around the world.

The menu of vodkas and martinis is extensive!

We decided to choose from their extensive martini list and selected a wonderful tasty martini called a Trotsky Lemon Berry Martini.  It was outstanding, so we had a couple of them.

It was accompanied by an amuse bouche that was light and very tasty.

There is a grand piano used some evenings with entertainment.

The surroundings here are unusual and quite dramatic.  The martinis are awesome and we enjoyed our time here.  Although we did not eat here, we will be back to try more of their martinis and soak in the sights of this space.

http://pravdavodkabar.com/

PROOF THE VODKA BAR 4.5 out of 5

Yorkville area,  220 Bloor Street West in the Intercontinental Hotel, Toronto On. (416) 324-6645, Mon.-Thurs.  3:30 pm to 12 am, Fri. 3:30 pm to 1:00 am, Sat 3:30 pm to 2:00 am, Sun. 3:30 pm to 12:00 am

After having a great meal and some not very good wine at the Bedford Academy on Prince Arthur Avenue, six of us decided to go to the Proof Vodka Bar for some after dinner drinks - it was only a couple of blocks away.  So we took a leisurely walk through Yorkville - it was a beautiful still night for November.  

Across from the Lee-Chin crystal at the ROM is the Continental Hotel on the North side of Bloor Street.

the Lee-Chin Crystal at the ROM

On the front of the hotel beside the lobby is the Proof Vodka Bar.

christmas tree in the lobby of the Continental Hotel

Proof is a beautiful, relaxing, space to have a drink.  It has a number of white very soft leather couches, chairs, benches and bar stools.  The seating was so comfortable that we did not want to leave.  As the evening wore on, more people started to arrive, yet the noise level didn't rise because the bar is so spacious and has a variety of gathering areas.  It also has a beautiful patio lounge in the summer for outdoor dining.

The lounge was so comfortable that we had quite a number of wonderful cocktails and prosecos.  The waiter delivered some complimentary olives which was nice.  He was very efficient and personable.  The cocktails average between 9 and 14 dollars and are well presented.  Though we did not have any food, there is a good list of tapas and deserts which could be had with your drinks.  We will explore these on another visit.  All of us had an extremely wonderful time in conversation and enjoyed the calmness of this space. It has now become our go to bar in this area of the city - we can't wait to go back.

There are many pictures of this lounge and some menu items on their website.  They also have a good video on their website.   


http://www.proofvodkabar.ca/

THE MARTINI HOUSE 4 out of 5

I have been to the Martini House in Burlington many times and have never been disappointed.  They have a wonderful Tapas Menu that would satisfy any palate.  On Tuesdays from 3 to close they are half price and are worth every penny.  

Last night my wife and my two sons shared a variety of these

including; bayou fried calamari with New Orleans seasonings and smoking chipotli aoli, escargots in garlic cream sauce, edemame (the best version I have tasted), asian nachos made with crispy wontons covered with Asian slaw, sweet peanut seasoned chicken, cheese and topped with a wasabi aoli (absolutely divine), small button riblets covered in a sweet barbecue sauce and very meaty (melt in your mouth).  We shared a bottle of great Chianti at a reasonable price and my wife had strawberry cheesecake.  

On one of our previous visits the bartender (who is very good at his craft) introduced us to something called Blue, Blue, Lemon.  It can be made as a Martini without ice or a Cocktail with ice.  It includes 1 oz of blueberry vodka, 1/2 oz of blueberry liquor and 1/2 oz of Soho (lichee liquor).  It's a great way to complete your visit here. 

Even though it can get very busy here both on the spacious patio on the front, or inside which is a little cramped, the service is very efficient and the waiters and waitresses are always smiling.

http://www.martinihouse.ca/