Take 5: Reviews

2009 Best Martini Bar in Toronto
5 years running, as voted by Toronto Life

2008
Best Martini Bar in GTA
As voted by Drinks & More Magazine readersh

2008
New Music Jazz Award
As voted by the listeners of Jazz.FM, for promoting new Jazz talent

2008
Best DJ Lounge
As voted by the readers of NOW Magazine

2008
Best Desserts in Toronto
As voted by the readers of Eye Weekly

2006-2008
Gold Star Award for Outstanding Service
Bar Review Association of Ontario

Take 5 takes the cake (and truffles, too!)

Some call Take 5 (194 Queen W., 416-598-2475) a bar where they play music, which is like calling Disney World an amusement park. Take 5 is music heaven, boasting top-notch talent, jam sessions on Tuesdays, Mill Street beer on tap and a fine side patio, not to mention staff who go above and beyond �� during a Randy Brecker/Pat Labarbera gig last winter, they delivered free coffee and munchies to the shivering crowds lined up for the second set. Classy.

Recommended Bar

-Reviewer: Paul McGhee

Now into its 26th year, this venerable place has been at the forefront of the Queen West scene since it opened in 1982. It has also had a respectable pan-sweets lineup long before truffles and the like were ever conceived. Great curbside people-watching patio, too.

"At the forefront of the Queen West scene."

Best: to start, Chocolate Wookie Balls, deep-fried sticky rice dusted with black and white sesame seeds and sided with sweet chili dip; Mandalay mussels steamed in green curry with coconut splashed with lime and served with garlic toasts;

NNN1/2 (Out of a possible 4 N)

Reviewed by Linda Marciniak, for the Now Magazine Bar & Patio Guide

Part of the classic wave of Queen Street bars, this predominantly lounge hangout bypasses grunge in favour of subtle swank (high ceilings, red brick walls and a stainless steel bar), while gently twinkling tea lights add a touch of romance. In the middle of the week, it��s ideal for a quiet drink; on weekends it��s lively and energetic.

"Take 5 is where you want to go to"

At night, revellers do body shots on the bar; the next day, they soothe their despair with inventive ��Dog�� drinks (as in ��hair of��). The drink list is heavy on trendy martinis, but it taps some local kegs (Great Lakes) and offers a reasonable list of wines by the glass ($6��$7.50). Take 5 is where you want to go to before, after, and during your night out.

4 out of 5 stars

-Reviewed by Greg Aikenhead, Chief Food & Drink critic


	Awards Toronto Life Eye Weekly NOW 2009 Best Martini Bar in Toronto 5 years running, as voted by Toronto Life 2008 Best Martini Bar in GTA As voted by Drinks & More Magazine readersh 2008 New Music Jazz Award As voted by the listeners of Jazz.FM, for promoting new Jazz talent 2008 Best DJ Lounge As voted by the readers of NOW Magazine 2008 Best Desserts in Toronto As voted by the readers of Eye Weekly 2006-2008 Gold Star Award for Outstanding Service Bar Review Association of Ontario Take 5 takes the cake (and truffles, too!) Some call Take 5 (194 Queen W., 416-598-2475) a bar where they play music, which is like calling Disney World an amusement park. Take 5 is music heaven, boasting top-notch talent, jam sessions on Tuesdays, Mill Street beer on tap and a fine side patio, not to mention staff who go above and beyond �� during a Randy Brecker/Pat Labarbera gig last winter, they delivered free coffee and munchies to the shivering crowds lined up for the second set. Classy. Recommended Bar -Reviewer: Paul McGhee Now into its 26th year, this venerable place has been at the forefront of the Queen West scene since it opened in 1982. It has also had a respectable pan-sweets lineup long before truffles and the like were ever conceived. Great curbside people-watching patio, too. "At the forefront of the Queen West scene." Best: to start, Chocolate Wookie Balls, deep-fried sticky rice dusted with black and white sesame seeds and sided with sweet chili dip; Mandalay mussels steamed in green curry with coconut splashed with lime and served with garlic toasts; NNN1/2 (Out of a possible 4 N) Reviewed by Linda Marciniak, for the Now Magazine Bar & Patio Guide Part of the classic wave of Queen Street bars, this predominantly lounge hangout bypasses grunge in favour of subtle swank (high ceilings, red brick walls and a stainless steel bar), while gently twinkling tea lights add a touch of romance. In the middle of the week, it��s ideal for a quiet drink; on weekends it��s lively and energetic. "Take 5 is where you want to go to" At night, revellers do body shots on the bar; the next day, they soothe their despair with inventive ��Dog�� drinks (as in ��hair of��). The drink list is heavy on trendy martinis, but it taps some local kegs (Great Lakes) and offers a reasonable list of wines by the glass ($6��$7.50). Take 5 is where you want to go to before, after, and during your night out. 4 out of 5 stars -Reviewed by Greg Aikenhead, Chief Food & Drink critic