Cottage season may be coming to an end, but there’s a terrific alternative in Leslieville. Ceili Cottage is the home to one of the best Mac & Cheese’s in the city (its only competition is at Weezie’s), and it’s where you’ll find my favourite oyster shucker, Patrick McMurray. Ceili is the “Irish Local” Patrick’s always wanted to run and it’s quickly become the place to be on Queen Street East.
The restaurant’s exterior stands out because it literally looks like a cottage. It’s set back, away from the street, but you’ll notice the white picket fence and large front patio. Inside, there are two rooms filled with lively patrons: the Cottage Room is lined with wood tables for dining, and the Bar Room is an intimate space at the back that’s perfect for grabbing a pint or two.
There are 12 taps, five Irish (Guinness, Harp, Kilkenny, and Smithwick’s, Murphy’s Stout) and the remaining are stouts, ales and lagers from Southern Ontario and Quèbec. Bottled beer purposely isn’t offered to reduce the restaurant’s footprint.
In addition to beer, it’d be silly to come here and not indulge in a few oysters, especially since the owner is a World Champion Oyster Shucker. Irish oysters and Malpeques are on the menu and always fresh shucked to order. We start off with three Malpeques ($2.50 each, 6 for $15, 12 for $28), served with lemon wedges and freshly grated horseradish.
Patrick, aka ”Shucker Paddy,” splits his time between Ceili Cottage and Starfish Oyster Bar & Grill, the seafood restaurant he’s helmed for over nine years. The oysters I’ve had at Starfish under Patrick’s expert guidance are the best I’ve had in Toronto, so you know Ceili’s offerings are top notch too. Elevating them even further are the three accompanying condiments: Shallots with Sparkling Wine and Vinegar, Homemade Cocktail Sauce and Homemade Hot Sauce made with Scotch Bonnet. A dash of my chosen sauce combination, one slurp to shoot the Malpaque back and I swear I’m standing knee-deep in the ocean.
The menu is simple and everything’s made on the premises. There’s Bangers & Mash, Ontario Mutton Stew, Peat-Smoked Irish Salmon and a rotating Weekly Roast Dinner. My co-worker Smitty is a Mac & Cheese connoisseur and was so ecstatic when she tried Ceili’s version that she insisted I try it as soon as possible.
I’m not exaggerating when I say their Mac & Cheese ($8) has the perfect cheesy crust, a gooey interior and well-seasoned noodles. Add a few dots of the homemade hot sauce and you’ve got an ultimate dish of comfort food. I actually recommend sharing the portion since it’s so rich and you’ll have more room for oysters, or desserts like Sticky Toffee Pudding or a Chocolate & Baileys Tart. Believe me, one visit to Ceili Cottage and you’ll agree that cottage season has actually just begun.
Ceili Cottage / 1301 Queen St. East, Toronto
416 406 1301 / Hours: Mon to Wed 5 pm-12 am, Thurs & Fri 5 pm-2 am, Sat noon-2am, Sun noon-11pm
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