Having read about Swirl in the Toronto Star of all places, I had put it on my list of places to check out. The concept of wine, bread, cheeses, patés, and chacuterie into the wee hours (or any time at all, really), is vastly appealing. While this won’t be a meal replacement, Swirl’s delicious nibbles enhance a most excellent place to take friends and hang out. With by-the-glass ranging from about $6 to $15ish and food at $1, $6, and $15, it also certainly doesn’t hurt the wallet.

From the top: Pickled mushrooms, Stilton & Caramelized Apple, Duck Rillettes. Everything good. Liked the Stilton.

Tomato chutney and pickled quail eggs. There was much interest over what would pair well with the chutney.

Chacuterie and Cheeses. Decent, but less interesting than their bottled offerings, both liquid and solid.

Chacuterie and Cheeses. Decent, but less interesting than their bottled offerings, both liquid and solid.

Chocolate cake, sided with mascarpone frosting. Am still waiting to try the creme caramel.

Chocolate cake, sided with mascarpone frosting. Am still waiting to try the creme caramel.

Well, this is how the story of your meal will end.

Well, this is how the story of your meal will end.

...unless you end it with an digestif! Chamomile-infused grappa. Quite lovely, especially given I dont like grappa.

…unless you end it with an digestif! Chamomile-infused grappa. Quite lovely, especially given I don’t like grappa.

Notable-but-not-pictured: the Smoked Salmon & Goat Cheese and the $7 Malbec. Swirl hits the right food notes and price notes, so it’s easy to return. The chicken liver pate and crème caramel were out for our first and second visit, so obviously, a third visit is necessary!

More Swirl Photos

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