Sunny Patio At Watermark On Toronto's Harbor
As the summer finally approaches, there is nothing better than finding a sunny spot to sit outside, enjoy a scenic view, do some people watching and have a snack with cocktails. While vacationing in Toronto, my husband and I were pointed towards the Watermark Irish Pub & Restaurant in the Harbourfront District when we asked some helpful passersby for a good spot to spend a sunny afternoon with drinks on the water. “Just look for the kilts at the Queen’s Quay Terminal.” Although I always associate kilts with the Scots, sure enough, there were kilt clad waitresses galore at the Watermark, one of a conglomerate of sister Irish bars throughout Toronto.
It appears that the Watermark’s seating is split fairly evenly between the spiffy interior dining and bar areas and the large outdoor patio. The open air transition to the patio from the large bar allows patrons to stand inside to catch the game on TV without fully sacrificing the pleasant breeze and daylight outside. The dining portion of the restaurant surrounds customers with homey drapery, bookshelves and fireplaces along with dark wood trim, tables and bright greenhouse styled windows facing the harbor.
Harbor View From The Watermark
However, we opted for outdoor seating in the sun. Umbrellas dotted most of the table to provide some shade and a festive beachy touch. We kicked back and enjoyed watching the parade of people out walking their dogs, corralling their kids or just canoodling away in their own romantic world. There were a variety of boats and watercrafts docked in front providing harbor tours and cruises, including a rigged tall ship that was quite beautiful.
So the scene itself was relaxing, entertaining and attractive. How was the fare? Well, as we came to find throughout much of Toronto, the beer selection is quite standard and small. Not that the choices aren’t good – just that we found the same stuff everywhere. Perhaps we went to the wrong places. The Watermark does promote scotch and whiskey drinks as well as mixed drinks to compliment the beer we preferred to quench our thirst after a day of being tourists.
Sweet Potato Fries With Mayo Dip
While we were holding off on proper food for dinner later, we did order up a batch of Sweet Potato Fries to munch on and tide us over. They were tender and hot and came with a yummy chipotle mayo and lemon aioli dip that really hit the spot. I would gladly replace my traditional ketchup with mayo dip for my sweet potato weakness any day of the week if only the trend would catch on in the States.
The Watermark seemed like a popular place for the Happy Hour crowd and as a good spot for date night. The menu is limited – or perhaps focused is the nicer way to put it. Lighter sandwiches, burgers and pot pies are pretty much the extent of things. I noticed that they also serve brunch on weekends with a small selection of egg dishes complimented with the tastiest of Canadian treats – peameal bacon.
We enjoyed our brief visit to The Watermark. Nothing spectacular but certainly a scenic spot for a sunny day with cold beverages and a snack to give our weary feet a rest.
Watermark Irish Pub & Restaurant
207 Queen’s Quay West
Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7
(416) 214-2772
www.watermarkirishpub.ca
Post by and photos credited to Molly G.
Find out what Molly is doing when she’s not eating @ The Bumbles Blog.
