The Food Network’s Restaurant Takeover (formerly Makeover) recently overhauled The Curzon in Leslieville (1192 Queen St. E., at Curzon), renovating the bar and leaving it with a new menu.
Manager J.J. Hope said the goal was to make The Curzon more neighbourhood-friendly, and to bring in more business during the week. According to Hope, the bar has been transformed from a couch-based hangout where people go “to get hammered on a Friday or Saturday night” to an actual restaurant focussed on table service (and not table dancing).
The full menu has yet to roll out, but those who stop in for a drink while the restaurant is still in its soft-launch stage can enjoy free samples including chicken drumettes, and pork loin with apple chutney.
Restaurant Takeover now has its sights set on Duffy’s Tavern at 1238 Bloor St. W. (at Margueretta) and, according to the bar’s Facebook page, the west-end haunt will be closed until Dec. 14, when they re-open to show off their new look. Regulars can only hope that Duffy’s doesn’t let fame go to its head and that the day-and-night pint pricing stays put.—Rebecca Fleming
