by Andrew Morrison | I’ve had to sit on this news through its rumour stage – that Dale Mackay, owner/chef of Ensemble and recent Top Chef Canada victor, was opening a second restaurant this December just a block or so from his Thurlow St. address – but Mackay confirmed to me this morning that it is definitely in the works for December. I can’t say exactly where just yet, nor can I tell you the name (it’s still being registered), but the concept sounds like a BBQ and beer-heavy pub that will serve the kind of fare that you’d normally associate with the milieu (nachos, burgers, bangers, pot pies, etc) only elevated to a level where just about everything is made in house from scratch and by hand. It’ll be sports heavy, too, with some fifteen 45″ flat screen TVs. Helming the kitchen will be chef de cuisine Bradley Hendrickson (now at Ensemble), with former DB Bistro sous chefs Alex Amos (recently Mission Hill) and Greg Reid (recently Quail’s Gate) in support. There will be a 40 foot bar of reclaimed wood to tend, and another 80 seats in an expansive dining room (with mezzanine). Running the show will be current Ensemble barman Christopher Cho, with operations back-up from the lovely and talented Ali Maher, formerly the maitre’d at DB Bistro. More soon.

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