Strolling along College Street, you'll weave your way through an endless array of Italian trattorias, dive bars, ubiquitous shoe stores and fruit markets. And with its impossible-to-miss crown-molded facade, The Walton sticks out like a very attractive sore thumb. But if you've ventured inside for a nosh or a cocktail, you'll know it’s not just the fresh, white-washed exterior that makes this café-bar worthy of a visit.
Partners in life and business, Alison MacKenna and Sunny Yoanidis opened this charming European-inspired bistro in October 2015. After trolling rentals for five days, they found the perfect diamond in the rough just five minutes away from their home of twenty years.
Every inch of the room is filled with a carefully selected array of garage sale, flea market and online treasures. Creating a whimsical-yet-modern decor. Alison cheekily explains the aesthetic to be akin to if “a French bistro and a British pub had a baby.”
In the morning, The Walton is a neighbourhood coffee spot, serving a selection of pastries and caffeine. The furniture, ornate teacups and rustic offerings give the space a country-like atmosphere. By night it serves drinks on the stronger side. The cocktail menu is filled with creative cocktails and a few traditional options. Check out the small snack bar menu.
This dreamy café-bar in fact opened at the tail end (and thus, post-patio season) of 2015, so patrons are only getting to take advantage of the stunning back patio now. The courtyard-like outdoor space is a welcome break from the bustling and beaten Little Italy path, with marble twosome tables, plenty of lush greenery, and a canopy of trees overhead. As for the fare, it’s all about the craft cocktails, local beer, fresh, snack-y plates and mouthwatering pastries at The Walton – in other words, all the good stuff.
Disastrously cute, The Walton is bound to charm. The quaint décor is evocative of an Edwardian pub with a Canadian spin. Old postcards of Mounties adorn the walls and dried-leaf arrangements dot the tabletops. Hangout at the marble-topped bar or lounge on the plush seating in the dining area. As for food and drink, an expansive beer, wine and cocktail list is available day and night, while cheese, meat, and fish are served tapas style. Smack in Little Italy, it’s a beautiful spot to sip espresso during the afternoon and indulge in a little romance once evening rolls around.