Name/alias: Matthew LaRochelle.
Current bar: Cold Tea.
How long in the business: 10 years.
First drink/drunk: In a park for sure. Probably Canadian or Keith’s.
What influences me: Booze-forward classics are always where I build from, but I definitely drink based on time-of day or the weather. Tequila in the summer, whiskey in the winter.
Best barfly: I always like watching people claim their lost-and-found the morning after a big night. Winter coats, one shoe, self-respect…
Cinematic bartender: Gotta be Moe Syzlak from The Simpsons. Surliest bartender around, with a heart of gold.
Rules: Drinking shouldn’t be too heavy on rules. As a bartender friend of mine says: “if it’s good, it’s good”. That’s why Cold Tea serves everything from PBR tallboys to great wines and serious cocktails. Let’s all stop pretending that a Long Island Iced Tea isn’t delicious.
Celebrity experiences: My very first job I served Dave Foley from Kids in the Hall a burger. As a 14 year old Canadian kid, that’s pretty unbeatable.
Best late-night or morning-after places: I’m just really happy that Toronto finally has some serious places that serve food after midnight. The County General takes their late-night menu seriously, and has a great bar. I’ve also been eating late at the Black Hoof for years. The food is better than ever, and the cocktails and wine have always been bulletproof. The Gabardine is amazing for a late-lunch, and I’ve been at The Federal a lot since they opened. They’re doing everything right.
Best /worst tip: You’ve got to remember that no matter what the amount, even if it’s all dimes and nickels, someone chose to give you their money. However, coupons and flyers to your art-show are not adequate substitutes.
Favourite cocktail/beer/wine right now: The Monica Bellucci at TTS is a great drink, and anything John MacDonald and Taylor Corrigan put together at Origin makes me pretty happy.
Watch for: We’ve got a big Cinqo de Mayo party coming with piñatas, too much tequila, and a secret guest chef cooking the food. We’re planning on doing monthly patio-parties with a variety other amazing chefs all summer!
Cold Tea, 60 Kensington Ave, look for the steel-door with the red light above it.
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Kerry and Ivy Knight write the XX Files column for Toronto Standard. Follow them on Twitter at @keppsterr and @IvyKnight.
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