If you love reconnecting with nature but hate bugs, dirt and a lack of running water, Chef Anthony Rose’s new Annex backyard barbecue, the Big Crow, offers a culinary experience inspired by “Algonquin Park, canoe trips, cooking over an open fire and swimming in the big lakes of Ontario.” An outdoor, open-air patio concept located just behind Rose & Sons (176 Dupont), the prep kitchen and bar are located inside nifty recycled shipping crates. In true cottage form, you’re best to wear your lazy Saturday clothes as they’ll be soaking up the sweet, smokey smell coming from the grill. Here are 5 reasons why we’re actually excited to be be staying in the city this weekend and going to the Big Crow…
1. No long car ride, traffic, truck stops, crying children, bugs, sunburns, poison ivy… need we go on?
2. You don’t have to catch or fish for your dinner. Forget all those weird snare traps they taught you about in Boy Scouts, the Big Crow menu already features rabbit with honey butter hot sauce, lobster grilled with lemon and herbs, and dry aged bone-in rib steak with blue cheese among its wide variety of barbecued delights.
3. Cold beer. No lukewarm Coors from the cooler for us, Big Crow features a range of local beers and ciders that includes Kensington’s Watermelon Wheat, Beau’s Lagered Ale and Hogtown Lager, among others. For those who don’t like beer with their BBQ (heresy!), there is also rosé, red and white wine, and a cocktail list that could tempt even the most diehard of lager lovers.
4. S’MORES. Gooey, delicious, campfire goodness right here in the middle of the city. Your summer would not be complete without having one of these bad boys.
5. It’s outside! Just because you’re not at the cottage does not mean you can’t breathe in some fresh air. Now that the heat wave is over and we can actually leave the house again, this is the perfect time to partake in the great Canadian summer tradition of drinking brew, eating meat and chatting with friends about what Mother Nature will throw at us next.
