On a very dismal Thursday night, la femme Nicki-ta and I headed over to Rakia Bar – a resto/bar that originated in Belgrade and focuses on its namesake liquor, rakia – with our very own Serbian VTV’er Tanja. (Seemed only appropriate, right?)
Rakia Bar opened its Toronto outpost just a few weeks ago to showcase this Balkan delight that, as owner Dusan puts it ever so lightly, “puts hair on your face.” (Apparently strong hair affects hair growth in different areas on the other side of the pond.)
I, like most, have had brandies before. And while rakia is in the same vein as this favoured brown liquor, its distillation makes it a flavour and liquor all its own. Depending on the fruit fermented – like apricots, plums, juniper, and raspberry, to name a few – the flavours are distinct and run the gamut from mild to hairy… er… spicy. (My favourite was the apricot, which dances on your nose before boogieing down on your palate.)
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The food at Rakia Bar is Eastern European fare with gourmet twists, like the dalmation calamari or the duck’s neck sausage. (Which was served with the duck’s head… poor Donald!) Twas all a treat and all nicely executed, as you’ll see in the vlog below.
Speaking of which… you should probably watch it… now.
Rakia Bar is located at 1402 Queen Street East. Thanks to Dusan Varga for the Serbian hospitality.
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