About
The Song of the Rebel House
by Patrick Watson, OC
For that small few not yet seduced
By propaganda dining
You know, that stuff that’s full of guff
— Sophisticated wining,
The place to see the folk who matter
Never mind what’s on your platter —
Hundred-buck paté –
For those who’d like to come away
Feeling that they’ve passed the day
With lovely grub upon their tray
And folks who like to gab and play
With words, ideas, current trends
— But not too deep to cause the bends —
We, the Committee, Citizens
Indifferent to those so-called trends,
Just folk who like to drink with friends,
(Always prepared to make addenda
To that list) over a pint,
A burger, ready now to find
Some conversation at the bar
With folk who come from near and far –
We’d like to tell you where you might
Spend an hour of pure delight
Spiced with the risk of new acquaintance
(By now you haven’t got the faintest
Notion where we’re going – wait!)
We want to tell you that there is
A place where all of this can happen.
Set aside your work at mappin’
Through Toronto Life, The Star
— There is a pub that is by far
Toronto’s finest cozy bar
(A restau too) and every thing
That you could wish,
Of thee we sing,
My rhyme seems to have gone astray –
You get my meaning, anyway –
So get your asses into gear
Head for The Rebel House, you hear!
We hope to see you there, my dear.
History
The story of Upper Canada was written in its taverns. Everything that mattered in life was conducted within the walls of local hostelries: post offices, political meetings, even school lessons and church services.
The traditional tavern was a place to gather and exchange news, to catch up with neighbours and meet travelers, to enjoy an honest meal and quench an outdoor thirst. And it was a place to plot revolution.
A gathering of farmers and firebrands at Montgomery's Tavern in 1837 marched into history as the Upper Canada Rebellion. Virtually unarmed and seriously outnumbered, the rebels faced the King’s forces, led by sheriff Jarvis, in several battles on Yonge Street between Eglinton and Bloor. Some paid with their lives, sentenced to hanging from the gallows, at the old court house at present-day King and Jarvis
The Rebel House is named in honour of the spirit and independence of these pioneer fighters.
Like the taverns of old, The Rebel House offers its patrons a place to meet neighbours and newcomers in a relaxed and clubby setting. Since its opening, folks have organized their own teams and leagues in The Rebel House: men's and women's hockey, baseball, darts, Trivial Pursuits, bridge, golf, even Crokinole and cricket, to name a few.
While based on honest farmhouse cooking of the past, the menu also acknowledges today's tastes. We've reinterpreted traditional recipes from historical sources to appeal to the modern palate and reflect current nutrition.
But it is perhaps on the liquid side that The Rebel House has lived up to its name. As a point of some pride, we serve only Ontario micro-breweries on tap, only Canadian beer and ale in bottles. And we're building our wine cellar to reflect the increasing prestige garnered by Ontario vintners.