Welcome to one of my favorite watering holes! I discovered this place by accident last summer, strolling along 11th Ave with a friend. By "strolling" and "by accident", I actually mean deliberate and calculated bar-hopping. It wasn't that I didn't know District existed. It was that I had no idea of the delights that were in store! I was completely taken by the house brewed "black pilsnor" and fresh oysters. Recently I returned with a friend in order to try some of the tasty looking menu items. District is sort of a pub for foodies. The menu is always revolving, and is located on chalk boards on the walls. You might have to get up and walk around to figure out what you wanna eat. The menu buzzes with words like "local" and "line caught". They also have a charcuterie and cheese menu at your table with a pencil to make selections. Most importantly, you can see the beer being brewed right in house by Brew Brothers, which is served up in jars. Love it.
The oysters are something like $3.50 a pop, and come with accompanying sauces, which, to a true oyster lover are completely unnecessary. Just a little squeeze of lemon, and slurp! - I am transported to my home on the coast for just a moment. There are usually east and west coast varieties to choose from.
The wings are probably the best in town. Crispy, meaty, and not too greasy. A good selection of sauces. The best part is District's happy hour featuring 25 cent wings and $3.75 jars of house-brewed beer. You can get the same wings and beer next door at the more low-key Amsterdam Rhino for different deals.
This is the notorious bucket of bacon with maple syrup. This is one of those menu items you just have to try because it sounds so cool. But while the house-cured bacon is really good bacon, there just isn't enough of it to justify the "bucket" gimmick and the price.
There is a poutine board. That's right, District is also known for their poutines, and yes they have duck confit. This is a small, but there are larger sizes and you can add toppings. We just added some gruyere cheese which was delish. I have to admit, this is one of the best poutines I've ever had. The fries were seasoned and crispy, and the cheese and gravy were full of flavour. My friend Dave enjoyed this so much he ordered a large one on another trip with a big 'ol fried egg on it.
As you may know, I am not a fan of random eggs being inappropriately thrown onto unrelated non-breakfast structures, but he seemed to enjoy it.
This is a lovely bison burger (free range and local I'm sure), with crispy onion rings and house-made aioli; the combination of which was fantastic. The fries were served with a little jar of house-made ketchup.
Look at all the oysters! Okay... so how can you not love a pub that brews its own beer, cures its own meat, and features a revolving menu of local, wholesome ingredients? A pub that has a cheese menu, a poutine menu, fresh oysters and excellent chicken wings?? You have to love this place!
That is an awfully large bucket for what appears to be two strips of mouth watering bacon... Everything looks so tasty! I gotta check it out!
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