Cèst What

Date visited: January 22, 2006
Score: 83


As an underground location, C'est What is an easy place to miss if you're not careful, which is why you should always be careful on Pintathlons. Well worth a visit, CW is warm and inviting with candlelit tables throughout, stone walls and a long wooden bar. The drag is that the best bar area (yes, there are a couple) is closed off when bands are playing. Great for music lovers, but not so good for Pintathletes who are looking for some conversation over a pint. We had some argument over whether CW is suffering from an identity crisis, trying to be a pub, a restaurant, a music venue or some combination of all three. Call it what you will, but with 30 taps of exceptional quality, CW is one of the best places in the city to have a pint.

Pintathletes	Dave	Daryl	Karen
* Quality	8	8	8
* Quantity	7	7	8
* Diversity	8	7	8
* Timeliness	7	7	7
* Attitude	6	6	7
* Capability	7	5	7
Atmosphere	37	35	44
Gut Feel Factor	0	5	0
Total	80	80	89

Bier Markt

Date visited: January 22, 2006
Score: 80.5


The Bier Markt has become a Toronto institution - equally popular among the after work crowd, night-time clubbers and tourists alike. Despite the expansive space, BM offers many cosy sitting areas so you never feel like you're in a hockey arena. You'll enjoy an impressive range of taps and plenty of international bottled selections. So what's keeping the Bier Markt from Jewel status? There's something "invented" about the BM, a certain lack of authenticity that you don't get like you do at a place like C'est What. Perhaps part of the problem is that it is often overrun with patrons, meaning a lack of seating and deep lineups at the bar. Nonetheless, the Markt is a definite must-visit on the Pintathlon and and enjoyable spot for a quality pint.

Pintathletes	Dave	Daryl
* Quality	7	8
* Quantity	8	7
* Diversity	8	7
* Timeliness	7	7
* Attitude	6	6
* Capability	7	7
Atmosphere	36	40
Gut Feel Factor	0	0
Total	79	82

Beer Bistro

Daryl looks on as a blurry Linda contemplates the lovely Morte Subite that she's about to enjoy. Meanwhile, Dave's Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout dominates the foreground awaiting its pour...

Date visited: Jan 22, 2006

Score: 86.66


To say that the Beer Bistro got mixed reviews would be accurate, yet misleading: everyone loved it, but for different reasons. Formerly Zoom restaurant, the Bistro offers an expansive space with soaring ceilings and windowed walls on two sides. In the bar area up front, several cosy booths are available, but the seats at the bar are equally comfortable and afford a prime view of the impressive range of about 20 taps. For Linda, B2 brings the class of an upscale martini bar to the beer world, while Dave and Daryl found the atmosphere a bit sterile (although they admit it somehow works and makes you want to stay for that extra pint.) The service is prompt, friendly and all staff are highly knowledgeable about beer. (Dayna is a particular delight and you'll know if you've met her.) In a district with stiff competition like Bier Markt and C'est What, it is a particular achievement that Beer Bistro claims Jewel Status for Old Toronto.

Pintathletes	Dave	Daryl	Linda
* Quality	8	8	8
* Quantity	7	7	7
* Diversity	8	7	7
* Timeliness	8	8	8
* Attitude	7	8	8
* Capability	8	8	8
Atmosphere	40	37	45
Gut Feel Factor	0	0	0
Total	86	83	91