DEQ at the Ritz

DEQ is a little patio hidden away behind the new Ritz-Carleton hotel downtown - a great spot for an afterwork (or pre-Munk debates) glass of bubbly. Walk through the impressive main lobby, out to the back bar, and you'll discover a little semi-oasis in the city. Oh, and one of the best parts is that you get to say 'meet me at the Ritz' - so fabulous.

• Relish: Great smaller sharing bites to accompany the bubbly / wine / cocktails, pretty standard selections (bruschetta, flatbreads, sliders, charcuterie), but executed nicely. The crab dip was warm deliciousness of crab with super-thin crispy pita crackers. 
• Quaff: This is where DEQ makes me happy. A great selection of bubbly by the glass, and some pretty interesting ones that you don't find at the LCBO. The wines by the glass are also impressive, and they have a good selection of cocktails - enjoyed lounging in the couches by the open air fireplace just makes everything taste even better!
• Feel: It reminds me of the patios at bars in Cape Town -only surrounded by tall buildings. Great staff, different sizes and shapes of tables and lounge chairs and couches, open fireplaces and greenery...all filled with people enjoying being beautiful. It has a bit of an 'i'm seriously chic' attitude, but with the right company, that blends into the background and becomes a fun people watching spot.  

Totally recommend it, although I think it has it's right time and place. I'm not sure I would want to spend the whole night there, but a drink or two before moving on to a night out or a restaurant is ideal. Great after work spot.