We probably don’t need to remind you that we didn’t agree with the moratorium then, as there was no local consultation (a period where Salt owners could have decided whether they wanted to go forward or not) and the resulting legislation was poor and misguided. We cannot support anything to do with his mayorship now – as we fear less community involvement, as Joe likes to do things solo.

Joe was quoted in the Star as saying “I have no problem with people finding loopholes, if they’re good people,” but as Sheryl Kirby points out in TasteTO, “Given the crap Pantalone threw at J.P. Challet, who worked within the law to open his bistro on Harbord, this sort of reads that, if you’re friends with Joey Pants, breaking the rules is okay. Not cool.”

We like the vitality that the neighbourhood has with new cuisine entering the area. We’ve eaten at Salt while they opened semi-legally using a catering licence, and it’s excellent. It’s just what the neighbourhood needs – modern Portuguese tapas, combining the cuisines of many of our neighbours with the modern styles of places like Union and Foxley Bistro.

The reason that Salt can’t open is that the city will not issue them a restaurant license, and thus, without that license they can’t get the liquor license. It has nothing to do with the AGCO – it’s purely a city decision, and one that was made law by our mayoral candidate. Interestingly, a few other places have been granted food licenses, including Crafted and Crepes and More. Although neither has a need for liquor licenses at this point, the city granted licenses despite the moratorium.

Joe will not be getting our vote for mayor, but he might be wanting yours. And we want Salt Wine Bar to open. We’re already craving some of the nice cured hams we had!

Here’s his office number: 416-392-4009 and the email is :councillor_pantalone@toronto.ca

His campaign office number is: (416) 534-2611

Call him and let him know that politicians should let entrepreneurs build their businesses, and let local enforcement do their job. And that Salt Wine Bar should open! He can make that happen.

We walked by this afternoon and the paper was off the windows and there were menus posted. It was around 3pm but it looked like the place was ready to go. The food looks good, with Galacian Octopus, Cuban Prawns (just in time for Havana Cultura Festival coming up in a couple weeks), Duck Confit and Lamb Burgers. It all sounds very good.

Here’s copies of the regular and the late night menu. (always happy that they have a late-night menu!)

The Regular Menu:

The Late Night Menu:

(we’ll ignore that the menu says July 2010)

We’ve posted the wine list here.

We’re going to head over there later tonight and see whether it’s really open. Hopefully service is quick and we don’t wait for our dishes as we did for the restaurant to open. Let us know if you head over there too.

A couple weeks ago, during the Interior Design Show, Audi held a party at Bohmer, despite the fact that that it isn’t yet open to the public. The outside looks almost ready and the inside, while not stocked, is pretty bare-bones.

MartiniBoys is reporting that the spot is going to be about 5000 sqft with an attached store. Here’s some pics of the front and inside:

We are assuming that they are going to have a bigger sign going up soon. The opening was promised for January 20th, partly because of the design show, but we assume there are other issues holding up the launch.

Another restaurant that looks set to open is Salt Wine Bar, that looks like it’s been sitting idle for many, many months. Last week they put up a new awning.

We’ll head over to them when we see the paper comes off the windows and update on the food and drink.