Open at 8 a.m., Bar Raval Brings a Taste of Spain to Toronto

Bar Raval, a staple in Toronto’s culinary & beverage scene and helmed by acclaimed chef Grant van Gameren with partners Robin Goodfellow and Michael Webster, is heavily influenced by the Spanish resort town San Sebastian. “To make the best use out of the space, we wanted to pack people in, so it’s standing, which exists in Spain,” said Goodfellow, who is not only a partner but also a bartender at Bar Raval. “We do pinchos all day. It’s a cafe; it’s kind of more of a community center. People come in all the time and the sort of vibe that you get in San Sebastian is exactly what we thought would be good here.” Bar Raval offers both pinchos, which are Spanish snacks, and tapas, shareable plates. In this episode of “Across the Bar,” host Paul Barron is served three of Bar Raval’s cocktails, all of which are broken down by ingredients and the inspiration behind their creation.