he confluence of the few blocks that is tenderly known as Leslieville has been gaining steam of late (conjuring that terrifying word in the discourse of local residents – gentrification). Long time residents – Eye Spy, Ethel – joined by hip new entries – Comrade, Kubo Radio - help make these few blocks a special little section of the city. Fare Bistro fits right in.

The space was for many years the wildly-loved Verveine, a sort of high end brunch venue for the masses. While Chef Brad Clark, who hails from Le Select Bistro, replaced the big V with his own bistro, he managed to retain much of the French spirit.

"I've had my eye on the place for over five years", Says Clark. "This is Leslieville, which manages to lure the Sunday parade of families-of-four, the Jeeps, the Golden Retriever-type crowd. But I'll manage to get my flavours out to a largely downtown crowd."

This wasn't the first location Clark had his eye on; the chef looked at the Cherry Street Diner, and was pursuing that angle for a while.
Location is directly proportional to a restaurant’s success, and the Cherry Street Diner, complete with the fragrant scents wafting around the area, compliments of the churning basin and waterfront proximity, could have proved fatal to Clark’s ambitions as a restaurateur. When that didn't pan out, he heard that Verveine was for sale, and went forth to nab that desirable property, centrally located in the lucrative Leslieville ‘hood.