Roll Play Bar and Lounge is a sleek bar on Edward Street with an Asian influence. I recently attended Roll Play Bar’s media launch on Thursday, October 8, 2015. Upon arrival, I was greeted by an extremely friendly hostess dressed in a Japanese-inspired outfit who graciously offered my guest and me Mimosas. She informed us that tonight they would be offering a variety of hors d’oeuvres, as well as special cocktails designed to go with their Japanese theme.
The venue was not very large so it didn’t take long to check the place out. It had a very relaxed feel: they offer comfortable booths, as well as modern sofas and chairs for guests to relax in. They played a Japanese film on a projector and offered popcorn and crunchy noodle bits to snack on. A live band, “Jessica Stewart and few,” performed relaxing lounge-type music that I really enjoyed. Later on in the evening after the band had finished, a DJ played more upbeat old school hip hop music, which my guest really enjoyed.
The hostess was very friendly and ensured that we had a drink in hand the entire night. The next cocktail that she brought us was a Lychee Martini, which was to die for! This martini consisted of vodka and lychee liquor, garnished with a piece of lychee. This was by far my favourite drink of the night. We were then offered a delicious fresh salad made with shaved cucumber and topped with a sesame seed dressing made with sesame oil, soy sauce and traditional Japanese spices. This salad had a really nice spicy bite to it.
The next cocktail that was offered was called the “Geisha Martini”: cucumber infused vodka with Yulu syrup garnished with a cucumber square. This martini was very refreshing and the Yulu syrup added a nice sweetness to the drink. It tasted like a Gin martini, but did not contain any gin!
We were then offered a delicious pancake-like treat, which the hostess advised us was Double Braised Beef on a scallion pancake. The beef was marinated in a delicious Asian sauce that was ridiculously tasty! My favourite hors d’oeuvre of the night.
There was another Martini that we were told was on the menu, but we didn’t get to try it. It was a coffee flavoured martini and I’m sure it would have been delicious.
To end the night, they offered a very refreshing white-wine-infused shaved ice dessert with black currant jelly and mint. This was really delicious and I especially enjoyed the black currant jelly.
When I had originally researched this venue, I was a bit hesitant because I thought it was a gaming venue similar to that of “Snakes and Lattees,” but that was Roll Play’s previous incarnation. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was not the case and instead got completely taken away into a relaxing Asian experience. I would absolutely return even if just for the Lychee Martini and Braised Beef pancakes!!!!
Roll Play Bar and Lounge, 10A Edward Street, Toronto, 416-904-8483
