Novelty meets culinary excellence in a unique secret menu concept at the always crafty Mother Cocktail Bar.
The Secret Diners menu is a prix-fixe menu that pops up once or twice a month, with curated dishes and drinks, incredible rotating chefs, and a twist – the menu is a secret until you sit down.
“The Secret Diners menu changes every time and we don’t share it until it’s on your plate,” says award-winning bartender and co-owner Massimo Zitti. “The beauty of this project is that we collaborate with different chefs every time, so it never gets boring!”
The beloved Queen West mainstay continues to elevate the food and cocktail scene with its secret menu program started by Geoffrey Fleming of VQ Wines as a “fun side project,” according to Zitti.
Zitti describes the inspiration behind the Secret Diners menu as “boring dinners and the warm affection people have for food and drinks.”
The vivacious co-owner is originally from Rome, Italy, and has been mixing drinks for over two decades.
“I always loved the art of mixing drinks, and it fascinates me so much that now I feel truly blessed that this is my real job,” he expresses, noting that he is now “even more inspired than before.”
As for the Secret Diners menu, the team behind each event consists of a bartender, a sommelier and a rotating chef. Each event has a different theme, which is all patrons know about the experience when they reserve a spot. October was Agro-Dolce and a sweet and sour taste of Italy; November was Back-End: the beginning of the fall season; and December and January will be duck and fortified wines.
Zitti says that the most memorable dishes in November included “Ouef” served classically French, with a cream-mustard mousse and chicken skin, and a dried brisket with honey-fermented cabbage and a caraway-rye jus, crafted with Michter’s Distillery.
Those who secure a reservation for this hot ticket event can expect five courses, two cocktails, two wines and a spirit or liquor tasting on the menu.
Named one of North America’s 50 best bars in 2022, Mother Cocktail Bar opened in 2019 and has since focused on its use of exceptional ingredients, fresh flavour combinations and unique methods.
“We have a straightforward philosophy to elevate the Canadian cocktail scene with humble, honest and professional guest service, and yes, we ferment a lot of stuff because it is fun and intriguing, as are many other aspects of our daily routines at the cocktail bar,” notes Zitti.
Zitti teases that the fermentation-happy team is indeed working on its next concept, too, but that it is “still very far away, so time will tell.”
Secret Diners menu reservations and event dates will be made available through Eventbrite via Mother Cocktail Bar’s Linktree. Visitors can also access the Linktree through the link in bio on Mother Cocktail Bar’s Instagram profile.
Mother Cocktail Bar is located at 874 Queen Street West.
