In late July, Jen Agg's popular French diner reopened as a casual alfresco dining experience in the back alley off of Crawford St. near Trinity Bellwoods Park. All summer long ("til it snows," Agg quipped on Twitter), Le Swan will be serving up BBQ favourites like burgers, hot dogs, rotisserie chicken sandwiches and salads that pay homage to Le Swan's existing menu of French comfort foods.
While several restaurants have reopened for indoor dining since Toronto entered Stage 3 on July 31, Agg is not taking any chances. With no existing outdoor area in place and limited makeshift patio space available along Queen West (not to mention the somewhat lacking ambience of roadside tables), she opted for an inventive alternative to reopening the restaurant's interior dining space.
Agg has made it very clear that she believes in maintaining her staff and clients' safety at all costs -- even if that cost is long-term closure. "Restaurants -- even ones that still have some serious debt to their one creditor (uhhh me) -- are replaceable, people aren't. This is just so patently obvious," she tweeted on July 30.
Some of Agg's other spots -- the legendary Grey Gardens and her newest venture, Bar Vendetta -- also reopened for outdoor dining not long ago. Agg is also confident Rhum Corner will weather its current closure thanks to a great working relationship with its landlord.
Le Swan is open every Friday to Sunday from 1–7 p.m. at the back entrance of 892 Queen St. W.
