NOLA Eatery & Bar has quietly become one of Leslieville's most well-rounded drinking destinations. Not just a wine bar, not just a cocktail lounge. It's a place where a perfectly built Negroni sits comfortably alongside a bottle of Amarone della Valpolicella, and where the bar team takes both with equal seriousness.
Whether you're settling in for a solo glass of white on a Tuesday or planning a full date-night bottle journey, this guide walks you through everything worth ordering, and why.
Section One
Signature Cocktails
NOLA's cocktail list isn't trying to be a trend report. It's a tight, confident menu of classics executed well, plus a few house originals that have earned their place on the permanent list.
Smoked Old Fashioned
The House Statement
Bourbon or rye (ask your server for what's in rotation), demerara syrup, Angostura bitters, finished tableside under a cloche of applewood smoke. This is the drink NOLA is known for. Order it first, give it a moment to breathe, and drink it slowly. It rewards patience.
Espresso Martini
The Perfect Pivot
Made with fresh-pulled espresso, vodka, and coffee liqueur, shaken hard for a dense, persistent foam. Order this after dinner when you want to keep the evening going without losing the thread. It also pairs surprisingly well with dessert.
Negroni
The Classic
Equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, stirred to dilution and served over a large format ice cube with an orange peel. NOLA's version is exactly what a Negroni should be: nothing clever, nothing fussy. Order this before food, with the charcuterie, and mean it.
Dirty Martini
For the Decisive Drinker
Built with Grey Goose or Hendrick's depending on your preference, with a generous pour of olive brine and your choice of garnish. Cold, salty, strong. The kind of cocktail that sets the tone for the table before a word has been said about the menu.
Section Two
The Wine List
NOLA pours exclusively Old World: France and Italy, full stop. No New World hedging, no safe crowd-pleasers imported for the margins. The list is compact, well-considered, and curated around the kitchen's food.
White
Château de Mus Sauvignon Blanc
Languedoc, France
Bright, dry, and unmistakably Languedoc - this is the kind of Sauvignon Blanc that makes you question why you've been drinking New Zealand all this time. Grassy and citrus-forward on the nose, with a clean mineral finish. The go-to glass when you want something refreshing and unfussy.
Santomè Chardonnay
Veneto, Italy
Unoaked and food-friendly - this is the Chardonnay for people who think they don't like Chardonnay. Lemon blossom and green apple on the palate, with a flinty, saline edge. Pairs beautifully with pasta and lighter fish dishes.
Pinot Grigio
Italy
Exactly what Pinot Grigio is supposed to be - dry, light, slightly floral, and completely non-demanding. The by-the-glass crowd pleaser, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Viognier, La Source
Languedoc, France
The most aromatic pour on the white list. Peach, apricot, white flowers - Viognier announces itself the moment it's poured. Rich in texture but balanced enough to work with food. Order this if you're eating something with a cream sauce.
Grillo, Sibiliana
Sicily, Italy
Sicily's native Grillo grape produces something between a Sauvignon Blanc and a Vermentino - zesty, saline, slightly exotic. This is the most interesting white on the list. Great aperitivo wine, and a smart opening pour for a date-night bottle journey.
Red
Merlot Veneto, Giusti
Veneto, Italy
Soft, approachable, and genuinely versatile - this is the bottle that works with half the menu. Plum, dark cherry, and a hint of leather on the mid-palate, with gentle tannins that won't fight with your food. If you're ordering a bottle and not sure where to start, start here. Excellent alongside the steak and polenta.
Chianti
Tuscany, Italy
Sangiovese-based, firm, and food-driven. Sour cherry and dried herb on the palate, with that characteristic Chianti grip on the finish. This is a wine that needs a plate of food - don't drink it solo. Order it with anything in a tomato-based sauce.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Italy
Structured, dark-fruited, and confident. This is the bottle for guests who want weight and grip - blackcurrant, dark plum, cedar and a long tannic finish. Pair with grilled or braised red meat.
Pinot Noir
France
Light-bodied, silky, and elegant. Red cherry, earth, and subtle spice - this is the kind of Pinot that reminds you why the grape became famous. Order it slightly cool, and pair it with mushroom dishes or duck.
The Showstopper
Amarone della Valpolicella
Tedeschi · 2021 · Veneto, Italy · Bottle Only
Made from partially dried Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes, Amarone is the richest, most serious red wine on the list. Dark cherry, dried fig, cocoa, balsam, and a finish that lasts longer than most conversations. This is a bottle for a special evening, not a Tuesday, though nothing is stopping you on a Tuesday. Tedeschi's 2021 is drinking beautifully right now. Bottle service only; ask your server to decant.
Sparkling & Rosé
Prosecco
Italy
The classic aperitivo opener. Light, fruity, gently fizzing - order a glass before you've even looked at the menu. Also the base for the Aperol Spritz, which is worth ordering on the patio when the weather allows.
Section Three
Pairing Suggestions
The NOLA kitchen skews Italian-French in the same way the wine list does, so pairing isn't a guessing game. Here's a quick map:
| Dish | Recommended Pour |
|---|---|
| Steak & Polenta | Merlot Veneto Giusti ★ or Amarone |
| Pasta in Tomato Sauce | Chianti |
| Pasta in Cream Sauce | Viognier La Source or Chardonnay Santomè |
| Charcuterie Board | Prosecco or Negroni cocktail |
| Seafood or Light Fish | Grillo Sibiliana or Sauvignon Blanc ★ |
| Mushroom or Duck | Pinot Noir |
Section Four
The Spirits Bar
NOLA isn't just a restaurant with a wine list. It's a proper cocktail bar, stocked with the bottles that matter. Behind the bar you'll find Hennessy VSOP, Grey Goose, Hendrick's, and a rotating selection of whisky. This is worth knowing if you come for drinks first and dinner second (which is a perfectly legitimate way to spend an evening here).
The spirits selection also means the cocktail menu is genuinely flexible. If something on the list doesn't quite fit what you're after, tell the bartender what you're in the mood for and they'll have the bottles to build something close.
Visit Us
Ready to Drink Well in Leslieville?
NOLA Eatery & Bar is at 1161 Queen St E, Toronto. Walk-ins welcome; reservations recommended for weekends and Wine Wednesdays.