Bridgette Bar introduces a singular brand of cool to its new home at The Well. With a menu of Mediterranean eats, sleek, Scandi-inspired design and the swagger of a '70s sports superstar, the restaurant is chic and casual, in a way few can resist.

If, stepping into Bridgette Bar, which opened in May, you're reminded of neighbouring Lulu Bar, it's not a coincidence. Owned and operated by Calgary-based Concorde Entertainment Group, both brands have travelled east, to The Well, after proving popular in Alberta.

At the two spots, the footprint and the way guests experience dinner may compare, but that, says Director of Operations, Amanda Jansen, is where the similarities end.

"At Bridgette Bar, we're inviting you into our home," she explains. "It's like you're coming into our house for dinner, and we're treating you with a great wine list and a four-course meal. Where at Lulu, we're treating you while you're on holiday."

The tropical plants and rattan may have been swapped for a Scandinavian fireplace and minimalist teak furniture with enviable curves, yet the commitment to a clean aesthetic and bold graphic design remain wholly intact.

So too, does the kitchen team's devotion to sending out beautiful plates of food piled with fresh, in-season fare. "Food here," says Jansen, "is inspired by Italy. There are lots of Spanish flavours. Anything that hits the Mediterranean Sea, really."

Get acquainted with the menu as you sip on something from the bar, where cocktails and a giddy number of zero-proof options tempt along with a sassy wine list.

"It's an eccentric but inviting wine list," explains Jansen, adding that "there's more Italian, first and foremost, Spanish and French offerings along with a lot of other things in between. Some really nice Canadian offerings sprinkled in there, as well."

A signature sipper that effortlessly communicates Bridgette's nonchalant vibe, the Eat, Apres, Love ($17) is rosy and blithe, with the type of subtle effervescence that never fails to feel festive.

Equally striking, with cold brew and Martini Vibrante subbing in for the kick of alcohol, the spirit-free Long Game ($14) is fruity and rich, and wholly entertaining.

As is the Doctor Jones ($17), a drink made for Dr. Pepper stans with a hankering for something stronger. Mixed with Averna Amaro, red vermouth, citrus and mint, the herbal, zesty notes in the childhood fave become decidedly more pronounced.

An early favourite among guests, Heartbreak Mountain ($17) is a curious combo of Earl Grey tea, milk-washed lemon and bergamot gin, lemon and lavender.

"You'd think it would be more impactful, in terms of punch, but it's so clean and full-bodied and the lavender gives a beautiful floral element," says Jansen.

Smoky with substantial funk, the Jr. Stargazer gives mezcal drinkers everything they crave. Pickled celery, lime, apricot and a dash of tequila, keep things fresh and easy-going.

No matter which drink calls your name, it's best sided with an order of a dish listed as Garlic Bread ($11) on the menu.

Is it garlicky? Yes. Is it bread? Technically, though it's so golden and crunchy fried, so filled with cheese curds, it bears more resemblance to mozzarella sticks than any bread product you've ever had.

Lighter, with garlic aioli for fatty allure, Smoked Tuna Crudo ($21) is from a list of small plates meant for sharing. A dish that won't ruin you for others, this one hovers on the line between too rich and too healthy, offering a best-of-both-worlds scenario.

Making up a large portion of Bridgette Bar's menu, pizzas and pastas are crowd-pleasing dishes that, at times, reveal the kitchen team's attempts to try new things.

Simple yet well made, Ricotta Stuffed Mezzaluna ($32) are chubby and savoury, thanks to their zippy, guanciale-spiked amatriciana blanket. Resist the desire to devour the whole plate — good things await.

Perched atop an aromatic spring sofrito of ramps and shishito peppers, an alabaster-like slab of halibut carries a crown of glossy potato aioli.

A dish with unexpected surprises — from the degree of heat on each pepper to the shockingly plump mussels swimming in the viridescent sauce — Roasted Halibut ($48) is well worth its not-insignificant price tag.

With a plate of Asparagus ($23) and morels napped in foamy vin jaune sauce, it's a complete meal two can happily share.

Having reached the finish line, there's also little doubt that you'll want to split Bridgette Bar's famed dessert — The Banana Pie ($15). Even if you've spied it on social media, nothing can quite prepare you for seeing it in person.

An overachieving mile-high pie, the banoffee-inspired treat is a sticky, sweet jumble of pretzel crust, brown-butter laced banana jam, banana pudding, cold brew coffee cream, torched meringue and rum caramel. Phew.

Delicious? Undeniably. But with a cloying sweetness that grows with each bite prudent diners will split this among two, three, or more.

As a host, Bridgette Bar excels at showing her guests a good time. Planning on a visit? Prepare to stay a while.

Bridgette Bar is located at 423 Wellington Street West.