Sounds Good is a Brockton Village neighbourhood gem, serving up good food and a great soundtrack that promises an even better time.

The dual-space functions as a restaurant and listening bar, with room for up to 120 people to dance the night away in the basement on weekends.

Rob Turenne, Director of Operations, has been involved from the start, helping to shape the spot's concept. An industry veteran and long-time neighbourhood local, he's always been interested in what would happen on the corner of Dundas and Lansdowne. 

"Everything is kind of centered around our senses and really, the reason to come here is to listen to two iconic speakers - the JBL Everest," Turenne shared with blogTO. 

The speakers are the focal point of the restaurant, positioned at either end of the walnut bar. 

The music selection spans genres from disco to jazz to pop, avoiding mainstream radio fare. 

It's all about including sounds conducive to the atmosphere and hopefully introducing people to something new. It also serves as a space for record collectors to play their tunes, with a DJ booth thoughtfully tucked away to the side. 

Sounds Good has a funky retro feel that's both homey and comfortable.

It's designed with mid-century modern elements like sleek and functional furniture, minimalist decor, warm woods contrasted by cold concrete, and vibrant pops of green. 

The music set the stage for the evening, and I appreciated the sounds of Curtis Mayfield and Joe Bataan while sipping on one of their batch cocktails.

The Toronto ($17) is a take on the classic Manhattan. This spirit-forward drink is made with rye, fernet, and demerara. 

My favourite beverage was the Cosmopolitan ($16). Fruity, tart, and visually appealing, it's one of three cocktails available on tap.

For a drink that will keep you going for a big night out, the rich and frothy Espresso Martini ($16) is your best friend. 

Tables started to fill up by 7 p.m. and the restaurant was buzzing as friends caught up over drinks and apps at the bar, couples settled into booths, and large groups of regulars greeted the team of staff. 

Leading the kitchen is Chef Carson Corbeil, who's previously worked at some of the city's most adored restaurants including Alo. 

The seasonal menu places an emphasis on shareable plates and elevated comfort food.

The half-dozen Oysters ($21) are bright and punchy, making them the perfect start to your meal. 

These PEI Raspberry Point oysters came dressed with a rhubarb mignonette, horseradish, and chive oil. 

The chives, along with many of the other herbs and veg used in various dishes, come from the restaurant's rooftop garden.

The garden had everything - baby eggplants, shishito peppers, tiny grape-sized cucamelons, plus, a stunning view. 

Chef Corbeil shared that access to such fresh produce, whether from the rooftop garden or local farmers, has allowed for ingredient-inspired dishes that are mindful of seasonality.

The garden chives are also generously featured in the Beef Tartare ($21). It's made with beef fat mayo, capers, shaved cured egg yolk and grated Grana Padano cheese. It comes with some crispy rice crackers for serving. 

It's got a melt-in-your-mouth texture that's rich and decadent with pops of salt and brininess from the capers. An absolute must-try, it may very well be one of the best tartares in the city.

Another snack worth trying is the Fried Olives ($10).

The Castelvetrano olives, which are arguably the best variety, are lightly breaded and fried, and come with a creamy chili yogurt. 

The Duck Wings ($18) are like nothing I've ever had. Covered in a chipotle cotija sauce and garnished with corn nuts and fresh cilantro, they're full of flavour.

Sweet, spicy, and smoky, the duck is fall-off-the-bone tender and the corn nuts add a fun crunch. Delicious, but quite messy - they're perhaps not the best choice for a first date. 

For something light and refreshing, the Green Tomatoes ($16) comes with lots of shaved fennel and is dressed with a champagne vinaigrette. It features dollops of buttery burrata and tarragon. 

Moving on to some larger plates, the Pesto Pappardelle ($23) is creamy and herbaceous.

The pappardelle is covered in a generous amount of basil pesto and the dish is garnished with toasted pine nuts, frisée, and tomato dust reminiscent of ketchup chips. 

The Mushroom and Fried Polenta ($24) features pickled enoki mushrooms, goat cheese, and chopped chives atop a large rectangle of golden polenta. The polenta was perfectly cooked, with a crunchy, crisp exterior and a warm, smooth interior.

After 10 p.m., a limited late-night menu features nostalgic treats and comforting classics like the Chopped Cheese ($21) and the Corn Dog ($10).

The Corn Dog is a special feature for Chef Corbeil, who began his culinary journey at 14 years old. One of his first jobs involved making homemade pogos at Burger World, a mom-and-pop diner in his hometown of North Bay.

The corn dog was dressed with ketchup and mustard and as far as corn dogs go, it's exceptionally good and sure to satisfy any late-night craving.

Sounds Good is located at 1756 Dundas Street West.