Serra Restaurant

378 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Canada

Serra is a classic Italian restaurant, lost in the mix of the Korean, Chinese and pub grub that dominates this area of Bloor Street West. However, every time I walk by, the place is full and there is often a line up. So, of course, I had to decide for myself: is Serra really that good?

And I would say that yes, if you want your average Italian meal, you won't be disappointed. The price is inexpensive, plates from $10 - $17, and covers all your regular American-Italian foods. If you have someone to share with, I recommend splitting the Antipasto platter. Not your average antipasto, as it comes with smoked salmon, grilled calamari (which was actually melt-in-your-mouth), grilled shrimp, and then your usual proscuitto, beef carpaccio and grilled veggies. Lots to choose from and all very tasty. The restaurant boasts wood fired oven pizza's, however I opted for their grilled chicken angel hair pasta, which was nice.

I found the service to be friendly and extremely accomodating, as we did have a 3rd party join late and two servers immediately assisted us with setting up a larger table.

If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of Little Italy, but still want Italian, make your way down Bloor and give Serra a try.

Torito

276 Augusta Avenue, Kensington Market

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I have to admit, I wasn't sure how it was possible for a Tapas restaurant to be good in Kensington Market, especially after having been to a few other places in Toronto, and as well, travelling Spain. However, to my delight, Torito's food was just as good as its service and atmosphere.

Upon being greeted within about 30 seconds of entering the restaurant, we were quickly seated and accomodated in the bar downstairs as it was relatively busy. A delicious glass of Sangaria was first to order on the list, and then to follow some wonderful tapas that took forever to decide upon.

The fish ceviche was amazing! Fresh, lemony, well plated and well flavoured. Torito took a new and delightful spin on their patatas bravas, adding spicy chorizo in a zesty tomato based sauce. The Adalusian chickpea stew was a nice dish, however lacked a little bit in flavour. A salty component could have been added to it, however it was still nice. And finally the crab croquettes were also very well flavoured, and fairly light. My only - and surprising - disappointment was the spanish tortilla. A seemingly easy (and mandatory) tapa for a Spanish restaurant was dry, doughy, and tasted more like a cake than a potato style pie. However, 4/5 ain't bad.

I recommend Torito as a place you should try. It is a reasonably priced Tapas bar, has a nice selection of Tapas, some very innovative and refined, the service is great and the atmosphere is very welcoming.

Caplansky's

12 Clinton Street

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

If you dig a simple smoked meat sandwich, you should definitely go to Caplansky's.

Located just south of the College Street hoopla, this rundown, old-man bar secretly owns title to probably the best smoked meat sandwich in Toronto.

Choose from a very small menu of either the classic smoked meat sandwich (full fat or lean), classic sandwich with fries or poutine, and maybe add a side of coleslaw, or start with a bowl of borscht. That's about it. But "it" is worth it.

Upon ordering, Zane Caplansky himself delivers your plate, describing the cut of the meat and what you ordered. I have to admit, I went for the leaner sandwhich, which was perfectly dry, moist, salty and meaty all at the same time, served on fresh cut rye bread, and slapped with a spread of Zane's house made mustard...the perfect compliment. Finish it with a slice of pickle and a pint of beer, and voila! For about $10.00 you just had a fabulous, fresh dining experience.

Regarding the dining experience, however...this is a bar folks. Expect your classic, low down, pub type atmosphere. The sandwhich is SO worth it, though!

Olive & Lemon

119 Harbord Street

Toronto, Ontario

After dining at this restaurant twice I would have to say my final opinion about it is 'average'.

My first visit consisted of starting with the grilled calamari appetizer, and having two starters for my main - beef carpaccio and the salad special; a mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives and homemade croutons in a light vinaigrette. All was good, the beef carpaccio was delicious, even if over salted.

Upon my return - which is always necessary in order to judge consistency - I came out feeling a little disappointed. The meal started off wonderfully, with a light caesar salad, beautifully arranged on the plate and somewhat inspired. After waiting a little too long for mains, while the owners and kitchen workers cajoled on the patio right beside us, we were disappointed when greeted with two let-downs of dishes. My partner had the sausage and white bean risotto, which actually had a lot of potential - even if again, it was over salted - however there was nothing on the plate. The presentation of the risotto was a little sad, looking like it was slopped on the plate like gruel. I mean, risotto is really just rice, there should be no reason to skimp on its abundance.

I ordered the egglant capellini in a tomato based sauce. I did have reservations about ordering such a dish at the price of $18.00, but thought, it's gotta be great. Well, I should've stuck with my gut, as the plate was simply pasta, sauce and fried eggplant. This dish was a bland, and ironically enough for this one, lacked in salt.

I wouldn't say it was a complete disappointment. The location is convenient, the ambiance is very comfortable, and the starters that I've tried so far have all been tasty. The mains and presentation however, need a little work. The owners should also act with a little more professionalism when sitting in the centre of their guests.

I would give the Olive & Lemon a 6.5/10, and say it is worth you trying for yourself.

By the Way Cafe

400 Bloor Street West,
Toronto, Canada

Yes. It is just as cute as it sounds.

Definitely go to this cafe for breakfast or brunch. The menu has a great selection of regular breakfast items, and special mediterranean omlettes or sandwhiches of the day as well. Everything tastes fresh, hot and delicious. Not to mention the service is friendly, and this cafe also has a restaurant owner's dream patio right on Bloor Street, ideal for people watching.

I have also been to By the Way a couple times for dinner and have yet to be disappointed. They do offer a prix fixe menu - 3 courses for $25.00, or regular entree choices. Your server will start you with home made bread, accompanied by the spread of the day - such as sun dried tomato butter. I chose to try their warm tuna nicoise salad for only $10.00 and was pleased by all means. I received a classic nicoise salad with perfectly seared Ahi tuna sitting on top, and a light dressing to compliment those southern European flavours.

Go and enjoy this cafe for any meal of the day!

Grappa Ristorante

797 College Street
Toronto, Ontario

After careful deliberation of which, of the many, Italian restaurants to go to on College Street for the Summerlicious 2008 festival, I decided to try Grappa. And I'm so thankful I did.

This small to mid-sized, cosy restaurant boasted wonderful service, warm ambiance and a fantastic menu.

Right away, we were started on homemade breads and cornbreads, with fresh, hummus made in-house. For the starter, I went with the grilled calamari salad in tomatoes, red onions and capers. The calamari was cooked to perfection and was nicely blended with the mediterranean flavours. To follow I tried the pork tenderloin with a stuffing of mushrooms, spinach and pinenuts. A wonderfully complimentary marsala sauce accompanied the pork, as well as homemade mashed potatoes and veggies. The pork was tender and the stuffing was a fantastic contrast to the sometimes plainness of pork. Finally for dessert try the vanilla creme brulee or classic chocolate tartufo.

If the chef's were this good for the Summerlicious menu, I can't wait to go back and try their regular dishes. I will certainly be returning to Grappa and sincerely recommend walking that one extra block west on College in order to get a really good Italian dining experience. Enjoy!

Olivia's at 53

53 Clinton Street

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Olivia's website boasts "With her new name, owners and menu, this once-quirky cantina has morphed into the only resto in town with its own microwinery..." I have to wonder, what exactly does the new management provide? And is the only attraction the restraurant has is its microwinery? Because the food certainly isn't good. The only positive thing I can say about Olivia's at 53 is that they have a great patio spot - tucked away behind Cafe Diplomatico, on quiet Clinton, but still close to the College West scene.

However, when a chef can't cook fingerling potatoes, I have an issue with that. My partner and I took a friend who was in Toronto for the evening due to her career as a flight attendant to Olivia's, thinking she would have a great TO experience. Let me also mention, this friend is from the south of France. Which basically means: food is damn important. So we thought with the way the menu looked online, matched with the location, this would be a great choice.

Among the three of us, we ordered trout, pork and lamb as main dishes. However, between the three dishes I couldn't distinguish one flavour except for boring. From $25-28.00 per plate, I was severly disappointed to find that I could've made each dish at home, and better. Back to the fingerling potatoes - originally overfried, tasted like they were left to sit around all day, just to be reheated per dish, and then hardened due to this fact. As the chef at Olivia's, he should have been embarassed to put that on a plate.

I will never be going back to Olivia's at 53. The food is extremely overpriced for the astroundingly poor quality that is received on the plate. I do not recommend this restaurant for anyone, unless you're only sitting on the patio for drink.