Queen St West

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Teeny, Tiny Donuts from Little Nicky’s Coffee

July 11, 2011 in Queen St West, Snack by Plato Putas | No comments

I’m filled with pure childlike glee the first time I watch fresh, miniature donuts drop out of the Donut Robot (it’s really called that!) at Little Nicky’s Coffee (375 Queen St. West). Located off Peter St. right behind the Gap, this adorable cafe is worth popping into on the way to work, midway through a slow day at the office or for discreet power meetings while you’re plotting to take over the world. While they have great coffees and tea lattes, the big draw is obviously their tiny donuts that come shaken in Icing Sugar, Cinnamon Sugar or Organic Raspberry Sugar.

Which type of donut should you choose? Read on to find out and see how that magical robot makes them.

Memories of Buenos Aires

May 29, 2011 in Buenos Aires, Downtown, Queen St West, Snack, cafe by Plato Putas | No comments

Prior to visiting Argentina, I had tried Yerba Maté only once. My friend Rodrigo described the taste of this herb, that’s brewed like tea, as similar to “hay.” And he was correct, I wasn’t a fan.

Then the two Plato Putas hit Buenos Aires, where we discovered that maté is basically their national drink. Locals walked around sipping it from goards through metal straws, with a thermos of hot water for refills tucked under their arms. It was drunk by professionals, bus drivers and young lovers making out in the parks. Our new friend Martin from creative studio Amautalab talked us through our first proper sips out of a goard, and before I could say “hay,” I was converted.

Read on to find out where you can try your first taste of Yerba Mate in Toronto.

Everything You Need to Know About Brunch at Saving Grace

April 25, 2011 in Brunch, Queen St West by Plato Putas | 1 comment

I’d only heard positive things about the weekend brunch at Saving Grace (907 Dundas St. West), plus the tiny restaurant got top billing on the Toronto Brunch Map. I did however receive cautionary warnings about the hour-long wait for a table, but managed to thwart such inconveniences on my first visit. In an effort to make your trip to Saving Grace as enjoyable as possible (especially since they don’t have a website), I humbly offer these seven tidbits.

1) Good Food Trumps Sleeping In
Eight people were already lined up when I arrived on Saturday morning at 9:45 a.m., 15 minutes before the restaurant even opens. The space only fits about 24 people and by the time 10 a.m. rolled around the group had ballooned to more than 30 people. When you’re hungry and tired, I can’t imagine anything worse than arriving just before the door opens and still having to wait the length of an entire meal. It’s gonna hurt on a weekend morning, but I suggest arriving 15-20 minutes before 10 a.m. to guarantee you’ll be in that first seating.

I promise, the six other tips aren’t as painful. Read on because they involve french toast.

Snacking 101 at 416 Snack Bar

March 3, 2011 in Interview, Queen St West, Snack by Plato Putas | 3 comments

Adrian Ravinsky insists he’s been snacking for 27 years. And yes, that’s his entire life. Now he and childhood friend Dave Stewart are making what people eat between meals their livelihood with 416 Snack Bar (181 Bathurst St.). While all dishes can be consumed in two to four bites, and cover Japanese, Italian, Jamaican and Chinese cuisines, Adrian says they have one strict rule: no cutlery.

“A lot of people have been giving us flack about this, but that’s our M.O.,” he explains. “We don’t want cutlery because we think that eating with your hands is part of the experience. We want people to get dirty, to lick their fingers, lick the plate and have a fun, messy, snacky time.”

Here Adrian reveals the inspiration behind some of 416’s most popular dishes.

Read on for a closer look at five of their tastiest snacks.

Après Snowmaggedon

February 3, 2011 in Downtown, Queen St West, Snack by Plato Putas | 1 comment

The huge 30cm snow dump Toronto was expecting this week turned out to be a disappointment, but it’s still a great excuse to check out the Drake Hotel’s Après Ski Lodge this weekend. Open until 2am every night, this is the spot to gather if you want warm boozy cocktails and marshmallows roasted on an open fire.

Who the heck doesn’t want that on a cold night? Read on to check out this winter wonderland.

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