With the Jays on their way to the playoffs, the Leafs about to kick off the 2015 season, and the Raptors on deck, now is a good time to evaluate the downtown core’s snacking options. Here’s a roundup of the best menus currently on offer for all of your pre-game snacking needs.
Nota Bene
In April, Nota Bene launched a snack menu to complement the restaurant’s fine dining program. The ‘4 to 7 bar snacks menu’ was aimed at the pre-theatre diner, or restaurant hopper that preferred sharing small plates and cocktails over white table cloth dining.
The snack menu has great mileage if you’re looking for the most bang for your buck. It runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily and every item is priced at $4 (if you go after 7, its $7 for each item). The dishes reflect Nota Bene’s globally themed approach to food, with plenty of Spanish and Mediterranean nods. Highlights include The Belly Buster Slider with thick chunks of pork belly served in house-made buns, served with fries and a house ketchup. The calamari ‘a la plancha’ is served with XO sauce and coriander. There’s also a new brussel sprouts plate with charred sprouts topped with sambal, mint and tempura bits.
Recently three ceviche dishes were added to the dinner à la carte menu, and a sampler platter version that includes all three is available to share during the snack program.
Nota Bene, 180 Queen St W., 416-977-6400
Frank
A short subway ride away, the AGO’s Frank has a new cinq-a-sept menu (actually available from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.) featuring drinks from $4 and tapas-style plates from $7. The menu is a tight offering of four snacks, a rotating bar feature, and cheeseboard featuring local and imported cheeses. Drinks are priced from $4 to $8. The sweetest part, AGO members get a 10% discount.
The menu is only available Tuesday to Friday.
Frank at AGO, 317 Dundas St. W., 416-979-6688
Alo
A hurricane of praise has followed Patrick Kriss since his new French restaurant, Alo, opened in Chinatown, the fine-dining production has a casual wing, Bar Alo, which greets guests with a snack menu and craftily designed cocktails. The offerings at the bar previews Alo’s French form and stand apart from most snack offerings in the city. Think pate a choux. bowls of carefuly arranged crudité with a side of buttermilk, and Hamachi tartare with samphires.
Bar Alo, 163 Spadina Ave., 416-260-2222
Momofuku
Daisho recently launched a brunch program, and a number of Jays game specials on the weekends. There’s an egg sandwich ($17) on offer and a house burger ($21) with coffee bacon and a fried egg. Downstairs the noodle bar’s menu has always been a good fit for quick, eat-and-go meals before heading to the stadium. Favourites include the Char Sui Burger with kimchi and American cheese ($8) and the Smoked Chicken Ramen is a standout ($14). Also, bbq pork buns?
Momofuku Toronto, 190 University Ave., 647-253-6225
Pizza Libretto University
There are two reasons to try and grab bar seats at Libretto University, besides Neopolitan-style pizza. My favourite snack items are the gnocchi fritti and the buttermilk fried calamari. Both popular for pre-gamers who want to grab a few pints of craft beer, a snack and walk down to the stadium. PL’s pizza menu keeps the Financial District restaurant near peak capacity every day. Seats are hard to get both inside and on the sprawling patio.
Pizzeria Libretto University, 155 University Ave., 416-551-0433
