No. 38: Bar Buca

75 PORTLAND STREET, TORONTO, ONTARIO
BARBUCA.COM
416-599-2822

Only Buca Executive Chef Rob Gentile would notice that the Toronto food scene had a major gap to fill in the form of a small Italian bar that had no pizza or pasta—but was there for you seven days a week should you feel the need for a little stigghiole (grilled lamb intestine) or spiedini (meat skewers—as in ewe’s meat or baby octopus).

Tucked away on the main level of a condominium on Portland Street, this bar actually begins its day as a smart café at 7 am sharp, peddling superior Italian pastries (pasticceria) and strong coffee.

“Bar” enters the equation at lunchtime, when the 38-odd seats—split between bar and communal high top tables—fill up with locals in need of a fiercely tasty lunch. Italian street food is, in fact, just a small part of the offering.

There is also good seafood and some sensational brightly-flavoured and well-textured salads—like raw pressed artichoke with buffalo yoghurt and bottarga. Bar Buca is designed to be many things. At dinner you can make a meal of it. Or you stop in for an appetite enhancing nibble before dinner elsewhere—or for that matter pass by for a restorative late night snack en route home (a fine idea if your dinner elsewhere was lacking). Plenty of good, reasonably priced wines are available by the glass.

HOURS

Monday to Friday
7:00 AM until 2:00 AM

Saturday, Sunday
8:00 AM until 2:00 AM

BRUNCH

Saturday, Sunday
10:00 AM until 4:00 PM