It's always a bit daunting when you are invited to a big group gathering for dinner.
Who knows what kind of restaurant it is or how bad the food might be?
After-all, someone's idea of what a good restaurant is can be completely different from another's.
especially me- as picky & particular that I am.
So when we found out that we would be meeting at Torito In Kensington Market I was excited.
I love tapas, especially in a group situation and I hadn't been to this particular restaurant yet.
The neighborhood is really changing (for the better in my
opinion), and it seems as though new little restaurants keep popping up.
From the exterior I was impressed, simple yet funky.
Then when we walked in I instantly fell in love.
Warm, casual and inviting, not pretentious and a great vibe in general.
Things were looking good.
I
think there was close to twenty of us- which basically took up over
half of the restaurant, so we ended up ordering three of everything on
the menu. I think.
I actually didn't order anything, the food just kept coming.
Fine by me.
It all looked (and tasted) amazing and there were a few stand outs.
Like the Fish Ceviche with crunchy corn and sweet yam $10
I wanted to horde the entire plate for myself...
The Pan fried sardines with Romano beans, fennel and mint parsley salad $9
weren't exactly flying off the plate being a bit tedious to eat with
all those little tiny bones to deal with, but being the sardine lover
that I am, I dug right in and thoroughly enjoyed them.
The Crab Croquette with parsley oil $8 was delicious as was the Andalusian spinach & chickpea stew $8
The Braised Beef Tongue & Cheek $11 was also slow to go, but I tried a little bite and have to admit it was excellent.
I'm no Anthony Bourdain and had a hard time getting past the image of a
cow licking it's lips with it's enormous tongue and kind of grossed
myself out so I was only able to eat a tiny bit of it without gagging.
The Grilled Flatiron steak with Gallega chips and fried egg $12 was unfortunately gone by the time it got to my section of the table...awe shucks cause it looked delicious.
Same with the Roasted Quail with Pomegranate Glaze and sweet squash $12
But I'll be sure to order them the next time I go.
Because oh yes, there will most definitely be a next time.
Loved it and highly recommend it.
Oh and I forgot to mention that as fun a place as it is to meet up
with a group of friends, or have a nice quiet date, the table beside us
had their kids with them (aged 8 months, 2 and 4) and it was perfectly
fine. Not exactly sure what there is for picky young eaters on the
menu, but if your kids are adventurous and don't mind spanish style
tapas I would say that Torito is for the most part, family friendly. At
least that's what I'm thinking so that I don't have to wait to book a
sitter the next time I get a ceviche craving.
I wonder if Lulu would like Spanish Tortillia and Jamon Serrano for dinner tonight....
Torito
276 Augusta (Kensington Market)
647.436.5874
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