Our Faves

Torito slipped me the tongue and I loved it!

Rated this place:

I love tapas because they're so small and appetizer-y and feel a bit like grazing at a buffet – i.e. one of my favourite ways to eat. Torito’s shrimps al ajillo and pan fried sardines are great, but for the non-squeamish the real winner is braised beef tongue and cheek (ha ha). Five dishes is probably enough for two people but on our first visit there my dining companion and I couldn’t quit before we’d eaten seven or eight. My only regret the first time I went was not leaving any room in my stomach for desert. They serve Sangria here in both red and white versions, (I’m a big fan of white wine sangria and I don’t know why more places don’t offer it) as well as “Kalimoxo”, a red wine and Coke concoction. A few years ago my grandfather tried to convince me this was a delicious combo, and I didn’t believe him. He’ll be glad to know that some posh Canadian restaurateurs agree with him.

Tapas and a nice glass of cava

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This Kensington eatery is a popular spot for young couples and large groups of friends to share delectable small plates of Spanish-style tapas. A nice selection of sherry, sangria and cava accompanies the menu’s exotic flavours along with some more unusual bottled beers, including blanche de chambly.The beet, lentil and goat cheese salad is delicious and the patatas brabas and chorizo is super filling. Finish it off with the figs, benedictin cheese and mil flores honey dessert and you’re good to go.

Steak and eggs go upscale

Rated this place:

It's got the perfect atmosphere for a tapas restaurant: laid-back, unpretentious and somehow cozy despite a somewhat spare aesthetic. Settle in for a couple hours and enjoy the dishes. The shrimp al ajillo is good but not spectacular, but the stuffed red peppers are excellent, and the not-to-be-missed highlight of the menu for me was the flatiron steak with egg and chips. Dropping an egg on your steak sounds more like something you'd get at Dangerous Dan's than at an upscale tapas bar, but it's a treat. The sauce is so smackingly good, you'll need to order extra bread at the end to sop it all up.

Beet salad

Rated this place:

Their beet and goat cheese salad is extremely fresh and flavourful and is the perfect size for an appetizer. I've had this type of salad at many different restaurants but for some reason Torito seems to make it the best, with Marben trailing in a close second.

• Favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Beet Salad

Flatiron steak with egg and chips

Rated this place:

• Favourite thing(s) at this place:
• flatiron steak with egg and chips

Tapas restaurant

Rated this place:

• Favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Tapas Restaurant

Tapas restaurant

Rated this place:

Definitely authentic Spanish Food, this is the real thing! The sangria is very refreshing, they put peach slices in it. What I love the most is that they have posters of Spanish movies as decor.

• Favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Tapas Restaurant

Arugula salad, Fish ceviche with sweet potatoes and corn, Flatiron steak with egg and chips

Rated this place:

The baby arugula was so fresh and sweet. It's served with shavings of Manchego cheese, toasted almonds, and a quince vinaigrette. Really a wonderful and satisfying salad.

I don't think I've ever had ceviche quite as good as Torito's. At least not lately. The chile and citrus-dressed white fish works really well with the sweet startchy vegetables. So fresh. So delicious.

An authentic south American dish of tender, flavourful beef served with a red pepper sauce, fried egg and homemade chili potato chips. Mucho gusto.

• Favourite thing(s) at this place:
• flatiron steak with egg and chips
• arugula salad
• fish ceviche with sweet potatoes and corn

Tapas

Rated this place:

Sometimes the service can be missing in action but the consistently fantastic food makes up for it. Always have to get the Andalusian chickpeas with spinach, smoked trout salad with an awesome avocado spread, steak with fried egg and chocolate flan. Ceviche should rock here but I'd take a pass for the many other tastier items. The setting is also top notch for casual dinner and drinks for this grazing style meal, just festive enough without being garish.

• Favourite thing(s) at this place:
• tapas

Restaurant

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Beyond the food being amazing, the overall dining experience is incomparable. There’s nothing better than a group of friends, food and the white wine sangria on the Torito patio.

• Favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Restaurant