With so many new eateries popping up around the city, competing with long-time favorites, it can be tough to choose. If you’re struggling to decide where to go for dinner tonight or where to sit down for a coffee tomorrow morning, why not take a recommendation from an expert?
How about taking the advice of someone who owns the Filipino diner that has stolen the hearts of even the Michelin critics? We caught up with owner Justin Bella (one of the B’s in BB’s) to see where he’s eating and drinking these days, and it wasn’t always easy for him to come up with just one answer!
What restaurant do you take friends and family to who are visiting from out of town?
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It depends on the type of people I’m hosting [but] I always love Quetzal. Chef Steve [Molnar] is super talented. I used to follow him when he was a sous chef at Bar Isabelle and I’ve always been a fan of what he’s put out. I also obviously really like Bar Isabel. If I’m hosting people and trying to show them something that’s more of a “if you know, you know” type spot, I really like La Bella Managua on Bloor [and Ossington].
Where do you go for the best cup of coffee in the city?
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I’m a coffee fiend so I like Sam James on Brock, which is right across the street from BB’s. I’ll also go to Sam James on Ossington, or the 135 Ossington for something different.
Where do you go when you’re craving dessert?
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RuRu Baked on Landsdowne and Bloor. Mostly I get their ice cream but they also have great baked goods.
Where’s your preferred watering hole or cocktail bar for a night out?
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Communist’s Daughter for a local intimate watering hole, but cocktail wise, that’s one of the things I really like about Quetzal is they have a really amazing cocktail program there, as well as SIMPL THINGS around the corner and Bar Mordecai—I’ll have whatever [owner] Christina [Veira], the bartender’s choice, is really good.
Do you have a favourite place where you shop for food?
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I love Hua Sheng in Chinatown. It’s a small, family-run spot, super busy market. They have a little bit of everything. I shop there at least once a week. Also Carlos House of Spice is always great in the [Kensington] Market for spices.
Is there a particular market or specialty food store in Toronto that you love to shop at for hard-to-find ingredients?
I usually go to Scarborough. They have a lot of great, small, Asian grocers there.
What do you think is the best neighbourhood in Toronto for foodies?
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I really love the spots on Ossington and the Dundas-Ossington area. I feel you can really get a bit of everything.
