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| - I used to come to Torito a lot. When they first opened eight or nine years ago I was a huge fan. It was a warm, inviting and super fun place to eat, drink and make much merriment.
I'll confess that after 5 visits or so, I became bored with the menu because it didn't change. I was happy to find that they now take reservations and also have added a whole slew of new things to the menu while keeping some of the favourites such as Chick Pea and Spinach Stew (this is yummier than you can imagine) and the Steak with fried egg.
I will also say that I was hoping for the same hospitality to which I had been treated before. They don't rush you here and they know that tapas is about eating good food, having nice drinks and enjoying the company of those you're with. Their Sister restaurant, Carmen, failed at this and as a result I gave them a far lower rating than what the food deserved. I can cook at home and I serve tables all day at work, so when I go out, I want stuff I don't usually make at home and to be treated well. It's about the total experience.
Torito, despite not having as much culinary finesse as Carmen, was a wonderful night out and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for romance, a night with the girls, or some casual cocktails and nibbles.
We began with a pitcher of the white sangria. We asked out server for suggestions and he confirmed a few of the dishes that we had been eyeing on the menu. The Sangria was a lot of apple, and not a lot of other fruit, but I liked the size and I liked the strength.
The octopus carpaccio was recommended by our server over the grilled octopus. It was delicious and almost creamy in texture with a whisper of pickled red onion and a couple of capers. I wasn't in love with the colour of the squid ink aoli, but the combination was delicious.
Almonds and dates covered in bacon were crunchy, oozy sweet and sexy. THIS is what Tapas really should be and the flavour profile had the punch to live up to it. You must oder these. If you happen to be a vegetarian, you should happen to take a night off and eat these wonderful morsels.
Shrimp were plump and served with a nice sauce which didn't rely strictly on garlic for taste.
Lamb meatballs were super tender nestled in a bright, zippy tomato sauce with both fresh mint and mint pesto. So delicious.
We had some cheese for dessert and a glass of wine each.
Then our amazing waiter topped off the night with some complimentary churros.
This place is not getting all 5 stars for the food, but it is far more similar to authentic Tapas than many other "tapas' places in Toronto that just want to charge you half the price of a main for a quarter serving size of food. Everything is always tasty and satisfying.
The service is warm and friendly and so is the environment. The pillows the decorate the brightly coloured benches say "Stay, and enjoy our food and drinks!" The music is never so loud that you can't have a conversation, but tuned up enough so that you may occasionally need to do a quick chair dance. Have fun and love life! THIS is the essence of Tapas.
I have never had anything less than an amazing time at Torito and now that there are still a few things on the menu I haven't tried, I'll be back.
And to all you Toronto diners, there is no need pay money to scarf back tacos and be treated like shit by your server. Wise up and quit being so hipster that you always have somewhere cooler to be than out for dinner with whomever you're with. And if you want a taco, go to a taco stand.
Or go to Torito and kick back for a couple of hours and enjoy!
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