Dinner date?

With too little time to work 9-5 and blog I figure I might as well blog about my work. This week I’m working on the new dining listings, which involves writing up quippy little sentences about the fresh meat (if you will) on the TO dining circuit. Unfortunately no one is sending this unpaid intern/minion out to any of these trendy new restos to sample dishes and take notes on the ambiance – but nevertheless, it’s not a bad assignment. I’ve put together a little list of my personal faves that I’ll be looking to try in the very near future – if anyone’s interested in a dinner date.

Newly opened Buca is giving Terroni and Pizzeria Libretto a run for their money in the battle to become the west end’s premiere thin crust pizza joint. This renovated boiler room in King West boasts beautiful sandblasted brick walls and 30-ft ceilings – giving the interior an industrial chic vibe. If you can find it (the resto is tucked away in an alleyway alongside Cheval) then be sure to sample charcuterie from the onsite meat curing room.

Apparently, dive bars are the new supper clubs (thanks Drew Barrymore) so it wont be long before all the hip young things in the city flock west (oh wait they already do) to loiter outside the newest hot spot along the coveted Queen Street strip, Double Deuce Saloon. The décor lends itself to a dive-bar-chic vibe with neon signs, worn in floorboards and a stuffed boar’s head above the bar. Plenty of interesting beers on tap and a tasty, moderately priced menu of smoked meat sandwiches and chili served with sweet buttermilk cornbread and fresh guacamole. This cool yet casual spot offers a quieter alternative (for now at least) to the crowded hipster hangouts in the area. And if you’re wondering about the origins of the bar’s kitschy name, turns out it was chosen as a result of a Facebook naming contest – the winner received a $1,000 bar tab … I hope to befriend him soon.

And while I rarely find a reason to go out in the Entertainment District, Spice Safar has peaked my curiosity. This self-described boutique/bakery/café/lounge hybrid is an all purpose space done up with wood and velvet, giving the room a luxurious yet mellow vibe. During the day, there’s plenty of artisan coffee and baked goodies to be had while browsing the eclectic products for sale at the on-site boutique. At night, the after work crowds nibble on tapas style fare and sip premium ‘mixology’ martinis (I’m not sure what that means other than “we can charge $15 for these”) made with made-in-house absinthe.