It wasn’t too long ago that I found myself in the Queen West area driving around, in what felt like circles with my friend Wan looking for a place to eat.
The conversation in the car went a little something like this…
Me: I’m so hungry I could eat my arm!
Wan: Let’s drive down Ossington and we’ll start with ice cream.
He suggested it like ice cream cures hunger lol
*After 5 mins we couldn’t find parking*
Me: We may have to leave neighbourhoods…
As soon as the words came out of my mouth, we had turned down Dovercourt and like a mirage, Julie’s Cuban Cafe was to our right.
I have never heard of it. I’m an east-downtowner so it didn’t surprise me that I wasn’t aware of this resto but I reallllly love spots like this. I thought it must have been new but of course, it wasn’t.
See that’s the thing about Toronto. We are so spoiled! We have these amazing 5 star restaurants with amazing chefs but we also have the best in local neighbourhood restaurants offering a little something different.
Julie’s Cuban Cafe reminds me of my old workplace The Bamboo. It had a Caribbean vibe with bright colours, the most amazing patio and nostalgic photos and images everywhere.
Back to Julie’s…We decided to sit inside but we perched ourselves by the (almost) floor to ceiling window, high enough to see down at the tables on the patio. Each table had a different plate of brilliant colours, aromas and the cocktails looked delicious.
I ordered the Yuca con Mojo (potato-like root vegetable in garlic and onion mojo) and the Picadillo Tostones Rellenos (green plantain cups filled with your a choice of either avocado, shrimp or a tomato meat sauce called picadillo).
Wan ordered the Fish special which was a talapia. I can’t say much about his dish as I didn’t try it. Maybe one day I’ll get over it and will try fish. One day.
Overall, this is great spot and I recommend it to all….east or west-enders and visitors to the city!
Website: www.juliescuban.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/JuliesCuban
Address: 202 Dovercourt Road (between Queen St. W. and Dundas St. W.), Toronto, ON M6J 3C8 Canada
Tel: 416-532 -7397
