Introducing: Lisa Marie, a new restaurant on Queen West from Fidel Gastro’s owner Matt Basile
Name: Lisa Marie
Neigbourhood: Trinity Bellwoods
Contact Info: 638 Queen St. W., 416-999-6822
Owner: Matt Basile
Chef: Kris Topping (Fabbrica)
The Food: In addition to the rotating selection of smoked barbecue sandwiches from Matt Basile’s popular Fidel Gastro’s food truck, Lisa Marie serves bar snacks and cichetti, an Italian version of tapas originating in Venice. Marinated meats, burgers, dry aged steaks sourced from The Butcher’s Son, sauces and pickles are also for sale from an in-house mini-market at the back of the restaurant.
The Drinks: A half dozen cocktails and local craft brews from Steam Whistle, Wellington, Muskoka and the Kensington Brewing Company on tap.
The Place: Diners crowd around communal tables scarfing snacks or sit on steel stools at the bar as Basile and staff shout “Olé.” Completely overhauled by Design Republic, the former Prague European Deli space now has all the trappings of another trendy Queen West restaurant: caged Edison bulb lamps, reclaimed wood surfaces and a giant homage to Elvis covering one wall.
The Numbers: • 800 pounds of meat fit in the smoker • 308 Alabama tailgaters rolled on opening night • 60 seats • $5-$12 for cicchetti • $11-$15 for cocktails • 2.5 months to renovate
