Name: Lot St.
Contact Info: 685 Queen St. W., 416-367-8800, lotst.ca, @LotStreet
Neighbourhood: Queen West
Owner: Tenny Bhutia
Executive Chef: Aldo Pirela, formerly the sous-chef at Darwin Bistro in Little Italy
The Food: An eclectic menu of Italian, Canadian and Latin American plates, including pesto-topped arancini, a fried plaintain sandwich with shredded beef and maple-glazed trout. Dishes are divided into Teasers (appetizers), Swingers (shared plates), Pleasers (mains) and Sweetners (desserts).
The Drinks: Ontario beers, Canadian wines and cocktails named after Toronto neighbourhoods, like the Little Italy: gin, Aperol, vermouth and orange-juniper bitters.
The Place: The restaurant’s name reflects the area’s history: Queen Street was known as Lot Street until the mid-19th century. The handsome room has exposed brick walls, a chunky bar covered in repurposed barn board, and Edison bulb light fixtures made out of twisted copper pipes.
The Numbers:
• 50 Edison bulbs fastened to dangling copper pipes
• 40 seats
• 8 different national cuisines represented on the uber-diverse menu
227719 The bar is covered in repurposed barn board (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Lot St. Introducing: Lot St. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-02.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/lot-street-toronto-restaurants/slide/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-02/ lot-street-toronto-restaurant-02 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
227720 (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Lot St. Introducing: Lot St. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-03.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/lot-street-toronto-restaurants/slide/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-03/ lot-street-toronto-restaurant-03 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
227728 Edison bulb light fixtures made out of twisted copper pipes (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Lot St. Introducing: Lot St. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-11.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/lot-street-toronto-restaurants/slide/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-11/ lot-street-toronto-restaurant-11 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
227721 Sole ceviche with green plantain chips ($13) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Lot St. Introducing: Lot St. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-04.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/lot-street-toronto-restaurants/slide/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-04/ lot-street-toronto-restaurant-04 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
227723 Arancini balls topped with basil pesto, tomato sauce and sautéed mushrooms ($8) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Lot St. Introducing: Lot St. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-06.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/lot-street-toronto-restaurants/slide/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-06/ lot-street-toronto-restaurant-06 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
227724 Chicken lollipops ($8) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Lot St. Introducing: Lot St. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-07.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/lot-street-toronto-restaurants/slide/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-07/ lot-street-toronto-restaurant-07 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
227846 Sliders topped with smoky mayo and shallots (left); pineapple-curry chutney (centre); and fried onions and Cajun sauce (right) ($11) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Lot St. Introducing: Lot St. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Lot-Street-Sliders-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Lot-Street-Sliders.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Lot-Street-Sliders.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/lot-street-toronto-restaurants/slide/lot-street-sliders/ lot-street-sliders 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
227847 Maple-glazed trout with couscous, cashews and panko-amandine sprinkle ($22) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Lot St. Introducing: Lot St. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Lot-Street-Trout-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Lot-Street-Trout.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Lot-Street-Trout.jpg 656 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/lot-street-toronto-restaurants/slide/lot-street-trout/ lot-street-trout 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
227722 Herb-crusted lamb in red wine sauce with sautéed sweet <br />
potatoes, peppers and onions ($24) <br />
(Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Lot St. Introducing: Lot St. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-05.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/lot-street-toronto-restaurants/slide/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-05/ lot-street-toronto-restaurant-05 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
227726 Blueberry cheesecake ($8) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Lot St. Introducing: Lot St. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-09.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/lot-street-toronto-restaurants/slide/lot-street-toronto-restaurant-09/ lot-street-toronto-restaurant-09 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
Had the pleasure of soaking in the funky retro decor (loved the copper lights) with the superb South-American avocado salsa’d rib-eye…it went down loverly with the fine choice of eclectic beers they have on tap and my wife loved the risotto (a dish neither of us has formerly ever been impressed by). If ya get a chance, try the homemade cheesecake!
tried lot street with group of friends. loved the design of the place…very comfy. Food was great! Must try poutine…..ended up ordering it twice!
Stopped by the place last night while walking on Queen. Ambience was great, cool and funky. Tried the patacones, they were great. Fried green plaintain sandwich, you must be kidding me, out of this world. Buddy ordered the Duck and he loved it. Don’t forget their cocktail list. Very nice. Coming back again to try the other stuff on the menu this weekend.
Love this place. Great food and staff. And the prices are very reasonable. Draft is $7/pint and $4/1/2 pint (love that they have 1/2 pints as I am a very slow beer drinker). We shared a number of appetizers/tapas style things. Mac and cheese was to die for. The 3 types of sliders were all fantastic and it was nice to have the 3 different tastes. Also had the plantain with pulled pork on it which was great. Great to have a new place like this in the ‘hood!
That restaurant (LOT ST) is closed due to abuse of the pattern and the lack of payment to the workers, I worked there and the owner left m a debt of 220 dollars to me. The restaurant was not closed for remodeling it is closed by lack of staff in the kitchen. Please do not go to that place. Isnt a good place.
Love this joint! From the decor to the staff to the food, drinks and desserts!!! Had an awesome time and it’s now my place to go!
LOT ST. you surprised me. Wasn’t expecting such handsome decor, great food, groomed service and stunning cocktails. Tried the new fall menu over the weekend and it was out of this world!!! The Lobster Poutine and the Duck Confit Lettuce Wraps were divine. Not to mention the Scallop crudo and the Kangaroo meat on the Charcuterie. The feature of the day was bacon wrapped scallops and a tomahawk steak. I had scallops and my friend tried the steak. Scallops were the size of baseballs and the steak was the best in the city. Better than Morton’s or Hy’s. The decor and the service were top notch and the drinks were great. Local craft beers and wine and great cocktails named after Toronto streets and neighbourhoods. This is my new favourite joint in the city!!
That is a whole lotta crap!! Lot St. is fantastic! I think it was the “workers” that lacked professionalism. Anyways, Lot St a lot better off now you are not there!
THIS little copper pipe lit gem just became my new go to spot! Very cozy and just really nice to be at. Our server recommended everything on the menu, plus a few fav’s… Simply put the food was great. We had a few shared dishes including the Chicken Lollipops, Erie Pickerel, Poutine (classic style), Mac & Cheese and the Lettuce Wraps. Everything had a unique taste and was full of flavour! On top of that there was a $5 pint special which I totally took advantage of. All said and done, I’m looking forward to going back to try the rest of the menu! :)