Introducing: Bar Buca, the King West trattoria’s all-day Italian snack bar
Name: Bar Buca
Contact Info: 75 Portland St., 416-599-2822, barbuca.com , @barbucatoronto
Neighbourhood: Fashion District
Owners: Rob Gentile, Gus Giazitzidis and Peter Tsebelis
Executive Chef: Buca chef Rob Gentile
Sommelier: Buca sommelier Giuiseppe Marchesini
The Food: Bar Buca is an all-day, European-style snack bar—the kind of place where you can grab a morning cappuccino, a casual lunch or a post-work aperitivo. The savoury menu includes 30 shareable plates, including Venetian cicchetti (snack-sized bites), spiedini (skewers) and schiacciata (stuffed focaccia sandwiches). For Saturday and Sunday brunch, scrambled eggs are blended with gooey burrata and garnished with shaved black truffles.
The Drinks: Cocktails are blended with Italian liqueurs like Cynar, a bittersweet apéritif made with artichokes, and espresso-based beverages come spiked with things like buffalo milk and dulce de leche. Thirty wines are available by the glass.
The Place: With sleek marble bar tops and sky-high ceilings, the lofty space has the same industrial-chic polish as the King West original. A grab-and-go coffee bar caters to busy commuters.
The Numbers:
• 38 seats
• 25 coffees taste-tested before deciding on Italian producer Manuel Caffe
• 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m.
• 2-plus years in the making
• 0 reservations
257225 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-08.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-08/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-08 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257218 The high-ceilinged room has the same industrial-chic aesthetic as the King West original (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-01.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-01/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-01 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257220 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-03.jpg 1001 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-03/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-03 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257221 Bar Buca’s coffee bar caters to grab-and-go customers (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-04.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-04/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-04 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257222 The enomatic wine-dispensing system behind the bar ensures that bottles stay fresh (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-05.jpg 1001 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-05/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-05 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257223 Customers can watch their plates being prepped in the open kitchen (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-06.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-06/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-06 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257224 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-07.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-07/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-07 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257226 Espresso with dulce de leche ($3) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-09.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-09/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-09 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257240 The <em>bombolone</em> is an Italian doughnut filled with spiced apple butter and topped with whipped marscapone ($6) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-23-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-23.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-23/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-23 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257230 The “Caffe Completo” breakfast set comes with fresh orange juice, biscotti, bruschetta, espresso and a choice of pastry ($12) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-13.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-13/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-13 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257231 A tasting plate of house-made goodies includes ricotta-filled cannoli with candied orange peel and pistachios ($12) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-14.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-14/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-14 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257236 Fried baby artichokes are served with an Italian custard called <em>zabaglione,</em> which is flavoured with bergamot ($6) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-19.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-19/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-19 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257233 Foccacia stuffed with pistachio mortadella, green tomatoes, soft cheese and pesto ($10) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-16.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-16/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-16 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257234 Foccacia stuffed with pistachio mortadella, green tomatoes, soft cheese and pesto ($10) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-17.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-17/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-17 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257235 Littleneck clams are served carbonara-style with guanciale, creamy egg yolks and pepper ($9) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-18.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-18/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-18 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257237 Cuttlefish with king mushrooms and gremolata ($9) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-20.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-20/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-20 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257239 For weekend brunch, turkey, goose and duck eggs are scrambled with burrata and topped with shaved truffles ($12) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-22-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-22.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-22/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-22 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257238 Also on the weekend brunch menu, Italian pancakes (<em>crespelle</em>) are layered with cannoli filing and drizzled with maple syrup ($9) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-21.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-21/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-21 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257228 The house caesar comes topped with a morsel of fried pork jowl ($10) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-11.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-11/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-11 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257227 The “Tempesta” cocoktail is a blend of rum, Cynar liqueur, ginger beer and lime ($10) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-10.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-10/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-10 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
257232 A selection of house-made treats (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Bar Buca Introducing: Bar Buca https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-15.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/bar-buca-toronto-restaurants/slide/bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-15/ bar-buca-toronto-restaurant-15 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
Re: caption for picture 16, they’re called littleNECK clams (one word), not little net clams.
Thank you, RL. The typo has been fixed.
SP. Spiedini, and Aperitif
Thanks, Al Fresco. These errors have been fixed.