Name: Cherry Street Bar-B-Que Neighbourhood: Port Lands Contact: 275 Cherry St., 416-461-5111, cherrystbbq.com, @CherryStBBQ Previously: Cherry Street Restaurant Owner and pitmaster: Lawrence La Pianta (Aft Kitchen and Bar)
The food
With over a decade dedicated to the craft, La Pianta spent the last four years on the competitive circuit, working with many American barbecue giants. His menu’s made up of the classics—brisket, pulled pork, chicken, sausage, ribs—seasoned simply with salt, sugar and pepper. There are also a few sandwiches, a burger and sides, including LaPianta’s hugely popular beans which are smoked under brisket (to collect the drippings) and studded with the meat’s burnt ends.
The drinks
Draught beer, tallboys, bar rail booze and a short list of fun Mason-jar cocktails, like the Broadview Jimmy, a bourbon-and-cherry number named after a friend (who lives on Broadview, of course).
The space
The 60-seat restaurant more than doubles in size during the summer, thanks to its huge patio. Starting this September, La Pianta will host Sunday pig roasts (using a custom-built, double-door hog cooker) with guest pitmasters from across North America.