Takeout Diaries: Where chef Adrian Forte gets to-go burgers, ceviche and sisig fries
It may be November but it feels like March all over again—our numbers are going up, it’s cold and grey outside and, once again, we can’t eat inside restaurants. But there’s always takeout or delivery. In this new series, we’re asking Toronto chefs to name their go-to takeout spots from throughout the pandemic.
More Takeout Diaries
Adrian Forte of Chef du Jour has seen an increase in private dining requests during the pandemic. But those who want to try the Top Chef Canada competitor’s Afro-Caribbean cuisine (without forking out the fees for a private chef) can do so at his new pop-up, YAWD, running from now until Nov. 15 at Mahjong Bar. The menu celebrates Caribbean flavours using recipes prepared with classic French techniques, like oxtail cassava gnocchi and jerk chicken coq au vin. Between his private-dining services and this new pop-up, Forte often doesn’t have time to cook for himself so he orders in a few times a week. Here are three of his top spots for takeout.
416 Snack Bar
181 Bathurst St., 416-364-9320, 416snackbar.com
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This cutlery-free kitchen at Queen and Bathurst serves up small plates by executive chef Dustin Gallagher—another Top Chef Canada alum—alongside craft beer and wine. The self-deprecating spot is so much more than just a “snack bar.” “My girlfriend and I call it ‘ole reliable,’” Forte says. “When we can’t figure out what to eat, 416 Snack Bar never disappoints.”
Go-to item 1: Mini Mac Max (a larger version of their Mini Mac)
Dish description: Their take on the Golden Arches burger features a single patty cooked to medium on a sesame-flecked Martin’s potato roll, and topped with all the classic Mac fixings. “It’s a way better version of a Big Mac! And on the first Sunday of every month, $5 from each Mini Mac Max is donated to charity.” For the month of November, proceeds are going to United Way Toronto.
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Go-to-item 2: Steak tartare and fries
Dish description: Classic steak tartare served with frites and aïoli.
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Go-to-item 3: Korean fried chicken
Dish description: A hearty serving of twice-fried, deboned chicken tossed in a gochujang sauce and sided with steamed rice and creamy cabbage slaw.
View this post on Instagram
Kanto by Tita Flips
2986 Dundas St. W., 647-333-8482, kanto.ca
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Specializing in the regional flavours of metro Manila, this family business introduced Filipino street food to the city. They’ve been operating out of a shipping-container kitchen at Market 707 for over eight years now, but recently opened a sit-down (well, it will be sit-down one day) restaurant in the Junction. “I love going for brunch,” says Forte. “They’re a small Filipino restaurant doing big things. The food is always consistent, too, which I love.”
Go-to-item 1: Tapsilog
Dish description: A dairy-free rice meal that features beef ribeye slices in a soy-lemon marinade. It’s served with garlic rice, fried egg and house-made atchara (papaya slaw). “I usually get this dish because it’s a full meal for a great price.”
View this post on Instagram
Go-to item 2: Sisig fries
Dish description: This snack that eats like a meal tops golden-brown fries with offal, pork belly and chicharron.
View this post on Instagram
Go-to item 3: Leche flan
Dish description: This is essentially a Filipino crème caramel, a rich and creamy egg custard that’s bathed in sweet caramel.
View this post on Instagram
La Bella Managua
872 Bloor St. W., 416- 913-4227, labellamanagua.ca
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“This Nicaraguan restaurant in Bloorcourt offers all kinds of flavourful dishes and they always have different specials,” says Forte. “I love ordering takeout from them because it’s like eating a home-cooked meal—when I don’t have time to make myself a home-cooked meal.”
Go-to item 1: Fish of the day
Dish description: Whether it’s red snapper or sea bass, the fish dish of the day always comes with white rice, avocado salad and tostones. “They also make an amazing seafood bisque, which is also one of their specials—I always order it when it’s available.”
View this post on Instagram
Go-to item 2: Ceviche
Dish description: The seafood—fish, shrimp or a mix of both—is marinated in lime juice and mixed with chopped bell peppers, red onion and cilantro. The fresh and flavourful mix is served with slices of avocado and crunchy plantain chips.
View this post on Instagram
Go-to item 3: Carne asada
Dish description: A hearty dish of grilled boneless beef that comes with gallo pinto (rice and beans) cabbage salad, sliced avocado and plantain (fried green or sweetened).
View this post on Instagram
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/food/takeout-diaries-where-chef-adrian-forte-gets-to-go-burgers-ceviche-and-sisig-fries/&title=Takeout Diaries: Where chef Adrian Forte gets to-go burgers, ceviche and sisig fries&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ChefAdrianForte2020-2000x1334.jpg&description=It may be November but it feels like March all over again—our numbers are going up, it's cold and grey outside and, once again, we can't eat inside restaurants. But there's always takeout or delivery. In this new series, we're asking Toronto chefs to name their go-to takeout spots from throughout the pandemic.
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Adrian Forte of Chef du Jour has seen an increase in private dining requests during the pandemic. But those who want to try the Top Chef Canada competitor’s Afro-Caribbean cuisine (without forking out the fees for a private chef) can do so at his new pop-up, YAWD, running from now until Nov. 15 at Mahjong Bar. The menu celebrates Caribbean flavours using recipes prepared with classic French techniques, like oxtail cassava gnocchi and jerk chicken coq au vin. Between his private-dining services and this new pop-up, Forte often doesn't have time to cook for himself so he orders in a few times a week. Here are three of his top spots for takeout.
416 Snack Bar
181 Bathurst St., 416-364-9320, 416snackbar.com
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by we keeps it real snacky (@416snackbar) on Jun 19, 2020 at 6:57pm PDT
This cutlery-free kitchen at Queen and Bathurst serves up small plates by executive chef Dustin Gallagher—another Top Chef Canada alum—alongside craft beer and wine. The self-deprecating spot is so much more than just a "snack bar." "My girlfriend and I call it 'ole reliable,’" Forte says. "When we can't figure out what to eat, 416 Snack Bar never disappoints."
Go-to item 1: Mini Mac Max (a larger version of their Mini Mac)
Dish description: Their take on the Golden Arches burger features a single patty cooked to medium on a sesame-flecked Martin's potato roll, and topped with all the classic Mac fixings. “It’s a way better version of a Big Mac! And on the first Sunday of every month, $5 from each Mini Mac Max is donated to charity.” For the month of November, proceeds are going to United Way Toronto.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by we keeps it real snacky (@416snackbar) on May 31, 2020 at 3:32pm PDT
Go-to-item 2: Steak tartare and fries
Dish description: Classic steak tartare served with frites and aïoli.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by we keeps it real snacky (@416snackbar) on May 2, 2020 at 12:17pm PDT
Go-to-item 3: Korean fried chicken
Dish description: A hearty serving of twice-fried, deboned chicken tossed in a gochujang sauce and sided with steamed rice and creamy cabbage slaw.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by we keeps it real snacky (@416snackbar) on Oct 30, 2020 at 2:06pm PDT
Kanto by Tita Flips
2986 Dundas St. W., 647-333-8482, kanto.ca
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Kanto By Tita Flips (@kanto.ca) on Aug 13, 2020 at 4:42pm PDT
Specializing in the regional flavours of metro Manila, this family business introduced Filipino street food to the city. They've been operating out of a shipping-container kitchen at Market 707 for over eight years now, but recently opened a sit-down (well, it will be sit-down one day) restaurant in the Junction. "I love going for brunch," says Forte. "They're a small Filipino restaurant doing big things. The food is always consistent, too, which I love."
Go-to-item 1: Tapsilog
Dish description: A dairy-free rice meal that features beef ribeye slices in a soy-lemon marinade. It's served with garlic rice, fried egg and house-made atchara (papaya slaw). "I usually get this dish because it's a full meal for a great price."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Kanto By Tita Flips (@kanto.ca) on Nov 27, 2019 at 1:26pm PST
Go-to item 2: Sisig fries
Dish description: This snack that eats like a meal tops golden-brown fries with offal, pork belly and chicharron.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Kanto By Tita Flips (@kanto.ca) on Mar 20, 2020 at 1:54pm PDT
Go-to item 3: Leche flan
Dish description: This is essentially a Filipino crème caramel, a rich and creamy egg custard that’s bathed in sweet caramel.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Kanto By Tita Flips (@kanto.ca) on Feb 24, 2020 at 9:00am PST
La Bella Managua
872 Bloor St. W., 416- 913-4227, labellamanagua.ca
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by La Bella Managua (@labellamanagua) on Mar 18, 2015 at 9:31pm PDT
"This Nicaraguan restaurant in Bloorcourt offers all kinds of flavourful dishes and they always have different specials,” says Forte. "I love ordering takeout from them because it's like eating a home-cooked meal—when I don't have time to make myself a home-cooked meal."
Go-to item 1: Fish of the day
Dish description: Whether it’s red snapper or sea bass, the fish dish of the day always comes with white rice, avocado salad and tostones. “They also make an amazing seafood bisque, which is also one of their specials—I always order it when it's available."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Pie Hunter (@thepieishungry) on Aug 1, 2019 at 5:52am PDT
Go-to item 2: Ceviche
Dish description: The seafood—fish, shrimp or a mix of both—is marinated in lime juice and mixed with chopped bell peppers, red onion and cilantro. The fresh and flavourful mix is served with slices of avocado and crunchy plantain chips.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by La Bella Managua (@labellamanagua) on Aug 18, 2016 at 10:31am PDT
Go-to item 3: Carne asada
Dish description: A hearty dish of grilled boneless beef that comes with gallo pinto (rice and beans) cabbage salad, sliced avocado and plantain (fried green or sweetened).
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by AJ ~ Toronto Blogger ~ (@ajthetechnologist) on Apr 16, 2020 at 12:42pm PDT
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