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Julie's Cuban

On perhaps the chilliest night of the summer in weeks, Sarah, old COMMONS friend Jillian and myself dined on Cuban tapas on a patio on a neighbourhood street. Julie’s Cuban (http://www.juliescuban.com/) is nestled in one of Toronto’s loveliest little streets in the west-end, Dovercourt Road. Riding my bike along the street, the row of Victorian houses is broken up by this festive patio and twinkle lights. What could warm up the (c)old soul more than an evening away from it all?

Some of our selections:

Aguacate y Mango: avocado and mango, red onion, red pepper, cucumber on a bed of lettuce- Super fresh ingredients with a light vinaigrette that wasn’t too acidy

Calamari: served with two dipping sauces and lemon-Though best eaten as soon as it’s served hot (difficult on a blustery day)

Frituras de Maís peppery corn fritters & sour cream- deep- fried Timbit-sized parcels with a flavourful oniony centre

Yuca con Mojo: potato-like, white root vegetable served with a garlic & onion mojo- Flaky and down-home comfort food that we never knew before. We never did ask what mojo was.

Tostones Rellenos 'green' plantain cups stuffed with either picadillo or shrimp or avocado- Shrimp for us, as picadillo is beef and I don’t eat red meat.

I think the perfect time to re-visit is winter, with the snowy and quiet street before you as you defrost in the cosy Latin interior. I have already made plans to head back for when the snow falls. I can’t wait to don my heaviest parka and trek out in my clumsy boots only to shed them in the warm glow of Julie’s Cuban. Mmmmmm.

Charlene K. Lau