Hawker is a cute little restaurant nestled in the heart of Kensington market. They serve plant-based Indian food, and the food is quite delicious. Plates are meant to be shared. We tried the mushroom, the biryani, the papadum and the gai lan, followed by a date cake. The delicate interplay of flavours is a delight to the senses. Service was prompt and friendly. read more

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I made reservations and was genuinely excited to support this vegan restaurant. The space feels intimate and comfortable, with beautiful touches like fabric draping and dried herbs and flowers hanging from the ceiling. Alex, one of the owners, introduced himself shortly after we were seated, offering a warm welcome that immediately made us feel at home. The cocktail program is creative, with a thoughtful lineup of drinks, beers, and wines. We tried two cocktails--both delicious, though quite small for the price. A bit of a Toronto theme, it seems. We chose the six-course vegan prix fixe. Each plate was a true piece of art, crafted with precision and intention. You get to experience a range of flavors and techniques, though the dishes lean more toward tasting portions than filling plates. We left a bit hungry, and the pricing felt high for the amount of food. The best way to think of it is as investing in edible art--beautiful, expressive, and memorable, though not necessarily hearty. I'm not sure I'd rush back based on value alone, but I'm genuinely happy to see a vegan restaurant like this thriving. Grateful for the chance to experience it. read more

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After extensive research on Toronto's vegan and fermented food scene, Hawker was the restaurant I was most excited about. When we saw that they have an entirely different menu for lunch and dinner, we made a point to visit for lunch on our first day in Toronto, to allow ourselves time to return for dinner and try the full menu. As soon as we sat down, we asked about the house kombucha, which we were surprised to see was not on the menu. Our waitress was able to find a bottle of it in the back. We were disappointed that it was not fizzy at all and worse, tasted like apple juice. No real tea flavor or tang at all. We wouldn't have even guessed it was kombucha. We were so surprised since Hawker prides themselves on fermented foods - how did they get the kombucha so wrong? Next, the food. Vegan biryani is about as rare as homemade kombucha, so I couldn't resist ordering it. I was shocked when I saw the chef get out a frying pan and make fried rice that they were passing off as biryani. There also wasn't a single vegetable in it - just raisins, a few oily cashews, and a dollop of cashew cream. Didn't bother finishing this. We also tried the signature smoked sandwich made with smoked cabbage, fermented chickpea, and smoked date sauce. We were unable to identify any fermented chickpeas (maybe it was a spread? but not a key part of the dish). It was a good but not memorable sandwich. Overall, Hawker is just hype. Their menu is full of buzzwords that get you excited about things like spent grains, fermented spreads, and smoked vegetables, but they are serving greasy, average-tasting food that leaves you confused and duped in a dimly-lit cool environment. Needless to say, we did not return for dinner. read more

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Really lovely vegan fine-dining. We were four of us and they recommend 2-3 dishes per person. So, we ordered all 10 items on their dinner menu, plus several drinks. Everything we ordered was really well-prepared, with wonderful textures, purées, reduction sauces, etc. The only substantive thing I'd want changed is that most dishes are vegetable-centric, with little in the way of complex carbs or protein, which means you don't exactly leave full--and for a meal you spend $100 on, that is not very attractive. Service was top-notch and everything was presented beautifully. All in all, really solid vegan fine-dining with some room for improvement in the aforementioned dish curation. read more

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I arrived just before 2pm on a Saturday looking forward to a place I had a previous wonderful experience. I ordered the signature smoke. It arrived and took a bite. I was surprised by the taste of fennel and a complete lack of smokiness. I proceeded to finish and ask about the fennel. I was informed this was in the smoked dates. It was suggested that somehow I had a great plate to have discovered this, fennel was the dominant flavour, not subtle. Would try again in the hopes the signature smoke is both of those. read more

3.5/5 we came here for the winterlicious 2025 menu and it was an overall good time! the dishes are unique and creatively put together. we tried the Summer, Sunset, and Earth appetizers. they were all solid apps! however, the entrees were pretty disappointing. the Starry Night biryani felt too fusion-y to me, with a lot of the south asian flavours getting missed. we tried the Sunrise which was a creative play on a vegetable dish that i enjoyed, but my company weren't big fans haha. for dessert, we tried Winter which was warm and comforting, but the Nature Cake had way too much cardamom and just wasn't super enjoyable. verdict: creative dishes and worth a try, but not sure if i would personally come back. read more

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I looooooved my meal at Hawker! I came in for the brunch tasting on a rainy Saturday morning and it was such a great experience. It's very intimate, cozy, and simplistic. The servers were very knowledgeable and attentive. I have no idea half of the food I had, but there were quite a few flavorful explosions happening. Highlights were the accompaniments with the dal, chai tea, eggplant, naan, biryani rice with lavender and the ice cream. Absolutely sensational. I'm visiting from out of town, so glad I could make a last minute resy on a Sat morning. read more

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With a selection of seven unique vegan sandwiches and a tempting selection of vegan wings, every visit will leave you wanting more. I tried the Wala Bahn Mi and couldn't resist upgrading with Fava Bean Tofu for just $5--adding 15g of protein! Without a doubt, the best banh mi I've ever had in Toronto (I dare you to prove me wrong!). So filling yet worth it. Plus, for another $5, you can upgrade your meal to a combo that includes a drink and light, perfectly salted root vegetable chips. And let me tell you about those mushroom wings! Typically, not my go-to, but I found myself diving in without hesitation--they're that good. And the mango chutney served alongside them? Phenomenal. I put it on everything. The shop itself is cozy, a great place to take friends to catch up or for an intimate night. The patio is nice during the warmer weather, tucked in the back away from the bustling noises of Kensington. read more

Hawker - Vegan Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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THE BEST VEGAN FOOD I've ever had - and I seek out vegan restaurants everywhere I travel. It's a sensory delight. Each dish I tried had a combination of savory and sweet, different textures, and visual artistry. I treated myself to the chef's table six course meal and highly recommend it. Here's what was on the menu last night: (1) Papadam: Chewy braised eggplant on a crispy chickpea cracker topped with a small slice of pickled fennel bulb. (2) Mushrooms: Meaty Lion's mane mushroom pressed on the cooking griddle, atop a puddle of carrot and foraged Labrador tea purée that adds a touch of sweetness, plus smoked shepherd peppers for very slight heat. (3) Sautéed Runner beans: Cooked to tender perfection. To me, they tasted like green beans and green peppers - presented in a red pepper and pine nut sauce (4) Sweet Purple Grapes: The small grapes are baked yet still firm and juicy, presented alongside savory sautéed brussel sprout leaves in a cashew yogurt. On the side, handmade flatbread - kind of like naan - that has fermented and which was lightly seasoned with herbs. (5) Large Perilla Leaf: In the middle of the leaf was a melange of smoked cabbage, pickled mushrooms, beet reduction, chili cream, and pistachio (6) Dessert: Ginger date cake topped with a thin layer of fermented pear and touches of fennel and marigold petals This tiny, understated, gourmet restaurant merits a weekend trip to Toronto, especially for vegan foodies. read more

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We were able to get a seating late on Saturday night: We were excited to try this Indian/Asian inspired Tapas restaurant. The entire menu is plant based/ vegan. Our server was nice and had our table ready for us when we arrived. He gave great recommendations. This is not traditional Indian. The chef prepared the food fresh. A few of the seats in the restaurant allow you to watch the food being prepared.The space is small and clean. The flavors were familiar but definitely unique. We enjoyed our meal. The desserts were tasty and a fresh cup of Chaa to finish the night was perfect. read more

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We ordered the whole à la carte menu as recommended by our server and enjoyed every bite. Such a lovely find in a great location. The cocktails and flavours were wonderful and the staff was so friendly. read more

EARTH The oyster mushrooms were cooked perfectly and paired wonderfully with the sesame sauce. However, eating the entire dish with just the sesame sauce made it feel a bit heavy toward the end. Perhaps it could be balanced with some refreshing side dishes. SUNRISE The roasted grapes were the biggest surprise for me, but some of the Brussels sprout leaves were slightly over-charred. Overall, I still found the dish to be excellent. SPRING The fava beans share a similar charm with the grapes in SUNRISE. Starry Night The only disappointing dish--the smoked poblano made the curry's bitterness overly pronounced, leaving an element of confusion. read more

We had the weekend south Asian influenced brunch menu. We opted to sit inside to see the chef in action and were not disappointed. The mocktails was fun as we're the hibiscus and other teas The 5 course brunch includes a delicious bean course, two curries and their Biryani. We finished with a delicious ice cream dessert. Service and explanation was clear. read more

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Absolutely incredible vegan food with such carefully prepared ingredients. You absolutely cannot go wrong with anything on the menu, so I definitely suggest to try it all! read more

What a unique, charming tasting menu brunch! We came here for my birthday and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. $35 for 6 courses is such fantastic value for what you get at Hawker. It was a beautiful weekend, so we sat on the back patio. Though the plates seem small, we were quite full by the end of the meal. I was blown away especially by - Course 2 [God's Work]: Romano beans with pepper paste & pine nuts - Course 3 [Bushfire]: Baingan bharta, an Indian eggplant curry, paired with delicious roti - Course 6: Homemade juniper ice cream Only minor thing is we felt like Bushfire could've used more roti, which ended up being an extra $3. We also got the Epiphany & Deliverance drinks. My hot tea paired wonderfully with the fragrant flavours. My taste buds and stomach were very satisfied. Yum yum yum! read more

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Went here for dinner with a girlfriend who is vegetarian. The space is cute and well utilized. The service was amazing, our server was very attentive and friendly. The food was both delicious and aesthetically pleasing. Everything was just so pretty like a work of art. I really enjoyed the oyster mushrooms, biryani, and chaga tea in particular. Definitely a good spot to checkout with a friend or even on a date. read more

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I was a skeptic coming into this weekend brunch, as I generally do not eat vegetarian or vegan often. But I was pleasantly surprised. First off, there were various different dishes, I was afraid that we would not be full by the end. But it was so satisfying. The faves had to be the briyani with cashews, the flavours were awesome and the little dollops of sauce paired so well. The eggplant with the fresh, flavoured roti. And finally, THE DESSERT!!!! The pistachio, saffron and honey ice cream was unreal. The subtle sweetness and freshness... I could eat a whole tub of that!!! Honestly an incredible meal and deserving of the hype and 5 stars. The service was also excellent!! Forgot to mention, chai was $6 a cup... but it was very tasty too. Albeit not essential for the experience. Get a reservation, it can get busy and there's very minimal seating. read more

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I'm probably what most people describe as a Meatatarian so when I was invited here for my birthday I was concerned and skeptical to say the least. However, I trusted my friends as they've known me for a long time and I kept and open mind. And I'm glad I did. Mind was blown. Loved everything that was brought out. We basically had one of everything on the menu, and almost everything was a hit. It was all super tasty and flavourful, enough for me to at least think about being a vegetarian say once or twice a year (gotta start with baby steps right?) Looking forward to coming back. read more

Beautiful small dishes at this new vegan, globally inspired restaurant. We Literally ordered the entire menu and each plate was entirely unique, flavorful, and surprising. The last trio are all 3 desserts. Highly recommend. Tip: sit on the back patio under the big tree at dusk - swipe to the last video to see why (you'll die of cuteness ). read more

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Food- every dish is beautiful and extremely flavourful. My only critique is that the portions are TINY. Actually tiny- which would be fine if the server had warned us as we were a group of 4, so realistically we should have ordered 2 of every dish in order to share it amongst 4 people. We weren't told this so we ended up getting a spoonful of each dish per person... which made for an interesting dinning experience. Service was interesting- the servers were kind and courteous- but not sure if they maybe forgot about us a few times as we were seated outside... Food arrived prior to drinks which I'm always a little annoyed at. But maybe this is how things work in the more casual Kensington area. I do recommend trying this place should you want to experience vegan food but I would say either over order "I don't know if you can with this menu" or come by for a light snack! read more

Holy moly the food was incredible!! The service was no less than a 10/10. I went to celebrate my birthday here and I couldn't have been happier! The ambiance is cute. Simple. Nothing "fancy" per se, but it's perfect. The food pricing was really really affordable as well. Can't wait to go here again! read more

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There's a ton of potential here, and maybe it was an off night but look at the picture of the $18 The Greens I received via DoorDash--it wasn't even ¾ cup of veggies! The sauce was nicely flavoured but wayyyy too oily. You char the greens and add them to a coconut sauce-- no need for extra oil added. This portion was ridiculous. The Dal was very nice. Half the container was full. Beautiful presentation on this one. They gave me rice and naan after I specifically asked them not to because I don't eat grains. So, that was a huge waste unfortunately. So, a $40+ order did not even fill up a tiny woman; I thought there would be more leftover for tomorrow at those prices. I appreciated the paper containers and the flavours are def something, but I'd need more veggies and less grease to order again. It was cold out so a good ¾" of oil solidified on top of The Greens. Too much, man. read more

Hawker - The Greens - Vegan Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

TVX has developed a new concept since its inception, and deserves to be revisited. The entire space has been renovated to deliver a more upscale experience. The open kitchen still dominates the centre of the house, allowing patrons the opportunity to observe the chef creating his dishes. The dining room at the front of the house offers seating in inclement weather, while the outdoor patio at the back of the house is the hidden gem of this renovation, offering patrons a tranquil oasis with soothing background music in the bustling chaos of the city. The menu has been entirely revamped. TVX now offers a 3-course tasting menu, comprised of a selection of appetizers, main courses and desserts. The menu - updated regularly - showcases the talent of the chef creating inspiring and innovative plant based dishes. For starters, Masala Dosa (edelflower cream, zucchini, flowers) is a lovely light appetizer, full of flavor, where the zucchini and flowers sits atop two thin dosa pancakes. Onion Pakora (mushroom paste, sweet & sour sauce) consists of two tasty small onion fritters, sitting atop a flavorful mushroom paste, served with a side of sweet & sour sauce. Sunchoke (spruce tip, avocado) is another delightful small appetizer, comprised of tender and flavorful sunchoke, accompanied by an avocado paste which reminds me of guacamole. For mains, Biryani (with smoked poblano paste) is a nice rendition of the traditional Indian fare, served with lovely condiments on the side. Besides the biryani, TVX offers an interesting selection of curries, such as Korma (parsnips, almond butter, date syrup), Broccolini (in masala with smoked corn broth) and Dal (lentils, raita, pomegranate). The curries are delicious and continue carrying on the tradition that made TVX loved by their customers. Curries are served with rice and their decadent paratha, which can be a bit oily, but OMG so tasty. Desserts are small treats to perfectly finish the meal. Buckwheat with Chaga had a very unique tasting sauce made with chaga mushrooms. Saffron Pudding is very nice and carries its flavor with a punch, while the Ube Mousse is light as a cloud, whispering its delicate purple yam flavor while you enjoy it. Chocolate Avocado has a nice texture from the avocado and flavor from the chocolate, and the addition of fresh passion fruit seeds in an interesting touch, but the presentation needs to be improved, as it looks unappetizing. Service is friendly. Hard chairs would benefit from soft cushions. Street parking available. The neighborhood is served by TTC line 506. TLDR; outstanding plant-based dining experience read more

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Delicious and cozy. Everything was beautifully plated. We had the set brunch and it was perfect.

A great celebration of vegan Asian cuisine! Their weekend brunch is an excellent deal. The portion sizes appear small but I was honestly stuffed by the third course and could barely eat any more. My favorites were the ice cream and the runner beans. I also love the open kitchen and that you can see the chef preparing everyone's meals. Our waitstaff was friendly and explained everything really well. I would definitely come back here if I had visitors in town and wanted a fun dining experience. read more

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My sandwich was so delicious! The staff was very friendly, service was great. I will definitely go again and try something new.

Cute little vegan spot in Kensington! The server said that she recommends 4 plates between 2 people so we went with that. The plates were way smaller than expected and we were still pretty hungry after sharing the 4 plates. One dish (the squash one) was literally 4 tbsps of purée, like I don't even know how that was a "dish". If you're going there for dinner and are reasonably hungry, I would say split 6 dishes between 2 people. Anyway, besides the tiny plates, the flavours were nice but tbh I was expecting more robust flavours in the dishes, everything was mild. Overall it's a good vegan place in Toronto for a healthier and unique experience. read more

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Super yummy vegan food!!! Shroom wings was my favorite, oyster mushroom coated and fried. We also had Biryani, eggplant and chickpea. They were all unique and very tasty. It is vegans delight for sure. Highly recommended if you are in town and looking for a vegan feast. read more

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Incredible, some of the best food we've ever had. Highly recommend the chefs table dinner!

Really cool vegan restaurant. Small so not a lot of tables and hard to get reso. Small plates and a wide variety of tastes. Fairly quiet. Service was amazing and staff very friendly. Portions are small so not incredibly filling read more

Hawker - Vegan Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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This is our all time favourite vegan restaurant! We've tried every dish on the menu and each one is bursting with flavour. Hawker is a unique sharing experience of small dishes, all of which match well together to create a cohesive dining experience. Our favourite item is bushfire which is a lovely eggplant dish served with warm roti. We also never skip the weekly churn which features beautiful and unique ice cream flavours. Pictured is also earth, a delicious oyster mushroom dish with plenty of umami flavour and as the name suggests, notes of earthy and woodsy flavour. The mushrooms make for a filling and somewhat "meaty" texture. Reap/Sow is a hearty dal topped with fresh pomegranates and dressed in a refreshing cream sauce. This dish also comes with more roti. 5/5! Everyone should experience Hawker ! read more

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Amazing food! Small portions but wonderful unforgettable experience! Would recommended sharing 4 items minimum. Four sharing plates, 2 desserts, 2 drinks, and a tip was about $135 read more

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Vegan Extremist deserves all the stars. I have eaten here a few times and the food has been consistently delicious. These guys care about their food and it shows! Or should I say "it tastes"! I had the"BC", which is battered and deep-fried chunks of cauliflower in a "butter chicken" sauce, served on a bed of basmati rice and with a paratha on the side. The sauce is dead on - not too sweet, very fragrant and tangy. I couldn't get over how thicc, smooth and creamy the sauce was. You can also order to your spice liking. Medium is perfect amount of spice for me. In my opinion, battered cauliflower is the perfect vehicle for all sauces and especially this one! The homemade paratha (bread) is flaky, crispy, and just about the best bread I've ever eaten. Eat the paratha alone or sop up the sauce. Either way it works beautifully. The "mushroom wings" are insanely good. I like how oyster mushrooms are "wing" sized and are chewy in texture. The wings are crisp and seasoned and the Sweet Chilli sauce is the right balance of sweet and heat. I could eat these every day. I also tried the mushroom Rendang sauce, which is savoury and salty. While yummy, it was a little too salty for me. Visit again? Hell yeah! I'll post some pics next time! read more

Do yourself a favor and get over to TVX as soon as possible to try out the new menu -- yowzas! My partner and I braved the February chill to wander through Kenzo one late Sat afternoon in the pursuit of sustenance. Full disclosure, we were hunting for fish tacos, and thought that our favourite location was closed (turns out it had just moved....). So we decided to see if The Vegan Extremist pop-up was still around. Not realizing the location had had a bit of a reno, re-branding, and new menu, it wasn't until food was in our mouths that we realized TVX is The Vegan Extremist (side bar = we are scientists and are now questioning whether we are worthy to be employed as such...maybe the cold was messing with our brains???). The menu is displayed in what I will describe as a 'french menu style' in that there is an item name and a few words to describe what is in the item, but otherwise, it is a bit of a hail mary when it comes to selecting what you want to order. We picked the Panang Curry and the Bharta Curry, an order of the oyster mushrooms, an order of rice, and a paratha. Food was ready in less than 10 min (thankfully, since its the time of COVID, so waiting outside is a must and it was COLD!). We scurried to our car, and thought we'd sample a little of the oyster mushroom dish before heading home to feast. The problem was, everything smelled so good that we ended up feasting in the car. We have eaten at The Vegan Extremist several times before, we come back each time because the food was really excellent. My friends, when TVX says that they have elevated their menu, it is the biggest understatement of 2021. The new menu is beyond elevated, an experience that literally engages all of the senses. We've already made a plan to go back within the week to order everything else on the menu so that we can try it all! What I really don't understand is how it is possible to offer food at this level of complexity and quality at the price they request. I would not flinch if I were asked to pay double, and cannot wait for COVID to be behind us so that TVX can push the boundaries even further with the tasting menu they were planning. read more

The food is excellent and beautiful, the price reasonable. However we feel obligated to share that this restaurant will not check vaccines (on principle) and that seems to be "known" by their patrons, and so we are not sure if we ate unmasked indoors with unvaccinated guests (and an unvaccinated chef or other staff), or not. The owner has confirmed this policy. If this does not bother you, we can highly recommend their food. If this does bother you--as it made us feel unsafe after finding out--we suggest you wait until this pandemic is over to try this lovely little place. read more

Not just good vegan food but great food in general! Flavour is amazing! Pricing is reasonable for the amount and quality of food. I highly recommend trying the shrooms (mushroom wings) but I think anything on the menu would be tasty. You can tell the food is made by chefs who know their stuff! read more

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Absolutely delicious food! I enjoyed it so much. The taste, the presentation, the combination of flavors! Very cozy decor and very attentive service. I love Indian food and it was absolutely best! read more

This place is amazing. The shrooms are super crunchy and tasty. The Panang Curry was delightful! Super high recommend! read more

Hawker - Shroom Wings & Thai Panang Curry - Vegan Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

nice restaurant with unique and delicious food the stuff very kindly, was my first time there and i love it i will visit it again for sure .

Listen, if you're on the prowl for a good eat in Kensington it's tough titmouse. What can I say...Kensington used to be a palace for good dishes. I remember the days of yore when LA PALLETE used to be in the hood. You could order a glass o' wine, a dish and enjoy free music on the patio for under twenty bones. Those days are done. Vanished. Like a ghost or somethin. I thought Kensington Market was done for awhile. Dead. Especially for good food. Then I rolly polly down augusta and see this joint open shop. "Vegan?" I said to myself. Now i know what you're thinking, how can a tub of lard like yourself be interested in vegan food? It's a mixed up muddled up little world out there, let me tell ya...so anyway I get to this place and it smells tremendous. I order the butter chicken and the peanut tofu. I ask him to throw in his favourite app and I get the deep fried mushrooms. Lemme tell you something. This is the real deal. This ain't some posh little "ooh, look at me. Im Vegan. I care about the world" spots. No, this is the real deal. And i like that it's in the Market because it could easily be swinging d*** out on Dundas West or King West or some other lifeless spot of this city and chargin double for the food. But no. It's planted its roots in the Market and it's bringing it back home. There's nothing like a good dish thats un-pretentious. Young fella's the owner. We talked for a bit. Guy's a bad motherf**er, opens shop doing his thing his own way and it's gonna pay off because people like good food. period. doesn't matter if its mexican, italian, greek. They want good food. This guy provides it. His cooks are badass too. They're all hustlin in the heat and I know this place is gonna be rammed in the summer, so I wanna get my inventory in now before the lines out the door. Make no mistake, this place is gonna crush. I could see the owner goin' posh and opening a boutique restaurant on Queen like so many do. But I hope it stays in the market because a.) it's close to me and i dont like to shlep across the f***in' city for a good bite and b.) it's bringin some blood back to this lifeless part. This city's always openin boutique cheesecake shops, restaurants with one word names like ANTLER, ALO, FRILU, BUCA, RASA, greeting card stores, Tea shops. Get outta here with that sh**. Toronto's turning soft. We need young bucks like this guy at extremist to turn the wheels of the convoy before we get sliced up and sold to the highest bidder on Bay Street. I'm readin people complaining "It's not well ventilated inside"this joint. "It's stuffy." Too bad. Go to NY where I'm from and see how stuffy you find the restaurants with the best food. You can't breathe cause the heat in the kitchen's so hot, you think you're gonna melt into the pasta right there on the spot. joints the size of a shoebox. You make due. I'd rather eat well and suffocate than eat s*** and breathe. Get yourself out to the market, preferably not on the weekend cuz you rats fill the market so full that I can't even tumble down the street without getting groped. All right, Alex out. read more