Restaurant Review: Cava

1560 Yonge St. ( at St Clair).
416.979.9918

I call my friend Yolanda my manager because she is always scouting around for new spots for us to enjoy a drink, good food and stimulating conversation. On this occasion I would say she found the hottest spot in town. I had heard about it and was anxious to see what all the hype was about. This sparkling new eatery is a combination of a tapas bar, a wine bar and fine dining. The idea is to sample a variety of food by ordering several small size dishes. The servers are all young and bubbly. They explain the process and continue to be of assistance throughout. At each table a high grade bread stick is cleverly folded into the napkin. There is a wide selection of drinks available on the menu. This is indeed a sipping and supping kind of menu.
It was a hot night or I would have ordered my favorite soup, Yucatecan Tortilla & Lime Soup. ($9.75) That alone will get me back to this bustling spot. Yolanda had previously dined here and once again ordered her favorite Broiled, Cider-Glazed Sablefish. It was served with black rice and escarole. ($16.00) It was an ample piece of fish placed on the bed of vegetables. Yolanda said it was the best ever. These are not dinner portions. You do need to order several dishes. I started with one of my favorites, Watercress and Roasted Beet Salad with Valdeon and Marcona almonds. ($9.75) I enjoyed it immensely... The vinaigrette enhanced the taste of the beet and watercress. Little dots of wonderful blue cheese gave the final taste of perfection. I would have been happy with two of the same. We then shared the Wild Mushroom & Fresh Corn Tamale served with an ancho chile Sauce.($8.75) Asparagus A La Plancha is served with a lemon – pepper aioli. ($7.00) Roast Boneless Quail is filled with spiced chicken and served with Moorish style spinach. ($15.00) Orrechiette is served with arugula. ($7.75) Clams with House Made Albondigas are served with a Tomatillo-chipotle sauce. ($13.50) Grilled Cuttlefish Salad comes with white beans and a saffron orange sauce. ($9.75) Yellowfish Tuna Tartare is served with frisee in balsamic vinaigrette. ($14.75)
Save room for dessert. Warm Ybarra Chocolate Cake is offered at $9.00 Dessert Tapas is a way of experimenting with a variety of tastes. If calories are not an issue you may want to enjoy the Churros Con chocolate. ($7.00)
There is a lot of variety. The plating is artistic and appetizing. The service is warm and efficient. This type of dining becomes expensive. The portions of wine are small. The food is for tasting so the portions once again are less than a dinner size. It is a fun place to go with a group of high spending friends. It can get quite noisy as the evening progresses.
I wonder what spot Yolanda will pick for our next soiree?