| La Bartola | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | June 27, 2020 [1] |
| Owner(s) | Ivan Castro |
| Head chef | Ivan Castro |
| Food type | Mexican Vegan |
| Rating | Bib Gourmand (Michelin Guide) |
| Street address | 588 College Street |
| City | Toronto, Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
| Website | www |
La Bartola is a Mexican restaurant operating in Toronto, Ontario. It serves a fully vegan and plant-based menu.
The restaurant is owned and operated by Ivan Castro, who also serves as the head chef. [2] The restaurant opened in summer 2020, in the midst of the peak of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. [3] As a result of these restrictions, the restaurant started primarily as a takeout operation, with limited seating on an outside patio. [1]
Prior to opening a brick-and-mortar location, Castro first started the business as a taqueria pop-up which served food at festivals in the Toronto-area. [1] He also worked as a private chef and hosted supper clubs at his home. [3] Castro wanted to serve a menu at his restaurant inspired by his upbringing in Mexico City. [3]
The restaurant is fully vegan and serves plant-based cuisine, with the goal of serving Mexican cooking based on the ingredients the indigenous Aztecs and Mayans would have used prior to the introduction of beef or dairy. [3] In lieu of meat in its tacos, La Bartola serves fillings such as braised hibiscus flowers, smoked banana blossoms, and jackfruit. [1]
It offers an a la carte menu, but also has an option for a tasting menu for guests. [4]
The restaurant was awarded a Bib Gourmand designation by the Michelin Guide at Toronto's 2022 Michelin Guide ceremony, and retained this recognition in 2023 and 2024. [2] A Bib Gourmand is awarded to restaurants who offer "exceptionally good food at moderate prices." Michelin praised the business's vegan offerings, highlighting the black sesame tostadas, sikil pak, and braised hibiscus tacos. [2]
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