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Restaurants

416 Snack Bar

  • Currently 2.38/5

Rating: 2.4/5 (29 votes)

Posted by Brigitte Noel / Reviewed on February 9, 2011 / review policy

416 Snack Bar416 Snack Bar is an ode to Toronto. With a close eye for detail, owners Adrian Ravinsky and David Stewart have crafted a venue and a menu that pay tribute to the city, its neighbourhoods and its culture.

The cozy gastropub is a mishmash of detail; the bar counters are striped to resemble old-school TTC streetcars, while an accent wall features a rudimentary chalk map of Toronto's downtown neighbourhoods. The draught tap is made from old telephone poles and the (tap) water is served in customized bottles.

416 Snack BarThe menu is small, as are the portions. But the 416 experience is an adventure that favours novelty seekers over hungry diners.

We order everything on the menu, excitedly guessing how each dish reflects a facet of the city. The "snacks" come one by one, presented with care and accompanied by an anecdote. Utensils are not part of the deal - these palate-pleasers are meant to be bite-sized.

416 Snack BarOrdered with scepticism, the hot dog ($3) gets rave reviews. The grilled sausage is smoked in-house, topped with home-made English-style mustard pickle. We are told Toronto is known for being the only city that grills its hot dogs. We ask no questions - the tiny wursts are delicious.

The pork belly bun ($4) comes highly recommended and does not disappoint. The simple dish features a tender slab of pork topped with Hoisin sauce and shredded veggies, wrapped in a sticky steamed bun.

416 Snack BarThe P.E.I. oysters ($7 for three) are the only menu item lacking a 416 connection, but this break in the pattern is quickly forgiven. They are plump, salty and fresh, served with Mignonette sauce and freshly grated horseradish.

Other favourites include the zesty Chinatown cold roll ($3) and the crispy latkes ($6) topped with tender and smoky gravlax.

Our light meal ends with an homage to Little Portugal. The custard tart ($3), with a thin layer of creamy filling in a light and flaky crust, is incredible. It's the only dessert on the menu, but no one's complaining - our mouths are full.

416 Snack Bar416 Snack Bar is open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Monday to Saturday.

Photos by Courtney Lee Yip

Discussion

27 Comments

Adam / February 9, 2011 at 02:00 pm
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This place is awesome---friendly-as-hell owners and great snacks. Beer prices could stand to come down a shade, but that's probably the only negative.
Dom / February 9, 2011 at 02:06 pm
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SHHHHHHHUUSH!!

Annnnd there goes your chance of getting into Snackbar.

Not really blaming BlogTO for breaking the news, but sometimes, just sometimes, I wish blogs or magazines / papers wouldn't report on the bars and restaurants that are already packed to the gills, and would focus on places that are really good but actually need more patronage.
M-PC / February 9, 2011 at 02:06 pm
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This is a cool idea for a place. But I think it would be nicer to have in a city other than Toronto, where a lot of Torontonians have moved. Awww!
The Liquor / February 9, 2011 at 02:16 pm
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like Milton?
handfed / February 9, 2011 at 03:14 pm
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cool idea, will check it out.
Lexx / February 9, 2011 at 03:43 pm
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Great pics!
EJR / February 9, 2011 at 06:47 pm
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Curious as to what's on tap and what the beer prices are like?
jameson replying to a comment from Dom / February 9, 2011 at 07:14 pm
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You're a twat
Peel Region / February 9, 2011 at 08:22 pm
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905'ers need not apply
Hailey / February 9, 2011 at 09:52 pm
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I believe it's 7 for a pint. Kind of stiff, but the atmosphere is great and the snacks are yummy.

If the drinks were a little cheaper, I would make it one of my regular hangouts. But hey, it's not their fault I'm poor.
Dee / February 9, 2011 at 09:55 pm
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I think the "chinatown cold roll" is more like a Banh Mi Vietnamese sandwich. No idea what a chinatown cold roll is. Anyway, place looks pretty cool.
Jen / February 10, 2011 at 09:36 am
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I have the same plates lol. It's good to see another food bar open late, we need more places like this.
Dom replying to a comment from jameson / February 10, 2011 at 01:09 pm
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You're a dick
Japhet / February 10, 2011 at 10:27 pm
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Not a gastropub.
Scott replying to a comment from Dee / February 10, 2011 at 10:53 pm
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A banh mi is like a sub, with a crusty roll. I think the cold roll they're referring to is a little wrap in rice paper.
Michael / February 11, 2011 at 04:14 am
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Where can I get a bottle of San Pellegrino with "Toronto" printed on the label?
Vegetarian / February 11, 2011 at 12:48 pm
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Has anyone who's been here know this place has any vegetarian options? I can't find a menu on their blog, and from this review it seems they have a pretty small menu, pretty meat/fish-centric.
andrew / March 25, 2011 at 04:41 pm
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great food / drinks. on tap they have Flying Monkey 'Hoptical Illusion' which is great. Can't remember what else though
Laura / March 28, 2011 at 02:43 pm
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Cheese plate is a literal joke. I know it is only 5/7 dollars? but it is a a extremely small slice of not that great cheese and a couple of cheese nips. I was frankly appalled.
Guest / March 31, 2011 at 10:43 am
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$3 for a chocolate bar that is less than half the size of a mr big! Ridiculous! Why would I pay 3 times the cost of a regular chocolate bar and get less in return? Just because it's locally made justifys it being $3?
Guest / March 31, 2011 at 10:45 am
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$3 for a chocolate bar that is less than half the size of a mr big! Ridiculous! Why is it so expensive?
L / April 10, 2011 at 07:45 pm
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I absolutely love this place! Great food, service and atmosphere. My favourite bar in Toronto.
Guest 2 replying to a comment from Guest / July 11, 2011 at 11:35 am
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Those chocolate bars are made in someone's home, contrary to health code standards in the city. Don't take the $3 chance with those things.
Cosplayer / October 21, 2011 at 05:50 am
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SHHHHHHHUUSH!!
bill / May 18, 2013 at 01:31 am
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i am here to tell all , this story ends in 2 words THE END not good just another place makes you like ya ya but not all that shit sorry
bill / May 18, 2013 at 01:32 am
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i am here to tell all , this story ends in 2 words THE END not good just another place makes you like yah yah but not all that shit sorry
youssef / May 19, 2013 at 03:54 pm
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Osmani youssef

Born: 11.04.1978
Hay la gharbi rue 1 No 30 Bourgogne,
Casablanca_MOROCOO
Phon: 00212 546 508 091
youssefsnow@yahoo.com



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