Description: For a short while, "before kids", my husband and I lived in Toronto's Little Italy. Kalendar was a favourite restaurant at that time and today, it remains a "go to" place for us on those rare occasions where we have a babysitter. What I love about Kalendar is that it is a comfortable, casual-yet-trendy restaurant that fits the bill for virtually any occasion be it date-night, girls night out, or a couples get-together.
The atmosphere is fantastic. It's a teeny, tiny, little place, almost European in the proximity with which you find yourself next to other tables. It's a downside, I suppose, as you lose a little intimacy (i.e., don't come here to break up with your lover) but it also makes the place feel cozy and warm.
The food is great and reasonably priced for the area. The specialty of the house, in my opinion, are the "scrolls": a type of sandwich wrap. The bread used to wrap is very delicate which sets it apart from your typical lunch-style sandwich. Well-chosen items combine to form a variety of different scrolls from which you can choose. For example, oven roasted chicken, sugar snap peas & carrots with a sweet curry sauce or roast beef, portabello mushrooms, caramelized onion, asiago cheese & plum tomatoes with horseradish mayonnaise. Not overly exotic but a nice blend of flavours. Other menu options include pizzas (also very good), pastas and more serious entrees like lamb chops and swordfish. I can't attest to the "entrees" as I'm stuck on the scrolls and pizzas myself and they are what I always recommend when I take someone there for an inaugural visit. The desserts are also nice and I especially love that they have some good "share" options for dessert. Take the sliced apples and pears served with warm caramel dipping sauce ($8) or the baked camembert ($13).
As stated, prices are reasonable. The most expensive items ring in around $22 per entree and the scrolls and pizzas reside in the neighbourhood of $15 (includes salad with your scroll).
My chief complaint with Kalendar is that they don't take reservations so it's first come first served for the available tables. At peak times this can mean a wait for a table or that you're completely out of luck altogether. In my view, it's worth a try though!
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