Special Guest Post by Parv
From the popularity of sushi burritos during the summer, to
the proliferation of poké bars around the city in the fall, 2016 has been a
fishy one for Toronto foodies (see what I did there?).
Enter Calii Love, the newest poké stop in the city’s King
West district, promoting Californian style with a Hawaiian twist. Given that
I’m convinced I was Californian in a previous life, the name alone had me
reeled in (yes, I could do this all night, folks).
The bright, airy space, with its tropical motif and
contemporary decor, emits a feel good, West Coast vibe. The emphasis is on
organic, sustainable, vegan and gluten-free options. Grab-and-go, or take a
seat and get to know your fellow diners at the communal table.
As I peruse the menu and approach the counter, I’m consumed
by the burst of colourful and fresh ingredients and stealth-like preparation of
smoothies and poké bowls. Pronounced “poh-keh”, this Hawaiian salad with
seasoned raw fish has gained a cult-like status with health-conscious diners,
popping up in chic neighbourhoods all over California…and now Toronto.
Each menu item is titled to reflect a feeling – Proud,
Awakened, Confident, Grateful and so on – and today I’m feeling Happy and Adventurous
– a notion that appeases both, my mental state of mind and my appetite.
The Happy superfood smoothie is a beautiful blend of banana,
raw cocoa, coconut milk, strawberry, dark chocolate and raw cocoa nibs…and
that’s plenty reason to be happy. It’s a little bit chunky for my taste, but
delicious in every form.
I pair my drink with an Adventurous poké bowl stacked with
salmon, furikake, kimchee, sriracha, wasabi aioli, jalapenos, cucumber and
white rice. This one packs in a spicy punch and I’m immediately happy with the
countering effects of my cool smoothie (last pun, I promise).
Calii Love received a lot of love during the Toronto
International Film Festival (TIFF) with several A-list celebrities making a pit
stop, including Joseph Gordon Levitt, Dakota Fanning, Jason Sudeikis, Anne
Hathaway, Jane Lynch, Natalie Portman, and Gerard Butler, to name a few. Chef
Joe Friday has worked in some of Hawaii’s finest kitchens, including Nobu
Waikiki, and was eager to bring that authentic poké experience to Toronto. Our
city thanks you, sir.
The spot opens 7am daily, which is great news for those
early downtown risers looking to grab a healthy acai bowl, smoothie or direct
trade coffee before heading to work. Poké bowls are only available after 11am.
And if you’re lucky, the country’s top-rated latte artist, Barista Brian Leonard may even be around to truly personalise your coffee … with some latte art of your face. Like we needed any more reason to feel good
Disclaimer: The above meal was complimentary.
How To Find Them
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 367 King Street West
Address: 367 King Street West
Website: http://caliilove.com/
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