Where to Eat and Drink… Buddies in Bad Times Theatre

iPhoto caption: The Buddies Cabaret Space / Photo by Alejandro Santiago

Insider Intel

/By Hannah Antaki / Apr 12, 2019

SHARE

Nothing beats an evening at the theatre. Except maybe an evening at the theatre preceded or followed by dinner and/or drinks. Intermission will share our top picks for enhancing your theatre experience at venues across the city.

This week: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre

Dining & Drinks

Planta

Planta is one of Toronto’s go-to restaurants that’s a hit with both veg and non-veg foodies. It’s a beautiful, bright space that offers completely vegetarian and dairy-free dishes, with plenty of gluten-free options, all full of flavour. My personal favourite is the Frenchie Pizza. Despite my best intentions I have never managed to save any for the next day’s lunch. Anyone who doesn’t like it is, in my opinion,** a tasteless fool.

Address & Hours: 1221 Bay Street. Toronto, ON M5R 3P5. Walking distance to theatre: 14 minutes. Monday-Friday: 12p.m.–3p.m. & 5p.m.–close. Saturday: 11:30a.m.–3p.m. & 5p.m. – close. Sunday: 10:30a.m.–3p.m. & 5p.m. – close.

Sabai Sabai

Quick shoutout to my friend Jess for recommending this restaurant. It’s the tops. Admittedly I am neither Thai, nor have I ever been to Thailand, but I feel very certain this is the real deal. With a menu designed by Khao San Road’s chef, it was always going to be delicious, and it lives up to every expectation. The food—Northern Thai and Loatian dishes—is rich with deep flavour, contrasting textures, and is served in generous portions. The khao soi and green curry are my go-tos, but it’s hard to go wrong.

Address & Hours: 81 Bloor Street E. Toronto, ON M4W 1A9. Walking distance to theatre: 13 minutes. Monday-Thursday: 11a.m.–10p.m., Friday & Saturday: 11a.m.–11p.m., Sunday: 4p.m.–10p.m.
*Vegan menus available

Constantine

This is a recommendation from my mother, so if you don’t like it, please take it up with her. But if you do, I’ll take the credit for guiding you there. Her number one menu item—the reason she goes back whenever she’s in town—(possibly the real reason she even comes to town) is the lamb burger. I’ve never eaten lamb, but she’s done her homework in that department, so if she says it’s a win, it’s a win. She also suggests the pizzas, particularly the cacio e pepe one. Fair warning, if you’re after a casual pint, this isn’t the place. The vibe is on the wealthier end. But sometimes good food is good food and that’s all that matters.

Address & Hours: 15 Charles St. E, Toronto, ON M4Y 1S1. Walking distance to theatre: 10 minutes. Monday-Wednesday 7a.m.-11p.m., Thursday-Friday 7a.m.-1a.m., Saturday 8a.m.-1a.m., Sunday 8a.m.-10p.m.

 

Nando’s

Full disclosure, I used to live in England, so I have a special fondness for, as it’s referred to across the pond, “a cheeky Nandos.” No, it’s not gourmet cuisine. It’s a far cry from Barberian’s, the fancy steakhouse nearby, where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton got engaged in 1964. No one is getting engaged in Nando’s. (And if someone does propose in a Nando’s, I urge the proposee to say no. You can do better.) BUT I will stand by Nando’s as a great spot for a quick bite until the day I die.

Address & Hours: 832 Bay Street. Toronto, ON M5S 1Z6. Walking distance to theatre: 5 minutes. Daily: Monday: 11a.m.–8p.m., Tuesday-Thursday & Sunday: 11a.m.–11p.m., Friday & Saturday: 11a.m.–12a.m.

Black Bear Espresso

If you’re just after a nice cup of coffee and a sweet treat, as I have been on numerous occasions before a Buddies show (and on many more occasions not theatre related), Black Bear is a great spot. The baristas are kind, the seating is comfortable, the caramel-chocolate tarte is delicious, and it’s a nice little spot to catch up with a friend before walking over to the theatre.

Address & Hours: 25 Carlton St., Unit C, Toronto, ON M5B 1L4. Walking distance to theatre: 5 minutes. Monday-Friday: 7a.m.–8p.m., Saturday & Sunday: 8a.m.–7p.m.

**This does not reflect the views of Intermission.

Transit & Parking

Location: 12 Alexander St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1B4

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is located at 12 Alexander St, just east of Yonge St. The entrance to the box office and theatre is accessed via a ramp on the building’s east side. The nearest major intersection is Yonge St. and Wellesley St.

Transit

The theatre is a short distance from the Wellesley subway station. From the subway, go south on Yonge St. until Alexander St, and turn left (east) on Alexander St. The nearest subway station with an elevator is Bloor-Yonge, one stop north of Wellesley station.

Parking

There are a number of parking lots near the theatre, including a small one just across from the theatre on the south side of Alexander St. and a larger one just east of Yonge St between Wellesley St. and Maitland St.

WRITTEN BY

Hannah Antaki

Hannah works in casting, the only profession that allows her to truthfully use work as an excuse to stay home and watch TV. A dropout of both preschool and law school, she loves Montreal bagels, Harry Potter, and conversations about diversity. Her diet starts tomorrow.

LEARN MORE

Comments

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

POST COMMENT

Δ