Friday Lunch at Agave and Aguacate

If you cannot escape the greyness of January and February in Toronto for the sunny shores of the Gulf of Mexico, the next best thing might be to indulge in some Mexican food.  For a real taste of Mexico, Kensington Market's tiny Agave and Aguacate is the place to since it boasts a chef who is not only Mexican but also has the finesse endowed by training at the Stratford Chefs School.

Sumptuous Chicken and Avocado Soup

Although it is barely lukewarm when it gets back to the store, we get a nice chile burn from the chicken and avocado soup, and with a squeeze of the lime wedge alongside and a sprinkle of cilantro there is a nice tangy to it, too. With green beans, carrots, and chickpeas, it is a cut above average  The unusual sunflower seed and tomato dip,called skilp'ak shows off the chef's knife skills--it is garnished with a perfectly evenly sliced tomato fan.There are also made-in-house tortilla chips to scoop up the addictively nutty, slightly fibrous spread. The only complaint?  Not enough chips.

Skil P'ak: Strange and addictive.

Quacamole is the crowning element of the green tosada,both figuratively and literally. It has enough texture to be interesting but not so many extra ingredients that the focus moves from the flavour of ripe avocado. It is served up on a puffy, fried tortilla with queso fresco, a quajillo-laced salsa, and crema.

Green Tostada: with Guacamole from Heaven.

With a lovely interplay of colours and flavours, lunch from this tiny hole in the wall was just the thing to take the mind off bleak weather and a full moon.

Price:  $18.00 for soup, dip, and tosada.

Location:  214 Augusta at the back of El Gordo Fine Foods

Phone: 647-208-3091