O&B Canteen
TIFF Bell Lightbox, 330 King St. W. (at John St.)
647-288-4710
Hours of Operation: Open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to midnight (open until 4 a.m. during Film Festival
Rating: *1/2
Price Range: $5-$21
Reservations: Yes
O&B Canteen opened in the hot, new TIFF Bell Lightbox building, so it’s no wonder people are flocking to eat here — George Stroumboulopoulos just finished lunch one table over.
They haven’t worked out the kinks yet, though. Staff from the soon-to-be-open Luma restaurant upstairs is serving today and it’s a disaster: We wait almost an hour to order.
The menu features usual all day/lunch fare — starters, salads, pizzas, sandwiched, pasta and plates.
The Daily Chef’s Menu of Poached Chicken was beautifully cooked and tasty, but otherwise the meal was disappointing:
The Beef Brisket ($7, with soup or salad, add $5) arrives on a beautiful buttery croissant, with scant beef slices and just a hint of sauerkraut.
The thin Watermelon Gazpacho needs additional flavouring.
Skip the lackluster Thai Coleslaw ($6) and get dessert instead.
The place is modern, sleek and a fantastic people-watching spot. The food and service will hopefully follow.
