Here’s what replaced a closed French restaurant in Toronto
Published April 23, 2025 at 3:03 pm
Residents of one of Toronto’s east end neighbourhoods were recently shocked (and saddened) to learn that a small, elegant French restaurant that had been a big part of the bustling Queen Street East strip for close to 10 years was closing its doors for good.
Fortunately for local foodies, the space occupied by the popular Greta Solomon’s did not stay closed for long and last week, the doors reopened with the promise of wine, cocktails and…
Pickles.
On April 17, Bar Mini, which calls itself a Leslieville snack bar, welcomed patrons to sit down and pair a creative cocktail with a fun name (think “snafu,” “velvet beetle,” “percussive maintenance,” “R&R,” etc.) with an elevated snack.
Interestingly enough, pickles are trending at the new hotspot, as one dish features nothing but slices of the popular preserved cucumber (the $9 plate offers a mix of hot and sweet varieties). The menu also offers dill pickle dip with chips, a fried mortadella sandwich, oysters (a dish of two with dressing), bread and butter, a prawn cocktail and more.
As for drinks, the aforementioned snafu features run, rye, amaro and lime and the percussive maintenance boasts gin, mezcal, amaro and amargo chuncho. The ‘spres mart features cold brew, rum and Licor 43 and the R&R contains tequila, canton, ting and lime.
As for wine, diners can enjoy bottles of local and international vinos, while beer aficionados can savour brews from local breweries such as Rorschach and Left Field.
The restaurant is open from 5 p.m. to midnight, Thursday to Monday.