It was just hours before the launch of NBA All Stars weekend in Toronto when I shrieked through Liberty Village, lashed by frigid cold, desperately searching for Locus 144. After bursting through the door I enjoyed a wee gasp as soft glowing lights and a wealth of warmth washed over me. Freelance fashion writer extraordinaire Sabrina Maddeaux smiled up at me, long blond locks curling across the shoulders of slick black leather jacket.
Sabrina was readying for a wild weekend as she’d be up from dusk till dawn covering all of the most talked about NBA All Stars parties for the Toronto Star. We met up for a few sips and nibbles to toast the weekend in her very own hood. Sabrina chirps, “Liberty Village has changed a lot since I moved here 3 years ago. There seems to be a new restaurant opening every month and there’s still demand for more. It’s a neighbourhood of young people who love good food and eating out. I love the area’s bars and restaurants because they’re unpretentious, casual and focused on quality.”
We were joined at the table by Chef Daniel Janetos who I’ve known for years as we both studied Hotel and Food Administration at the University of Guelph. After he graduated, and before he set his sights on tackling Toronto, Janetos worked through a few notable kitchens which include the Fairmont Banff Springs in Alberta and The Savoy and Le Gavroche in the UK. After touching down in T.O. he quickly entered the arena of Celebrity Chef television, appearing on Food Network Canada’s Chopped, The Shopping Channel and the Marilyn Denis Show.
While sloshing through an ice cold Negroni he describes his menu, “I’ve created a snack bar concept inside Liberty Village’s Locus 144. We initially came in with a food concept and the owners already had pre existing clientele and a really cool cocktail program as well as DJs spinning Wednesday to Saturday with hip hop music and bottle service served until late night.”
The restaurant is now known for hosting spirited sports gatherings and sud-sloshed late nights which pair perfectly with crispy deep fried Italian bar bites. The menu philosophy focuses on high quality ingredients and a chef driven seasonal menu that compliments a chill, hip-hop lounge vibe. On a final note Janetos smirks and chirps, “come by for a beer and munch through an assortment of finger licking good gangster snacks!”
1) Crispy Happy Chicken Bites | breaded chicken, jalapeno, garlic sauce
2) Sicilian Arancini | hand rolled risotto balls, tomato basil sauce, pecorino
3) Mozz Bites | crispy mozzarella bites with tomato basil sauce for dipping
4) Cheese and Charcuterie Board | house made truffled focaccia crostini, soppressata, pecorino, swiss chard kimchi, red wine braised prunes
5) Meatballs | heritage duroc pork, tomato basil sauce, pecorino
