Toronto’s Best Sandwiches: Café Plenty’s tuna niçoise

By Karolyne Ellacott

Tuna niçoise sandwich (Image: Karolyne Ellacott)

Inspired by the café scenes in London and Paris, Café Plenty is a slice of Europe in the heart of Toronto. Owner Melissa Patterson’s charming spot aims to satiate lunchgoers’ craving for good, honest food, tempting the hungered with freshly made salads, tartes, galettes and sandwiches.

“We make everything from scratch,” Patterson says. “That’s pretty unusual for a café!”

Open for just over six months, Café Plenty’s original menu was created by Scot Woods (Lucien); recently, Elana Storm (O&B) stepped into his shoes, lending her own twist to the café fare. While on a culinary tour of France, Storm gobbled down many a pan bagnat — Provence’s quintessential street food — with gusto. The tuna niçoise sandwich ($10) is her take on the sidewalk staple.

The sandwich begins with a layer of tuna mixed with olive oil, chives and other seasonings. On top sit slices of cucumber, tomato and hard-boiled egg, followed by a handful of spring mix doused in a sherry-shallot vinaigrette. Finally, a tapenade is spread onto a baguette base from Ace Bakery, and the lot is plated with a salad of fresh greens.

“I went to Provence, and fell in love with the sandwich,” Storm says.

It only made sense to let others in on the secret.

Café Plenty, 250 Dundas St. W., 416-585-7842

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