Dina Pretty

Given so many Latin-American restaurants in the Bloorcourt and Bloordale area, it was a shame that my only outing since my sublet was the disappointing San Wich. So on Wednesday, I headed over to Pastorcito to rectify this. Whenever I passed by when I was visiting Toronto, the place was always packed. But it wasn't as busy during the day, which might explain the 2 for 1 special until 5 pm.

No matter, because that deal allowed me to get 4 tacos for $12. As opined in my Pho Linh post, the cheaper price actually encouraged me to order more: a horchata for $4. I didn't love the drink because it was too sweet. But the pastor and chorizo tacos, along with the various sauces, onions, and pineapple slices were wonderful. I didn't quite get meat sweats but I was happy that it was a 20-minute stroll back to my rental. Though a constitutional walk didn't always work out for me.

In the early evening, I went to Dina's Tavern at College and Spadina. They had completely torn down The Silver Dollar to make way for a Fitzrovia luxury rental. Because of its historical status, the developers not only kept the old marquee but rebuilt the inside. So it was odd to walk into the ground-level bar and "saw the Dollar interior" which used to be up a flight of stairs. There was the tiny stage, directly across from the bar top. On either side and up two steps were platforms with tables on stage right and a long banquette on stage left. The duplication wasn't "exact" only because the Silver Dollar never looked this good. Opposite the banquette was a wall decorated with tchotchkes and beer signs from the old days.

The sound system was slightly better, somehow both under-powered and yet too loud just like the old days. Luckily, they didn't keep the laxed set times of Dan Burke nor the grumpy attitude of the former sound guys. This atmosphere was so notorious that Michelle Zauner (Japanese Breakfast) griped about it for years (I was there for that fiasco). But tonight, all 3 bands played on time and early too. So I was home before 11 pm.

The Magnets was a new band, made even "newer" with replacements because some members had relocated to other cities. They had a typical indie sound with the lead singer in his shouty phase. Dolly Sods from Buffalo played shoe-gaze adjacent music. They should lean more into their instrumental breaks because one, the vocals were forgettable; and two, new drummer Monika Lux was a beast behind the kit. Velvet Beach had a wistful air due to the sweet arpeggiated guitar and synth riffs. Meagan Aversa, who was the go-to singer on the newer songs, reminded me of Molly Rankin (Alvvays). Though usually in the mid-tempo pop groove, Velvet Beach was surprisingly muscular on a few numbers like Daylight.