Trinity Market
Trinity Market is just steps from Trinity Bellwoods Park. It's a bottle-shop, wine bar, cafe and ceramics shop packed neatly into a bright 500 sq. ft. space.
Co-owners Matt Dean Pettit and Javier Castillo tell me "every square foot is thought out". The space may be lean but it's maximized for a fun snacking experience.
Right as you enter the space, you're greeted with a selection of wines you won't find at the LCBO.
Most bottles are over $30 but there are a couple options that lie under. Every bottle is open to pour.
The Nicholas Pearce bottle of sparkling from Prince Edward County is $29 but "drinks like an $80 bottle" promises Pettit. It tastes like warm bread which is a lovely note- plus it's vegan.
On weekends, they have a Sip School program ($30) from 12 - 4 p.m. where you can learn about three wines that are paired with snacks.
It's such a refreshing way to learn and enjoy wine. The whole concept takes away the pretentiousness that may come with sipping and just makes it fun and easy-going.
Trinity Market operates under an interesting philosophy of community. In order to not compete with its neighbours, they actually source their food from them. Char Pep Pizza ($6.50) is fresh from Noce across the street. There's also a Veggie Pizza ($6.50) with white Sauce, zucchini, and gorgonzola.
They also don't sell any regular coffee because they rather people went next door to The Roasted Nut which they can feel free to bring over. Instead, they have a unique Mushroom Coffee ($3) that you can't get anywhere else.
There's a variety of baked goods like classic sourdough loaves ($5.50) and baby baguettes ($3.50) from Blackbird and vegan treats like the Cheddar Bay Biscuit ($5)- which taste just like the ones from Red Lobster from Bad Attitude Bakery.
You can order wine by the 3 oz., full glass, half-bottle, or full bottle. The 3 oz. option was made specifically so people could pop in and have a sip and get on with their day in the neighbourhood.
Neighbourhood resident Lindsay Doyle explained, "the neighbourhood is excited to have a new place for food and wine. I love the little sizes, you can try a bunch of different wines that way."
All the food can be taken to go, which would make grabbing a picnic spread for the park an easy task.
The Charcuterie Plate ($13) which includes rotating three meats and house pickles with Kozlik's mustard or Empanadas ($6) from Gaucho Pie are solid picks.
There's also lots of non-alcoholic options in the fridge like Piquette ($8) and Edna's ($8).
This Foccacia topped with cheese, mortadella and pesto-which was the Daily Snack Special ($7)- was honestly hauntingly delicious.
In the back you can find Spirit Wares ceramics, Pettit and Castillo's restaurant-quality line of functional serving ware.
Due to the size and location of the space, it's meant to be a transient place. Pettit hopes "we can take you away for a bit - maybe over an 8 minute flute of champagne."
Trinity Market is located at 768A Queen St W. Closed Mondays.
Fareen Karim
