I recently had lunch at MBCo, a gourmet quick bite restaurant in Yorkville. I hadn’t been there in several months and even longer for anything more than coffee. The place has changed a great deal. I recall having lunch there when it first opened and sandwiches were always served with a small side salad. Not anymore. These days, it’s just the sandwich and nothing more. In fact, it looked a little drab. At least the presentation was pretty decent – though plain (one half of the wrap on its side, the other standing, with a small side of mayonnaise). Selection was not that different from before – usually two salads and a host of sandwiches, including grilled cheese, chicken quesadilla, wraps and more. However, there seemed to be less of everything – and it was only 12:30 pm and not busy at all.
The entrance to the restaurant
Another change is the fact the restaurant no longer had an alcohol licence. I don’t usually drink around lunch, but I thought the point of MBCo was to be a little different from a typical gourmet quick bite type restaurant – one where you can sip wine with your lunch like a sit-down restaurant, but at the same time, offer quicker meals. And the only reason why I found out the place didn’t serve alcohol was because another diner asked for a glass of white wine, only to be told that they didn’t have any. I asked two baristas about that, but both started working at the shop after they stopped being a licensed establishment. In fact, one seemed annoyed that I asked her. Perhaps she’s been asked that question one too many times.
Grilled veggie wrap – in the past, a very small salad would have been served with it
I know MBCo tends to get a little quieter in cooler weather, but the fact that it wasn’t even close to busy during lunch hour was a little bit sad. I hope the place doesn’t close (another location in the Summerhill area shut down a mere few month after opening). It’s a nice little place for breakfast or lunch.
MBCo. is located at the back of 100 Bloor St. West (Critchley Lane).
