Bent Taco — Restaurant in Collingwood

It's a rare delight to discover a venue that can expertly concoct a perfect crushed ice mojito, whip up delectable fresh-made fish tacos, and present an unforgettable pork belly bao. This place has skillfully achieved all three, and our server, Tim, was instrumental in enriching our overall dining experience.

Starting with the mojito, the balance between the fresh mint, tangy lime juice, and white rum was harmonious, each ingredient complementing the others in a refreshing fusion of flavors. The crushed ice was amply provided, perfectly maintaining the drink's enticing chill from the first sip to the last. Each taste was an invigorating delight, reminiscent of a relaxing afternoon at a tropical beachside bar. Tim's expertise and enthusiasm for the cocktail were evident as he eloquently described its crafting process, adding a personal touch to the overall experience.

Moving on to the tacos - the fish tacos were sheer perfection. Fresh, soft tortillas set the stage for the star of the dish: flawlessly cooked, flaky fish. The combination of tender fish, crisp pickled cabbage, and homemade lime crema resulted in a symphony of flavours that was both exciting and comforting.

The stand-out dish of the night, however, was the pork belly bao, freshly crafted by the head chef (whose name I later found out to be Justin). The steamed buns were pillowy soft, and fresh, providing the perfect contrast to the succulent, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly. The balance of flavors between the savory pork, the sweet hoisin sauce, the tangy pickles, and his pickled homemade onions were simply divine. Justin truly showed his dedication to delivering a memorable dining experience and delivering the most delicious meals.

Moving onto Tim. His service was impeccable, matching the high quality of the food and drink. He was attentive without being intrusive, ensuring our glasses were always filled and our plates were never empty. His friendly demeanour and insightful recommendations added a personal touch that made the meal even more enjoyable… and wait until you hear his jokes, he will keep you laughing all night long!!

Pairing the mojito with the flavourful fish tacos and the unforgettable pork belly bao made for a dining experience that was both satisfying and memorable. The combination of the fresh, zesty mojito, the hearty, savory tacos, and the soft, flavorful bao created a balance that was nothing short of gastronomic perfection.

In conclusion, this place is a must-visit for anyone seeking a fantastic crushed ice mojito, mouthwatering fresh-made fish tacos, and a unique pork belly bao. And if you get the chance, ask for Tim - his service truly makes the experience unforgettable. This winning combination delivers an experience that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you longing for more.

Cheers to the General Manager and his staff for creating the perfect...

Situated in a petite, ground floor of an old house in downtown Collingwood, opened in late 2016, Bent Taco is like the new kid on the block with a breath of fresh fusion (Mexican- Asian) vibe.  You walk into the front area with a few tables and the bar on one side. Some more seating in the middle, and finally a long table at the end of the alley just next to the tiny open kitchen counter. The place is small and crowded seating arrangement and yet somehow seem to make things work with upright service and seamless work out in by the three partners George Russell, Nick MacGregor and Dan Lennox. It's perhaps Macgregor, the trained chef with first-hand  experience from Mexico who brings in a twist to the traditional items. Walls with white paint and graffiti patterns, cookie sheet style serving dishes, and low lighting is meant to reflect the complex power line compositions you see in suburban Mexico. The place definitely measures up to expectations.

PROS: Nice upbeat vibe! good pick for after skiing drinks with friends. Decent change from pizzas, pastas and fried food options that dominate the area. The food certainly has a fresh flavour and bright colors made them even more appetizing, and yet fresh tasting. An interesting choice would be to try their take on guacamole - served warm and as a paste. The home-made habanero sauce has a complex taste that we've been long searching for. It surely served our yearnings!

CONS: small portion sizes expensive for a mexican restaurant that isn't serving flavour and texture combination is interesting however the sweetness of ingredients tend to overpower the spicy flavor in almost every dish. booking can only be made online. The restaurant isn't the best at phone answering business!

Note: the in-house made Habanero Sauce is a good buy for $7. Reservation required. Hours: lunch from noon to 3 p.m., and dinner 5...

Wanted to eat here and arrived without a reservation at 5:30pm on a Thursday evening. The lady taking orders in the dining room approached and asked me how many people were in my group and then immediately started to say how she had no tables for a group of 8. I asked to be seated separately (2 tables of 4) but she didnt seem to be interested in accommodating our group at all. Not only was she quite rude about it but she was very curt and dismissive when I started to ask about being seated at 2 different tables. She immediately stated that all her "reservations" were about to come in anytime now and that she didn't have any seats. No offer on waiting for a table or even an attempt at accommodating us. Looking at the dining room there were several (at least 4 I could see) empty tables of 4 that could have easily accommodated us. By the way she spoke to our group it seemed evident she didnt want us inside the restaurant. I'm not sure if she didnt like kids (we had 4 kids in our group) or if it was because of our skin colour but she wasnt helpful at all and she just wanted us to leave. Very disappointed in how we were treated. I normally dont write reviews for places I didnt get to eat at but at the same time I've never not been offered to wait for a table even when the restaurant was slammed with customers. Just offering to wait or providing an estimate on how long it would be before a table was available or even asking us if we'd like to wait for a table would have gone a long way in not making us feel us though we were not welcome at the restaurant. I guess this is the way this place treats its...