MB the Place to Be – bar, music, food and stand-up comedy

MB the Place to Be – bar, music, food and stand-up comedy

Bangus sisig, lumpiang Shanghai, rice and leche flan                (Photos: MC Ramos)

Filipino Restaurant Month Review:

By Michelle Chermaine Ramos
The Philippine Reporter

Located not too far from Little Manila at 3434 Bathurst Street in North York, MB the Place to be is the oldest Filipino comedy bar in Toronto back from when it used to be Music Box under previous management.

When Mike Cruz and his partners took over the location in August 2019, it was rebranded as MB the Place to Be. They originally served only bar food and drinks since the business was primarily operated as a karaoke bar with DJ events and live entertainment including stand-up comedians and musicians.

Mike Cruz (right) with one of the stand-up comedians on Thursday, April 14, 2022.

When the pandemic hit them only a few months into business in March 2020, they were forced to diversify to survive the lockdowns. They reinvented their menu to offer takeout and delivery meal options which now include their finger foods and other Filipino snacks, traditional dishes, and comfort food such as their own versions of lugaw.

Sisig is also one of their bestsellers. “We are known for our sisig and we had to make variations because not everyone eats pork, so we have Sisig Marino with fish and Tofu Sisig for vegetarians,” said Cruz.

Expanding their culinary offerings also turned out to be a blessing in disguise during the pandemic when more people started exploring other ethnic cuisine in the comfort of their own homes by ordering in via Uber Eats and DoorDash. According to Cruz, some of our traditional favorites have become bestsellers to his regular foreign customers. After the lockdown ended, he noticed that Filipino staples like lumpia, adobo and pork sinigang have become popular with their foreign diners, many of whom were introduced to Filipino food when attending the comedy nights organized by non-Filipino performers.

The Adobo Espesyal includes pork and chicken

For Filipino Restaurant Month from April 1—30, 2022, they are offering two fixed price meal options to help introduce Filipino food to Canadians. Diners have a choice between the Adobo Espesyal or Sisig Marino (bangus/milkfish sisig) and both come served with lumpiang Shanghai, two cups of rice and leche flan.

Consul General Orontes V. Castro and Consul Mary Grace Villamayor enjoyed lunch there on April 9, 2022 and met chef Alan Elizaga. Consul General Castro complimented the chef on how the seasoning of the Adobo Espesyal, which includes both chicken and pork, reminded him of his mother’s cooking.

From left: MB the Place to Be owner Mike Cruz, Consul General Orontes V. Castro, Consul Mary Grace Villamayor, Federico Ramos and chef Alan Elizaga.

I highly recommend the bangus sisig for seafood lovers and those who would like to try a different take on the humble bangus. The creamy citrus marinade with red and green onions gives it a satisfying crunch with flavor.

Comedy shows are on Thursday nights from 7:30-9:30pm featuring Canadian and Filipino-Canadian stand-up comedians. Karaoke nights are on Fridays and DJs or live acoustic musicians perform on Saturday nights.

MB the Place to Be is also available for event rentals for birthdays, christening parties, mini-concerts, corporate Christmas parties, and is also a popular meeting venue for local Filipino organizations.

Open hours for pick-up and delivery: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 7am – 11pm. Last call to order 10:30pm. Friday – Saturday: 7am – 2am. Last call to order 1:30am.

Dine-in: Tuesday—Thursday, and Sunday: 5pm -11pm, Friday—Saturday: 5pm -2am. Closed on Mondays.