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January 10, 2007

Presenting: Vivetha Bistro - A Popular Spot Serving Ecclectic Food

My interview at the Beach Hebrew Institute and being around the Wednesday lunch drop-in program had made me hungry, so I decided to continue my discovery of culinary places in Toronto’s Beach neighbourhood along Queen Street. At the east end of the strip of found a small restaurant with the name Vivetha Bistro; I thought that had an interesting ring to it, so I went inside. The place was absolutely hopping, and virtually every table was packed with people having lunch. I asked the waitress whether I might be able to meet the owner, but she indicated that he was too busy and that I should come back after 3 pm, once the lunch crowd had dissipated.

Looking forward to a good lunch I sat down and started to peruse the menu. One dish jumped out at me: the Gorgonzola Vegetarian Sandwich. Combined with a Buttnernut Squash Pecan Soup this would make a nice nutritious meal. I sat back, relaxed and not long after my meal arrived. The creamy soup and the vegetarian sandwich, containing spinach, wild mushrooms, onions, topped with feta cheese on home-made focaccia bread, made for a very satisfying meal, and I arranged with the waitress to come back and do a brief interview with the owner in the early evening.


Lunch at Vivetha Bistro: a creamy Butternut Squash Pecan Soup

I returned at 5:30 pm to have a chat with Siva Thampinathan, Vivetha’s owner, who was just sitting down with his crew and discussing preparations for this evening’s business. Siva is originally from Sri Lanka and learned how to cook in Paris, working in Italian and French restaurants as a line cook. After his arrival in Canada he worked in a variety of restaurants including Zaidy’s 225 on Queen Street, which featured New Orleans Cuisine, as well as at the Duncan Street Grill, Atlas Bar & Grill and Nevada's Ristorante , another restaurant in the Beach.


My Gorgonzola Vegetarian Sandwich

Vivetha Bistro, named after Siva's daughter, opened on November 2, 2005, and Siva says he has been very busy since then. His restaurant is open 7 days a week , from Sunday to Thursday from 8 am to 10 pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays Vivetha’s is open from 10:30 am to 11 pm. Tuesdays are particularly popular since a $20 prix fix menu offers a choice of pasta, steak or fish.


Siva Thampinathan

Of course the owner is here every day, and since he started in late 2005 he has had precisely one day off: Christmas Eve of 2006. Restaurant ownership is certainly a very work-intensive business. Siva is particularly proud that he serves home-made breads and desserts. Only pastas and meats are purchased, the rest is made in-house.


Siva and his team at Vivetha Bistro

The menu of Vivetha Bistro features an eclectic mix some Italian dishes, pasta dishes and a variety of salad and seafood dishes. A total of 20 staff members are employed at Vivetha, and the restaurant’s 38 seats are usually fully occupied during prime-time hours. 17 people can sit outside on the patio, and Siva added that the windows in the front are opened up in the summer and allow patrons to enjoy the open air.


A friendly face behind the bar

There is not much time for recreational activities in his life, but every Sunday Siva takes his son to play hockey, and his daughter to figure skating. He also takes his children swimming on a regular basis. His wife Geetha stays at home and helps him out with payroll and accounting.


Vivetha Bistro before the evening rush

Siva has been in Toronto since 1989 and really likes the city. He adds that Toronto is a good city to live in, people are friendly and there is lots of opportunity. Siva himself has been working hard for many years, often working 60 to 70 hours a week. He explains that “when you work for yourself you have to love your job. When you’re busy you’re happy.” And he concludes “When you work hard you can make it”.


Related Articles:
Celebrate Toronto - An article series to celebrate my chosen home town
Gene Domagala - A human convenience store of charity and community involvement in Toronto's Beach
Arie Nerman & the Beach Hebrew Institute: The People's Synagogue
Vivetha Bistro: A popular spot with eclectic food
Glenn Cochrane - Media personality, author and expert fundraiser – a champion of the Beach for almost 40 years
Michelle Gebhart: A true Renaissance woman: from army brat to expert renovator, biker lady, successful restaurateur & dedicated youth volunteer
Michael Prue: A working class success story - from Regent Park to Queens Park

Alex Winch & the Beach Solar Laundromat – Unstoppable when it comes to championing renewable energy & innovative entrepreneurship
Mary Lee: A restaurant owner with a heart for the arts

Marie Perrotta from the Pegasus Community Project reaches for the stars
Burgie and Benedetta from the Konditor coffeehouse create Austrian delicacies in Toronto's Beach
Bob Murdoch from Community Centre 55 - 25 years of community service in the Beach
Steve and Paul from Accommodating the Soul B&B: hospitality with a personal touch
John Dowding: A private lesson in photography from a true master
Lucille Crighton: A textile arts Hall of Famer in Toronto's Beach
Lido Chilelli: Founder of the Toronto International Beaches Jazz Festival
Fire Station 227: History, heroism and local connections in the Beach
The Green Eggplant: Healthy Mediterranean food and big solid portions
The Balmy Beach Club - Legend by the Lake & Toronto's best-kept secret
The Garden Gate Restaurant a.k.a. "The Goof" - Good food in the Beach since 1952
Ralph Noble: Firefighter, lifesaver and creator of the most famous mural in the Beach – a noble man indeed
Sandra Bussin - City Councillor and Deputy Mayor shows me her neighbourhood
The Toronto Beach Rotary Club: Service above Self and the joys of volunteering
The Beaches Lions Club: Charity and community projects in the Beach since 1935
The Beach Business Improvement Area: A general overview of the Beach and the merchants and activities on Queen Street East
Maria Minna: An Italian-Canadian immigrant story and a life-long fight for social justice
The Beach Metro Community News: Much more than just the news
The Kingston Road Business Community: A neighbourhood undergoing revitalization and an integral part of the Beach

Andrew Smith and Rachel Howard: Creative entrepreneurs and dedicated community builders
Nevada's Ristorante: Where hospitality is a family affair
Maria Minna: Another neighbourhood walk and talk and discoveries along Queen Street East
St. Aidan's Church:The spirit of charity in the Beach comes full circle
Gene Domagala takes me on a history tour of the eastern and northern part of the Beach - a perfect day of discovery
The Beaches Library: A centre of learning for all ages
A walk along Kingston Road: A shopping district definitely worth a visit
55 Division: Serving and protecting - community policing in action

 

 

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