hen you think of a Columbian woman exercising her business savvy by hooking customers in through the slight addition of addictive substances into the menu, the last thing you would imagine as the kicker would be Chilean empanadas. But that is exactly what keeps people coming back to Columbian-born Paola Cruz’s Color Tinto Café. The cracked-out dough rolls come in a variety of flavours including the Color Verde (cheese, salmon, spinach) and the Tocineta (cheese, prune, bacon, rosemary leaves). The Empanadas go for $8 each.

Other options include delicious bistro-style sandwiches, like the Color Blanco, which melds smoked turkey, avocado, mixed greens and an olive oil glaze, all on a fresh ciabatta bun. If you love the seafood, then opt for the Smoked Salmon, which has salmon (duh), brie and capers together on a bagel or pannini. Any of their light, healthy sandwiches are a great way to energize up before heading back to the office or carrying on with the rest of a leisurely Sunday afternoon.

The coffee and espresso-based beverages are a real treat, as well! Paola makes her expert espressos and other caffeine-friendly bevies with Café Feminino coffee, which is from Peru where 1,500 women grow and pick the organic beans. There is a varied selection of fair trade coffees available at Tinto, much to Starbuck’s chagrin. Try a latte and indulge your sweet tooth with one of the decadent desserts, like tiramisu or refreshing gelato. The rest of the menu is pretty straight forward café fare – soups, salads and other breakfast treats are available, although it truly would be a sin to go to Tinto and not order an empanada. –J.T.