Tue Apr 3, 2012
Food and Drink

The Rosebud to become Lamesa Filipino Kitchen

Those in the Queen and Bathurst area will notice that construction crews have been coming and going inside The Rosebud bistro (669 Queen St. W.). Turns out that, in the next month, it’s going to be a Filipino restaurant called Lamesa Filipino Kitchen headed by a chef that’s no stranger to the strip.

Chef Rudy Boquila did stints at Oyster Boy and the Cadillac Lounge, and he got his start 16 years ago cooking at the legendary BamBoo Club, which closed in 2002. Boquila took over the Rosebud space on March 5, gutting the entire front of house and shifting things around in the kitchen.

“Filipino food is what I like to call pure fusion food with influences from countries like Spain, China, Malaysia, Japan, America, and India, because it’s situated in the middle of the Spice Route,” says Boquila, adding that Lamesa will be a full-service, a la carte restaurant. “It’s known for peasant food like stews and braises with lots of vinegar and pickling.”

Lamesa (“La mesa” means “the table” in Spanish and Filipino) is slated for a May 5 grand opening, with family-and-friend dinners starting on April 16.

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Roberto

I’m confused. People have posted they’ve been there, some have not liked the food, yet I walked past there the other day and it hasn’t opened yet! Is open or not? Was there another Lamesa? I thought it was Rosebud in that space before??
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12:32 pm on April 19, 2012

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Jenelle

They’ve been having pre-opening dinners, with a grand opening on May 5. Check out my review: http://www.jenella.net/epicurious/on-the-table-with-thai-foods-ugly-sister/
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9:57 am on April 20, 2012
Lesley

It’s open now and I have been there. The food is very good. The place is a bit small, but definitely worth trying!
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1:44 pm on May 25, 2012

Steve

Hey Tom I look forward to your future opinions such as, “I hate Japanese food so don’t go to that Sushi place”, and “I had a burger once and it wasn’t good, so I’m going to eat something else”
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10:47 am on April 9, 2012

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Jim

By far the best burger i had was at your moms.
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12:50 pm on April 11, 2012
JT

As mentioned previously, this Tom guy is “an ignorant idiot”
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5:13 pm on April 13, 2012

C.M.

Love Filipino food. Toronto needs more of it served in real restaurants like this, and not hidden away in Filipino stores on the fringes of the city. Wishing them the best of luck. Hoping they serve Bicol Express and Halo Halo!
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4:45 pm on April 8, 2012

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Ajoy Daspurkayastha

Phillipino foods has a grat strength in offering various kinds of rice probably because IRRI(International Rice Research Institute) is in Phillipines. You can ask any kind of rice in the world and probably only a true Phillipino Cook can get it for you . Jesmine rice, red rice , yellow rice, sticky rice, branful rice, brown rice to name a few.
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10:57 am on April 7, 2012

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rayray

it seems the city isn’t warming up to this resto. i’d say f*ck em…best of luck to you rudy!
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3:31 pm on April 5, 2012

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Joy

Will definitely check this out when it opens. Just walking distance from my work. hope you serve halo halo for dessert
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9:39 pm on April 4, 2012

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Rick Collins

Tom, you’re an ignorant idiot…Leave negative comments to yourself. The place hasn’t even opened
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5:57 pm on April 4, 2012

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JT

LOL! Ya that’s a pretty ignorant comment for a place that hasn’t even opened yet. Filipino food rocks!
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6:01 pm on April 4, 2012
Tom

Oh yeah, I forgot i was only suppoesed to post agreeable comments.

JT.. Wrong…it does not rock. Opinions are allowed. If i bleieve fililino food is bad.. then it is.
You are the one that comes accross as ignorant by denying me my opinion.
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10:17 am on April 5, 2012

Tom

More choices is great….. so i’ll be choosing something else.
Been there tasted the food.. once is enough
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1:25 pm on April 4, 2012

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rayray

“been there tasted the food..once in enough”
with your attitude, i wouldn’t be surprised if someone made you sick intentionally if you did visit. some people are just as close minded as their palate.
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10:35 am on April 5, 2012
Tom

Why so mad rayray? I have tried it and didn’t like it.
So what you are sying is that if someone expresses an pinion about a particular food, they should be poisoned?
You are one sick girl.
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2:45 pm on April 5, 2012
rayray

with the way you come across, i’m just saying i wouldn’t be surprised. but hey, to each his own. no need to get offended – i’m sure there a lot of other options for a cultured person like you.
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3:00 pm on April 5, 2012
Tom

Well listen kid. All i said is that i didn’t like it. I didn’t say it was bad. I don like liver either does that mean it’s bad.. nope. I just don’t like it.
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3:05 pm on April 5, 2012
rayray

so now you’re saying it’s not bad but in earlier you posted it was. make up your mind while you’re lining up at mcdonalds.
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3:43 pm on April 5, 2012
Tom

No i didn’t. Don’t put words in my mouth tool.
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4:38 pm on April 5, 2012
jeano

where did you have the Filipino Food, at least I know where NOT to go..
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11:29 am on April 7, 2012
JT

Tom, you are closed minded with your comments as the 1 place you went to eat Filipino food was your interpretation of how Filipino food actually is. That’s like going to an italian restaurant in Little Italy, having a bad experience and saying all italian food sucks. This Rudy guy is obviously a well trained chef so I expect some fresh ideas on Filipino food which is refreshing to say the least.

I think you need a hug from a loved one with all this negative energy. Go hug a tree or something:)
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5:20 pm on April 13, 2012

rick

about time! looking forward to this!
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12:45 pm on April 4, 2012

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Stella

So Happy for you Rudy!! Can’t wait to go to your restaurant!!
Best

Stella
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10:53 am on April 4, 2012

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Karl Nieva

Yay! Road trip! I’m looking forward to this!
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10:40 am on April 4, 2012

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Emmylou

Its about time Toronto gets introduced to Filipino food. I look forward to the grand opening!
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9:35 am on April 4, 2012

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