After 11 years at the helm of Avalon, one of Toronto’s top fine dining destinations, chef/owner Chris McDonald opened Cava, a more casual and playful dining experience that is his interpretation of rustic modern dining. Located in the neighbourhood just north of Yonge and St. Clair in mid-town Toronto,Cava is a small plates restaurant whose eclectic flavours showcase McDonald's culinary breadth, with a current emphasis on Spanish and Mexican accents. In addition, a "nose to tail" sensibility and an extensive charcuteria program reflect his latest passions.

A seasonally changing menu offer inventive interpretations on familiar culinary themes and over 20 wines by the glass are selected for pairing. The artisanal culinary craftsmanship for which Avalon was known carries through into Cava, particularly in its in-house cured meat program. Cava’s eclectic flavours are drawn from diverse international influences and realized using high-quality local ingredients to create an engaging casual dining experience that can range from a few tasty bites and a glass of wine at the bar, to a more orchestrated sequence of plates.

Cava’s menu is Chris McDonald’s interpretation of rustic modern dining, with an emphasis on the casual symbiosis between food and wine. An extensive menu of small plates range in price from $3.50 to $17.00, offering inventive interpretations on familiar culinary themes and featuresCava's in-house cured meat program with artisanal, house-made chorizo and salami as well as Jamon Serrano from Northern Spain. Over 20 wines are offered by the glass, along with an extensive Sherry list and a broad variety of Spanish cheese.

Cava is the Spanish word for both wine cellar and the sparkling white wine of Catalan origin. Designed to underscore the elemental relationship between food and wine, the simple room has traditional table seating for 50 and a more informal bar. The casual rusticity of the restaurant, designed by Toronto architects 3rd Uncle, echoes the elegant simplicity of the menu.