From Toronto’s mosaic: 416 Snack Bar

When childhood friends Adrian Ravinsky and Dave Stewart first worked together at 16, neither could’ve guessed their early restaurant shifts would one day shape how they saw Toronto or inspire a business built around the city’s diversity.Growing up in the early 2000s, Toronto was coming into itself. There was pride, identity, attitude - yet Adrian and Dave kept asking one question: Why isn’t Toronto’s food identity celebrated for what it truly is?Toronto might not have one “national dish,” but its culture is food - hundreds of cultures layered together on one plate. Their first idea was a multicultural sandwich shop, but after Adrian’s life-changing trip to San Sebastián where pincho bars spill out into the streets and snacks fuel connection, the idea evolved into something different.416 Snack Bar became a place where Toronto’s mosaic shows up in every bite. A menu that changes based on which cultures feel underrepresented that week. No forks or knives - just hands, fun, and a little constraint to make snacking feel playful. A space where the lighting, the sound, and the energy matter as much as the food because Adrian has spent over 10,000 hours making sure guests feel good and feel like themselves.This conversation dives into why representing cultures matters, how one snack can make someone emotional, what it means to build a restaurant that reflects the city you love, and the joy of seeing someone light up when they spot a dish from home. (And yes, Adrian’s favourite snack is apples. Criminally underrated.)Follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTokFollow Sam Jen on Instagram