Mention "Ba ba luu" to any Torontonian and although Desi Arnez will come to mind to some, most will know you are talking about this city's most popular Latin supper club.

Grab a seat and begin your evening with one of their great Latin cocktails - a minty mojito, a sweetly sour margarita, a shot of one of the many varieties of tequila or a pitcher of their one-of-a-kind Sangria.

The menu at Ba ba luu is a kaleidoscope of Latin flavours that takes traditional tastes and authentic ingredients and mixes them up in a new and exciting way. Whether you choose to make a meal out of a selection of their creative Tapas, or opt for one of their fantastic entrées, you will be planning your return visit even before your meal is over.

Tapas/Appetizers such as Colombian empanadas, sea bass ceviche, crispy calamari and shrimp al Ajilo are all seriously tempting, but we can't resist the grilled chorizo in Manchego cheese fondue ($8.50). Served in a small skillet, it consists of five large pieces of smoky, peppery chorizo sausage in a pool of smooth melted Manchego cheese imported from Spain, with a basket of crusty Calabrese bread for dipping. This dish is unique and highly recommended. We guarantee you will find yourself dreaming about this appetizer.

A perfect match for the chorizo is the guacamole ($7.25). At Ba ba lúu they leave the avocado chunky rather than mashing it into an unrecognizable paste. Although they serve it with their freshly made blue and yellow corn chips, we recommend you ask for the plantain and yucca chips instead. Crispy and crunchy but never greasy, these are a fantastic taste treat that really enhance the flavour of the avocado. The presentation of this dish is especially eye-catching as the plate comes with the chips standing in the guacamole almost like flames. Ours garnered audible "oohs" and "aahs" from nearby tables.

Salads get the same attention. The lovely organic mixed greens ($7.95) are served in a crisp fried rice paper bowl - this beats plain old croutons any day. Dressed with a light Grand Marnier and balsamic vinaigrette and accompanied by a tapenade-covered crostini, this is a perfect way to begin any meal.

For your entree, you can choose from salmon, beef, chicken or pasta, but we could not resist the seared seabass, a steal at just $24. This large fillet is oven roasted and topped with fragrant herb butter. Instead of the typical potato side dish, the seabass is served with the Latin veggie staple - yucca - also known as cassava. This vegetable tastes like a cross between a potato and a parsnip with a slight peppery finish. In this case, it is served steamed and drizzled with a little olive oil - delicious!

Along with the individual entrees, Ba ba luu offers several show-stopping Paellas for two (don't worry, they make a single portion if you want). We had the seafood paella ($42 for two, $23 for one), a huge platter of impeccably fresh clams, mussels, shrimp and calamari with traditional saffron rice and vegetables.

Be sure to leave room for dessert after your meal. Ba ba luu offers all the favourites but with that Latin twist. Guava crème brulee, pecan flan and banana bread pudding all sound fantastic but there is no denying we are hopeless chocoholics so opted for the warm raspberry and chocolate mousse tart with cafe con leche ice cream ($6.95). This gorgeous gooey tart is decadent and delicious but it's the presentation that really takes us by surprise. To one side of the tart sits a small martini glass that holds a perfect scoop of creamy coffee ice cream, and on the other a delicate butterfly has been drawn on to the plate with several different kinds of fruit coulis, elevating this from a dessert to a work of art.

The wine list has something for everyone. Manager Dianne Solano says, "We have a very well rounded wine menu with varieties from both the Old and New World, but we do try to feature Latin labels from Argentina, Spain and Chile." One thing you will no doubt notice is the great prices with bottles starting at an unbelievable $26, with most not exceeding $50, matching the very reasonable price point of the rest of their menu.

Once you've had a fantastic meal, get ready to dance. If salsa dancing is a new experience for you we suggest you make your first visit to Ba ba luu on a weeknight. Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 9 PM, they offer free salsa dancing lessons. No need to be self-conscious; the professional instructor will teach you all the basics to get you started. And then at 10 PM, the deejay begins to play and the rhythm is truly intoxicating. Look around and even the most avowed non-dancer will be tapping his or her feet. At this point, the party takes over and we dare you to not get swept away.

We can't think of a more perfect place for your next birthday, anniversary, office party, bridal shower or just amazingly fun night out. Ba ba luu is available for private parties of 2 to 200. Whether you want a private table or the whole space, they will help you plan a truly special night. And with both on and off premise catering, you can experience their uniquely delicious Latin fusion cuisine anywhere. Ba ba luu is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 6 PM. Reservations are recommended.

Ba ba luu
136 Yorkville Avenue, Lower level
Toronto, Ontario
Phone: 416.515.0587
Fax: 416.515.0462
Website: www.Babaluu.com