Toronto: Best gourmet eats on the go?
Jun 29th, 2013, 10:06 AM
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Toronto: Best gourmet eats on the go?
I will be visiting Toronto from NYC for 3 days in July.
One of our fav things to do in NYC is to explore and try unique/famous cheap delicacies - ie Levains cookies ($4) , Bouchon Bakery sandwiches ($8), Laduree macaroons ($3), Calexico quesadillas ($6), Zabars ham and cheese croissants ($4) etc.
We are looking for some suggestions for cheap gourmet eats to try on the go in Toronto - not interested in sitting down in a restaurant but rather cut cafes/stalls. We are looking for gourmet/best you've ever had items rather than best bang for your buck type portions
.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions? We are staying by the harbor and don't want to go somewhere too far out of the way. Esp interested in any mexican, french, dessert options, no seafood (allergic!)
Thanks in advance!
One of our fav things to do in NYC is to explore and try unique/famous cheap delicacies - ie Levains cookies ($4) , Bouchon Bakery sandwiches ($8), Laduree macaroons ($3), Calexico quesadillas ($6), Zabars ham and cheese croissants ($4) etc.
We are looking for some suggestions for cheap gourmet eats to try on the go in Toronto - not interested in sitting down in a restaurant but rather cut cafes/stalls. We are looking for gourmet/best you've ever had items rather than best bang for your buck type portions
.Please let me know if you have any suggestions? We are staying by the harbor and don't want to go somewhere too far out of the way. Esp interested in any mexican, french, dessert options, no seafood (allergic!)
Thanks in advance!
Jun 30th, 2013, 08:23 PM
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This isn't gourmet, but it's very Canadian, very delicious and the best you'll get of it's kind - and it's a short walk from the Harbourfront through a lovely part of Toronto: a Peameal bacon sandwich at the St. Lawrence Market.
You don't say where at the Harbour you're staying but I'll assume if it's at a hotel that it's the Westin. If so, Bay street is right outside the door. Walk up (north), under the Gardner Expressway to Front Street. There is a ton of construction happening at that intersection but don't let that bother you. Turn right onto front (East) and walk for about 10 minutes until you get to the market. You'll know when you get there and you cannot miss it. The walk is very pleasant, a busy but fun part of the city with lots of nice shops, a small parkette and cafes along the way, including the Flatiron building with a unique mural painted on the end of it. You can't miss that too.
Take the first entrance in off Front street (on your right again) through a small door (the main entrance is further up) an once inside the market, stay on the street level (there is also a lower level) and walk to towards the centre of it keeping to your right. You'll see two or three stalls there advertising the bacon sandwiches for $5 or $6 and you'll see them making them. Any and all of them are great. On weekday lunch times there'll be lines but they move quickly.
Also, closer to the Front St. entrance that you entered through, once you are in you will almost immediately walk past a Portuguese stall that sells the most delicious Churrasco Chicken sandwiches ($7 each, I believe). Don't hesitate to pick up one of those too.
Note that all these sandwiches are made on Kaiser buns and are quite large. Enjoy both eating them and taking a walk around the market. It's very clean and has lots of interesting stuff to see and buy, especially the lower level.
You don't say where at the Harbour you're staying but I'll assume if it's at a hotel that it's the Westin. If so, Bay street is right outside the door. Walk up (north), under the Gardner Expressway to Front Street. There is a ton of construction happening at that intersection but don't let that bother you. Turn right onto front (East) and walk for about 10 minutes until you get to the market. You'll know when you get there and you cannot miss it. The walk is very pleasant, a busy but fun part of the city with lots of nice shops, a small parkette and cafes along the way, including the Flatiron building with a unique mural painted on the end of it. You can't miss that too.
Take the first entrance in off Front street (on your right again) through a small door (the main entrance is further up) an once inside the market, stay on the street level (there is also a lower level) and walk to towards the centre of it keeping to your right. You'll see two or three stalls there advertising the bacon sandwiches for $5 or $6 and you'll see them making them. Any and all of them are great. On weekday lunch times there'll be lines but they move quickly.
Also, closer to the Front St. entrance that you entered through, once you are in you will almost immediately walk past a Portuguese stall that sells the most delicious Churrasco Chicken sandwiches ($7 each, I believe). Don't hesitate to pick up one of those too.
Note that all these sandwiches are made on Kaiser buns and are quite large. Enjoy both eating them and taking a walk around the market. It's very clean and has lots of interesting stuff to see and buy, especially the lower level.
Jul 3rd, 2013, 05:50 AM
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If your 3 days are within July 5-21, it's Toronto Summerlicious (aka restaurant week). Lots of fab deals at wonderful places; check it out:
http://www.toronto.ca/special_events...2013/index.htm
Enjoy-la!
http://www.toronto.ca/special_events...2013/index.htm
Enjoy-la!
Jul 5th, 2013, 10:07 AM
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Pea-meal bacon sandwiches at the market is definitely a good option. The St. Lawrence Market on a Saturday is really special (but it's also open every day except Sunday) and there's tons to eat there besides PMB. Too bad about the seafood allergy because there's a great seafood stand next to the doors at the south end of the market. Don't worry though -- there's tons of good food at the market. Walk around downstairs before you make your lunch decision for hidden food gems including the Italian veal sandwich stand, a Polish food stand, crepes, sushi, and many others. You could live in the market for a month and never have the same lunch twice.
Also, you should explore Kensington Market and have empanadas from Wanda's Pie In The Sky on Augusta. It's a little farther afield for you but not that much (it's walkable from the lake) and certainly worth the visit. If you're here on the last Sunday of the month, Kensington will be closed for a pedestrian Sunday with lots of street action going on.
Sounds like a fun visit!
Also, you should explore Kensington Market and have empanadas from Wanda's Pie In The Sky on Augusta. It's a little farther afield for you but not that much (it's walkable from the lake) and certainly worth the visit. If you're here on the last Sunday of the month, Kensington will be closed for a pedestrian Sunday with lots of street action going on.
Sounds like a fun visit!
