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This article is brought to you by Emirates. Before your trip to experience one of these 33 reasons to visit Toronto, be sure to visit Emirates, which operates flights to Toronto from Dubai using a state-of-the-art fleet, including the new Emirates A380.
Toronto is one of North America’s largest cities and one of its most popular destinations for travelers. But just in case you needed a few reasons to visit soon, here are 33 reasons to visit Toronto from Toronto expert Natalie Taylor of Near Afar.
1) Because we greet you with our signs.
2) Because in case you didn’t know where you were, we made sure to spray paint the city name at the beginning of Graffiti Alley.
3) Because it’s much more fun to find the Monopoly Man instead . . .
Graffiti art by Cheryl Howard/Instagram
4) . . . or the Original Banksy (since removed and now immortalized in a frame at Hotel Ocho).
5) Because for $3, you can get from one end of Queen Street to the other on the best form of transportation in the world: the streetcar — ride the Rocket.
Congestion by Benson Kua/Flickr
6) Or you could ask this guy for a ride on his Tuk Tuk . . .
7) . . . or we’ll get all Canadian on you and tell you to take a canoe. This one’s on land though (Canoe Landing Park), but nice view, eh?
8) Because where else in the world can you take a canoe to one of three islands and visit a nude beach (Hanlan’s Point)?
9) Because we’re so nice here, we won’t even bother you when you’re exploring, you can just take a self-guided “Discovery Walk.” Just follow the signs.
10) Because one moment you could be in Little Italy (with its very own Walk of Fame) . . .
Scenes after Italy’s win by by Tom Purves/Flickr
11) . . . and the next moment you could be in one of the largest Chinatowns in North America . . .
Spadina Ave. by Danielle Scott/Flickr
12) . . . and then a few minutes later, you could be listening to a sitar and didgeridoo duo (amongst many other street performers) on Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington Market . . .
Sitar, didgeridoo and homework by Shreyans Bhansali/Flickr
13) . . . followed by lunch at what feels like the coastline of Greece (Sunnyside Pavillion).
14) And while we may not be as known for our poutine as is Montreal, we’ve got out own fair share of restaurants serving the french fries/gravy/cheese curd dish.
15) And because we like a multicultural twist, we take our fries, put kimchi, pork and mayo on it, and call it “Kimchi Fries.”
Banh Mi Boys Sandwich Shop, 392 Queen Street West
16) In fact, half the people living in Toronto today were born outside of Canada, so for us multiculturalism isn’t just a motto, it’s a fact of life.
Canada Day by Svetlana Grechkina/Flickr
17) But sometimes it can get a little out of hand.
18) Because we don’t call the T Dot “Hogtown” for nothing.
Hogtown Charcuterie, Kensington Market (@HTChar)
19) And you definitely don’t leave this city without having some Canadian back bacon at the famous Carousel Bakery in the St. Lawrence Market.
20) Because where else can you can swim with a view like this?
The Thompson Hotel Rooftop pool, Toronto
21) And because your apartment can have this incredible view for far less rent than you’d pay in Vancouver, San Francisco or New York.
22) Because Degrassi was Toronto-born and bred. (We have the street sign — and Drake — to prove it.)
23) And even though the Leafs haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967, our fans are still fierce supporters.
24) Because our music scene is incredible (Rush, Broken Social Scene and Neil Young are from Toronto), and you can check it out for free during the North by Northeast Festival at Dundas Square
December 28 by blackbodypie/Flickr
25) Because you can drink and dance with the dinos during the Friday Night Live parties at the Royal Ontario Museum . . .
26) . . . and detox over the weekend with yoga at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Drop-in: Yoga in the AGO via/Ago.net
27) Because The Evergreen Brickworks (a former factory site turned environmental center) makes our metropolis a better place.
28) Because you can’t get any more hipster than bike polo in Trinity Bellwoods Park . . .
Wacky bike polo by Fermata Daily/Flickr
29) . . . or ironic game playing at the world’s largest board game cafe at Snakes and Lattes.
Cafe photo by Snakes and Lattes/SnakesAndLattes.com
30) Because Toronto was home to perhaps the greatest and funniest show ever made.
The Kids in the Hall Walk of Fame induction via/National Post
31) Because the Courage My Love shop in Kensington Market got artsy and put a bird on it years ahead of Twitter and Portlandia.
32) And because even though our city is up “in smoke” about our infamous Mayor . . .
33) . . . we all feel like there’s no better place in the world to live than here.
Toronto City Hall, Canada, by Francisco Diaz/Flickr
Top Image: Toronto CNE by Paul Bica/Flickr
About the Author
Natalie Taylor is a freelance writer based in Toronto. She is a local expert and ambassador for AFAR and has been featured in The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, National Geographic Traveler, Blackbook Magazine and more. Find her blogging about her adventures near (Toronto) and afar at NearAfar.com and see more of her quirky photos on Instagram.
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]]>The post Top 5 Places To Eat In St. Clair West, Toronto appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.
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By Natalie Taylor
Toronto is synonymous for food-centric neighborhoods such as Greektown, Chinatown, and lately, Ossington Avenue. But St. Clair West neighborhoods, Wychwood Heights and Hillcrest Village, spanning from Bathurst to Winona Drive, are undergoing a foodie renaissance. The St. Clair strip (near Dufferin Avenue) was predominantly known as Toronto’s other Little Italy, Corso Italia, where Italian immigrants settled after the 1950’s and flourished with grocery stores, cafes, restaurants and social clubs for their fellow countrymen. It evolved into a primo location for celebrations after Italy won the World Cup in 1982 when 500,000 revelers dominated the streets.
Corso Italia still remains, but the strip a few blocks west of Bathurst are central for newlyweds, families and young professionals that have moved into the area for reasonable mortgages and a community they can call their own, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
Here are a few can’t-miss eateries that are part of the local St. Clair West resident diet.
1) Dutch Dreams
Owner Theo Aben and his wife Dina have been scooping up more than 57 ice cream flavors for 27 years at this notorious ice cream shop (famed chef Susur Lee claims it as one of his favorites). Who exactly is lining up here night after night? Manager Giovanny Rivareta explained to me during a recent visit, “We have an ethnically diverse client base from cultures such as Indian, Hispanic and African, the latter who come for regionally authentic flavors such as Grape Nut (a malt grain).”
All scoops are served the Dutch way: with a dollop of whipped cream and serving of fresh fruit (strawberry, kiwi, pineapple and cantaloupe). One of the most popular flavor is Moose Droppings (vanilla ice cream mixed with chocolate fudge, chocolate chips and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups). After a meal at one of the local restaurants such as Albert’s Real Jamaican next door, this loud and kitschy joint is ideal for an indulgent and affordable treat.
Dutch Dreams, 78 Vaughan Road; (416) 656-6959. One scoop is $3.74; Waffle Scoop costs $5.93; Dutch Pancake costs $12.68; Dutch Waffle costs $11.44. Half liters cost $7.50 and full liter tubs cost $10.69.
2) Green Barn Farmers Market – Artscape Wychwood Barns
Artscape, a not-for-profit urban development organization, revitalized the dilapidated TTC Streetcar barns at Wychwood Park into a multi-faceted community center and housing project for artists in 2008. On Saturdays The Stop Community Food Centre hosts the Green Barn Farmers Market supporting and encouraging locally grown, seasonal produce.
The market bustles with families feasting on the array of snack items while shopping for sustainable produce, including samosas, organic eggs with pesto sauce, and watermelon-lime lemonade. Vendors change constantly: one weekend you could be biting into mini donuts made on site; the next weekend, munching on Irish soda bread and salmon. The barns are surrounded by a small park, a great way to relax on a summer Saturday afternoon and revel in local community. The markets go indoors when the weather in the fall and winter months.
Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Avenue, Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; http://www.thestop.org/green-barn-market
3) The Stockyards Smokehouse and Larder
Not only an example of the development of St. Clair West in the past two years, but also a destination for BBQ aficionados and carnivore fans from all over. Laid back and low key, this isn’t a place to dine in as much as it is to take out and bring with you for a hearty picnic at the nearby Wychwood Barns or Humewood Park, just north of St. Clair. It’s best to come early to pick up glazed smoked ribs and chicken, available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I became a convert after indulging in the moist buttermilk fried chicken combo, served with spiced fries and a non-dairy coleslaw.
699 St. Clair Ave. W.; 416-658-9666 ; www.thestockyards.ca; $50 for dinner for two including tax and tip.
4) Filippos
Ironically, there are not that many Italian Restaurants in Corso Italia (the nickname for St. Clair Avenue West: Toronto’s center for Italian culture), but the Italian restaurants on St. Clair West that do exist, like Filippo’s, have been mainstays of the area for years. Thin and crisp-edged pizzas are popular, including gourmet concoctions such as fig, serrano ham and gorgonzola. Pam, a resident of the nearby Forest Hill area, highly recommends the pasta. “I’m a big fan of the gnocchi. Its pasta is much better than Ferro’s (nearby) and is not as ‘sceney.'”
744 St. Clair Ave. W.; (at Rushton Rd.); 416-658-0568; Entrees from $9 to $24.
5) Pain Perdu
The baguettes and fluffy croissants at the simple, petite Basque Boulangerie are one of the best ways to transport yourself to Paris. Heartier fare include the eponymous toast with fresh berries, crème anglaise, maple syrup and fruit coulis ($7.95); homemade duck confit ($16.95); croque monsieur ($6.95); quiche ($6.95 for a slice); French onion soup ($8.95 whole); and four varieties of casse croute ($8.95). On the other hand, this is also the perfect spot to plop yourself down in the morning with a newspaper while indulging in a sculpted, rich dessert and coffee.
736 St. Clair Ave. W. (at Rushton Rd.); 416-656-7246.
Natalie Taylor is a freelance writer based in Toronto. She still has dreams of Stockyard’s buttermilk fried chicken. Natalie’s site is: natalietaylor.ca.
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