Eclectic Trips

Agreed

Toronto is one of those cities that makes you want to be more “green”, healthier, friendlier to the planet and more polite to strangers. Every time I visit here, I am a whole lot more conscious, polite and drawn to recycle when I return home.
There is a good recycling program in place in the whole city, people bring their own bags to the supermarket, and their mugs to be filled at starbucks. It is all very inspiring. And it is not surprising that the vegetarian restaurant culture here is very rich.
My husband has recently become vegetarian, and since we travel quite a bit and thus often have no choice but to eat out, he has been less than happy with the offerings in most restaurants. In other words he gets stuck with eating side dishes or macaroni and cheese, while everyone else enjoys their meal. In Toronto, he was one very very satisfied customer…or a happy camper so to say.

Our favorite – Mela at 7A Yorkville. Tiny place with just about 5 tables, open kitchen, daily menu written on a oversized chalkboard. It seems like the place used to be a garage, when the gate is raised it opens up on to the street, so you are sitting inside/outside which is very cool. The chef is very Italian, and the food is very Italian- there is the traditional gnocchi, the lasagna, and the cannelloni bean soup. But also more contemporary selections like sweet potato stew, and quinoa salad. We came here 3 times on a relatively short trip, and my only regret is that i dint attempt to recruit …. to open Mela in Miami. One day we went there with a party of 6 and I made sure to taste everything everyone was having, and delicious doesn’t even begin to describe it. None of our friends are vegetarian, and they all really enjoyed their food judging by sparkling clean plates they left behind.

The offering at Mela

Live is another place that we really enjoyed. Super cute with a lively colorful decor. Our waiter was a hilarious space case, kept forgetting what we ordered-came back twice to double check, and still kinda got some things wrong. But it was somehow quite charming. Very creative vegetarian food, extensive menu, juices and smoothies galore. The sweet potato fries were spicy and perfectly done. But the desserts are a whole other thing. They make vegan desserts in house and they are so guilt free and so unbelievably good that it is hard to believe. All are made with coconut, raw chocolate, agave, nuts and other goodies. What a treat!

Fresh is a chain of vegetarian restaurants that is all over Toronto. If it wasn’t for Live and Mela I would think fresh is great, but those two places are pretty unique, and fresh is a pretty run of the mill quality but not particularly mind blowing veggie joint. The juices are good, the menu is good- you can make your own salads, or create dishes with the ingredients you like, and they have some very fun appetizers. Very good over all.

Another noteworthy mention goes to Urban Herbavoire In Kensington. It’s counter veggie take out, we didn’t eat here, but our friends say it’s good and we trust them.

At Mela

at the market

On Saturday our friends took us to the farmer’s market. Moment of truth- I am a die hard farmer’s market junkie. That and antique markets. I have been to farmers markets all over the world, and have seen it all (or most) in the farmers market respect. So I do consider myself quite the farmer’s market connoisseur. This market was one of the best I’ve ever been to. There is everything here – meat and cheese and veggies, berries, fruit, and chocolate and wild rice and soy candles and mushrooms. Oh the mushrooms- they were very special. Huge and strange looking, shiny and fresh, seeming like they were picked about an hour ago. Had the mushroom soup from the super friendly mushroom vendor. So aromatic, nutty and comforting. Asked her for the recipe, but she just smiled slyly. I wouldn’t share either if it was my soup. The market was such a great experience. So much fun to walk around and see these farmers and sausage makers and florists that are so proud of their produce and their craft, and to feel like you are a part of that for a moment. Grabbing a piece of this and that, a soup, some freshly brewed coffee, fried sunchokes and artisan chocolate for dessert is the loveliest Saturday brunch alternative ever.

After the trip to the farmer’s market we went to 889 Yonge for massages. The space is as green as it gets- refinished hardwood, no toxic finishes recyclable carpet and all that jazz. I particularly love the “wish wall” which is  made out of cardboard, and the visitors to 889 Yonge can write their wishes and put them on small pieces of colorful paper and stick them into the wall. Other than looking uber cool, it is such a simple and lovely idea to have the collective power of people’s positive thoughts and wishes concentrated in one place. The beautiful girls with creamy skin and smooth energy greet you at the entrance, and are sure to induce some jealousy pangs from the female population over their glowing complexions, but only for a moment. A moment later they are so helpful and accommodating that you can’t help but instantly love them. The yoga studio is a nice space- not too big, not too small, just perfect. They have a nice variety of classes and great visiting teachers. The locker rooms are clean and well stocked.  My  massage was perfect. The masseur was so attentive to what I told her, she mixed a soothing aromatherapy blend, and was very in tune to what my body wanted. Left there feeling like potty, which was definitely a good thing.

If you are ever in Toronto, and want to get your ‘ green on”  hope this guide helps.

Our yummy meal at "Live"

Toronto Spring blossoms

Toronto, Ontario

I love Toronto, it’s one of my favorite metropolises in North America. It has a great restaurant and bar scene, adorable boutiques, great coffee shops, and nice parks. If you visit in the spring, you will enjoy the cherry blossoms blooming, and walking around Toronto for hours, through it’s many lovely neighborhoods, stopping in at cute shops, cafes, just strolling leisurely and discovering this great city for yourself.

We are very lucky as we have good friends in the city that were amazing guides, and we had our day itineraries custom designed for us. Nice!

First we stopped by Hawk Eyes-  which I think happens to be the sweetest antique shop in existence. Well selected collection of adorable finds, curated with such taste and creativity, it is well worth a visit.  Rachel, the store owner, and Tallulah her tiny dog are so sweet and welcoming, and I just love Hawk Eyes’  bowls, and chairs, and pretty pink glasses, and the loveliest writing desk. Too bad I couldn’t buy it all and take it home.

The window at Hawk Eyes

Our hotel is on Queen street, which  is one of the nicest strolling/shopping, people watching streets in Toronto. The hotel itself is so lovely, the rooms are small, but the decor is so chic and the location simply can’t be beat. It is, to put it simply hipster heaven. It was a lovely spring day, and we stopped at Clafouti for a Clafouti and grabbed some coffee from the place next door. Clafouti (love the name!) is the most amazing pastry I’ve ever tasted – a mix of custard and flaky crust, with berries or figs or lychee nuts. Clafouti is more than a pastry-it’s an experience

Across the street from Cloafouti on Queen is a nice park  called Trinity Bellwoods Park. Siting on the bench in the  park, watching the hipsters walk by with their well groomed dogs, or sipping their soy lattes on the benches or on the grass, the atmosphere is pretty serene here-it’s one of those perfect days that promises only the pleasant surprises.

Kensington is pretty much hippie town, smelling vaguely of  musk and Nag Champa, dreads are big here, and “one love” plays on random boom-boxes in stores. There are some fun little stores around. Good Egg is extra cute with a great selection of souvenirs and home accents If you are one of those people that can not go home without buying some trinket in every place you visit, this store is tailor made for you. There are lots of outdoor cafes, and on the whole the area is worth a visit.

Colorful alley in Kensington

Super cute home/souvenir shop in Kensington

Great coffee on Queen street next to Clafouti

Tai Chi in the park

The goodies at Clafouti

Sunny day in the park

Restaurant culture is rich in Toronto, there are lots of great restaurants to suit every taste.
Some of our favorites are :
Terroni is grand, a large space with high ceilings, cool decor, young hip crowd. The food is great, and very authentic- to the point that they will not serve parmesan cheese with entrees containing any seafood. Says so right on the menu. I had the mushroom appetizer and mushroom ravioli both of which were perfect. The wine list is extensive, good variety, some nice Italian wines here, and the desserts are yum.

Guu, the Japanese tavern is an experience- a must for foodies. There is usually a pretty long wait, and the space is communal tables with a few private tables and seats at the sushi bar. The Japanese specialities here are good and diverse. Loved the yellowtail special, the pumpkin something or other and the bibimbap. The staff acknoweleges each new patron’s arrival and departure with a Japanes greeting in unison, it’s definitely a nice quirky touch.

Swan is tiny, a bit vintage diner like, super fresh nice seafood, cute and quaint, great service, a real boutique restaurant. Always a treat.

Mildred's Temple Kitchen

My favorite paper shop on Queen

Open kitchen at Terroni

Gooooood

The reflections at AGO