Toronto “very vegetary”

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"

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