Mangosteens and cool neighborhoods?

[ParkerfromChicago]

I'm currently in Toronto on business, staying at the Hilton on Richmond, and I was wondering two things:

1. Can i purchase mangosteens anywhere in Toronto?

2. Being from Chicago, a city revolving around its neighborhoods, I was wondering what the good neighborhoods are for eating (moderately priced places) and hanging out in. I'm not looking for specific restaurant recs, just cool neighborhoods--i'm 24 if that gives you a better idea. Also--subway directions would be nice--i believe i'm off Osgoode stop.

Thanks all,
Parker

[Rob]

Mangosteens: goto Chinatown Dundas & Spadina (St Patrick Subway stop walk west a few blocks) you should see them in the stalls in front of the chineese supermarkets. My ex used to buy them often... This is also a great neighborhood to wonder around and try some exotic food.

Other Neighborhoods:

Little Italy: College West get off subway at Queens Park and walk west until you see all the little lounges... great lounges and little shops..

Greektown: Pape Subway stop great greek food open late

Queen Street Strip: entertainment district (Osgoode Subway and go west 2 blocks) actually you can walk from the Hotel west on Richmond then North on John.. (Also over a couple blocks to Spadina then North and your in Chinatown)

New area: Distillery district... a converted victorian Distillery made into an artist community with some cafes, fine dining and a organic micro brewery thrown in.. Largest restored Victorian complex in North America.

Link: http://www.thedistillerydistrict.com/

[ParkerfromChicago]

thanks for the reply. i did find mangosteens in Chinatown, and i shall venture out into those neighborhoods you mentioned soon.
thanks again.

[Maureen]

Don't forget Baldwin Street, very close to Chinatown, and an interesting little strip crammed with restaurants and shops.
Baldwin is 2 streets north of Dundas and the stretch you want runs east off Spadina.
Take Baldwin west of Spadina right into Kensington Market, another must see.

[Rover]

Hi Parker,

I would actually suggest getting on a westbound streetcar from Queen's Park station to go to College St's Little Italy. The streetcar ride is no extra cost if you have already paid for the subway. Little Italy is a good 20-25 minute walk from the station.
I hope you enjoy your stay in Toronto!

[k-ks]

The College Streetcar isn't running again until later in the summer. They are putting down new track for the streetcar so the street is a mess. Walking from Queen's Park may be your best bet.

[Rob]

I always find walking in a new city the best way. You will find things that you would never be able to see as you take a taxi or transit. Stop at a little bakery or sandwich shop that smells good or snap that perfect picture...

[nsw]

The 506 streetcar is running on Dundas St. instead - which is fairly easy walking distance from College St. Or take Bathurst south to college and walk from there.

[estufarian]

Another easily accessible neighbourhood is to catch the Queen Streetcar going west and get off once you pass Bathurst. This area (Queen West) is undergoing 'gentrification' and has several interesting eateries. Explore from around 700-1000 Queen St west.

[Peppermint Pate]

I second this recommendation. There are loads of cool shops and galleries along here. When hunger pangs strike, stop in for a snack at: Chippy's (fish & chips), Terroni (great pizzas, paninis and pasta), Clafouti (lovely pastries and coffee), Sugar (killer week-end brunch), Kei (haven't tried but supposed to be great Malaysian), Fresh by Juice for Life (vegetarian cafe) and a bit further west, The Drake (cool new boho hotel and cafe with good food/bar - definitely worth checking it out) and Beaver Cafe (haven't tried but supposed to be great brunch/lunch place).

Also, there's currently a photography festival going on in the city - CONTACT (www.contactphoto.com) - and tons of the galleries on this strip of Queen West have exhibits going on. Enjoy.

[KGB]

Like Chicago, Toronto is a city of nabes...lot's of them (240 of them I believe). There are the obvious ethnic ones already mentioned...Chinatown (more than one of them)...Italian, Greek, Koreatown is a good one (Bloor between Palmerston and Christie)...the Indian one on Gerrard.

I would just leave your hotel and just head west on Queen. Just keep walking until you hit Gladstone...it's a LONG walk, but Queen West is a non-stop experience (there are over 500 retail stores).

Or you could hop on the Queen streetcar and head east to the Beach (get off at Woodbine). This nabe has it's own atmosphere, with plenty of shops and places to eat...and a short walk to the beach and boardwalk(at least the weather is a bit nice these days).

Yorkville/Bloor West has it's share of interesting stores and eateries (and gives you a chance to catch up on your Prada/Gucci shopping)

Little enclaves that tourists NEVER get to...like Balwin Village as somebody already mentioned...or Cabbagetown (Parliament & Carlton)...it's an intact victorian village right downtown...wandering the side streets and checking out Riverdale Farm and the Necropolis are a must.

For a very unique urban nabe, the Islands are not to be missed...take the ferry from the foot of Bay St. Be sure to check out two very interesting residential enclaves found there...Algonquin and Wards Island. The only place I recomend to eat there is the Rectory Cafe, right off the boarwalk.

A walk up the Strip (Yonge, between Front and Bloor) is a mish-mash of pretty much everything...it still maintains it's tacky edge (head shop next to gallery next to bath house next to second hand cd shop next to pricey resto next to noodle house next to strip club....etc, etc).

The Annex has it's charms (Bloor between Spadina and Bathurst), but the real treat is Mirvish Village (one block west of Bathurst)...great art book stores. Koreatown begins a block west of there.

But unless your trip has you here for a month, I guess you have to just pick a couple.

Good luck, and have fun.

KGB