What's yummy & healthy in the Church/Shuter neighbourhood?

[pinkskittles]

Hi there, I just moved to a new 'hood (at Church and Shuter) and I'm wondering what's good and healthy in my area.

I'm a fan of generally healthy food. I also like Indian, Ethiopian. Not a fan of Chinese or Japanese. Willing to try new things.

Can anyone make any suggestions?

Also, if you know of any great delivery that delivers to my area, then let me know that too!

I appreciate your help, thanks chowhounders!

[MindGrinder]

Harvey's for sure! Also try Citrus at the Grand!

[foxymoron]

My partner lives at Church and Shuter too. We recently tried Harlem (at Church and Richmond) and loved it. It's delicious comfort soul food (http://www.harlemrestaurant.com). We also like Terroni for Italian, but haven't tried the new location on Adelaide. If you're willing to walk 10 min, try Hair of the Dog for cocktails and above average pub food.

As for delivery, we usually order Japanese, but if you're interested in Thai, Thai2Go isn't bad. I discovered it on Chow (http://www.chowhound.com/topics/503977).

None of these are what I'd consider healthy options, unfortunately...please share any other good places you come across. We're always looking for new places to eat and order from...

[pinkskittles]

thanks for the suggestions. might check out harlem restaurant.

as for hair of the dog, i've been there many times, and i agree it's above average pub food, but it's still pub food nonetheless. can't say i'd go out of my way to go there, but when i'm there i'm pretty satisfied with what i get. the macaroni let me down though, but the tuna sandwich from fresh tuna was pretty decent.

i'm not a fan of asian food altogether. i've tried to like it, i don't, if it doesn't make me sick it tastes bad to me. the odd pad thai is alright though.

as for my suggestions to you, well, i have ordered delivery from rashnaa. it's pretty decent indian food for pretty cheap. i usually get a few of the $5 vegetarian curries. the eggplant is my favourite and the okra is quite good too.

[hungry_pangolin]

I quite like Rashnaa. I heard yesterday a rumour that they have just "renovated" the menu.

There is a pretty good looking Somali restaurant which I have been meaning to try, north side of Dunds between Church and Jarvis... can't recall the name. Somali food is quite good, and healthy.

As for Asian, have you tried pho? The Peach Garden at 45 Carlton does a pretty good version, and I think that pho might avoid things that you dislike about Asian food (just guessing).

[pinkskittles]

hey thanks for the suggestions. i'll check out the somali restaurant, if i can find it.

as for pho, many soups contain MSG. i'm pretty sensitive to that so i just avoid soup altogether.

[hungry_pangolin]

Unfortunately, the Somali place is gone. There's another, called Hamdi, at Carlton and Ontario, which a cabby told me was pretty good.

As to MSG, you could ask. I don't recall whether they advertise themselves as a non-MSG joint.

[mainja]

I would love to know more about Hamid, there is a menu outside but it has something like 3 things on it, all meat. My partner is a vegetarian, so I can't go with him if there isn't at least one veggie item on the menu.

[pinkskittles]

lol wow well i hope their food is better than they photographed it on their website, it looks awful. but looks aren't everything, i suppose. thanks.
http://www.hamdirestaurants.com/menus...

[hungry_pangolin]

I just took a look at the website. Those photos are representative of Somali cuisine, but you shouldn't be discouraged. Even though they are neighbours, there's not much in common between Ethiopian and Somali cuisines. Somalis do have injeera (canjero in Somali, I think) but it is not the staple that it is in Ethiopia. The spicing in Somali cuisine tends not to be as complex as Ethiopian, but can be quite hot with the use of a green chili sauce. As I said above, I haven't yet tried Hamdi, but Somali cuisine generally can be quite delicious, if simple.

[Googs]

I'll go if you go, hp. One of us has to beta test the restos in our 'hood.

[mainja]

maybe all three of us should set a date and go together... I posted a main topic asking if anyone had been, no one has replied yet...

[pinkskittles]

lol
yeah, let me know. i'm not gonna be the guinea pig...

[hungry_pangolin]

You should be more adventurous! Just take the plunge. Remember the joke about how hungry the first man who ate an oyster must have been. And, we've never looked back.

[HungryHomer]

Recently had dinner at Harlem, which we wandered into by chance. The food was great and the service very friendly and welcoming. Definitely worth a try!

[jevonm]

Harlem is pretty incredible. Calm, nice service, good prices and filling. You leave feeling like you had a proper meal and you won't be hungry for ages. My wife and I ate lunch there one night and that evening didn't even bother to have supper. (odd, I know, but we still felt satisfied)

[pinkskittles]

HungryHomer, jevonm:
where exactly is harlem and what kind of cuisine is it?

[fickle]

Harlem is on Richmond, south side, east of Church Street

http://www.harlemrestaurant.com/

The creole mussels are fantastic. So is the fried chicken. And the candied yams. Mmmm

[pinkskittles]

great, thanks!!
that looks awesome, i'll check it out for sure!

[syrahc]

I'm not sure I would consider Harlem to have good prices. It was over $10 for 3 pieces of fried chicken when I was there and while it was good, I still can't say it's significantly better than fast food fried chicken.

[foxymoron]

I found the fried chicken to be a bit bland. My partner's blackened cat fish, however, was delicious. We talk about it regularly...

[pinkprimp]

Hey, welcome to the neighbourhood! I live on the same block.

I recomment B Espresso Bar (on Queen, just East of Church) for a great coffee and yummy cafe foods. Spices Cafe has also been recommended, I believe, for Indian. i've never been but it should be good (www.spicescafe.ca)

There is also Salad King, which some people like. It's a Thai restaurant over at Yonge and Gould.

[pinkskittles]

hey thanks! i'll check out B Espresso Bar and Spices, although their website seems to be down. thanks!

[jevonm]

I walked by today. Spices is closed, newspaper covering the windows.

Shoot, I knew I should have tried it earlier.

[pinkskittles]

i kept thinking about that place and wanted to find it sooner or later. thanks for the update. that's too bad.

[Googs]

Bummer. I had Spices on my speed dial. If anyone spots that chef anywhere else please post.