Impromptu day in TO - some thoughts

[itryalot]

Was supposed to have a planned visit, but work day off didn't work out.
So....got in the car this am and drove (arrived at 7am after a 3 hr ride); we were off!!!
Here is a run down of what we did/ate. We will have a more in depth visit when we have longer than one day.
Tip: Always bring the biggest cooler you can fit and large blocks of ice.
1. Pasquale's Etobicoke - The place was much smaller than expected but I purchased pasta, imported rice and some interesting honeys. Also bought the giant cans of DOP tomatoes to give them a try. Prices were quite reasonable.
2. European Butcher, Etobicoke around the corner from Pasquale's - The place was hopping. Prices were very cheap and even though we didn't buy, we put it on a list to come back to.
3. European Resto Supply - Loved the quick walk through. Will make a list of needs and return.
4. La Rose Bakery, Etobicoke - Great pizzas by the slice, foccaccia, and bread. Desserts look heavenly.
5. Athens Bakery, Danforth - Love it; bought some Turkish Delight and some baklava as well as some baba au rhum. Brought them home for friends.
6. Sun Valley Foods - Bought some Volcanic Sicilian Lemon Juice (This is excellent and I use it in vinaigrettes, marinades and to make a lemonade spritzer with some simple syrup, etc). Bought some greek pressed yogurt for breakfast tomorrow (with the honey), some imported greek feta too.
7. Messini - Gyros were amazing - Monday special was even less expensive. Great street food.
8. Mezes - Grilled octopus melted in your mouth; souvlaki was OK. I have learned to make it really good at home. Avoglemono soup was great.
9. Novocento, St. Clair - Delicious italian coffee and imported desserts. Felt like we were in Italy. Like in Italy, served with a glass of water. Great service, owner charming, super atmosphere and delish coffee, capps.
10. Nova Era Bakery - Creamy Portuguese Tarts. Bought to take home too. Silky smooth.
11. Sandwich challenge - Mustaccio (STLM - ceal and eggplant, onions and peppers) and California (veal, peppers, provolone and onions with sauce). We will get a lot of flack for this, but hands down, Mustaccio. We thought the tomato sauce was much fresher tasting at Cal Sandwiches, but the crispiness and quanitity and quality with value for price went to Mustaccio's. All 4 in our group agreed.
12. Nino D'Aversa bakery - bought lots of bread to take home as well as a large round sweet bread for having with coffee. Did pick up some really great EVOO (in a bottle with squared off sides and stopper top from Italy).
Toronto always impresses. Can't wait for the next visit - Kensington Market, Diana's Grocery, Nasr or Arz, greek eating at Pantheon (?) and a quick visit to Scheffler's at STLM for some great prosciutto as well as Alex for cheese.

[smr714]

I find the selections at NASR's to be better than Arz (but they are within a block of each other) if you decide to do both on your next forage into Toronto.

[DockPotato]

Hey, I did the same but with a slightly longer trip, other porchases and a small business errand had less time.

I visited only two food places - both of which I learned about on this board.

First I went to Blue Danube Sausage House at 24 Chauncey Avenue.

http://www.bluedanubesausagehouse.com/

My first time there and I was floored by the place. For years I visited a supplier just around the corner and never knew about this shop - what a waste of years. I was met with the unmistakable odour of dried bean soup as I entered. They have a good selection of prepared treats like lecso, various soup, etc in quart containers, a fair selection of pastries and cakes and a selection of hand made sausages and prepared meats I haven't seen since the 60's/70's along Spadina.

Anyway here is what went into my cooler: a tub of Lipto cheese; a few pairs of csabai; a good supply of pork cracklings; a ring of Hurka {liver and rice sausage); some really fine head cheese (with hot paprika) and a dozen pogascas. I was really tempted by the hot deli but resisted. Their pogascas are huge and I had one of those for my lunch. I now regret not buying some of their home-made suaerkraut and i should have asked for goose liver pate - ah well.

Next I visited Ontario Gas BBQ at 3310 Langstaff Rd in Concord.

http://www.bbqs.com/index.php

I only needed a cover for my smoker but was really impressed by the size of the place and its selection. I saw none of the junk found in the big box places. There is a large charcoal section with the best selection pf smokers and barbecues you'll find in the GTA. And of course there is every type of charcoal, hardwood and chips.

I wanted to head north via Dufferin to hit TNT but opted to beat the weather instead.

[itryalot]

Dock - It's amazing what some will and several hours in TO can produce. I have put Blue Danube on my list. Thanks for the tips.

[pinstripeprincess]

if you go to pasquale's again... the sandwich! dear lord get a sandwich and drink combo for $6. it's fantastic and they'll do up whatever you want or make you something special, i always ask them to make it up for me.

also go for nasr over arz! they're not even all that far from each other but nasr is fantastic and great shawarma is at the end of the the same plaza at farhat.

[itryalot]

Thanks for the tip. Didn't know they did that.

[pinstripeprincess]

except for a fairly large but plain sign on the outside, it's not advertised very well that they do sandwiches.

also my pick of nasr over arz is because of their great pastry selection. love the bamieh.

[itryalot]

Pinstripe - Is this the Pasquale's that moved from Downtown to Etobicoke. The place is tiny; I didn't realize they would do that. Nasr is the one, I guess.

[pinstripeprincess]

i've only known it as the etobicoke location and it is tiny. saw the sign the first time i went and get a sandwich every single time unless i'm on my way to lunch and sometimes even still then. keep in mind no produce though, but they'll pretty much use any other deli item they've got or ingredient in the shop.

hrm... my food excursion buddy is now telling me that they feel arz is the best for pastry and ice cream and nasr more for produce and other goods (love the lamachun as well). i still always get my bamieh from nasr.

[smr714]

Also at Pasquale's never miss getting their Italian sausage, either HOT or mild. It is addictive and hard to get they sell out so fast when it is fresh.