Guidebook for Toronto
Food Scene
Turkish coffee and bakeries - This cafe is west of the condo and take about a 10-minute walk. You can go there for a light breakfast or snack. All their pastries and bread are made over there. It uses many antiques and old industrial tools as decor. A very cool place to hang around and chat with a coffee. See our picture to get a feel of the place and food (Turkish; $; http://www.simitandchai.co/)
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Simit & Chai Co.
787 King St WTurkish coffee and bakeries - This cafe is west of the condo and take about a 10-minute walk. You can go there for a light breakfast or snack. All their pastries and bread are made over there. It uses many antiques and old industrial tools as decor. A very cool place to hang around and chat with a coffee. See our picture to get a feel of the place and food (Turkish; $; http://www.simitandchai.co/)
Great food for casual dining - We had lunch at this restaurant. The ground funnel sausage pizza and salad were very tasty. The 2nd floor has a glass roof - nice and bright. They also charge $1 per oz of their wine - I am picky for wine but to my surprise, it is pretty good wine! See our picture of the food. Their mushroom pasta is very popular. (Italian; $$; http://gusto101.com)
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Gusto 101
101 Portland StGreat food for casual dining - We had lunch at this restaurant. The ground funnel sausage pizza and salad were very tasty. The 2nd floor has a glass roof - nice and bright. They also charge $1 per oz of their wine - I am picky for wine but to my surprise, it is pretty good wine! See our picture of the food. Their mushroom pasta is very popular. (Italian; $$; http://gusto101.com)
Bar Buca is casual but classy - Food critic Joanne Kate rated it #1 in 2016 "Spend A Little" list. It is very close to our condo (1 minute walk). Signature dishes include tuna carpaccio, goat and ricotta meatballs, skewers of baby octopus and sopressata, schiacciata, cannoli. (Italian; bar, restaurant, breakfast & brunch; $$; http://buca.ca/bar.html#anchor-u612)
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Bar Buca
2 Portland StBar Buca is casual but classy - Food critic Joanne Kate rated it #1 in 2016 "Spend A Little" list. It is very close to our condo (1 minute walk). Signature dishes include tuna carpaccio, goat and ricotta meatballs, skewers of baby octopus and sopressata, schiacciata, cannoli. (Italian; bar, restaurant, breakfast & brunch; $$; http://buca.ca/bar.html#anchor-u612)
Excellent Japanese noodle - We are Japanese food fanatics and like sashimi, sushi and ramen. We tried many famous ramen restaurants in Toronto and Kinton is our favorite one. Customers can select the meat (pork or chicken), ramen (thick or thin), soup (many to choose from) and side orders (e.g. egg). I like spicy garlic soup with extra pork and thick noodle. My wife likes spicy jalapeno soup with chicken, thick noodle and a seasoned egg). The closest restaurant to our condo is 402 Queen St.W (approx. 10-15 mins walk). (Japanese; $$; http://www.kintonramen.com/)
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KINTON RAMEN
668 Bloor St WExcellent Japanese noodle - We are Japanese food fanatics and like sashimi, sushi and ramen. We tried many famous ramen restaurants in Toronto and Kinton is our favorite one. Customers can select the meat (pork or chicken), ramen (thick or thin), soup (many to choose from) and side orders (e.g. egg). I like spicy garlic soup with extra pork and thick noodle. My wife likes spicy jalapeno soup with chicken, thick noodle and a seasoned egg). The closest restaurant to our condo is 402 Queen St.W (approx. 10-15 mins walk). (Japanese; $$; http://www.kintonramen.com/)
Buca, Bar Buca and Buca Osteria & Bar (aka Buca Yorkville) are all of the same group. Buca Osteria & Bar is a fine dining Italian restaurant. Food critic Joanne Kate rated it as #2 in 2016 "Spend A Lot" list. Their braised octopus, duck egg pasta with offal ragu, appetizers like scallop and lobster sausage are delicious. See our picture for our dishes. One useful tip - their entrance is actually at Yorkville (not Scollard St) and there is a Green P parking right on Yorkville and Bay St. You can take subway to Bloor and walk over to Yorkville. Bloor has many high-end shops and Yorkville is a premier shopping / fashion area. (Italian, Seafood; $$$; http://buca.ca/yorkville.html#anchor-u3748/)
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Buca Osteria & Bar
Buca, Bar Buca and Buca Osteria & Bar (aka Buca Yorkville) are all of the same group. Buca Osteria & Bar is a fine dining Italian restaurant. Food critic Joanne Kate rated it as #2 in 2016 "Spend A Lot" list. Their braised octopus, duck egg pasta with offal ragu, appetizers like scallop and lobster sausage are delicious. See our picture for our dishes. One useful tip - their entrance is actually at Yorkville (not Scollard St) and there is a Green P parking right on Yorkville and Bay St. You can take subway to Bloor and walk over to Yorkville. Bloor has many high-end shops and Yorkville is a premier shopping / fashion area. (Italian, Seafood; $$$; http://buca.ca/yorkville.html#anchor-u3748/)
Fabulous sushi - If you are crazy and picky for sushi like us, you got to try Yasu whenever you are in town. We tried many famous sushi places in Toronto and Japan. Yasu, in our opinion, is top notched and the best in Toronto. They only have one chef choice which is worth every penny. See our pictures. Our tip is - to do it right, you need to sit at the bar with sake pairing. Also it is very hard to book. The trick is that they open up the calendar one month at a time. To book the date and time you want, book one month in advance after midnight e.g. your desired date is April 28, book it on March 28 at 12:01 am. It should work. (Japanese; $$$; http://yasu-sushibar.com/reservation.html)
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Yasu Toronto
81 Harbord StFabulous sushi - If you are crazy and picky for sushi like us, you got to try Yasu whenever you are in town. We tried many famous sushi places in Toronto and Japan. Yasu, in our opinion, is top notched and the best in Toronto. They only have one chef choice which is worth every penny. See our pictures. Our tip is - to do it right, you need to sit at the bar with sake pairing. Also it is very hard to book. The trick is that they open up the calendar one month at a time. To book the date and time you want, book one month in advance after midnight e.g. your desired date is April 28, book it on March 28 at 12:01 am. It should work. (Japanese; $$$; http://yasu-sushibar.com/reservation.html)
Their squid ink pasta is out of this world - The owner is Croatian and we love their squid ink pasta - better than those in Italy. The pasta's squid ink smells so good. They also have many fresh fishes that they bring out for your selection. A word of caution - This restaurant has many nude pictures and statutes which some customers may find them offensive and may not be suitable for family. (Seafood; $$$; http://www.josos.com/)
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Joso's
202 Davenport RdTheir squid ink pasta is out of this world - The owner is Croatian and we love their squid ink pasta - better than those in Italy. The pasta's squid ink smells so good. They also have many fresh fishes that they bring out for your selection. A word of caution - This restaurant has many nude pictures and statutes which some customers may find them offensive and may not be suitable for family. (Seafood; $$$; http://www.josos.com/)
This is a French restaurant but the prices are very reasonable and the food is good. We went there a few times and love to dine in their patio. Very relax and good for chatting. (French; $$$; https://www.leselect.com/)
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Le Sélect Bistro
432 Wellington St WThis is a French restaurant but the prices are very reasonable and the food is good. We went there a few times and love to dine in their patio. Very relax and good for chatting. (French; $$$; https://www.leselect.com/)
It's a casual, fun place to go with friends, and also vegetarian friendly. (Mexican; $$; http://www.wilburmexicana.com/)
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Wilbur Mexicana
552 King St WIt's a casual, fun place to go with friends, and also vegetarian friendly. (Mexican; $$; http://www.wilburmexicana.com/)
Baro is a rebranding of Valdez and the focus is on latin food, but with a lively bar atmosphere that includes a speakeasy on one floor and an expanded list of ostentatious cocktails. Order flights of ceviche and hot plates of picada for nibbling or visit the raw bar in this towering four-storey half dining, half party establishment with a rooftop patio. See our picture for the food we ordered. The duck confit with rice (Chaufa 35) was amazingly good. (Latin; $$$; http://barotoronto.com/)
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Baro
485 King St W Baro is a rebranding of Valdez and the focus is on latin food, but with a lively bar atmosphere that includes a speakeasy on one floor and an expanded list of ostentatious cocktails. Order flights of ceviche and hot plates of picada for nibbling or visit the raw bar in this towering four-storey half dining, half party establishment with a rooftop patio. See our picture for the food we ordered. The duck confit with rice (Chaufa 35) was amazingly good. (Latin; $$$; http://barotoronto.com/)
Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse is one of Toronto's most distinguished steakhouses. It's the type of powerhouse restaurant where pro hockey players, celebrities and suits hold court and celebratory crowds gather to splash out. While top cuts of meat served with unerring consistency are the main attraction, the recipe for its popularity also includes first-rate service. (Steaks; $$$$; https://jacobssteakhouse.com/)
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Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse
12 Brant StJacobs & Co. Steakhouse is one of Toronto's most distinguished steakhouses. It's the type of powerhouse restaurant where pro hockey players, celebrities and suits hold court and celebratory crowds gather to splash out. While top cuts of meat served with unerring consistency are the main attraction, the recipe for its popularity also includes first-rate service. (Steaks; $$$$; https://jacobssteakhouse.com/)
Food critic Joanne Kate rated it #19 in her "Spend A Little" list. This fast food restaurant is very close to our condo. We sometimes drop by this place to get a quick bite. Their pork sandwich is marvelous. It melted in my mouth. Check out our picture and it will make you hungry :) (Sandwich: $$; http://porchettaco.com/)
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Porchetta & Co
825 Dundas St WFood critic Joanne Kate rated it #19 in her "Spend A Little" list. This fast food restaurant is very close to our condo. We sometimes drop by this place to get a quick bite. Their pork sandwich is marvelous. It melted in my mouth. Check out our picture and it will make you hungry :) (Sandwich: $$; http://porchettaco.com/)
Food critic Joanne Kate rated it #4 in her "Spend A Lot" list. We went there a few years ago for a special occasion. It looks like the building where the restaurant is used to be a industrial building. They still some of the old stuff there as decor. We like their duck egg pasta. (Italian: $$$; http://buca.ca/king.html)
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Buca
604 King St WFood critic Joanne Kate rated it #4 in her "Spend A Lot" list. We went there a few years ago for a special occasion. It looks like the building where the restaurant is used to be a industrial building. They still some of the old stuff there as decor. We like their duck egg pasta. (Italian: $$$; http://buca.ca/king.html)
Food critic Joanne Kate rated it #1 in her "Spend A Lot" list. It ranked #7 in Canada's 100 Best list. We and our friends came to try their Chef Choice menu with wine pairing. The wine pairing is worth the extra money as they keep on giving us different wine to try. I kind of losing track. They put in a lot of thoughts in each dish. Its presentation was beautiful and of course it is very delicious. It definitely give you a wow factor. The problem is it is very hard to book. You need to book a few months in advance. See our picture. (French; $$$$; http://alorestaurant.com/)
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Alo
163 Spadina Ave.Food critic Joanne Kate rated it #1 in her "Spend A Lot" list. It ranked #7 in Canada's 100 Best list. We and our friends came to try their Chef Choice menu with wine pairing. The wine pairing is worth the extra money as they keep on giving us different wine to try. I kind of losing track. They put in a lot of thoughts in each dish. Its presentation was beautiful and of course it is very delicious. It definitely give you a wow factor. The problem is it is very hard to book. You need to book a few months in advance. See our picture. (French; $$$$; http://alorestaurant.com/)
Its new asian cuisine is predominantly Chinese fare but it follows the French tradition. Ancient favourites are updated to suit the western palate and the modern demand for local and sustainable ingredients. We ordered crispy octopus taco, fried watermelon, sweet and sour pork hock and truffle fried U.S. brown rice (see the picture). Even though I eat Chinese food every day, I found the taste of each dish very familiar but has a special twist. They don’t taste like regular Chinese dishes and yet very delicious. If you like Chinese food, you should give it a try. (Chinese; $$; http://dailoto.com/)
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DaiLo
503 College StIts new asian cuisine is predominantly Chinese fare but it follows the French tradition. Ancient favourites are updated to suit the western palate and the modern demand for local and sustainable ingredients. We ordered crispy octopus taco, fried watermelon, sweet and sour pork hock and truffle fried U.S. brown rice (see the picture). Even though I eat Chinese food every day, I found the taste of each dish very familiar but has a special twist. They don’t taste like regular Chinese dishes and yet very delicious. If you like Chinese food, you should give it a try. (Chinese; $$; http://dailoto.com/)
This ramen restaurant is within driving distance to our condo. It is quite popular and always has long line up. We had tried their Black Sesame Tan Tan Noodle, Spicy Red Miso Ramen, Red Miso Ramen and Chicken Karaage Don (see our pictures). They also offer an option of Kale Noodle. Surprisingly, it tastes quite good :) Next time I will try their Tsukemen which is a dipping noodle with soup/sauce on the side. On Friday and Sat, it closes at 11pm, while on Sunday at 10pm. (Japanese; $; http://www.ramenisshin.com/)
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Ramen Isshin
421 College StThis ramen restaurant is within driving distance to our condo. It is quite popular and always has long line up. We had tried their Black Sesame Tan Tan Noodle, Spicy Red Miso Ramen, Red Miso Ramen and Chicken Karaage Don (see our pictures). They also offer an option of Kale Noodle. Surprisingly, it tastes quite good :) Next time I will try their Tsukemen which is a dipping noodle with soup/sauce on the side. On Friday and Sat, it closes at 11pm, while on Sunday at 10pm. (Japanese; $; http://www.ramenisshin.com/)
Essentials
This is a large grocery chain in Toronto. Company website: https://www.loblaws.ca/
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Loblaws
585 Queen St WThis is a large grocery chain in Toronto. Company website: https://www.loblaws.ca/
The Kitchen Table
705 King St W A small grocery stores
Pharmacy, cosmetics, bathroom supplies and some basic groceries (milk, juices). Have a post office in it.
https://www1.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/home
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Shoppers Drug Mart
388 King St WPharmacy, cosmetics, bathroom supplies and some basic groceries (milk, juices). Have a post office in it.
https://www1.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/home
A dollar shop for daily essential things such as bottled water, chips, snacks, Kleenix, combs, stationery, etc.
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Dollarama
590 King St WA dollar shop for daily essential things such as bottled water, chips, snacks, Kleenix, combs, stationery, etc.
Arts & Culture
You can take a street car and get off at St Andrew station (University and King intersection) to take the subway. Take the Yonge line northbound to Museum station. ROM is at the street level. Below are the current exhibitions and ticket info: https://www.rom.on.ca/en
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Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queens ParkYou can take a street car and get off at St Andrew station (University and King intersection) to take the subway. Take the Yonge line northbound to Museum station. ROM is at the street level. Below are the current exhibitions and ticket info: https://www.rom.on.ca/en
The Ontario Science Centre is in mid-town. You can take a taxi or Uber there. What going on and ticket info are as follows:
http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/
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Ontario Science Centre
770 Don Mills Rd.The Ontario Science Centre is in mid-town. You can take a taxi or Uber there. What going on and ticket info are as follows:
http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/
Below is the current exhibitions and ticket prices.
https://www.ago.net/
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Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St WBelow is the current exhibitions and ticket prices.
https://www.ago.net/
This is a theatre to see a musical. Ed Mirvish Theatre is a historical building - shows and ticket info are as follows:
https://www.mirvish.com/ The easiest way to get there is probably taxi or Uber.
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Ed Mirvish Theatre
244 Victoria StThis is a theatre to see a musical. Ed Mirvish Theatre is a historical building - shows and ticket info are as follows:
https://www.mirvish.com/ The easiest way to get there is probably taxi or Uber.
A more modern theatre owned by Ed Mirvish - shows and ticket info are as follows: https://www.mirvish.com/
You can take a street car (red color tram) at the south west corner of King and Portland heading east and get off at King and John. You will see the theatre building.
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Princess of Wales-teatret
300 King St WA more modern theatre owned by Ed Mirvish - shows and ticket info are as follows: https://www.mirvish.com/
You can take a street car (red color tram) at the south west corner of King and Portland heading east and get off at King and John. You will see the theatre building.
Royal Alexandra Theatre is another Ed Mirvish's historical theatre. It is fun to experience a show in this historical building. One useful tip: The balcony stairs are quite steep and not suitable for seniors. Have a 360 degree view of the inside: https://www.mirvish.com/theatres/royal-alexandra-theatre
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Royal Alexandra Theatre
260 King St WRoyal Alexandra Theatre is another Ed Mirvish's historical theatre. It is fun to experience a show in this historical building. One useful tip: The balcony stairs are quite steep and not suitable for seniors. Have a 360 degree view of the inside: https://www.mirvish.com/theatres/royal-alexandra-theatre
Sightseeing
Toronto iconic structure - You can take the elevator to the top level or its restaurant. If you are brave enough, you could walk along the top of the tower. (http://www.cntower.ca/en-ca/home.html)
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CN Tower
290 Bremner BlvdToronto iconic structure - You can take the elevator to the top level or its restaurant. If you are brave enough, you could walk along the top of the tower. (http://www.cntower.ca/en-ca/home.html)
This may be an interesting place for the family to visit. https://www.ripleyaquariums.com/canada/
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Ripleys akvarium i Canada
288 Bremner Blvd This may be an interesting place for the family to visit. https://www.ripleyaquariums.com/canada/
If you are a hockey fan, you would like to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame to the Stanley Cup.
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Hockey Hall of Fame
30 Yonge StIf you are a hockey fan, you would like to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame to the Stanley Cup.
Many art galleries, craft shops and local eateries - The Distillery District is a commercial and residential district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Located east of downtown, it contains numerous cafés, restaurants, and shops housed within heritage buildings of the former Gooderham and Worts Distillery. See our picture of Distillery District in Christmas. (http://www.thedistillerydistrict.com/)
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Distillery Historic District
55 Mill StMany art galleries, craft shops and local eateries - The Distillery District is a commercial and residential district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Located east of downtown, it contains numerous cafés, restaurants, and shops housed within heritage buildings of the former Gooderham and Worts Distillery. See our picture of Distillery District in Christmas. (http://www.thedistillerydistrict.com/)
Chinatown
292 Spadina Ave.A lot of Chinese stores and restaurants
Kensington Market is a distinctive multicultural neighbourhood in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Market is an older neighbourhood and one of the city's most well-known. Most of the neighbourhood's eclectic shops, cafes, and other attractions are located along Augusta Ave. and neighbouring Nassau St., Baldwin St., and Kensington Ave. (http://www.kensington-market.ca/Default.asp?id=home&l=1)
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Kensington Market
Kensington Market is a distinctive multicultural neighbourhood in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Market is an older neighbourhood and one of the city's most well-known. Most of the neighbourhood's eclectic shops, cafes, and other attractions are located along Augusta Ave. and neighbouring Nassau St., Baldwin St., and Kensington Ave. (http://www.kensington-market.ca/Default.asp?id=home&l=1)
Casa Loma is a Gothic Revival style house and gardens in midtown Toronto that is now a museum and landmark. Further info is here: http://casaloma.org/
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Casa Loma
1 Austin TerraceCasa Loma is a Gothic Revival style house and gardens in midtown Toronto that is now a museum and landmark. Further info is here: http://casaloma.org/
Drinks & Nightlife
Amazing roof top lounge view of CN Tower. See our pictures of the lounge and beautiful view
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Thompson Toronto
550 Wellington St WAmazing roof top lounge view of CN Tower. See our pictures of the lounge and beautiful view
Shopping
CF Toronto Eaton Centre
220 Yonge StA famous local market with fresh meat, vegetables, sea foods, pasta, cheese....
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St. Lawrence Market
93 Front St EA famous local market with fresh meat, vegetables, sea foods, pasta, cheese....
Yorkville
Many high end stores in this neighbourhood and along Bloor Street
Parks & Nature
Centre Island is a scenic place for walking and biking and to overlook Toronto lakefront. You can take a ferry over to the Island. Just make sure you get on the right ferry to Centre Island as there are other ferries going to different islands. Below is the schedule, fares and direction.
http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=3690dada600f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD
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Centre Island
Centre Island is a scenic place for walking and biking and to overlook Toronto lakefront. You can take a ferry over to the Island. Just make sure you get on the right ferry to Centre Island as there are other ferries going to different islands. Below is the schedule, fares and direction.
http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=3690dada600f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD