Our Faves

True Restaurant

69 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5R 1B8

Rated this place:

posted Apr 6 2009

Being True to True for Lunch: It's really exciting to find a restaurant that calls itself organic, and actually seems to be organic right down to their condiments and their drinks. The space is clean and absolutely beautiful. We frequent True on weekends with the family (ranging from 6 to 20 people) and although the service is not the most attentive (especially with kids), the food is consistently good. The arugula salad and the pizzas are delicious, especially on thin organic spelt crusts. It's convenient, healthy and simple...now if they can get more people into their large space, they will do better...i just hope i'll still be able to get my reservation...try it!

The Healthy Butcher

565 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M5V2B6

Rated this place:

posted Apr 12 2009

LIVE TO EAT on Eglinton!: What a pleasure it is to shop on Eglinton West at the Healthy Butcher. Even though their store name implies meat, they are my stop gap measure in between farmer's markets for local and organic fruits and veggies, fish, cheese, bread and eggs. In a very small store (compared to a grocery store), you can buy everything from safe cookware, spices, organic condiments + flours, delicious artisinal cheese and crackers (monforte sheep's cheddar and evelyn's crackers...yum!), the best popcorn (passion popcorn from Ontario) and lots of nut-free and organic products (if you haven't already tried Mapleton's Organic Cappuccino Ice Cream, you must!). The staff are absolutely wonderful and very accommodating for any special requests. Even though there is no "easy" parking, it's easy in and easy out (they will carry their groceries to your car)...and open 7 days per week. 2 other locations also...it's worth the drive.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• organic butcher
• staff
• organic + local produce
• mapleton's ice cream

Brickworks Farmer's Market

550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON

Rated this place:

posted Apr 12 2009

Saturday Special!: The only negative about the market at Brickwork's is that it's not year round (there are other markets around Toronto all year, check www.greenbeltfresh.ca ). Going myself or with my family on Saturday mornings to enjoy breakfast and shop for the seasonal delights (faves include Cookstown tomatoes + garlic scapes, Sosnicki's garlic, greens and potatoes, asparagus and strawberries for their limited run, Monforte Cheeses, Kozlik's mustards, oh, the list is endless..the smoked fish, crackers, cheeses, eggs!). If you pair this up with one monthly shop for the few things you won't find here like sugar (except maple), you can live off your weekly shop. Make sure you introduce yourself to Farmer Chris...he can help you grow your own edible garden (shiitake mushrooms included). Once you taste real food, you will understand that the "hype" over lcoal AND organic makes perfect sense!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Eggs
• fish
• cheeses
• organic farm fresh fruits
• organic farm fresh veggies
• garlic scapes

Green Barn Farmers' Market

601 Christie St (Studio 181), Toronto, ON, M6G4C7

Rated this place:

posted Apr 12 2009

New and Neighbourhoodly!: This market recently moved to its permanent home at the Artscape Wychwood TTC Barns, in the covered street barn...what a fabulous space, indoors and out! You will find local, mostly organic and seasonal food here. You'll find the delicious flavours and rainbow of colours of local and organic produce here plus, honey, bread, cheese, fish and meats, grains, jams, syrup, wildcrafted foods, mushrooms, and lots of people to talk to! There is an area for kids to play and keep busy, although I encourage you to elt yur kids shop with you too...it's amazing that when they choose the foods, they will like to eat it...even kale!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• cheese
• organic local fruits
• organic local veggies
• kids playground
• honey
• passion popcorn
• ezra's oatmeal

JK Wine Bar

9 Church Street, Toronto, M5E 1M2

Rated this place:

posted Apr 12 2009

THE Toronto Eating Experience: Embrace gastronomy and enjoy the best our Ontario has to offer! the menu is comprised of tasting-size portions for sharing (thank goodness, because you must try many!) and even their wines come by the glass and half glass (and are paired with each dish on the menu). Because their menu changes twice daily and supports what is seasonal and fresh, you can go everyday without eating the same thing..except the frites, which are really hard to avoid ordering! If you are lucky enough (no reservations), you should sit at the Chef's Bar and watch Chef Dan and Jordy assemble all dishes...better and more fun than Iron Chef. :)

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• local menu
• frites
• staff + service
• chef's bar
• ever changing menu
• sharing-size dishes

Pantry

974 College St, Toronto, ON, M6H 1A5

Rated this place:

posted May 1 2009

this is how a pantry should be stocked: This space on College is so incredibly beautiful and ivniting, you will browse their stocked shelves peacefully as if you were browsing in a library. The selection offers local, organic and sustainable choices in fresh and gourmet packaged foods. The staff are always friendly and willing to answer all of your questions...if you are curious like I am. The coffee is delicious...and happily served in compostable cups (although we still take or own). Also offered is a wonderful catering menu...it changes often since it revolves around and evolves with the seasons. If you are not used to shopping or eating this way, it may be difficult, but trust that you will be thrilled with the taste. It is apparent that the owners put their heart and soul into their space, and into their offerings. (and they must have kids since there are toys to play with while you browse or eat + drink, although still it remains calm inside).

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• organic selection
• tashodi soaps

Gladstone Hotel

1214 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, M6J1J6

Rated this place:

posted May 1 2009

A Hotel? It's so much more.: The Gladstone Hotel is a great place in Toronto for so many reasons, aside from being a hotel. They have created unique spaces for musicians, artists, foodies and families...to showcase, perform and indulge. They support and promote local and organic eating ( by the way they have a FRY BAR...sweet potato, potato and taro too with tons of toppings). Harvest Wednesdays supporting field to table eating (yum) are not to be missed...you can check their website at www.gladstonehotel.com for their complete calendar of events...and while you are there, you'll know why you need to try the Gladstone.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• local food extravaganza
• Live Music
• bar and event space
• fry bar
• harvest wednesdays

LPK’s Culinary Groove

718 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4M1H2

Rated this place:

posted Jun 10 2009

ECO YUM!: The trademarked claim of LPK is "beautifully cultivated desserts", but I think that's a shame because there are many desserts out there that look phenomenal and don't live up to expectation when they hit your taste buds. Well, it's worth the drive and the price at LPK. If you appreciate good food (they use organic, seasonal and local ingredients), you will overwhelmingly appreciate their desserts. Their lemon tart was the best lemon tart I have ever eaten, I enjoyed a phenomenal pecan caramel tart, delicious chocolate sandwich cookies aka myloreos(ate all 3 in the car ride home, oops) and I'm thrilled that I sampled the Spicy Chèvre Noir Shortbread Cookies to know that I needed a bag. Although, I may have to return quickly for more, and to argue that they need not be termed a "cookie" and should fall under an entirely new category of their own. LPK Culinary Groove is inventive and beautiful, yes, but also delicious and deserving of your palate.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Vegan
• organic desserts
• gluten free
• spicy chevre noir shortbread

Veritas

234 King Street East, Toronto, ON

Rated this place:

posted Jun 19 2009

BEAUTIFUL SPACE AND PLATES: Brad Long needs you to eat here. You need you to eat here. Veritas offers true, fresh, local, sustainable and organic foods and drinks in the Vertias bar, dining room, private dining or great courtyard patio. The menu is simple, the food is good, the service has been great (very accomodating since all is made fresh), but the space needs to be busier. A quiet restaurant is not fun for anyone. The starters are outstanding and worth every penny - non-carnivores will enjoy the herbivore "charcuterie", something unique and beautifully presented. The lounge/bar menu and starters make for a fun meal with friends explore what's seasonal. Once you all frequent Veritas, I'm confident that we'll all benefit from even more of a commitment from Brad Long to local and organic ingredients.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• service
• appetizers
• brussel sprout salad
• sweet potato waffle fries

Live Organic Food Bar

264 Dupont Street, Toronto, ON, M5R1V7

Rated this place:

posted Jul 5 2009

Long Live LIVE: Clean, Colourful and Casual...that's a description of both the food and the restaurant itself. Live is a pleasure to eat at whether you are grabbing a quick bite or out for a family meal. You can't imagine how delicious their raw pizza is, and you can't imagine how long it takes them to prepare it (happily not while you wait, but in advance in dehydration). The nachos are great for a shared appetizer, and the sushi is fantastic. The raw lasagna is great (noodles out of veggies and cheese out of nuts - yum!), as are any of their burger choices. They do offer some cooked items, and there is absolutely something for everyone on this menu, even if you are accustomed to steak and potatoes (then you really should eat here more often anyways). Order a smoothie or fresh juice...add a shot of E3 and learn what a natural high is about. Sample one of their raw, veagn desserts, but really, make sure to grab some of their kale chips from the take out area - these are unreal! Service is quick, but there can sometimes be a lineup, so call ahead if waiting isn't for you.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• nachos
• Raw Foods
• smoothies
• Vegan
• Raw Sushi
• prices

Rawlicious

3092 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M6P 1Z8

Rated this place:

posted Jul 8 2009

A Raw High: Whether you are a raw foodie, or someone who could not imagine what raw food even could be, you must try this small spot in the Junction. The Nori Rolls (read: sushi without the rice) are fantastic, the nachos (dehydrated carrot, flax and buckwheat) served with 3 little bowls of guacamole, salsa and "sour cream" (made from nuts and not dairy) and sides of green onions, hot peppers (but not too hot, just fresh) and olives are great for sharing. The zucchetti as an entree is wonderful - if I describe it and you are not used to raw food, you might not try it, but i'll tell you that it's the best bowl of not-pasta! (you have the choice of 3 sauces) Make sure you try the desserts...each is better than the next, but the maple Walnut Ice "Cream" will wow you (remember, nothing served at Rawlicious has refined sugars or dairy...including their cheesecake...seriously). The team at rawlicious is certainly passionate about what they offer and strive to do the best they can with supporting local and organic. They run documentary nights, private parties, manage take-out and catering, and are honest when they say that they are there to inspire and serve great tasting, healthy food. Go enjoy, and then take a friend back. Rah Rah for Raw!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• nachos
• Raw Food
• smoothies
• organic
• raw ice cream