Our Faves

True Restaurant

69 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5R 1B8

Rated this place:

posted Apr 6 2009

Note: Service is getting better...and the menu is inventive yet simple. The restaurant isn't busy enough, so if you beelive in organic eats, GO! If you aren't yet sure, GO! (you'll soon understand)

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!

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

The Drake Hotel

1150 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1J3

Rated this place:

posted Mar 30 2009

great menu, great spaces: We consistently enjoy delicious brunches and dinners at the Drake. Friendly, aware and attentive service is the norm. If you enjoy burgers, this is the best one in town. If you want a comfortable spot for a romantic date, a large table for a family gathering or a private space for a private party, this is the spot in Toronto. They have it all, including a rooftop patio for all seasons. ECO-ASPECT - The menus are built from organic, "local and seasonal ingredients and inspired by Anthony Rose." Now only if they would serve organic beer!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• brunch
• Lounge
• French Fries
• Hanging out

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

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

Brick Street Breads

255 Logan Ave, Toronto, ON, M4M3J2

Rated this place:

posted Jul 19 2009

More than a good slice: In this adorable stand alone building just north of Queen on Logan, sits Brick Street Breads...once you walk inside, you'll see and smell their delicious organic loaves, but also tarts and other treats (like creme brule to go and shortbread). It's hard to go wrong with organic breads and desserts...when i was told that all ingredients are local and organic, i was pleasantly surprised (and wondered why the tarts were individually baked and sold in tin foil cups) but you can be assured that the company understands the value that great ingredients equal great food with a commitment to lcoal and organic. Let the good breads rise!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• cookies
• bread
• baked on premises

Lil' Baci

892 Queen St. E., Toronto, ON, M4M 1J3

Rated this place:

posted Jul 19 2009

Fresh, Friendly + Fast: It's nice to enter into a restaurant that claims right away to be kid friendly yet still has charm and character. Lil Baci claims to use as much local and organic as possible, and the food certainly looked great and tasted fresh (and arrived quickly...but not too quickly). Organic Spelt crust (add $3) pizzas win, and the Lil Baci salad with organic arugula and greens was also very good and reasonably priced at $9.50. Bread for the table was baked in house (although white flour bread). The service was great and we never had to ask for tap water refills, they were very attentive. There is a large patio in the back, but beware, there are no awnings to protect you from the sun. A great quick spot for a family bite, especially when pizza is what you crave.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• patio
• great service
• organic spelt pizza
• very kid-friendly