Our Faves

Corned Beef House

303 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON, M5V1P7

Rated this place:

posted Mar 11 2009

Hearty Montreal Smoked Meat in Toronto: If you have a hankering for Schwartz's or Reuben's but you're not ready to drive 6 hours to Montreal, be sure to check out Corned Beef House at Adelaide and Widmer, open in 1964. A "Best Kept Secret," as the sign on the front door indicates, the hearty corned beef or Montreal smoked meat sandwiches come in Huge, Gigantic or Colossal. The ingredients are fresh and the meat is smoked to near-perfection: moist, tender and delicious. The rye and spicy dijon mustard are the way to go, pickle or hot peppers on the side. Regular coffee is free - and for regulars, it's no wonder - that much meat packed into a sandwich will without a doubt make you sleepy. Great recommendation, Michelle & Eman!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• montreal smoked meat sandwich
• Deli
• Sandwiches
• Corn Beef Sandwich

Le Gourmand

438 Richmond Street West, Toronto, ON, M5V 3S6

Rated this place:

posted Mar 20 2009

Coffee in the AM, Cookies in the PM: As I get off the Spadina streetcar every morning, I look right for oncoming traffic, cross the street and head for the door of Le Gourmand to pick up my morning ritual coffee, sidestepping and scoffing at the Starbucks morning ritual-ers.

Once you step into the shop that's always cozy and wafting with the smell of freshly baked pastries (muffins, cookies, croissants, danishes, Portuguese tarts, scones), it's as if you step away from the world of working 9-5 and into a busy Parisian cafe, even for just a few minutes of the day. The little tables, chalkboard menus and shelves packed with breads and pastries, chocolates, teas and fun products stimulate the senses.

A great breakfast and lunch place, Le Gourmand offers a great selection for the hungry: salads, gourmet sandwiches, quiches, pizzas and delicious soups. Specials of the day often include roti, macaroni and cheese and other baked goodness. The ultimate treat from Le Gourmand, however, are the cookies. Meals in themselves, the chocolate chip cookie is my favourite, followed by the "nookie cookie," walnut chocolate chip, peanut butter and then the oatmeal raisin. Portuguese tarts, chocolate bombs, brownies and tarts are also delicious, but it's the chocolate chip cookies that keep me coming back for my afternoon "cookie break" rituals.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• coffee shop
• chocolate chip cookie
• cookie
• afternoon snacks
• gourmet lunch

Sandwich Box

388 Richmond Street W., Toronto, ON

Rated this place:

posted Mar 27 2009

Sandwiches worth splurging on: Since the conclusion of mom-packed lunches, I had given up on sandwiches and was a firm believer that there would never be a "sandwich worth eating." It wasn't until my discovery of artisanal breads, cheeses, spreads and meats - that my hope in the sandwich was restored.

Sandwich Box offers delicious, gourmet sandwiches from the best, fresh and natural ingredients including options of 5-10 breads, spreads, meats and greens. You can order a menu-made sandwich, design your own or enlist the help of your Sandwich Specialist to put together your sandwich. Get a lunch comb: sandwich + salad for $8.99 or go for a lunch salad for $2.15/100g.

Favourites thus far? Basil pesto, jalapeno havarti, roasted turkey breast and zucchini, grilled to perfection on onion focaccia bread. Another great option from a sworn Sandwich Box fan: rosemary focaccia, avocado/chipotle, carmelized onions, smoked salmon & havarti.

The new Sandwich Box location at 388 Richmond West in Toronto's web/creative district not only offers "sandwiches worth eating" but also sandwiches that are worth splurging on - and can make the difference between a normal and superb lunch experience (since that's what my day is all about).

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Lunch
• Sandwich
• salads

Craft Burger

573 King St. West, Toronto, ON, M5V1M1

Rated this place:

posted Apr 1 2009

Killer burgers, milkshakes, onion rings: Best chocolate milkshakes in town. Onion rings, too. And burgers. Some even coin the joint as "Crack Burger" and have become Friday afternoon rituals for some offices.

From classic burgers at $5.65, cheeseburgers at $6.85 and fancy'd up gourmet-type "Signature" burgers (although they'd probably deny the "gourmet" status), Craft Burger offers a great selection for carnivores, chicken-only eaters and herbivores alike. Try the Craft Burger (with mushrooms, rosemary garlic mayo, lettuce and tomato), the Craft Spicy (with caramelized onions, spicy chipotle mayo, lettuce and tomato), the Lamb Burger (Fresh Ontario Lamb with a cilnatro-feta spread, lettuce and tomato) or the Craft Blue (with gorgonzola, avocado, lettuce, tomato and rosemary garlic mayo).

Great lunch combos including fries and a drink pack this place daily at lunch time with die-hard Craft Burger fans looking for their fix. Make sure you try the old-fashioned milkshakes made with ice cream and the onion rings, beautifully battered and fried masterpieces, worthy of being called onion rings.

Sadly, the only thing really hurting Craft Burger is that it doesn't offer any bacon, but we'll let them get away with it as long as those chocolate milkshakes keep coming creamy and delicious.

Zoe's Bakery Cafe Ltd

548 King St. W., Toronto, ON, M5V1M3

Rated this place:

posted Aug 19 2009

Great sandwiches and cheesecake brownies!: This is a great little deli, bakery, and cafe at King and Brant which is always packed during lunch. It's great in summertime for its cozy patio outside; great in the wintertime for huddling inside over a coffee. What first drew me here was the coffee - the closest shop that serves up Illy nearby work. The second thing that brought me here and keeps me going back at least a couple times a month is the cheesecake brownies - perfect to brighten up seemingly long work days. Pizzas, wraps, and quiches are good but the gourmet sandwiches are gold - fresh bread, fresh ingredients, great flavours that work well together, stacked high and packed with substance. I'm a huge fan of the smoked turkey club with avocado and greens.It's great value for your money's worth - and a great combination with any of their daily soups and salads. Don't forget to pick up a brownie, cookie, or buttertart for the road!