Japango Sushi & Noodle Rest

Rated this place:

122 Elizabeth St, Toronto, ON, M5G1P5

Sushi: It's the closest thing to sushi in Japan that I can get in Toronto at a reasonable price. Both the nigiri and maki I've had at Japango have been skillfully formed with fresh fish. Tiny and charming, this sweet spot tucked away on Elizabeth St. is rightly a frequent haunt of workers who toil in and around city hall.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Sushi

El Trompo Taco Bar & Cactus Grill

Rated this place:

277 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T2M1

Tacos al pastor: Even though I've never been to Mexico City, I get to taste a little bit of it in Kensington Market. A favourite recommended by Mexicans in Toronto, El Trompo serves up authentic tacos, including the popular al pastor variety. Small soft corn tortillas are filled with delicious pork that has been carefully marinated and roasted before being topped with fresh pineapple, coriander and onion. Each plate comes with four tacos & is served with a smile by a Lopez family member. Yummy.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• tacos al pastor

Asian Legend

Rated this place:

418 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON, M5T 1G7

Green onion pancake wrap: I love Chinese snacks. Green onion pancakes are tasty alone at any time of the day but Asian Legend's "Rolled Onion Pancake with Sliced Beef" brings a favourite Northern Chinese specialty to a new level of sinful goodness. Chewy but tender, salty yet sweet, these little guys are a tasty treat. See? They've even got me writing childish poetry. They're THAT good.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• green onion pancake wrap

Gloucester Bakery

Rated this place:

131 Ravel Road, Toronto, ON, M2H 1T1

Hong kong style milk tea: The smell of fresh baked Hong Kong style Western buns fills the air. As the milk tea is made right before your eyes behind the cake counter, you can always be sure that your special request (more or less sugar, evaporated milk) is heeded. The milk tea is especially good because they cut the bitterness of the strong ceylon with some more fragrant orange pekoe. I lived on this hyper-caffeinated stuff when I was slogging through the bar admissions material.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Hong Kong style milk tea

Tim Hortons

Rated this place:

16 Williams Kitchen St, Toronto, ON

Apple fritter: It brings back decadent childhood memories of eating poolside and working off the sugar rush in the water. Even with the awareness that it's a mass-produced sugar-coated fried dough ball, I am always amazed that a Timmy Ho's apple fritter remains true to my tastebuds' memories. While I generally try to stay away from doughnuts, in the right circumstances (like a long road trip along the 401), I cede to my junky temptation and don't feel guilty at all. Mmmmm...doughnut.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• apple fritter

Arona Nail Spa

Rated this place:

205 Davenport Road, Toronto, ON, M5R1J3

Mani/pedi: The owner and staff are serious about cleanliness: all tools are sterilized and each new client receives his/her own file/buffer that is kept in an individual compartment for future exclusive use. The deluxe pedicure chairs have massagers and foot basins with jets that do not recycle old water. A wide range of professional polishes like essie and OPI are used and embellished with handpainted nail art if you so fancy. The prices are reasonable for the neighbourhood and service is exceptional.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• mani/pedi

Le Paradis Brasserie-Bistro

Rated this place:

166 Bedford Rd, Toronto, ON, M5R2K9

French bistro: Packed on any day of the week, this French bistro deserves its popularity. While the starters & desserts are excellent, the mains (all reasonably priced at $17 & under) truly shine. The menu changes daily but tender braised lamb & veal shanks are often featured. The more adventurous meat eating diner would be wise to choose seared veal sweetbreads or grilled veal liver. Seafood specials are reliably fresh and tasty. Vegetarians beware: the menu is heavy on the animal products.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• french bistro

Toronto Women's Bookstore

Rated this place:

73 Harbord St, Toronto, ON, M5S1G4

Indie bookstore: Radical reading in a cozy atmosphere--what more could a girl want? This warm, non-profit shop offers a wide selection of literature from the empowering to the indulgent. TWB is more than a community bookstore, it's a safe space that welcomes and nurtures the beautiful diversity of our city. Feminist and anti-oppression politics are promoted through book offerings, community events and unique courses.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• indie bookstore

Zupa's Restaurant & Deli

Rated this place:

342 1/2 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON, M5V1R7

Greasy work lunch: Steps from the office, Zupa's is my workmates' most frequent lunch haunt. Droves of other nearby workers line up for a taste of Zupa's classic diner fare. The signs on the outside say "Deli & Restaurant" or "Restaurant & Deli", but I'd say that the latter variation wins as deli fare is less popular than hot favourites like the Zupa burger or daily specials like chicken souvlaki served with rice, fries and salad. Personally, I'm a fan of the club sandwich platter that

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• greasy work lunch

Cadillac Lounge

Rated this place:

1296 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, M6K1L4

Summer patio: Parkdale has plenty of patios but the Caddy remains one of my faves. It's big, airy and full of friendly people. While not immune from intense westward gentrification, the Caddy is definitely not just a snooty hipster hangout. Decent daily specials (try the fish and chips!) are on offer along with an extensive menu of classic bar food standbys.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• summer patio

Burrito Boyz -- CLOSED

Rated this place:

120 Peter Street, Toronto, ON

Halibut burrito: I don't want to have to defect south of the border for some pseudo-Mexican goodness. I'm glad I can just mosey on over to a basement blocks away from my apartment for some piping hot fried fish lovingly wrapped in a goopy mix of delightful, calorific condiments. The long lines can be discouraging, but I'm convinced that it's worth waiting to satisfy guilty cravings.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• halibut burrito

Owl of Minerva

Rated this place:

5324 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, M2N6M2

Pork bone soup: It's the real deal. 24 hours a day, cooks at this quirkily named place serve up bowls and bowls of piping hot, spicy soup that is made with real pork bones. The service may be lightning quick, but there's no instant soup powder in the soup. For only $5.99, each bowl of kamjatang comes with a suprisingly large pile of meaty bones. Fellow geeks will appreciate the sign featuring a wise Omma who is not showing off a book of mythology or one of Hegel's works, but a bowl of yummy kamjatang.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Pork Bone Soup

Solferino Cafe -- CLOSED

Rated this place:

38 Wellington Street East, Toronto, ON, M5E1C8

Gelato: Good gelati is food of the gods. When you can't cross the Atlantic for the real Italian experience, head to Solferino's for smooth, delicious summer treats in new and old favourite flavours. Great atmosphere and location.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• gelato