The Sultan's Tent & Cafe Moroc

Rated this place:

49 Front Street East, Toronto, ON, M5R3L1

place to avoid : I was surprised to see so many people lauding this tourist trap here. The 'prix fixe' menu means that the food is made in large batches at the back-- the lack of freshness is obvious. The meal I had there tasted like it had been under a heat lamp-- and was bland and badly seasoned by comparison to Morrocan food I've had at a mall Kiosk. At $40, that's inexcusable. You better derive a lot of enjoyment from belly dancing if you want to get your money's worth here.

The Red Room

Rated this place:

444 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON, M5T 2G8

Okay atmosphere but...: You can't quibble with the prices here, it's true. But I brought friends from out of town there once and was mortified as a cockroach paraded across the table. It was brushed away only to re-appear a half hour later on my friend's shoulder! I shudder to think that I ate here once. Actually I think I might have eaten there once since, but I'm not proud of it.

She Said Boom Records & Books

Rated this place:

372 College St, Toronto, ON, M5T1S6

good selection of books at great prices.: I generally buy books online as they're less expensive and delivered to my door, but She Said Boom-- for whatever reason-- always has lots of things sitting out that I want to buy, and cheaper than online bookstores.

Thin Blue Line Cheese

Rated this place:

93B Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto, ON, M6R2K6

Cheese & Cheese Paraphernalia : This is a small shop with carefully curated offerings. As others have mentioned, there is a focus on Quebec and Ontario cheeses. It is also a great place to go for breads, olives, D.O.P. tomatoes, sundried tomatoes. I personally like that their offerings are limited relative to other cheese shops: what they have is always good and (where appropriate) fresh, and the people behind the counter can speak knowledgeably about what's there. This is just what a specialty shop should be.

Discover Records

Rated this place:

1140 Queen St. East, Toronto, ON, M4M 1L1

Toronto's Best Used Vinyl Store: Discovery records has several things going for it. First, it is well-organized. The inventory is recorded in an electronic database, viewable online. Second, the prices are very competitive, usually around 20% less than record stores closer to downtown. Third, the inventory is diverse and esoteric-- a large selection of rock, classical and jazz, but also sections devoted to (e.g.) bluegrass, country, and folk. Be sure to peruse the boxes on the floor-- yet to be filed new stock, often containing gems.

Superfuzz Audio Electric Standard

Rated this place:

1261 Dundas Street West, Mississauga, M6J 1X6

Guitar/Amp repair: This shop was recently opened in a basement retail space on Dundas west of Ossington, across from the 7/11. I just had some work done by them on a finicky vintage guitar & can attest to the quality of the workmanship, and the fairness of the prices. I like that it is a shop solely devoted to repairs; the repair counters at retail shops too often seem like an afterthought (12th fret is a pricey exception).

Nazareth Restaurant

Rated this place:

969 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON, M6H1L7

Ethiopian food: The ambiance is warm and unpretentious, and the food is very flavourful and well-spiced. Also, it may be the best value for money of any restaurant I've been to. It would be altogether reasonable for them to double their prices. I find the owner very likeable.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Ethiopian Food

New York Subway

Rated this place:

520 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, M5V2B3

Submarine sandwich: They have an interesting array of vegetarian subs, which are nicely grilled up, and come to your heat specifications (good hot sauce). Actually, the burritos are even better, but their ingredients are so unconventional they're really not burritos at all (eg. potato & cheese, eggplant, etc). This place is a great greasy-spoon kinda place, open late, interesting tasty food. The owner is sweet in his gruff way. Beneath that greasy apron beats a heart of gold.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Submarine Sandwich

Not My Dog

Rated this place:

1510 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON, M6R 1A4

Local bar: Good vibe, friendly owner. Last time I was there, they were watching Cannonball run. Time before that they were blaring Ali Farka Toure. Notice a theme? Neither do I.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• local bar