Alan’s guidebook

Alan
Alan’s guidebook

Food Scene

IN CHINATOWN - Cool decor - Colonial Feel - speak easy drinking establishment with nice cocktails and a nice bar menu. Live DJ on weekends. Gets REALLY crowded around 10pm. They apparently take reservations... but I've never done it, so I can't comment on how it works. Drink some hi-octane chinese hootch, chat with some strangers and when you need something to help sober you up, you can get a snack there or stumble out and get some Chinese food - you'll be in Toronto's Downtown China Town.
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Big Trouble
460 Dundas St W
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IN CHINATOWN - Cool decor - Colonial Feel - speak easy drinking establishment with nice cocktails and a nice bar menu. Live DJ on weekends. Gets REALLY crowded around 10pm. They apparently take reservations... but I've never done it, so I can't comment on how it works. Drink some hi-octane chinese hootch, chat with some strangers and when you need something to help sober you up, you can get a snack there or stumble out and get some Chinese food - you'll be in Toronto's Downtown China Town.
IN CHINATOWN - Late Night Chinese Food place - Decent chinese food for a place that's open late at night. Service is fast and efficient. Prices very reasonable.
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Goldstone Noodle Restaurant
266 Spadina Ave.
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IN CHINATOWN - Late Night Chinese Food place - Decent chinese food for a place that's open late at night. Service is fast and efficient. Prices very reasonable.
IN CHINATOWN - Decent sit down chinese food restaurant that serves Dim Sum All Day.
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Rol San Restaurant
388 Spadina Ave.
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IN CHINATOWN - Decent sit down chinese food restaurant that serves Dim Sum All Day.
5 MIN WALK from Strathcona - This was one of the 1st pizzerias that hit the Toronto food scene with their wood fired certified neapolitan style pizzas. Always good and consistent food and great service too! They have a weekday lunch special available until 6pm - an app, margarita pizza and dessert for $20! You can't beat that !
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Pizzeria Libretto
221 Ossington Ave
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5 MIN WALK from Strathcona - This was one of the 1st pizzerias that hit the Toronto food scene with their wood fired certified neapolitan style pizzas. Always good and consistent food and great service too! They have a weekday lunch special available until 6pm - an app, margarita pizza and dessert for $20! You can't beat that !
5 - 10 MIN WALK from Strathcona - Fast efficient and reasonably priced gyros - fully packed with meat and fries!! I tend to get the lamb gyro, but they also offer pork and chicken. It is very busy on the weekends, especially during the summer and around dinner time... even take-out is problematic when they're packed... which sorta speaks to the food quality and the value you get for your dollar.
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Messini Authentic Gyros
445 Danforth Ave
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5 - 10 MIN WALK from Strathcona - Fast efficient and reasonably priced gyros - fully packed with meat and fries!! I tend to get the lamb gyro, but they also offer pork and chicken. It is very busy on the weekends, especially during the summer and around dinner time... even take-out is problematic when they're packed... which sorta speaks to the food quality and the value you get for your dollar.
5 MIN WALK from Strathcona - Great BBQ. I was just in Texas and I would say that the BBQ was on par, if not slightly better, then where I ate in the South. Get the platter so you can try EVERY meat they make.
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Greenwood Smokehouse BBQ
673 Danforth Ave
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5 MIN WALK from Strathcona - Great BBQ. I was just in Texas and I would say that the BBQ was on par, if not slightly better, then where I ate in the South. Get the platter so you can try EVERY meat they make.
10-15 MIN. WALK from Strathcona - This is a pretty cool Irish Pub. Great food, cool ambiance. Great backyard patio during the Spring, Summer and Fall.
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Allen's
143 Danforth Ave
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10-15 MIN. WALK from Strathcona - This is a pretty cool Irish Pub. Great food, cool ambiance. Great backyard patio during the Spring, Summer and Fall.
CHINATOWN - Dim Sum anyone? I'm Chinese... I like Dim Sum. If you wanna be downtown, in Chinatown this is the place I recommend. The prices are pretty good and if you're there on the weekend BEFORE 11:30am the standard dishes are $2 each (I think... it's been a while), but after 11:30am they go back up to regular price, so get there early if you want to eat rather inexpensively. And it's on the top floor, so go out on their balcony and see the intersection of Dundas and Spadina from above.
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Sky Dragon Chinese Restaurant 龍翔酒樓
280 Spadina Ave.
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CHINATOWN - Dim Sum anyone? I'm Chinese... I like Dim Sum. If you wanna be downtown, in Chinatown this is the place I recommend. The prices are pretty good and if you're there on the weekend BEFORE 11:30am the standard dishes are $2 each (I think... it's been a while), but after 11:30am they go back up to regular price, so get there early if you want to eat rather inexpensively. And it's on the top floor, so go out on their balcony and see the intersection of Dundas and Spadina from above.
CHINATOWN - Ruth and I like dumplings. This place makes good affordable dumplings (and some pretty good soup too). If you're in Chinatown and have a dumpling craving (and who doesn't?) this is the place to be. NOTE: Make sure you get the pan fried one's... more expensive but oooohh so worth it.
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Dumpling House Restaurant
328 Spadina Ave.
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CHINATOWN - Ruth and I like dumplings. This place makes good affordable dumplings (and some pretty good soup too). If you're in Chinatown and have a dumpling craving (and who doesn't?) this is the place to be. NOTE: Make sure you get the pan fried one's... more expensive but oooohh so worth it.
5-10 Mins from RHODES - great gatro pub, with affordable fare and plently of local beers on tap and in cans. The vibe is very relaxed and casual. We've been going here since it opened.
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The Wren
1382 Danforth Ave
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5-10 Mins from RHODES - great gatro pub, with affordable fare and plently of local beers on tap and in cans. The vibe is very relaxed and casual. We've been going here since it opened.

Drinks

IN KENSINGTON MARKET AREA - Hole in the wall drinking establishment - beer, cider and some hard liquor. No Fancy cocktails here. Rub elbows with some of Toronto's artists and those social people on a budget.
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Ronnie's Local 069
69 Nassau St
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IN KENSINGTON MARKET AREA - Hole in the wall drinking establishment - beer, cider and some hard liquor. No Fancy cocktails here. Rub elbows with some of Toronto's artists and those social people on a budget.
IN KENSINGTON MARKET AREA - No Sign Outside... walk down a hallway with vendor shops selling art and artifacts (more like a flea market)... walk past al the stalls and you end up at a door near the end of the hallway. Open the door and you enter Cold Tea. A CASH ONLY cocktail and beer establishment. A cool indoor and outdoor space in a very cool part of town - Kensington Market. Only those in the know know about this bar... and now you know :)
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Cold Tea
1186 Queen Street West
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IN KENSINGTON MARKET AREA - No Sign Outside... walk down a hallway with vendor shops selling art and artifacts (more like a flea market)... walk past al the stalls and you end up at a door near the end of the hallway. Open the door and you enter Cold Tea. A CASH ONLY cocktail and beer establishment. A cool indoor and outdoor space in a very cool part of town - Kensington Market. Only those in the know know about this bar... and now you know :)
10-15 MIN WALK from Strathcona - Great Irish Bar. Has live bands Sundays. Always packed on St. Patty's .
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Dora Keogh
141 Danforth Ave
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10-15 MIN WALK from Strathcona - Great Irish Bar. Has live bands Sundays. Always packed on St. Patty's .
NEAR LITTLE ITALY WARNING - this is a bar for REALLY budget conscious travelers. I (Alan) use to drink here in my University days, a lot has changed BUT they still serve really cheap beer and mixed drinks.
Bistro 422
422 College St
NEAR LITTLE ITALY WARNING - this is a bar for REALLY budget conscious travelers. I (Alan) use to drink here in my University days, a lot has changed BUT they still serve really cheap beer and mixed drinks.
OFF SUBWAY LINE - I've never eaten here... Martini's at the Bar is a must. Depending on the bartender it'll be a great show.
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Museum Tavern
208 Bloor St W
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OFF SUBWAY LINE - I've never eaten here... Martini's at the Bar is a must. Depending on the bartender it'll be a great show.

Fun Place

10-15min walk from Strathcona . For $5 you have access to All-you-can-play Arcade Games and Pinball... they have local micro-brews on tap for $5... they have a kitchen that serves brown food (aka fried food) at reasonable prices... it's a flashback to my youth and itz glorious!! it's a fun place to lose yourself or to kill time. I highly recommend it if you like old skule Arcade games.
ZED*80 Arcade Bar
185 Danforth Ave
10-15min walk from Strathcona . For $5 you have access to All-you-can-play Arcade Games and Pinball... they have local micro-brews on tap for $5... they have a kitchen that serves brown food (aka fried food) at reasonable prices... it's a flashback to my youth and itz glorious!! it's a fun place to lose yourself or to kill time. I highly recommend it if you like old skule Arcade games.
30-40MIN WALK from Strathcona - Great place to see farm animals in the city.
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Riverdale Farm
201 Winchester St
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30-40MIN WALK from Strathcona - Great place to see farm animals in the city.

Coffee/bunch

1 MIN WALK from from Strathcona - They make their own croissants and other baked goods... it's less then a minute away from the house. NOTE: they don't open early.
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The Shmooz
590 Pape Ave
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1 MIN WALK from from Strathcona - They make their own croissants and other baked goods... it's less then a minute away from the house. NOTE: they don't open early.
5-10 MIN WALK from Strathcona . Cute place near Withrow Park, they do nice brunch meals too.
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Riverdale Perk Cafe
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5-10 MIN WALK from Strathcona . Cute place near Withrow Park, they do nice brunch meals too.
5-10 MIN walk from Rhodes - Great independent coffee shop close to the house.
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Red Rocket Coffee
1364 Danforth Ave
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5-10 MIN walk from Rhodes - Great independent coffee shop close to the house.

Indoor/Outdoor Market

It's a nice market. It's the oldest one in the city. Go to Carousel Bakery and get a Peameal sandwich and people watch. In 2012 Natural Geographic rated it the No. 1 Food market in the world
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Αγορά Αγίου Λαυρεντίου
93 Front St E
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It's a nice market. It's the oldest one in the city. Go to Carousel Bakery and get a Peameal sandwich and people watch. In 2012 Natural Geographic rated it the No. 1 Food market in the world
1 MINUTE WALK from Strathcona - Every Saturday, minutes from the house a small Farmers Market appears - available from June - October.
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Withrow Park Farmers' Market - June to October
725 Logan Ave
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1 MINUTE WALK from Strathcona - Every Saturday, minutes from the house a small Farmers Market appears - available from June - October.
Kensington Market is one of my favorite places to go in the city just to sit back and watch the scene. Soooo many people to see, so many flavours to sample. It's a true representation of the cities diversity. AND it's in China Town!!
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Kensington Market
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Kensington Market is one of my favorite places to go in the city just to sit back and watch the scene. Soooo many people to see, so many flavours to sample. It's a true representation of the cities diversity. AND it's in China Town!!

Sightseeing

Really cool place to go for a walk/bike ride and see the city from a distance. If you're lucky you can even see beavers in this area OR evidence of them in the area.
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Πάρκο Tommy Thompson
1 Leslie St
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Really cool place to go for a walk/bike ride and see the city from a distance. If you're lucky you can even see beavers in this area OR evidence of them in the area.
A great place to get away from the concrete jungle (especially during the summer). Stunning views and great beaches. The cafe on the island is pretty cool too.
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Toronto Islands
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A great place to get away from the concrete jungle (especially during the summer). Stunning views and great beaches. The cafe on the island is pretty cool too.
The TIFF Lightbox... pretty cool building. Theaters are nice but they also have a portion of the building that's free to access that talks about the building of the TIFF building and history of TIFF. It's pretty neat... if you're into free history stuff.
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TIFF Bell Lightbox
350 King St W
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The TIFF Lightbox... pretty cool building. Theaters are nice but they also have a portion of the building that's free to access that talks about the building of the TIFF building and history of TIFF. It's pretty neat... if you're into free history stuff.
ON SUBWAY LINE - They have a reduced admission rate Friday's after 4:30pm, but it will increase if there's a special event. Cool place, on the subway line. After you're all cultured, and need a recharge, go to the bar across the street called Museum Tavern, sit at the bar and get a Martini - enjoy the show.
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Βασιλικό Μουσείο της Οντάριο
100 Queens Park
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ON SUBWAY LINE - They have a reduced admission rate Friday's after 4:30pm, but it will increase if there's a special event. Cool place, on the subway line. After you're all cultured, and need a recharge, go to the bar across the street called Museum Tavern, sit at the bar and get a Martini - enjoy the show.
Lotz of good restaurants here too... but if you have the time, try and book a Sake tasting at Ontario Springs the first Sake producers in Eastern Canada. Get the Arabashiri sake... its soo flavourful!
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Distillery Historic District
55 Mill St
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Lotz of good restaurants here too... but if you have the time, try and book a Sake tasting at Ontario Springs the first Sake producers in Eastern Canada. Get the Arabashiri sake... its soo flavourful!
FREE Wednesday Nights 6-9pm (refrain from bringing a backpack so you don't have to check your stuff... unless you want to... but the line-up is killer!) Pretty cool Canadian art along with some neat contemporary exhibits. They have Adult Nights the first Thursday of every month - drinks while looking at art and listening to beats, so civilized :) They also have Family Fun on Sundays from 1-4pm (Nov - Apr)
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Πινακοθήκη της Οντάριο
317 Dundas St W
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FREE Wednesday Nights 6-9pm (refrain from bringing a backpack so you don't have to check your stuff... unless you want to... but the line-up is killer!) Pretty cool Canadian art along with some neat contemporary exhibits. They have Adult Nights the first Thursday of every month - drinks while looking at art and listening to beats, so civilized :) They also have Family Fun on Sundays from 1-4pm (Nov - Apr)
This is tourist central, BUT it's pretty cool. I like hanging out by the water. There's a free gallery and band shell down there. The place to see the Tall Ships when they're in town. NOTE: The Rastafarian selling corn chowder is where it's at... or so the say... I think his quality has diminished as his popularity has increased, but I'd still check it out, he may have changed his ways :)
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Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay W
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This is tourist central, BUT it's pretty cool. I like hanging out by the water. There's a free gallery and band shell down there. The place to see the Tall Ships when they're in town. NOTE: The Rastafarian selling corn chowder is where it's at... or so the say... I think his quality has diminished as his popularity has increased, but I'd still check it out, he may have changed his ways :)
Was once the tallest free standing building in the world. It's still pretty cool way to see the city and the lake. Make a reservation for the restaurant and order the prix fixe menu OR greater and you don't have to pay the admission fee (which is $38).
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Πύργος CN
290 Bremner Blvd
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Was once the tallest free standing building in the world. It's still pretty cool way to see the city and the lake. Make a reservation for the restaurant and order the prix fixe menu OR greater and you don't have to pay the admission fee (which is $38).