Absolutely the cheapest and best snack possible at $1.50. The assorted cold cuts are the way to go.

Walking down Bayview there's nothing like the delicious smells coming out from the Bagel House. They knock St Urbains socks off any day with deliciously chewy and slightly sweet bagels. It's so easy to gobble a nearly half of the dozen I take to go before getting home.

At first peek the bakery looks like... a chinese bakery. But behind the bahn mi counter and display cases of sweet and savoury buns lies several tables and the waiting dim sum menu. The har gow have the thinnest of skins but beware that they might break. Fried eggplant stuffed with fish paste is crispy and delicious. Gigantic chicken feet and nice tasty bowls of rice with chicken and mushrooms on top. Nice people, no strong smell clinging to you when you leave, it's great!

Bahn xeo or the crispy pancake is so full of coconut and rich flavour that it's amazing. Compared to the soggy eggy versions around town that are more like omlettes, this stuffed pancake is wonderfully crispy and comes with some very fragrant herbs to give it that nice little kick.

Think breakfast sausages... but not as greasy and full of wonderful spice and as the perfect drinking sandwich. Several pieces of cevapi are stuffed into a fluffy chewy white bread and shares the space with a few rings of raw white onion. A little oil drizzle and few sprinklings of pepper on top make one of the dishes on the menu at Bosha. It's delicious and one of a kind. Be sure to try out their bourek as well and they'll sell any of it to you frozen to make at home!

Those little black tapioca balls might not have entirely caught on but maybe it's just because it's not done right at most of the places pouring out tasty fruity tealishy drinks. Ten Rens knows how to do it right with a good soft and chewy ball that's not at all mushy or hard at the same time. Love me some taro black milk tea these days. It's rich and somehow refreshing all at once with a nice mild bitter edge to balance the sweet.

It just passed this year but the film festival is a fantastic offering of international and local work focussing on Asian culture and the creators of interesting, quirky and heart felt films. Any films I missed from the line-up is definitely on my list to download or rent.

I haven't been able to find it anywhere else in Toronto except Cora's (and they're definitely not a fave) so the fatty pork product is perfect the way it is. Originating from Quebec it is a catch all recipe to keep the farmers going all day. Spread it over bread (I prefer paris toasts) for some good eating. Not exactly for the faint of heart.

Some might fave Venezia on Ossington but this place does it the way I love it. Crisp shell that's well baked and not lardy with a good creamy and eggy interior that's just a touch less sweet than the usuals. It's great with a coffee in the morning.

Addicted to their all-in-one moisturizer that's light and smooths on wonderfully. No heavy residues or oiliness but pefectly moisturized skin.

There is a limited selection of cheese but the rotation is often and the prices unbeatable. Roquefort is always my price comparison point and at approx $36/kilo it knocks the socks off every other place selling at $45. You do have to buy quite a bit at a time but grab a bottle of wine and share it with friends, they'll love you for it. House aged balsamic and a dizzying array of beautiful imports make it a go to place for sure.

Gourmet goodies line the shelves here and for $6 you can get a sandwich filled with their selection of beautiful deli meat and amazing array of cheese. No fresh product unfortunately because they only use what's in the shop, but ultimately that's not a bad thing! Then grab one of their premium drinks included in the combo. Taxes are already in! Dare you to find anything better than that.

It may be a seafood restaurant but the oyster bar is where the best action happens. They've been slammed for off service before but the bar will ensure a great time as you watch the shuckers masterfully pull apart some beautiful bivalves. This fall season is my favourite time of year, plump crisp and gorgeous oysters from France with mineral melon and sweetness that will have you asking for a half dozen and probably more.

Beer is so underappreciated but a careful peruse of the Volo list will have you thinking twice. Keeping in stock what you rarely see at the LCBO, it makes obvious the dearth of good drink in the rest of the city. A good American microbrew is something to behold and you'll gain an understanding when you sample some here. The cultivated wine list has been very carefully picked for a delicious selection of Ontario and international options. You can't go wrong except for the food.

After some issues with salt, this place has definitely proven itself. Dishes have a homey modernity to it and the portions are definitely healthy. My favourite dish has been the gnocchi with braised rabbit but the chef boy-rod-ney section will keep you coming back for more. The caesar is gigantic and so classic with a beatifully perfect poached egg. Thankfully the great selection of beers never passes that $6 mark because they could easily become a great watering hole too.

I'm in a love-hate phase with their odd service and sometimes ill-cut pieces of fish, but nowhere else in the downtown area can you find a more authentic sushi joint. The deluxe sushi dinner has been upped in price but for $26 you will get the most delicious and interesting selection in town. A lightly seared albacore tuna is a staple and beautiful pieces of scallop will sometimes grace that plate. It was here that I got my introduction to kampachi. You'll also never look at rice the same again.

CLOSED! such disappointment. my previous place let me down and after a week of bad sushi at various places around the city, omi was a bright light. fresh beautiful flavours not muddled with extra fuss or watered down into a state of blandness. excellent selection of sake and amazing rice (wonderful sweet and sour flavour). his brown sugar cured salmon is to die for.

If you love that mid-century modern teak look then Zig Zag is definitely a treat. With a wide variety of refurbished teak furnishings you would think it would come at a hefty price, but it is quite reasonable here. Amidst so many other vintage shops, you'd imagine they'd all be charging the same. Not so! Check up on them reguarly for any "new" vintage furniture.

I could feast on the baguette for days on end at my favourite french bistro but since I can't get them for snacking on at home, Pain Perdu does a fantastic version. Great crunchy crust with a nice airy and chewy inside that has a touch of sweet and salty with a little butter in the mix. I nearly eat half of it on the way home.

They do a fine set of espresso drinks with pretty latte art but the Clover is where it's at. Certainly the best cup of coffee in the city, it's far from watery and has a rich depth of flavours that reveal itself slowly in varying tones as you sip to the bottom. No need for sugar here, the staff are sweet enough to keep you coming back.

I can't explain why or how but it was the best guacamole I've ever had. The richness, saltiness, freshness of the non-liquidy mix was gobbled up so quickly by our table. It's amazing and sometimes all I want to eat from Julie's.

After falling in love with the Croque Madame at my favourite croissant hang out, I've been hunting down the best brioche to recreate the fabulous dish at home. Brazil Bakery hits it right on the spot with a brioche from a Portugese bakery a few doors down. Don't miss their lemony, sugary, chewy awesome house made "doughnuts" especially when they're fresh. The crisp crust on the natas make them my faves.

Beautiful and unique custom jewelry can be difficult to come by, but The Devil's Workshop offers lovely pieces in a variety of styles with a great range of prices that ensures you can walk away with something you love. Also offering classes with a lot of personal attention by owner/silversmith Sarah Wan, you can even learn how to make your own designs. The Wedding Band Workshop is one of the most amazing opportunities to share an experience with a loved one. Top notch.

Sometimes the best things are the ones you hear of by word of mouth. It's not listed on the menu but the omakase at Kumai is a delight. Only a 2 course meal at most, the sushi-only omakase offers fresh fish and great bang for buck. Blue fin tuna is the special of the day at $15.50 for two pieces, landing in our surprise mix it made up most of the $36 cost. Throw in some beautiful salmon roe, delicious portugese sardine, lucious kanpachi, giant clam, fresh uni and other premium items, amazing.

He might be a madman but the owner and baker at Saint Honore is also a genius. Who knew that frozen croissants could be ethereally buttery and flakey, so far from the usual Pilsbury. With no phone number and a two day order period, it's absolutely worth the extra effort to have some of these babies in your freezer. Be aware of his upselling and curt humour.