robin's Faves in Toronto

Thai Princess Restaurant
387 King Street West
Toronto ON
M5V1K1
p: (416) 977-8222

Thai Princess has an extensive, reasonably priced selection of lunch specials, and a pleasant atmosphere. The service isn't always as quick as it could be (which matters more at lunch, for most), but the food is a decent replica of what I ate in Thailand.

faved on 6/12/2008 3:50:13 PM

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turnovers

Naturalis Bakery
53 Roncesvalles Ave.
Toronto

This place recently opened on Ronces, offering a couple of the very few things not already available on this super shopping-friendly strip. Namely, Montreal bagels from Gryph's and St. Urbain, whipped cream cheese, made-to-order sandwiches, and an assortment of in-house baked goods not of the Polish variety. One of these is the turnover - filled with savoury stuff like meat, cheese or veggies (or combos of various of those), or fruit, chocolate, and cheese types for the sweeter versions. Yum.

faved on 6/12/2008 3:49:29 PM

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Neighbourhood

south of the Esplanade, east of Lower Sherbourne

Until this past weekend, I had only the vaguest notion there was even a residential neighbourhood here. Then I went to some friends' housewarming, and there, beyond the apartment buildings and schools that border the park there, was a great, well-treed, mixed-use hood, with plenty of green space and quiet streets filled with adorable little homes. You're just minutes from the core, and close to all amenities, but it's nestled away enough that you feel you could be miles away.

faved on 6/9/2008 3:43:39 PM

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boreka

Moonbean Coffee Company
30 St Andrew
Toronto ON
M5T1K6
p: (416) 595-0327

sort of like spanakopita, these bagel-shaped savoury pastries are a middle-eastern treat. Moonbeam makes them homemade with a range of vegetarian fillings like spinach and feta or olive and mushroom.

faved on 5/26/2008 3:24:54 PM

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Indie Cafe

Moonbean Coffee Company
30 St Andrew
Toronto ON
M5T1K6
p: (416) 595-0327

I actually have many fave indie cafes, but today, I love the Moonbeam. A wide array house-roasted organic and fair trade coffee, over 30 loose leaf teas, delicious assortment of fresh juices and smoothies, and the requisite roster of espresso drinks makes it easy to find the right delicious bevvie, whether hot or cool. The staff is friendly, and it's always a cheery atmosphere. They make and sell a lot of really good specialty vegan and also standard baked goods. And they've got great front and

faved on 5/26/2008 3:24:19 PM

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daytime patio

Moonbean Coffee Company
30 St Andrew
Toronto ON
M5T1K6
p: (416) 595-0327

I love Kensington, especially once the weather gets warm. And a sunny morning or afternoon on the patio of the Moonbeam is the perfect way to celebrate the return of spring. Have some great java, one of their vegan or standard baked sweets, or a savoury boreka, and enjoy the great people watching.

faved on 5/26/2008 3:23:46 PM

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spring-time picnic spot/event

the High Park cherry grove

Each year, around the first weekend of May, when the cherry trees bloom, people come to High Park to picnic and make merry under them. The trees look amazing, laden with white flowers, and there's something really special about so many people - young, old, families, hipsters, dogs, neo-hippies, former ravers, Japanese folks, shutterbugs - all coming out to play together. There's even ambient electronic music! Bring your own blanket/wine/bbq/devil sticks/funky get-up/dog/hula hoop/dancing shoes.

faved on 5/4/2008 8:51:49 PM

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place for a locally-sourced meal - west end

Cowbell

I love everything about this place. From the tile floors to the damask-upholstered benches, the local seasonal flower arrangements and the milk bottle water pitchers. But I especially love the food. The menu is nearly all local and seasonal. They churn their own butter and butcher their own meat. And because of all this, what you get is unbelievably flavourful food that actually reminds you what all food ought to be like, with every bite. It's what your grandma ate, but fancier.

faved on 5/4/2008 8:42:10 PM

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butter

Cowbell

They churn it themselves! So creamy! And perfect with the rustic baguettes they serve.

faved on 5/4/2008 8:35:08 PM

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Panna Cotta

Cowbell

Cowbell impresses with most every one of its offerings, but it was this mouth watering dessert that really put the meal over the top. Creamy and smooth as silk with that delicious marscapone tang, and just enough sweetness, it was really something. Chocoholic that I am, I was loathe to actually trade off desserts with my partner half way through, as planned (he got the chocolate terrine/mousse/souffle trio). We traded back for last bites. : )

faved on 5/4/2008 8:33:21 PM

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Pizza

Camarra Pizzeria Ristorante
2899 Dufferin St.
Toronto ON
M6B3S7
p: (416) 789-3221

My BF used to go to Camarra's as a kid. He recently pointed it out, with nostalgia, on a drive through the city. The very next day, a Featured Faver included Camarra as his number one pizza in the city. It was time to give it a try. And it still stacked up. Wonderful, soft, crispy-edged crust. Delicious sauce (buy it bottled to take home). Amazing signature topping combos, and no option of toppings you wouldn't find on a traditional pie in Italy. Cozy surrounds. And an amazing waiter. Go.

faved on 5/1/2008 5:10:55 PM

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cheap cool clothing store

Forever 21
302 Yonge Street
Toronto ON
M5B1R4
p: (416) 260-9019

Really cute, hip clothes and accessories in a real range of current styles, for unbelievably low prices. And you can shop online too, with free shipping for orders over $75. Too good.

faved on 4/29/2008 1:34:42 PM

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old school bowlerama

Bathurst Bowlerama
2788 Bathurst Street
Toronto

I love classic bowling alleys. This one's got 5- and 10-pin options, rock'n'bowl glow-in-the-dark weekend bowling, and plenty of junk (and beer) at the snack bar to keep your twinkle toes moving, frame after frame. We went by on a Monday afternoon, and happily found it was "Monday Madness" - bowl for 50 cents a game (after per person fee and shoe rental). Good clean fun.

faved on 4/29/2008 1:29:56 PM

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substantial and healthy salad

Urban Herbivore
64 Oxford Street
Toronto ON
M5T1P1
p: (416) 927-1231

Choose your perferred greens and build out, selecting 6 tasty toppings from among a couple dozen. Seasoned and grilled tempehs and tofus, toasted nuts and seeds, a variety of steamed, raw and grilled veggies and sprouted pulses and seeds- all so flavourful, colourful and nutritious. The lemon tahini dressing is always my fave. And everything's organic. The place is cheery, and offers great views of Kensington. And the take-out containers are bio-degradable.

faved on 4/21/2008 12:02:35 PM

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gourmet hot dogs

Buddha Dog
163 Roncesvalles Ave
Toronto p: 416-534-2007

I've only tried one variety so far - a flavourful and lean organic link in a soft bakery fresh bun, dressed up in mapley condiment. So delicious - it reminded me of eating really good sausage and pancakes with maple syrup. Sooooo country Canadiana good. I'm going back for more.

faved on 4/21/2008 10:51:17 AM

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hotel lobby/resto

Hotel Le Germain
30 Mercer Street
Toronto Ontario
M5V 1H3
p: 416-345-9500 or 1-86

I would move in to the lobby of Le Germain if I could. I would revel in all the extra Asian-inspired cubby storage, and throw the most kick-ass dinner parties in the elegant dining area, just adjacent. I just love all the clean lines, bright open space, natural materials, and comfortable modern furniture in soft neutral hues. They also have the most unusual and gorgeous flower arrangements. Also great? The whimsical ski-like wooden markers that divide the space.

faved on 4/8/2008 12:32:29 PM

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meeting venue

Hotel Le Germain
30 Mercer Street
Toronto Ontario
M5V 1H3
p: 416-345-9500 or 1-86

This is such a super spot to hold a medium-sized meeting with colleagues. No institutional meeting rooms or awful throwback conference facilities here - you get beautiful gourmet luncheon and cocktail/hor d'oeuvre service, and professional pow-wow facilities with 5-element flair. Our area was sleek, peaceful and comfortable, yet perfectly suited to talking shop. The service was great. The thoughtful extra touches many. The food, delish.

faved on 4/8/2008 12:23:23 PM

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amaretto cookie

Cherry Bomb
67 Roncesvalles
Toronto ON
M6R 2K6
p: (416) 516-8212

Comprised mostly of ground almonds, these sweet, chewy treats are irresistably delicious. One of the best cookies around for nut-lovin' sweet-tooths.

faved on 3/27/2008 3:55:34 PM

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travel agency

Flight Centre
Multiple Locations

I've always had great service from the folks at Flight Centre. I'm a traveller who likes to do a lot of research myself, but then consults a professional to help expand my horizons, price things out the best way possible, and find the answers to all my remaining questions in a jiffy. Kate Perrier at the St. Clair and Bathurst branch has been really amazing. She's a well-seasoned traveller who understands my travel personality really well. It's always a pleasure working with her.

faved on 3/24/2008 3:28:37 PM

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Indian Food

Lahore Tika House
1365 Gerrard E
Toronto ON
M4L1Z3
p: (416) 406-1668

Yes, you sit in a drafty portable at picnic tables (blame the never-ending reno), and yes, you must eat from paper and styrofoam using plastic utensils. But Lahore's south Asian homestyle cookery is so good, you'll have a hard time remembering the annoyances. Feast on remarkably delicious grilled meats and fish, savoury curries, perfect pilau, flatbreads, lassi and ice cream. And enjoy the prompt and friendly service.

faved on 3/24/2008 12:02:53 PM

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car sharing service

AutoShare
24 Mercer St.
Toronto ON
M5V1H3
p: (416) 340-7888

Now I can live out all my road-tripping and large-item hauling dreams on a part-time, economical, relatively green basis. Living downtown, I prefer cycling and TTCing it where possible, but here and there, a girl needs a car or van, and Autoshare makes that possible on an hourly or daily basis, keeping hundreds of new vehicles parked around the city for easy and immediate access by members, around the clock. It's super convenient, and a great alternative to owning a car.

faved on 3/24/2008 11:30:38 AM

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open mic reading series

Grown Ups Read Things They Wrote as Kids

Brainchild of the inimitable Dan Misener (of CBC radio's GO!), GURTTWaK is a delight. Last night's installment touched my funny bone, my heart, and the deepest recesses of my memory, and made me see we may all be connected by a collective cache of duotanged diaries, illustrated compositions, and laminated juvenalia masterworks, and the honest and unselfconcious imaginations and insights preserved within them.

faved on 3/11/2008 2:31:53 PM

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wonton soup

Lai Toh Heen
652 Mount Pleasant Road
Toronto ON
M4S 2N3
p: (416) 489-8922

A delicate, flavourful chicken broth with three perfect orbs of thin, tender, shrimp-stuffed dough, this is the kind of soup my dinner companion's Bubbie would have made if she were Chinese (he said). That means it's really good. My Bubbie is a Granny, but I'd have to concur. This is an outstanding dumpling soup to rival any that helped to set your standards for all soups to come. Delicious, and without any of that MSG umami so typical of garden variety wonton soup.

faved on 3/3/2008 8:53:40 PM

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creme brulee

Celestin
623 Mount Pleasant Rd.
Toronto ON
M4S 2M9
p: (416) 544-9035

They say a great creme brulee is the mark of a great chef and so a great restaurant. I can't say I've met too pots de creme I didn't like, but Celestin's is outstanding. Flavoured with the merest hint of vanilla, torched to reveal its candy coating, and garnished with fresh framboises and a slender choconut crisp, it was heaven in a ramekin.

faved on 3/3/2008 3:48:19 PM

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oreo milkshake

Caffe Demetre
Multiple Locations

I hadn't been to Demetre's in years, but apparently they have about a dozen locations now, all churning out homemade ice cream and ice cream treats, along with an assortment of baked goods, coffee drinks and other sweet indulgences. I opted for the "O.C." - a real mikshake made from homemade honey ice cream and oreo cookies, served in a fudge-lined glass (!) and topped with real whipped cream and cookie pieces. In case there was any doubt, that turns out to be good.

faved on 3/3/2008 3:43:58 PM

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