Riverside Eats & Shops | Taking a Lunch Break

 Out to Lunch

Enjoy this guest blog by Chef Scott Savoie (@TOfoodTourGuy)

Riverside-Eats-Lunch

This is one of the most famous lunch pic’s of all time. I absolutely love this photo. So much so that, I have a 6ft X 5ft version of this on my loft wall sitting proudly behind my couch. The piece is called “Lunch on a Beam” and was taken in 1932 and if you’re not familiar with it, check out what the Smithsonian has to say about it.

Lunch can either be a drawn out affair (think the 3 martini lunch), a 1- 2 hour social with friends or a quick grab and go when you really need to get on with your day. As the second meal of the day, it sometimes tends to get overshadowed by Breakfast or Brunch and Dinner. But it shouldn’t. As a matter of fact, there are many great spots in Riverside to have an amazingly delicious lunch. Especially if you are here to check out the Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside happening from July 8th to 10th in Jimmie Simpson Park.

The Grab-and-Go 

Let’s start with the quick stuff.  Dangerous Dan’s is a local institution and has been written up all over the world as having some of the most unhealthiest food on the planet. Not to fret because it also has some of the best when it comes to great tasting burgers and fries. If you don’t believe me check out an episode of “You Got to Eat Here” and you will see how it is. Take my word for it the burgers are big so come hungry. In case you missed it, I need to tell you about the magic that is

Riverside-Eats-Lunch

In case you missed it, I need to tell you about the magic that is Sugarloaf Bakery and Café. Everything is made in house and the menu choices are second to none. Heck, they even have salads in Mason Jars. How cool and delicious is that? Next up is the Opera House Grill with its big sunny patio and amazing gyros. In my honest opinion, they do a really good job on cooked to order, made from scratch Greek Food!

Riverside-Eats-Lunch
If Indian is what your craving, Siddhartha Indian Cuisine makes a wicked Dosa and an equally good Chana Battura. A great choice for Indian Cuisine and vegetarian-friendly to boot. Last but not least on the grab and go list is a little restaurant that looks like nothing on the outside but has an amazing menu of North American style Chinese food.

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The Lucky Star Restaurant has been around for years and judging by the steady flow of city trucks, firemen, and ambulance and taxi drivers that grab some takeaway, it must be pretty good.

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The Sit-Down

If a sit-down lunch is what you’re after then check out these great spots that I tend to frequent:

Aft Kitchen & Bar

You need to try the smoked wings. They are out of this world.

An Sibin Pub

The Fish and Chips are the real deal and the daily toasty is always a treat. Chev Av creates a new sandwich every day and it’s delish! A must try!

The Peasants Table

Get the Chicken Liver Pate and a side salad. If you’re in the mood for that 3 martini lunch I mentioned earlier, then this is the place to have it. I love a good martini and they do a mighty fine job on mixing them up. If you’re like me you’ll want to have it dirty. With a splash of olive juice. Lunch never tasted so good.

Tabülè

I have to be honest, this has got to be one of my fav spots in all of the east end. It is Mediterranean food at its best. Owners Diana and Ronnie are all about perfectly seasoned, simply food, cooked in house and that are true to their roots.  Tabülè has been on our food tours since they opened and our guests constantly rave about the food. My favorite dishes include the cauliflower with tahini sauce, the flash fried eggplant, the falafel and the tabülè, babaganüj and hummus dips.

County General

 The fried Chicken Thigh Sandwich is to die for. I got hooked on this at their original location on Queen West and can’t get enough. Ridiculously good!


Riverside-Lunch-Chef-ScottAbout the Author | Chef Scott is the Founder and Chief Eating Officer of Toronto Food Tours Inc. He is a World Traveled Chef + Culinary Instructor + Toronto Lover + Story Teller + Stroke Survivor. He has been leading food tours in the GTA since 2010 and is a staunch supporter of the Riverside community, local events and charities. Follow him on Twitter @TOFoodTourGuy

Toronto Food Tours #foodtoursTO)

tofoodtours.com

Twitter and Instagram: @foodtoursTO


With all these great options (and more!) available during The Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside, it’s definitely hard to pick just one, but not to worry, you’re always welcome back for more! Be sure to snap and share a picture of your experience in any of our neighbourhood spots with hashtag #‎RiversideTO.

The Riverside Eats & Shops blog series is your handy everyday guide to some of Riverside’s best, including:

Big thanks to Beaches International Jazz Festival for bringing the awesome Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside to Riverside!

Riverside Eats & Shops Blog Series| Shop Riverside

shopShop while you stroll down Queen Street East

during the Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside Jazz Festival on July 8th to 10th in Jimmie Simpson Park

Riverside is known for its small-town-in-the-big-city atmosphere. It has attracted a mix of unique independent shops owned by folks who are passionate about what they do. During theBeaches International Jazz Festival’s inaugural The Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside, (and everyday!) we’re inviting you to come out and meet the businesses owners, artisans and unique personalities.

Arts Market

790 Queen Street East

Riverside-Shop

A one-of-a-kind shopping experience and rated as one of the top ten markets in Toronto, the Arts Market is definitely a shop to be reckoned with. Opening its doors to the trendy neighbourhood of Riverside earlier this year, the Arts Market has become an integral part of the area. With a growing artistic community, the Arts Market has been able to connect that community with all Torontonians. As Toronto’s original Arts Market, it is a place for artistic entrepreneurs to sell their work and get noticed!

Common Sort

800 Queen Street East

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With consignment and thrift shops being all the rage in today’s day and age, Riverside has a shop that is unlike any other. Offering the best of in-season second-hand items, all-year round, the Common Sort will be your go to place for fashionable items in excellent condition, but at a fraction of the cost.

Empire by Bullet

724 Queen Street East

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Originally established in 1996 in the Queen West West area, Empire by Bullet, known then as just Bullet, was a contemporary home décor store. Ten years after the company had established themselves in the West side of Toronto, they decided to pick up and try out the other side of Toronto.

  “In 2008, I was longing for a change and new direction.”

With their location in Riverside, the renamed company, now Empire by Bullet, expanded on their amazing collection of British items. One thing that has remained constant, even with the expansion, is the standard of providing the same design sense on well made and useable products.

“Like any great Empire, we travel to bring you quality products made from all over the world, and including Canada.” 

Keep Me Posted

724 Queen Street East

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Travel to the back of Empire to find the perfect gift and card for your event’s needs from Keep Me Posted! With cheeky, fun, one-of-a-kind greeting cards that fit with any gift receiver’s style, Keep Me Posted offers an arrangement of greeting cards, home décor, kitchenware, and natural products that will have you browsing for hours!

Irish Design House

756 Queen Street East

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Irish Design House is a unique gem in the Riverside neighbourhood. A Toronto based store that showcases handmade Irish crafts and fashion from various areas of Ireland, it’s one-of-a-kind. Since opening in September of 2014, they have displayed products ranging from Irish crafts, textiles, clothing, pottery and jewellery, that have been carefully selected to sit in harmony with each other. They are all finished and produced to an extremely high standard.

Run by partners Sinéad Clarke, a knitwear designer, and Benny Corrigan, a graphic designer, their passion for design and quality handmade products drove them to bring Irish design to Toronto.

“There is a sense of calm within the store with soft lighting and the sound of the vintage records playing in the background.”

The store itself has an eclectic vintage style that marries beautifully with some of the more traditional textiles and also sits in fitting contrast to the more contemporary products within the space.

Tiny Record Shop and Token

804 Queen Street East

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If you were looking for your typical grungy, dusty, hidden basement record shop, then you’ve stumbled on the wrong place. Specializing in rare and vintage high-end records and merchandise, Tiny Record Shop (TRS) is anything but your average record shop. With a large arrangement of vinyl records spanning over decades and genres, Tiny Record Shop is a huge treasure to the Riverside area.

“This isn’t a dollar bin store,” says owner Trevor Larocque, who opened Tiny Record Shop in 2014 with his wife Maude Fallon-Davesne. The Riverside neighbourhood store supplies to a niche market within a niche market, he explains, where prices range from $5 to $400. “If you don’t understand what I’m doing, you’ll hate it.”

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Located at 804 Queen Street East, TRS can be found in the back half of the building, with their other store Token in the front half, where you’ll find many unique trinkets and gifts ranging from bags to home items to personal accessories.

BRIKA

768 Queen Street East
Riverside-Shop

Now opened for business in Riverside, as of last Friday, is BRIKA and it’s a colourful addition to the neigbourhood! BRIKA connects highly talented artisans with creative and conscientious consumers through the best in modern craft.

Brika is the city’s own version of Etsy, offering a curated selection of modern gifts, artisan crafts, home decor goods and accessories, along with information about the people who make them.

Their products are of heirloom quality, making them a joy to give (and receive!). In addition to beautiful, well-crafted goods, you’ll find inspiration within their creative community. Help welcome them to the neighbourhood!


The Riverside Eats & Shops is your handy everyday guide to some of Riverside’s best, including:

Big thanks to Beaches International Jazz Festival for bringing the awesome Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside to Riverside!

 

Riverside Eats & Shops | Brunch Spots on Queen Street East

Enjoy this guest blog by Chef Scott Savoie (@TOfoodTourGuy)

If you’re thinking about heading out to The Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside taking place in Jimmie Simpson Park as part of the Beaches International Jazz Festival on July 8, 9 & 10th… here is the skinny on some of the best brunch spots in Riverside.

Ah Brunch! That lazy, laid back meal… somewhere between breakfast, lunch or dinner. It screams weekends, relaxation and hanging out with friends or that special someone. A great way to while away a few hours lingering over stimulating conversation, great food and mid-day mimosa’s or a Bloody Caesar if your anything like me.

The origins of brunch are a bit hazy, some say it was founded in England as a meal served to nobility after the hunt, others think is was invented by fasting Catholics who wanted to feast after church service. Still others believe it became popular as the many women who had entered the work force after the war could have a break and enjoy a meal out with their families. Either way we are just glad it happened!

The east end of the city is known as the brunch capital of Toronto. There are many great spots to get your fix and as Brunch can be somewhat of a daunting task I thought I would share a few of my favorite spots here in Riverside. If you’re in need of a big cup of WAKE UP JUICE…that’s chef speak for coffee or tea.. you might want to check out The Cannonball Coffee & Bar, they have a beautiful back patio and make a great cup of Joe and just so you know… their GRILLED CHEESE is to die for! Darkhorse Espresso Bar is well known in Riverside and lives up to the high praise of coffee aficionados. If coffee is not your thing you can grab a JUICE or SMOOTHIE at Pulp Kitchen, they also offer some great gluten free & vegan options.

Last but not least I love the SAUSAGE ROLLS & CROISSANTS at Broadview Bakery and Deli and I have a real weak spot for the CREAM SCONES at St. John’s Bakery.

If grab and go is not your thing and you are looking for a spot that offers more of a full menu with table service then be sure to check out these local favorites…


Aft Kitchen & Bar

686 Queen Street East

Brunch served Saturdays and Sundays — 10AM to 3PM

Aft Kitchen & Bar – If you’re looking for Brunch with a Southern twist to it look no further than Aft. Paul and his team do a really great job of dishing up old fashion southern food & hospitality. Known for their Texas style BBQ it’s a place that is sure to please. My 2 fav dishes there are the KENTUCKY HOT BROWN…House-Smoked Chicken, Roma Tomatoes & Mornay Sauce. Served open-faced on Thick-Cut Toast, topped with Double Smoked Bacon and the BRISKET HASH…Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Shredded Potato Hash, pan fried with two Sunny-Side Eggs, & Toast. Be sure to try the SMOKED BLUEBERRY MARGARITA… it is so good it will curl your toes. Just remember its first come first serve as they don’t take reservations.

Brisket Hash

Riverside Eats Bruch Aft Bar Blog

Kentucky Hot Brown

Riverside Eats Bruch Aft Bar Blog


 An Sibin

709 Queen Street East

Brunch served Saturdays and Sundays — 10AM to 3PM

If it’s a traditional IRISH FRY UP served up with Brenan’s Irish Sausage and Black & White Pudding you’re looking for or one of Chef Av’s brunch creations… you won’t be disappointed. This s not another one of those Irish Pubs in a Box that seem to be everywhere… this is the real craic. When you walk in you’ll notice that this is like a home away from home for the Irish. Many Irish Expats have made this their local and that Irish accent from your server or barman is the real deal…a lot of the staff are from the emerald isle. If you’re not doing the Irish breakfast then here are some suggestions on what you should put in your bellies. WHISKEY, DILL & ORANGE CURED SALMON served with house made Irish Soda Bread, citrus crème fraiche, pickled red onion & capers or the crispy BUTTERMILK WAFFLES topped with Bushmills BBQ Pulled Pork, poached eggs, fresh berries and pure maple syrup. If you’re craving something Mexican try the RANCHERO WRAP, 3 scrambled eggs, Dry cured Chorizo Sausage, Jack Cheese and Black Beans in a flour tortilla with Salsa Fresca, Sour Cream and house cut Corn Chips. A real bit of Ireland in Riverside.


Bonjour Brioche

812 Queen Street East

Brunch served Saturdays and Sundays — 8AM to 4PM

If your idea of the ideal brunch is in a little French café and patisserie then look no further. This cash only French bakery and café has been the go to brunch spot in Riverside for many years and judging by the lineups outside it is still going strong. What do I eat when I’m there for brunch? The Daily Quiche, the Croque Madame or the Tart du Jour are always delicious and the Croissants and Pastries are out of this world. If you can’t get to Paris at least come here.


  The Peasant Table

782 Queen Street East

Brunch served Saturdays and Sundays — 10AM to 4PM

How about brunch with an Italian Twist? If you want to Mangia Benne (Eat Well) this is the place to go. The casual, warm and cozy atmosphere will make you feel right at home. Chef Boris, the owner, and his team bend over backwards to show you the best of Italian inspired good food and good cheer. A relative newcomer on the scene, they have taken over the old digs of the former Table 17 and are fast becoming a local favorite. Chef Boris who spent many years cooking in some of the finest restaurants all over Europe, has a way of blending flavors to create truly spectacular food. My personal favorites include the Agnello, Homemade Lamb Sausage, Smashed Potato, Sautéed Rapini and Poached Organic Hen Egg. The Frittata, a Mushroom, Potato and Onion Omelette served with Wild Boar Meat Balls covered in slow simmered Sugo. The SKINNY PANCAKES, if you’re a crepe lover these are a must try…and last but not least I really like the option of being able to create my own plate with a build your own breakfast option that lets you choose from about a dozen different items. This place is truly a neighborhood gem.


Prohibition Gastrohouse

696 Queen Street East

Brunch served Saturdays and Sundays — 10AM to 3PM

A fixture in the neighborhood for many years, “PRO” as the locals call it is an upscale casual gastro pub with friendly service and great atmosphere. They are passionate about what they do and it shows. Some of the dishes that you should try are the Breakfast Poutine, The Chicken & Biscuits, and the best freakin’ Truffle Mac & Cheese in the city. Here is something you should know, they bake their bread in house and it is fabulous. Trust me I have met the baker and he is very passionate about what he does.

The Donald

Riverside Eats Brunch Prohibition Gastrohouse Blog

2 soft poached eggs, duck confit, truffled hollandaise, home fries, artisanal greens, jalapeño applewood cheddar biscuit


Chef ScottAbout the Author | Chef Scott is the Founder and Chief Eating Officer of Toronto Food Tours Inc. He is a World Traveled Chef + Culinary Instructor + Toronto Lover + Story Teller + Stroke Survivor. He has been leading food tours in the GTA since 2010 and is a staunch supporter of the Riverside community, local events and charities. Follow him on Twitter @TOFoodTourGuy

Toronto Food Tours #foodtoursTO)

tofoodtours.com

Twitter and Instagram: @foodtoursTO

 


With all these great options (and more!) available during The Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside, it’s definitely hard to pick just one, but not to worry, you’re always welcome back for more! Be sure to snap and share a picture of your experience in any of our neighbourhood spots with hashtag #‎RiversideTO.

The Riverside Eats & Shops is your handy everyday guide to some of Riverside’s best, including:

Big thanks to Beaches International Jazz Festival for bringing the awesome Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside to Riverside!

Riverside Eats & Shops! Blog Series

Leading up to the July 8-10 Beaches Jazz Fest in Riverside, we’ll be highlighting the best in Riverside Food and Shopping!

General Blog pic

 

If there’s something that Riverside has a huge diversity of, besides its amazing residents, it would definitely be its wide assortment of excellent food and shopping! Incorporating everything from unique coffee spots to fine cuisine restaurants, and specialty gift shops to quality used clothes and records, there is most definitely a place in Riverside to cater to the different preferences (and price ranges) of all Torontonians.

Leading up to the launch of the Beaches International Jazz Festival’s inaugural The Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside in Jimmie Simpson Park July 8-10th, our blog series will give you the low down on where to shop and eat during the festivities (and everyday!!). This blog series, Riverside Eats & Shops, will showcase and be a handy everyday guide to some of Riverside’s best, including:

  • Riverside’s Brunch Spots – June 22nd
  • Shop Riverside-f/t Retail and Services – June 28th
  • Riverside’s On-the-Go Lunch Spots – June 29th
  • Riverside’s Dinner and Late-Night Spots – July 6th

Get ready, because these posts will have you wanting more!

Big thanks to Beaches International Jazz Festival for bringing the awesome Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside to Riverside!

Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2016 – THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT THE BEST YET!

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Riverside Eats & Beats, in its 4th year, was  described by Riverside businesses and festival-goers alike as ‘the best and busiest yet’ with:
  • 10,000+ people coming out to Riverside on June 4
  • 50+ participating restaurants,vendors and retailers hosting events/ activities
  • 20 live performances by Toronto musicians and artists
  • street closures jammed packed with activities and attractions
  • 200+ volunteer hours contributed on June 4
This event could not have happened without the support of so many amazing people!
 
THANK YOU:
  E&Bs2016 Collage