On the Danforth Online

Wondering what dessert to get on the Danforth? Find out what shops serve up the best sweets.

By: Teresa Morgado

Serano Bakery
Serano Bakery offers all the traditional Greek pastries like baklava, phyllo, and kokakia (a cream filled pastry covered with melted chocolate). Serano Bakery also serves up many classic desserts including a wide range of cakes. The bakery has so many freshly baked cake slices you will have a hard time choosing just one.

Jade is a long time customer of Serano Bakery, “Every time I head out to the bakery I think I know what I want, but once I get there I see something that looks so good and I have to try it.”

Try the strawberry short cake, the cake is moist, the cream smooth and the strawberries fresh.

Hansenʼs Danish Pastry Shop
The Danish Pastry shop offers cupcakes, Danishes, cookies, tarts, pies, brownies, cakes, and even a lunch special. There are dozens of different types of cookies – everything from sugar cookies to classics like chocolate chip. The butter tarts come in different sizes and if youʼre in the mood for a Danish the only trouble you will have is deciding what filling to have; try favourites cream cheese, cinnamon swirl or cherry. Hansenʼs brownies are true brownies. The cake is soft, moist and chewy and the frosting is thick and chocolaty. Once you have one, you will continue going back for more. The same can be said for the chocolate cupcakes. Both the cake and frosting is exquisite and they are a perfect together.

A review of signature meals from your local greasy spoons.

By Brendan Flattery

The Danforth area of Toronto features a great selection of restaurants, particularly Greek, Thai, and Japanese, but there are also a few quirky diners unique to this community. If you want a meal for $10 or less, these places offer some hidden gems without comparison.

Detroit Eatery: 389 Danforth Ave
Dish: Detroit burger

This Detroit-themed diner is definitely intriguing. The Detroit burger stood out on the menu but didn’t quite meet my expectations. The patty tasted like cheap frozen meat, and the processed cheese wasn’t great either. The large piece of onion and small piece of lettuce were disproportionate, and though the service was good, the fries were dry. However, the décor still makes this place stand out and it’s a great hangout to watch the game — just be careful if you’re a Leafs fan.
Return visit: Maybe to watch some hockey.

New York Cafe Restaurant: 757 Broadview Ave
Dish: New York pizza

This place offers a wide array of choices, but the best dish is the New York pizza. It comes in two sizes – medium and large, but the medium was enough for just me. The pizza had a thin crust, real mozzarella cheese, and with green olives and mushrooms, it was definitely the best pizza I’ve had on Danforth Avenue.
Return visit: Definitely.

The Bus Terminal Family Restaurant: 1606 Danforth Ave
Dish: Lamb curry

Situated in front of Coxwell station, the Bus Terminal lives up to its name. With ’50s records lining the walls and a vintage menu board with decades-old prices, this place has diner written all over it. The restaurant is famous for its breakfast, but once I saw lamb curry on the menu I had to try it.

The sauce was aromatic and spicy; the lamb was tender and plentiful; and the basmati rice was a great complement. The garden salad on the side was fresh, but the ranch dressing tasted store-bought. Regardless, the Bus Terminal is now my favourite curry spot in the city.
Return visit: Absolutely!

They may be kids, some as young as 10, but these kids are legit. One writer checks out the show they’ve rehearsed so hard for and the student-centric program supporting these future rock stars.

By David Cadiente

School of Rockin’

Vasilis Isaakidis is very proud of Elite Music Academy located at 822 Danforth Ave, at Pape and Danforth. At their Rock Camp program and weekly jam sessions, kids ages 10-17 form bands, hone skills with professional teachers, practice popular rock songs, and eventually perform in front of friends and parents. Isaakidis is against parents “who insist on having their children play classical music.” Instead, he believes in catering to the student’s needs and aspirations, stating that the classical way of teaching is “obsolete.” Michael Shapinko, a teacher at the program, says, “Kids are in love with the idea of being rock stars, and this is the closest that they will ever be able to get for now.”

Character and Life Experiences

Shapinko talks about a drummer who was “very rough around the edges, having trouble keeping time, and just generally shy.” He spent a lot of time working to get his technique tighter and eventually opened up. To the surprise of his parents, he even volunteered to sing one of the songs when nobody else would.

Most parents give great feedback and recognize the outside-the-box thinking Isaakidis and his teachers strive for – they appreciate the character and life experiences students gain from forming a band – but, dealing with the inevitable why-didn’t-my-child-get-to-solo-more parent “comes with the job,” says Isaakidis.

The Show Must Go On

When the kids hit the stage at Bad Dog Theatre (138 Danforth Ave, at Broadview/Danforth), it’s clear that rhythm was emphasized during practices. Drummers and bassists were locked in the rhythm and guitarists seamlessly meshed with them to create a solid foundation for vocalists and soloists.

In the future, the school hopes to put on bigger shows with more lights, more bands, and maybe even battle-of-the-bands competitions with scholarships as prizes. No matter how old you are it’s never too early to get out of the practice room, start a band, rock out, and actually make music an important part of your life.

by Meredith Barrett

Want to find the perfect place to eat tonight? Whether you’re looking for family-friendly, lots of drink options, or a place to hang out with friends, the restaurants on the Danforth offer it all!

Il Fornello
With its upscale atmosphere and delicious food, Il Fornello is the perfect place for a business lunch, a meeting with the girls, or even a date night.
Located at the corner of Danforth and Carlaw, the restaurant prides itself on being “family friendly and a neighbourhood favourite.”

Try the: Agnolotti Fornello, filled with cheese and topped with a spicy tomato sauce.

Katsu Sushi
Conveniently located right next to Il Fornello, Katsu offers a great variety of Japanese dishes including sashimi, tempura, and even noodle dishes. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, and the service is prompt, making Katsu an excellent place for a family dinner or an evening with friends.

Try the: Sweet Potato Tempura.

Brass Taps Pizza Pub
With excellent food and a variety of drinks, Brass Taps is the perfect place for an after -work drink or an evening out. The service is great, the atmosphere welcoming and accessible, and the pool tables add fun to any night! Brass Taps is also a family-friendly spot, offering great food for kids and parents alike.

Try the: Basket of fries (inexpensive and delicious!)

Court Jester Pub
The Court Jester has all the makings of a fun night: great food, great drinks, and even board games. The food and drink prices are excellent, and the selection is exceptional. The beers include some hard-to-find Ontario craft ales, along with the usual popular selection of domestic and imported beers.

Try the: Pita and hummus.

Auld Spot Pub
Located just west of Chester, The Auld Spot is a warm, welcoming pub with an excellent selection of food—including delicious desserts—and drinks. The servers are attentive and the bartenders knowledgeable.

Try the: Hickory smoked ribs.

Other Danforth Eats

Fox and Fiddle: At Danforth and Carlaw, this pub has great prices and pool tables for the players out there.

The Friendly Greek: In the heart of Greektown, this restaurant has delicious food and friendly staff!

Old Nick English Pub: Live music and inexpensive drinks make this pub a great spot for students!