Food + Drink
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An Othered Cuisine
Food. Something so simple can have such a resounding effect on how we interact with ourselves and others around us. Staple Nigerian dishes and the accompanying scents were a commonplace in my childhood, having grown up in a Nigerian household. Dishes and scents were also intrinsically tied to community as they were a common component of Nigerian events and functions my family would take part in. The realization that something so common in my day-to-day life could be othered and viewed as strange had not occurred to me until I reached elementary school. Though I was surrounded by Nigerians outside school, the same sense of diversity I derived from those…
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4 Cafés to Visit on the Danforth
The Danforth—primarily known as Greektown—has a lot to offer in terms of restaurants, cute little bookstores, vintage shops and local cafes that people visit every day. What’s better than a cup of coffee to start your day? Here are 4 cafés that are a must visit, the next time you find yourself on the Danforth. Tsaa Tea Shop Located at 412 Danforth Ave is Tsaa Tea shop. Although this café specializes in tea, it also offers a wide variety of café drinks, from coffee to bubble tea. Filipino-owned, they also have a separate menu for just Filipino desserts from Halo Halo to Turron! The interior is small and cozy, decorated…
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Loukoumades on the Danforth: Greece’s Oldest and Most Delicious Dessert
When I was younger, the Danforth was Toronto. As a twelve-year-old growing up in Northern Ontario, I didn’t know anything about the city. All I knew was that my childhood best friend, Hannah, lived in Greektown. Every once in a while, I would take a Greyhound bus to the city to visit her. The trip was very stressful for me—the bus station at Bay and Dundas was always packed and disorienting, and the subway map was anything but straightforward. But when I arrived at the Danforth, everything became familiar and comforting. I loved Hannah’s house, which was a tall and skinny building with lots of windows. As a kid who…
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5 Best Spots in North York for Late Night Asian Eats
North York is home to an amazing food scene, especially when it comes to East Asian food. And there’s nothing better after a long day or a night out than to sit down and enjoy a warm meal. Whether it’s 10 p.m. or 2 a.m., here are five spots in North York guaranteed to satisfy your late-night cravings. Chicken in the Kitchen If you’re a fan of Korean fried chicken, this is the place for you. Chicken in the Kitchen serves saucy, crispy fried chicken, but also snacks like Kimchi Bulgogi Poutine, as well as $3 shots every Friday and Saturday. The interior is cozy and the televisions make it…
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Pandemic Cravings: A search for comfort
During the pandemic, I’ve happily enjoyed eating my mother’s delicious home-cooked meals while working from home. Though I treated myself with the occasional bubble tea and local takeout, I discovered a desire to indulge my taste buds by trying something new. Over the years, I had always been able to try new foods and explore different cuisines at food festivals held in Markham and Toronto. However, the pandemic changed this, and I began to experiment with food in my own kitchen. In the past, I considered myself an expert at whipping up breakfast and baking cookies, but I had always avoided experimenting with new recipes after an unsuccessful attempt at…
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Switchel: The Ancient Health Drink You’ve Likely Never Heard Of
Throughout the years, we’ve seen a rise in the popularity of kombucha due to a societal shift towards healthier lifestyles. Despite the popularity of this probiotic drink, few have heard of its cousin, switchel (also known as swizzle, haymakers-punch, or shrub in its condensed form). Much like kombucha, switchel contains quite a few health benefits (even electrolytes), and has a long history of being used as a drink to sustain oneself during laborious tasks. Switchel dates back hundreds of years, and its origin is somewhat dubious. Early versions of the drink have been traced back to the Caribbean, Rome, and England, as well as the United States during Colonial times.…
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Shop Local for the Holidays at These 10 Danforth Businesses
With a second lockdown now in full effect throughout Toronto, it’s more important than ever to support our local businesses. Luckily, the holiday season is here, so now is the perfect time to start looking for those special gifts and goodies that make this time of year so special. Take a look at these 10 stores on the Danforth that offer an online catalogue and delivery, or curb-side pick-up. Happy shopping! 1. El Pipil El Pipil offers a variety of items, from women’s clothing to jewelry and household wares. With so much to choose from, this could be a perfect spot to find great gift ideas. Not sure where to…
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What Espresso Drink Best Fits Your Personality?
If you’re anything like me, you love your coffee and it’s practically a necessity for you to function properly. Our coffee orders tell us a lot about ourselves, but what espresso drink really is the perfect match for your personality? Take this quiz to find out!
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5 Common Items Torontonians Throw Out Incorrectly
We’ve all been there before: standing at a garbage can, holding something you no longer want, and having no idea what to do next. Garbage sorting is difficult and frustrating, with contradictory information everywhere. And it differs depending on the municipality. The City of Toronto has made the searchable Waste Wizard database, but searching for what to do with every item can be tiresome to say the least. So, here is some clarity for all the frustrated Torontonians on how to throw out some tricky everyday items. Pizza boxes It seems so easy, right? Pizza boxes are clearly cardboard, so they go in the blue bin, right? Nope. The grease…
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Best Pubs on the Danforth to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
Tuesday March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day, and Torontonians love to celebrate by hitting up their local pub. Since St. Patrick’s Day falls on a weekday this year, we expect the festivities to begin over the weekend, leading up to the day where everyone can celebrate the Irish holiday by decking themselves out in whatever green apparel they have in their closet. St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious celebration of Saint Patrick, who, according to legend, died on March 17th 461 AD. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and the original minister of Christianity in the country. Believed to originally be British, Patrick’s life led him…
