Food + Drink
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Cooking Up a Community
Two days before this article was due, my husband, friend, and I were sitting at Mezes on the Danforth. We hadn’t planned to eat there—it was a last-minute, panicked decision when the other plan for my article fell through. I had changed the topic of this piece so many times that I had absolutely no clue what I was going to write, and decided that, if nothing else, we’d have a great meal at Mezes. I’ve been coming to Mezes for almost ten years after a friend and I did a quick “where should we eat on the Danforth” search in 2013. My husband and I even considered getting married…
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5 Must-Try Delicious Desserts on the Danforth
1. Ampersand Bakehouse–1808 Danforth Ave. Looking to support a small bakery? Ampersand Bakehouse is perfect for you. There’s always something different to try out, including a wide variety of vegan and gluten-free options. Want to try baking at home? Pre-made cookie dough is sold in some of their signature flavours for you to bake to your heart’s—and stomach’s—desire! Their bright white interior is sure to draw you in, but the desserts and warm drinks will make you want to stay. Why not try out a s’mores fudge bar, washed down with a marshmallow latte? With so many treats and desserts to try, I almost couldn’t decide. I reached for the…
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The Many Facets of Food Rescue at Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre
Bridget Marzin’s job is to rescue food. As the Food Security Worker at Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre, located in surburbia just off the Danforth, Marzin oversees dozens of volunteers and hundreds of food bank participants. Every day, she looks for new opportunities to reduce waste, rescue food, and secure donations to provide better food access for the Danforth community. Eastview Centre’s food bank runs on Tuesdays from noon to 2 p.m., when they serve households of one or two people, and again on Thursdays at the same time, when they serve households of three or more. “I don’t think anyone has the right to say who can and cannot [access…
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Green is the New Black
The amount of disposable products (especially plastics) is a problem that, as a society, we have been trying to solve for several years. Unfortunately, when the pandemic came, health care and sanitation became our first priority and we put aside other problems; the use of plastic containers, disposable bags, and other articles returned to be part of our day-to-day lives. However, our reality is now different from what it was two years ago, and many establishments are again proposing small actions that we can do day by day to achieve a positive impact on our environment and community. Here on the Danforth, some establishments have opted for a sustainable model:…
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Succulent Memories, Exquisite Changes: Serano Bakery
The first time I visited the Danforth, a variety of things caught my attention. Some of them because of their beauty, like an impressive white house with a bright red door, and buildings with beautiful architecture, like the church. Also, because something seemed unique, like signs with an “x” on it for pedestrians on Pape and Aldwych Avenues (I had not seen this in Colombia, the country I’m from). But among them all, one special place caught my attention the most: the Serano Bakery. This spot reminded me of my country, my family, and my childhood. In Colombia, there are bakeries everywhere, sometimes several on a single block. It was…
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A Day On The Danforth: Mobility-Accessible Spots in One of Toronto’s Best Neighbourhoods
As a newcomer to the Danforth area who happens to walk with a crutch, I thought long and hard about what I would like to see as a reader of On The Danforth. The Danforth is a lively, vibrant neighourhood with so much culture and experiences, but, accessibility-wise, it’s lacking. The buildings are old and rarely have accessible basements. Nonetheless, it’s an amazing part of the city, and we should all have the chance to explore it. This is how to spend a day on the Danforth without the worry of accessibility barriers. (Note: I wasn’t able to visit all the spots, but rest assured each business was thoroughly researched…
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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…
