TORONTOnians! A little help please.

[Dick]

Hey guys! I am headed to Toronto for a wedding and I have never been there before. I will be there for a couple weeks with my gfs parents, and I am afraid I might strangle the lot of them out of pure boredom. We will be staying downtown somewhere and will be close to the transit system I assume. Sooo I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions for things to see, places to go, and drinks to be had. I will provide a little info about myself to help with the ideas. First of all I am a nerd, like Video Games, electronics, Magic the gathering, warhammer and all that crap. I am also a bit of a food nerd as well, I like good food of all ethnicities and LOVE good strong Micro brews(especially IPAs). I appreciate art but its generally boring. Any ideas?

[Charlatan]

Where to start?

Art: Visit the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). The building was just made over by Frank Geary. You can also see the Ontario College of Art and Design Building


There, you are steps from Queen West, which you will find has some cool shops including the Silver Snail (Toronto's best comic book store). There are a number of pubs along that stretch as well.

I would also suggest heading to Kensington Market, there are some great shops, vintage clothing stores, coffee houses and just plain cool atmosphere.

I would also recommend wandering through Chinatown.

Thankfully, all of these activities are in the same area! (See map) The AGO is on Dundas with Chinatown and Kensington just west... the Silver Snail and Queen Street are just south of the AGO and west on Queen are some great restaurants (try Swan for their Grilled Cheese - trust me).

Toronto - stuff - Google Maps

[cellophanedeity]

If you're up for some MTG, hit Yonge. 401 Convenience has FNM, as does Harry Tarantulas. 401 is at 401 Yonge (surprise!) and Harry T's is just North of Yonge and Dundas. I personally prefer Harry T's, but both are generally okay. And Charlatan is right about Silver Snail too. You have to visit there for sure!

Since you're into beer, you'll need to go further south to King station. The Beer Bistro is amazing. It's my favourite place to go for drinks in the city. It's a nice classy, yet comfortable, place, with a fantastic draught and bottle menu and very very knowledgeable servers. The frites are all the food you'll need, and you will love them. If you don't, you're wrong. beerbistro toronto

If you want coffee, I recommend Jet Fuel, a lovely little pretentious little shop in Cabbagetown. The "Jet Fuel" is what you'll want to order, as it's a brilliantly foamy latte like thing, served in a tall clear glass for only three bucks. The only problem is that sometimes the servers are full of themselves, and there's no menu, so you have to ask.

If I think of anything else, I'll post!

[Leto]

there's a Games Workshop in the Eaton Centre (down by the Queen street end) and of course you know, that's all about Warhammer. But while you're here, spend some time eating and going out. There's lots to see, especially witht he garbage (municipal workers) strike just underway!

Toronto Eaton Centre - Yonge-Dundas Square - Toronto - Shopping Centres Shopping | OurFaves.com

---------- Post added at 08:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:19 AM ----------

Originally Posted by cellophanedeity

...
If you want coffee, I recommend Jet Fuel, a lovely little pretentious little shop in Cabbagetown. The "Jet Fuel" is what you'll want to order, as it's a brilliantly foamy latte like thing, served in a tall clear glass for only three bucks. The only problem is that sometimes the servers are full of themselves, and there's no menu, so you have to ask.

...

Hey, I pass by Jet Fuel most Saturday mornings around 9:45 ish.... do you think we ever crossed paths?

[Charlatan]

I used to frequent Jet Fuel on Saturday mornings... excellent coffee.

[Baraka_Guru]

Originally Posted by Leto

there's a Games Workshop in the Eaton Centre (down by the Queen street end) and of course you know, that's all about Warhammer.

I'm pretty sure that location closed down.

As for the other recommendations, they are generally good. If you are, indeed, into coffee, also consider hitting up the Moonbean Cafe in Kensington Market for locally roasted, fair-trade, organic deliciousness at reasonable prices. Also hit up Global Cheese. Go hungry—samples are free and plentiful.

The Silver Snail rocks. It has more than comics. It also has figurines, RPGs, and other wondrous things. It's a geek's paradise, really. Be sure to check out the LoTR line of models/figurines. They're incredible. And also along that stretch, besides pubs, are some awesome Indian restaurants. Just off the southwest corner of Queen W and Spadina is a little cafe/grocer I like: Le Gourmand. The regular coffee is cheaper than Starbucks, but the quality is the same or better. Their bar drinks are good too, and they have awesome desserts, sandwiches, and the like. It's worth going in just to smell the place.

Definitely hit up 401 Yonge. That's where I built most of my MTG collection. Decent prices, decent store. But, I agree, Harry Tarantula is better if you want a full line of geekery. Along the same lines as the Snail.

[Dick]

Sweet thanks for all the good tips guys, I will definetly have to hit up the Silver Snail, beerbistro(best combo ever beer and frites) and kensington market. Maybe even the AGO if I am feeling artsy, also Swan if iam down there. I was trying to google places to go and I found these places Amsterdam Brewery, and Le Marche Movenpick/Richtree Market Restaurant you guys heard of them? Whats your favorite Indian restaurant down there? We have a huge indian population where I live but have 0 good indian restaurants, so I am dieing for some Naan and Tikka Masala.

[highthief]

Originally Posted by Dick

Sweet thanks for all the good tips guys, I will definetly have to hit up the Silver Snail, beerbistro(best combo ever beer and frites) and kensington market. Maybe even the AGO if I am feeling artsy, also Swan if iam down there. I was trying to google places to go and I found these places Amsterdam Brewery, and Le Marche Movenpick/Richtree Market Restaurant you guys heard of them? Whats your favorite Indian restaurant down there? We have a huge indian population where I live but have 0 good indian restaurants, so I am dieing for some Naan and Tikka Masala.

Little India is a big Indian community on Gerrard between Coxwell and Greenwood (just a smidge East by NorthEast of the downtown core) and will satisfy any Indian culinary cravings you may have.

[thespian86]

Best part of town hasn't been touched yet; my stomping grounds.

Just south east of king station is The Distillery District. Tons of great eats/shops (mostly look and not buy; it's pricey) and sports The Young Centre for Performing Arts (my school; soulpepper is there and does great stuff), Cafe Uno, Balzacs (my favorite coffee shop in Toronto), and, most importantly, Mill St. Brewery. Mill St. is a great microbrewery with a great selection and wonderful British pub fare eats.

Amsterdam is kind of shitty brew if you ask me so I'd hit Mill St. before I went there.

Aside from that:

- Astoria: great greek food, kind of "well known" so it's not some hipster place (hipster places are where you'd find people like... well, me)
- Queen and King West.
- The Danforth
- Little Italy (Ossington and College): a few really great genuine italian restaurants and The Revival Bar (great night spot)

In Toronto, like most grid cities, it's about finding an area and walking the streets and exploring. New York and Toronto are best experienced when you just go for a stroll.

[Charlatan]

Baraka... I had forgotten about Le Gourmand. I used to go there all the time when I worked at Spadina and Richmond. They have great pain chocolate and coffee. Also the Roastery on Richmond has great sandwiches and coffee (more of the work day sort than the kind you would travel across town to have).

I can also support a trip out to Little India. There is some great food out there.

If you are looking for Indian on Queen try Babur (273 Queen St. W).

I agree with the Distillery District. The coffee at Balzac's is good and the various art galleries are cool. The star of the show are the buildings themselves. It's an old distillery (featured in many films) that has been renovated and turned into an arts quarter. It still feels a little detached from the city but it will come around soon enough.

[Dick]

Distillery Dist. Sounds like fun, I will put that on my list. Thanks for all the info guys, I think that should fill up the time in between wedding crap.

[Leto]

Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru

I'm pretty sure that location closed down.

I think you're right Barka... I assumed it was the major Games workshop in the GTA. Oh well, I guess the retail space is now given over to something more value added such as womens shoes, or a lingerie store. The nearest games workshop would therefore be at Yonge & Lawrence (Games Workshop - Store Finder ).

also, Wasn't the Amstersdam Brewery on King, just across from the Tropicana (female strip club which turned into For your Eyes Only - a male strip club?). Ithought that closed down, or turned into some other restaurant.

[Leto]

Originally Posted by Dick

Distillery Dist. Sounds like fun, I will put that on my list. Thanks for all the info guys, I think that should fill up the time in between wedding crap.

This thread prompted me to visit the Distillery dist for the first time over the weekend. In addition to the live jazz singer, bakeries and brewery, (and people watching) I sampled some gelato. A flavour that I have never really had before: a really intense "fresh Ontario strawberry & balsamic gelato" was easily the best flavour I have tasted in an icecream.

[Baraka_Guru]

Awesome, Leto.

I know they now brew things in Scarberia, but how was the Mill St.? I have a mixer box in my fridge I'm slowly working away on. I'm really starting to like their stuff.

I need to go back to the Distillery. I've only been there twice.

[m0rpheus]

Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru

I'm pretty sure that location closed down.

As for the other recommendations, they are generally good. If you are, indeed, into coffee, also consider hitting up the Moonbean Cafe in Kensington Market for locally roasted, fair-trade, organic deliciousness at reasonable prices. Also hit up Global Cheese. Go hungry—samples are free and plentiful.

The Silver Snail rocks. It has more than comics. It also has figurines, RPGs, and other wondrous things. It's a geek's paradise, really. Be sure to check out the LoTR line of models/figurines. They're incredible. And also along that stretch, besides pubs, are some awesome Indian restaurants. Just off the southwest corner of Queen W and Spadina is a little cafe/grocer I like: Le Gourmand. The regular coffee is cheaper than Starbucks, but the quality is the same or better. Their bar drinks are good too, and they have awesome desserts, sandwiches, and the like. It's worth going in just to smell the place.

Definitely hit up 401 Yonge. That's where I built most of my MTG collection. Decent prices, decent store. But, I agree, Harry Tarantula is better if you want a full line of geekery. Along the same lines as the Snail.

Silver Snail is a given but totally seconded for Harry T. Sooo much geekery.

As far as microbrew, I'm a big fan of the Granite Brewery and hit it up whenever I get the chance. Granite Brewery and Restaurant

[Baraka_Guru]

Originally Posted by m0rpheus

As far as microbrew, I'm a big fan of the Granite Brewery and hit it up whenever I get the chance. Granite Brewery and Restaurant

Me too, considering I live 1/4 mile away from it.

I walk by it twice a day.

Ringwood, ftw!

[Punk.of.Ages]

Damn, after reading through this thread, I wish I lived in Toronto...

[Leto]

Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru

Me too, considering I live 1/4 mile away from it.

I walk by it twice a day.

Ringwood, ftw!

My doctor's office is in the same building as the Granite. There's also a nice cheese shop right next door to it.