The Toronto Near.Afar. Tour

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Where I take out of towners when they're in town. My greatest hits.

 1. Khao San Road

326 Adelaide St W
Toronto, ON M5V 1R3
(647) 352-5773

Category: Thai

Neighbourhoods: Entertainment District, Downtown Core

5.0 star rating
  Update - 2/18/2012

Yes, the line ups are crazy and it's always packed but the staff have a limited kitchen.
But let's talk about the Khao Soi, shall we?
Noodles and a braised beef live in the underworld of a coconut milk curry sauce and fried crispy noodles on top. A…More »

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  • 5.0 star rating
    9/17/2011

    KSR is totally yum-gasm. I've been here about 4 times now and it will satisfy the Thai craving.… Read more »

 2. Ravi Soups

322 Adelaide St W
Toronto, ON M5V 1R1
(647) 435-8365

Categories: Sandwiches, Soup

Neighbourhoods: Entertainment District, Downtown Core

5.0 star rating
  12/25/2011

VIBE
I love the Adelaide street location. If you walk by, you may miss it (but it's right beside Khao San Road).  

Really beautiful communal wooden table that I want for my kitchen right in the middle of the space and a lovely hidden outdoor patio in…More »

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 3. Drake General Store

1144 Queen St W
Toronto, ON M6J 1J3
(416) 531-5042

Categories: Bookstores, Hobby Shops

Neighbourhoods: West Queen West, Beaconsfield Village

5.0 star rating
  12/24/2011

VIBE
It's an extension of the Drake. So too cool for school.
If you are a hipster, you will likey.

WHAT TO BUY
The whole store. Especially if you're gift shopping. They have a carefully curated selection of books (especially travel related ones);…More »

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 4. The Planet Traveler

357 College St
Toronto, ON M5T 3A9
(647) 352-8747

Category: Hostels

Neighbourhood: Kensington Market

5.0 star rating
  12/3/2011

I wrote a review of this on my blog complete with super cool awesome pictures by moi. Please feel free to check the detailed review there. I may echo a few of my points here.  I do a bit of travel writing and review hotels and hostels, so I wanted to…More »

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 5. The Stockyards

699 St Clair Ave W
Toronto, ON M6C 1B2
(416) 658-9666

Categories: Canadian (Traditional), Barbeque, Southern

Neighbourhood: Wychwood

5.0 star rating
  11/27/2011

VIBE
Easily one of my top favourite places to eat in the city. Yes, it's small, cramped and you may have to wait for a seat; or wait for take-out. But it's worth it.  The staff are efficient and friendly.  Plus, Hello! Wychwood barns is around the…More »

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 6. Porchetta & Co

825 Dundas Street W
Toronto, ON M6J
(647) 352-6611

Category: Sandwiches

Neighbourhood: Trinity Bellwoods

5.0 star rating
  11/6/2011

VIBE
This tiny Italian sandwich spot is one of the best things to happen to the gentrification of Dundas West and for good reason: their sandwiches are delicious! Though many a hipster may pop in, I see a lot of foodies and local restaurant owners…More »

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 7. Campagnolo

832 Dundas Street W
Toronto, ON M6J 1V3
(416) 364-4785

Categories: Tapas/Small Plates, Italian

Neighbourhood: Little Italy

5.0 star rating
  11/7/2011

VIBE
A note that I was last here in the summer, so it's been a while. But I've been here on a few occasions and I can say that they fully deserve their #7 spot on En Route's Top Restaurants in Canada list. I've gotten to know some of the guys that…More »

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 8. El Trompo Taco Bar

277 Augusta Ave
Toronto, ON M5T 2M1
(416) 260-0097

Category: Mexican

Neighbourhood: Kensington Market

4.0 star rating
  11/24/2011

VIBE
This place doesn't look like much on the outside- or the inside. It reminds me of old school Kensington Market, with its ramshackle sign and its checkered table cloths and chinzy Corona signage.  I'm not sure if the place is family run but the…More »

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 9. 416 Snack Bar

181 Bathurst St
Toronto, ON M5T
(416) 364-9320

Categories: Tapas/Small Plates, Bars

Neighbourhoods: Alexandra Park, Queen Street West, West Queen West, Trinity Bellwoods

4.0 star rating
  Update - 1/8/2012

Still as crowded as ever; still hard to get the attention of the busy bartenders but still just as much fun. It's part of its vibe. But the best part now? They have a secret menu. Genius idea! Not sure if I'm allowed to give it away but gat damn,…More »

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  • 4.0 star rating
    11/2/2011

    VIBE
    We came here on Halloween night and it was surprisingly busy for a Monday night. 416 Snack Bar… Read more »

 10. Cheesewerks

56 Bathurst St
Toronto, ON M5V 2P2
(416) 243-3327

Categories: Cheese Shops, Sandwiches

Neighbourhood: Niagara

4.0 star rating
  Update - 2/19/2012

Nothing beats a drizzly Saturday afternoon than a grilled cheese sammie. I was craving the Los Angeles so I headed down since I hadn't been since its inception two months ago.

It was gooey and ooey and hit every sweet and sour spot. Yumo!
Another…More »

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  • 4.0 star rating
    12/22/2011

    Woot Woot! First to Review.

    VIBE
    I was here for a media event so I got a tasting of the whole menu.… Read more »

 11. Yours Truly

229 Ossington Ave
Toronto, ON M6J 2Z9
(416) 533-2243

Category: Canadian (New)

Neighbourhoods: Little Portugal, Ossington Strip, Trinity Bellwoods, Beaconsfield Village

5.0 star rating
  Update - 3/4/2012

4.8 stars
-.2 points for our bartender. She was a bit off.

What I love about this place is that it's a mix of a bar, a restaurant and a casual place to get a snack. It just ...works. The tasting menu is highly underrated.

APPETIZERS
We waited for 40…More »

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  • 4.0 star rating
    1/26/2012

    I like it! Of course, I'm a sucker for word-smithery at the end of a letter (It's not a salutation… Read more »

 12. Lady Marmalade

898 Queen Street E
Toronto, ON M4M 1J3
(647) 351-7645

Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Italian

Neighbourhood: Leslieville

5.0 star rating
  4/8/2012

Incredible value here. Love Love Love. Leslieville STAPLE.

VIBE
So warm and inviting. Lots of families here too but not in an annoying way. There's a cute little alcove for kids to run under and chalk. The bright green walls now display some…More »

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 13. L'unita

134 Avenue Road
Toronto, ON M5R 2H6
(416) 964-8686

Category: Italian

Neighbourhood: The Annex

5.0 star rating
  4/15/2012

Number 9 of my Restaurant Resolutions completed!
http://nearafar.wordpr...

And I guess I was saving the best for last. Whoo Hoo! Where do I begin? And yes, my meal was compensated (but not for this review specifically). I will be going again and…More »

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Recently updated lists from Natalie T.

Patio Lanterns (12)

Patio side in the city.

Libations (42)

Where to get a good stiff...drink.

King West and environs (13)

King and Spadina area to Bathurst and Wellington area. Includes Spadina, Adelaide et al.

Hipster Havens (27)

pretty self explanatory. Look for lots of Plaid and disheveled hair but good eats and drinks.

Junction (1)

Use your conjunctions in what is the weirdest-to-get-to neighbourhood I've found in the city. But it's a gem!

Annex (5)

St. George to Bathurst on Bloor and north to Davenport/Dupont.

Last Chance for Romance (22)

From First Date to Save the Date, where to take your sweetie.

Mexicana (12)

Mexican food. I'm a fan.

All Time Favourites (14)

The Near.Afar. approved all time faves in terms of service and quality. Places that get my service time and again.

Dive Bars (8)

Let's jump off that board, shall we?

See all 57 lists »

Review votes:
333 Useful, 205 Funny, and 250 Cool

Location

East York, ON

Yelping Since

September 2011

Things I Love

cheese.

Find Me In

my blog Near.Afar. (@nearafar)or Sympatico's Luxury for Less Travel Column

My Hometown

Toronto, ON

My Blog Or Website

http://www.nearafar.wo...

When I'm Not Yelping...

I am a freelance writer & get paid for this kind of stuff. Huzzah!

Why You Should Read My Reviews

I've done this gig professionally

My Second Favourite Website

http://www.joannagodda...

The Last Great Book I Read

Catcher In The Rye

My Favourite Movie

I'm kind of a fan of Clueless. As IF you aren't too!

My Last Meal On Earth

Mother's lasagne and probably a mix of favourite dishes globally.

Most Recent Discovery

Bellwoods Brewery

Current Crush

Local Kitchen & Winebar . Those chandeliers! Swoon.