a hungarian hideaway

The Coffee Mill

after expressing our mutual love for this little Hungarian hideaway, three girls couldn’t resist the opportunity to rally there for a late lunch date. This old world Toronto establishment nestled amongst several trendy oh so seen and be seen hot spots, is a humble hangout for the true Torontonian through and through. Tables filled with downtown dwellers…young and old alike, this classic European coffee house serves up delicious delights for the both the sweetest and most savory tooth. Normally ordering the signature goulash (meal size of course), today in a last minute game time decision after much discussion over the veal paprikash I decided to take a leap of faith….. I was not disappointed. The tender dish was oh so succulent and has one of those sauces that you couldn’t help but soak up with your well buttered bread. Over good conversation and hearty dishes we laughed, dined and relished in the company of this time honored resturant. A Coffee Mill meal would not be complete without a slice of their infamously sinful carrot cake. So moist and yummy with the perfect amount of icing, this sweet treat is so coveted that it is not uncommon to come across a diner who refuses to share even one single bite…… I love this little treasure, it is cute, quaint and a little spot that i always come home to....Dieter beware, the Coffee Mill’s menu is heavy, rich and not fit for the calorie counter at heart but let me tell you it is worth every weight watchers point…..guaranteed!


The Coffee Mill
99 Yorkville Avenue,
Toronto, ON

a foodie fairy tale....

Oro Café

a wise man once brought sandwiches and salads to a very hungry group of fashionistas….and so the fairy tale begins…they were warm and grilled and from the very first bite we were hooked. Like sleeping beauty awaking from her slumber, the combination of Italian meats, marinated vegetables and rich cheeses stimulated our taste buds and awoke us from our famished state…..with an assortment of side salads, one more delicious then the next and freshly brewed rich Italian coffees….he had us eating out of the palm of his hand. The Oro Café instantly become for us the unofficial go to food of fashion week…we just couldn’t bare to imagine a single day without such scrumptious delights. Named after a northern Italian coffee company, Oro emulates all that one would hope for in a European café. This new liberty village hotspot’s clean and modern décor and friendly staff make dining in or taking out a pleasure. Always greeted with a smile, when I walk into the Oro Café, I feel amongst friends. I simply couldn’t write about this little liberty gem without giving a special mention to the “oh so delicious” pea and mushroom salad…we LOVE LOVE LOVE this dish and if you happen to be at the café when it is in rotation you are in for a special treat……and so us girls feasted on our luscious lunch nibbling up each and every last morsel…and for just a single moment the awesomely authentic food enabled us to escape to a far off land and when we returned we were rejuvenated, refreshed and refueled, ready to face the fabulous and furious world of fashion…the end.

Oro Café
171 East Liberty Street
Toronto, ON

a breakfast beacon...

Avenue Open Kitchen

after a morning of shopping, us girls were famished! Finding ourselves at spadina and camden we were yearning for breakie…eggs, toast, home fries the whole shebang. Through the traffic and concrete skyscrapers we saw a little yellow sign: “restaurant” it said and like an oasis in the dessert we were drawn to this beaming beacon. Windows steamed and unsure of what lay on the other side of the door, we hustled inside and found ourselves welcomed by friendly faces and the oh so sweet smell of traditional bacon and eggs. Exposed brick, and walls littered with old diner photos enchanted me and created and atmosphere that was simply timeless. As I sipped my little cup of tea and gabbed with my girlfriends, I was at peace. Our meals arrived and to my delight portions large enough to satisfy a football player. I ate and ate away and embarrassingly barely made a dent in my dish….clearly today my eyes were wider than my three sunny side up eggs, brown toast and a heaping helping of home fries…deliciously done diner styles of course….perhaps next time, and yes there will be a next time I will keep this in mind when I order….but who are we kidding, probably not! Full from a fabulous breakfast, satisfied with the unbeatable company and charmed by the grace and adorableness of the diner I felt happy… Untouched by modern commercialism this downtown treasure has found a special place in my heart; it is cozy and cute and emulates all that one could ever hope for in a traditional greasy spoon.....right down to the classic diner hats.... simply magnifique!

Avenue Open Kitchen
7 Camden Street,
Toronto, ON

when the clock strikes lunch.....

The Liberty Village Market and Café

tucked away in the “oh so almost trendy” liberty village, the place the queen west artists, bohos and musicians now call home (well that is until it becomes cool to the masses and the trek to dufferin and king becomes like going to the corner store for milk) lives a little café whose food I have come to crave when the clock strikes 12. With tuna that is as addictive as well……you know how the saying goes and chai tea that is so good, nothing less then an extra large will do, this lunch gets a solid gold star in my books. Although there are tables to sit, the liberty café is more of take out hotspot for diners on the go, then a place one would want to escape to for a long lingering lunch. Always bustling and busy, liberty knows how to pack 'em in…do not be deterred by the line ups though … these guys are pros and the queue moves like you wouldn’t believe. Made to order sandwiches, wraps and salads along with a variety of organic soups (love the tomato) and fridges full of ready made delights, the liberty café is sure to satisfy every craving….. also servicing the afternoon sweet tooth, the liberty café provides the 4:00 snacker with that oh so needed caffeine and sugar fix. Serving up a variety of gourmet coffees and dufflet pastries…you will be sure to find that kick you need to make it through the rest of the workday.....if you find yourself in the 'hood or are looking for an adventure, this lunch hot spot is not to be missed

tuna side note.....
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!! but if you have a big meeting in the afternoon I may opt for an alternative protein, the tuna is a wee bit oniony and common now… no one likes the smelly kid…..


The Liberty Village Market and Café
65 Jefferson Avenue
Toronto ON

any time of day

Café La Gaffe

under the twinkle lights out back, on a warm summers night, la gaffe sparkles. The small baldwin gem is always filled with sounds of laughter and aromas of a far off land. Serving a traditional french mediterranean menu, this bistro brings old friends together, and evokes new friends to make memories over a bottle of wine and a delicious meal. Always memorable, I have returned to la gaffe time and time again. The wooden church pew seating combined with woven tablecloths and walls littered with eclectic artwork create a warm atmosphere that calms the mind and sooths my soul. This morning, after a big night out, the gang gathered at la gaffe for brunch…a meal there I had not yet explored. The brie omelette “spoke” to me right off the menu. The combination of apples, and walnuts with the warm rich cheese was a nice change from the traditional chedder and veggie omelette that is a staple on so many breakfast menus. The banana french toast, though was by far my favorite dish on the table. It was moist and melt in my mouth yummy. With just the right amount of banana it was flavorful without being overwhelming.....next time i think i will have one all to myself! Breakfast delights were complemented with heaping helpings of hash browns cooked crispy…just like I like them and coffee so delicious and fresh you would think they were growing the beans out back. Good at any time of the day la gaffe is a staple in my restaurant rotation… I have even been known to make a special late night trip to the baldwin village, simply because I can’t sleep without a mouthful of their traditional tiramisu…now that is what I call dedication to all that is delicious!

Café La Gaff
24 Baldwin
Toronto, ON

"just a cowgirl cookin' with love."

Mimi’s

there was this mimi’s buzz in the air on Saturday and so I finally decided that I simply could not go one more day without trying out this tiny diner that is loved by so many. With my girls in tow we headed to queen and bathurst…tummies a grumbling…. Nestled next to the infamous oakwood "steam bath” we ushered in out of the cold and immediately were overcome with the warm, busy restaurants who’s décor can be best described as “where MacDonald’s toys and all things tacky go to die”. Literally a restaurant that seats 12,we waited our turn for a table and finally cozied up in a booth. Hot, and thirsty we ordered drinks immediately and then looked over the “everything sounds so delicious” menu. Settling on three different dishes: poached eggs, french toast and grilled cheese, we were overwhelmed with the heaping portions that arrived on our table minutes after our orders were placed. Definitely all choices delicious, we agreed however that grilled cheese was the yummiest thing on the table. With sharp cheese and the diners choice of bread…it was warm, gooey and oh so scrumptious. A down home diner feeling with mismatched dishes, tchochkes as far as the eye can see and tons of tasty delights, this cult favorite is a great breakfast adventure for you and no more then three of your dearest friends…who you don’t mind snuggling up with!

washroom disclaimer…
Diner beware…… the bathroom (although I didn’t personally visit it) is located downstairs where one wrong turn could wind you up smack dab in the middle of the steam bath….gross......i elected to “hold it” .

Mimi's
218 Bathurst Street
Toronto, ON

mediterranean magic

Kensington Kitchen

on a whim with a girlfriend, we happened one evening into the Kensington Kitchen….with empty bellies and our eyes wide we ventured in, and within minutes felt as thou we had entered into a magical Mediterranean world…. The décor although understated with painted wood floors , walls draped in oriental rugs and decorative found beaded objects placed just out of reach create an ambience like no other. Intense flavors filled our mouths, as we tasted little bits of this and that off their menu. Each bite was different and more delicious then the next. The Kensington Kitchen did not disappoint and left us full but still yearning for more….. I LOVE the cous cous with lamb…it is oh so delish and although the portions are heaping at the kitchen, rest assured, I can clean my plate with ease. Their famed kk fries are a must for a first timer and one simply cannot leave without tasting at least one! I have since returned on several occasions and I continue to be delighted and mystified by this charming neighborhood eatery each time I walk through its magical doors……

Kensington Kitchen
124 Harbord St
Toronto, ON

just like family....

Aunties and Uncles

one step through the white picket fence and you are magically transformed back to the 1950s. The kitchey decor and miss matched furniture combined with the sweet smell of all that is brunch helps to give this little neighborhood gem a place in my heart. Although not serving poached eggs (my personal breakfast of champions), its menu is filled with delicious, unique breakfast delights that are sure to satisfy even the pickiest eater. My personal favorite….the grilled cheese with tomato is just divine….made with two heaping pieces of fresh challah bread and topped off with their own homemade ketchup….yummmmm is all I can say to that. Equally as scrumptious is the “alternative” grilled cheese with warm brie, pears and walnuts…my mouth is watering already. My only beef with this cutesy place is that the second level is rather stuffy I prefer to sit on the main level or ideally outside at one of the picnic tables with the oh so classic red and white checked table cloths …cappuccino in hand!

Aunties and Uncles
74 Lippincott St,
Toronto, ON

let them eat cake...

The Cake Master

just a few steps down and a stones throw from some of the most pretentious shopping in toronto, sits a small quaint bakery who recipes for baked goods, soups and spreads are so delicious that diners return week after week to indulge in these mouthwatering delicacies. The lentil soup on Saturdays is oh so delightful but be warned, not arriving early enough can leave one disappointed as the soup tends to disappear fast. The made to order sandwiches are more then meets the eye….literally. the deli counter may look shabby but the tuna and chicken salads, the chicken breast and the shaved meats are all delicious. The rye bread is always fresh and the cheese spread is oh so yummy. No matter how full I am, I simply cannot leave without at least one bite of a freshly baked danish…poppy seed, or cherry please! The Cake Master is one of my oldest friends my mom ate there when she was pregnant with me and I have been hooked ever since….

The Cake Master
128 ½ Cumberland Street
Toronto, ON

oh where to start....an ode to food

i have to say..... i have never really ever thought that i...me the "anti" journal writer, the one not ever wanting to put things down on paper (for fear that this simple act would solidify them...make them real, make them unretractable....if that is even a word) would ever delve into the oh so foreign world of blogging, but here it goes....hold on tight....take a deep breath and get ready.... this should to be an adventure....i hope you brought your appetite