Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods—the Rosedale gourmet emporium returns
All the Best’s new 2,500-square-foot home (Image: Renée Suen)
True to its name, All the Best Fine Foods has been offering high-quality ingredients and prepared foods since 1984. The purveyor of gourmet goods is known for its Rosedale home, but restoration work on the heritage building meant taking temporarily residence in a tiny neighbouring trailer for over four years. The reopening of the Summerhill institution has been a long time coming, not just for regulars, but also for the store’s founder and CEO, Jane Rodmell , and COO, Susan Bowman .
Toronto’s Pencil Design is responsible for the store’s upscale general-store feel. Fresh baked goods greet patrons as they enter the shop. Custom shelving, crafted from reclaimed hemlock, extends from floor to ceiling along the store’s entire left wall, and the shelves are stocked full of hard-to-find brands (like Cipriani ), unique gifts (like handmade dishware by Ontario potter Tara Gilchrist ), curated knick-knacks and cookbooks chosen by the people at The Cookbook Store . Other additions include a coffee bar and nine tasting stations featuring new, special or seasonal foodstuff.
Rustic country design melds with modern finishes in the middle of the 2,500-square-foot room, where bright display cases showcase the store’s celebrated prepared and frozen foods, from seasonal soups and side dishes to mains. The seasonally driven meals are certified by Local Food Plus , meaning they are sourced exclusively from local farms.
Executive chef Olivia Bola no is in charge of the team of chefs and bakers working at All the Best’s 4,000-square-foot production kitchen in Leaside, which prepares foods daily for the retail store and full-service catering division. Expect to find popular staples like the chicken pot pie ($8.95–26.95) and the popular tarte tatin ($14.95), which features Lincoln Line Orchard apples on Rahier ’s buttery puff pastry. In the freezer, look for lobster pies, cheese logs, oven-ready rolls and cottage-ready cookie dough.
The added retail space also translates to a greater number products put out on display, allowing All the Best to cater to customers with dietary sensitivities. The store carries items like flourless orange almond cake and Splendido ’s gluten-free quinoa bread (available Tuesday through Sunday; $8).
60689 (Image: Renée Suen) From left to right: Susan Bowman (COO), Olivia Bolaño (executive chef) and Jane Rodmell (founder and CEO). Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-staff.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-staff.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-staff.jpg 640 427 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-all-the-best-fine-foods-the-rosedale-gourmet-emporium-returns/slide/all-the-best-staff/ all-the-best-staff 0 0
From left to right: Susan Bowman (COO), Olivia Bolaño (executive chef) and Jane Rodmell (founder and CEO).
60688 (Image: Renée Suen) Outside All the Best Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-outside.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-outside.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-outside.jpg 640 473 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-all-the-best-fine-foods-the-rosedale-gourmet-emporium-returns/slide/all-the-best-outside/ all-the-best-outside 0 0
Outside All the Best
60693 (Image: Renée Suen) All The Best’s new 2,500-square-foot home Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-inside.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-inside.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-inside.jpg 640 427 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-all-the-best-fine-foods-the-rosedale-gourmet-emporium-returns/slide/all-the-best-inside/ all-the-best-inside 0 0
All The Best’s new 2,500-square-foot home
60691 (Image: Renée Suen) Nine tasting stations will feature new, special or seasonal foods that change on a regular basis Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-tasting-station.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-tasting-station.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-tasting-station.jpg 427 640 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-all-the-best-fine-foods-the-rosedale-gourmet-emporium-returns/slide/all-the-best-tasting-station/ all-the-best-tasting-station 0 0
Nine tasting stations will feature new, special or seasonal foods that change on a regular basis
60685 (Image: Renée Suen) Butter-based cookie doughs, sweet and savoury rolls, pastries, sauces and soups are part of All The Best’s frozen foods line Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-frozen.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-frozen.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-frozen.jpg 427 640 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-all-the-best-fine-foods-the-rosedale-gourmet-emporium-returns/slide/all-the-best-frozen/ all-the-best-frozen 0 0
Butter-based cookie doughs, sweet and savoury rolls, pastries, sauces and soups are part of All The Best’s frozen foods line
60684 (Image: Renée Suen) The customer service station Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-customer-servoce.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-customer-servoce.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-customer-servoce.jpg 427 640 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-all-the-best-fine-foods-the-rosedale-gourmet-emporium-returns/slide/all-the-best-customer-servoce/ all-the-best-customer-servoce 0 0
The customer service station
60683 (Image: Renée Suen) A new partnership with The Cookbook Store brings in a rotating display of the latest cookbooks. Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-cookbooks.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-cookbooks.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-cookbooks.jpg 640 427 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-all-the-best-fine-foods-the-rosedale-gourmet-emporium-returns/slide/all-the-best-cookbooks/ all-the-best-cookbooks 0 0
A new partnership with The Cookbook Store brings in a rotating display of the latest cookbooks.
60682 (Image: Renée Suen) Rodmell says the coffee bar was created to cater to morning commuters who already visit All The Best for the breakfast sandwiches Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-coffee-bar.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-coffee-bar.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-coffee-bar.jpg 640 461 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-all-the-best-fine-foods-the-rosedale-gourmet-emporium-returns/slide/all-the-best-coffee-bar/ all-the-best-coffee-bar 0 0
Rodmell says the coffee bar was created to cater to morning commuters who already visit All The Best for the breakfast sandwiches
60680 (Image: Renée Suen) An ample display of Canadian and French specialty cheeses Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-cheeses.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-cheeses.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-cheeses.jpg 640 461 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-all-the-best-fine-foods-the-rosedale-gourmet-emporium-returns/slide/all-the-best-cheeses/ all-the-best-cheeses 0 0
An ample display of Canadian and French specialty cheeses
60679 (Image: Renée Suen) Pencil Design created this glass-encased bakery display Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-breads.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-breads.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-breads.jpg 640 501 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-all-the-best-fine-foods-the-rosedale-gourmet-emporium-returns/slide/all-the-best-breads/ all-the-best-breads 0 0
Pencil Design created this glass-encased bakery display
60686 (Image: Renée Suen) Fresh-pressed grilled cheese ($7.95) using David’s multigrain (house made), Maple Dale’s medium-aged white cheddar and Berkshire bacon ($1.50 extra), with a dollop of house-made ketchup Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-grilled-cheese.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-grilled-cheese.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-grilled-cheese.jpg 640 427 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-all-the-best-fine-foods-the-rosedale-gourmet-emporium-returns/slide/all-the-best-grilled-cheese/ all-the-best-grilled-cheese 0 0
Fresh-pressed grilled cheese ($7.95) using David’s multigrain (house made), Maple Dale’s medium-aged white cheddar and Berkshire bacon ($1.50 extra), with a dollop of house-made ketchup
60681 (Image: Renée Suen) All The Best’s chicken pot pie is available in two sizes ($8.95/small; $26.95/large). It features chunks of chicken with just-cooked carrots, celery and peas tucked Rahier’s puff pastry. Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-chicken-pot-pie.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-chicken-pot-pie.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-chicken-pot-pie.jpg 640 427 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-all-the-best-fine-foods-the-rosedale-gourmet-emporium-returns/slide/all-the-best-chicken-pot-pie/ all-the-best-chicken-pot-pie 0 0
All The Best’s chicken pot pie is available in two sizes ($8.95/small; $26.95/large). It features chunks of chicken with just-cooked carrots, celery and peas tucked Rahier’s puff pastry.
60692 (Image: Renée Suen) Peppercorn-crusted beef tenderloin ($8.95/100g) with a side of roasted Hillside Garden Farms root vegetables ($4.95). Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-TENDERLOIN.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-TENDERLOIN.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-TENDERLOIN.jpg 640 427 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-all-the-best-fine-foods-the-rosedale-gourmet-emporium-returns/slide/all-the-best-tenderloin/ all-the-best-tenderloin 0 0
Peppercorn-crusted beef tenderloin ($8.95/100g) with a side of roasted Hillside Garden Farms root vegetables ($4.95).
60698 (Image: Renée Suen) Herb-roasted ham ($3.95/100g) from Black Bow Farms Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-ham.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-ham.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-ham.jpg 640 384 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-all-the-best-fine-foods-the-rosedale-gourmet-emporium-returns/slide/all-the-best-ham/ all-the-best-ham 0 0
Herb-roasted ham ($3.95/100g) from Black Bow Farms
60690 (Image: Renée Suen) The apple tarte tatin ($14.95/9-inch tart) features crispin/matsu-cross apples from Lincoln Line Orchard and Rahier’s butter puff pastry. Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-tarte-tatin.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-tarte-tatin.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-tarte-tatin.jpg 640 427 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-all-the-best-fine-foods-the-rosedale-gourmet-emporium-returns/slide/all-the-best-tarte-tatin/ all-the-best-tarte-tatin 0 0
The apple tarte tatin ($14.95/9-inch tart) features crispin/matsu-cross apples from Lincoln Line Orchard and Rahier’s butter puff pastry.
60694 (Image: Renée Suen) Onion tartlet ($4.95/each) with fresh beet and cucumber salad ($3.25/100g) made using vegetables from Hillside Garden Farms. Introducing: All the Best Fine Foods https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-onion-tartlette.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-onion-tartlette.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/all-the-best-onion-tartlette.jpg 640 383 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-all-the-best-fine-foods-the-rosedale-gourmet-emporium-returns/slide/all-the-best-onion-tartlette/ all-the-best-onion-tartlette 0 0
Onion tartlet ($4.95/each) with fresh beet and cucumber salad ($3.25/100g) made using vegetables from Hillside Garden Farms.
All the Best Fine Foods , 1101 Yonge St., 416-928-3330, allthebestfinefoods.com
Isn’t this the place where you’d walk by after hours and see mice crawling on top of the baked goods in the windows? – so great that they’re back. (rolls eyes)
Hopefully that will no longer be a problem:
“…restoration work on the heritage building…”
I’ll definitely drop in to take a look.
Four year renovation. A hundred condos have gone up in TO in the last four years. And, of course the trendy 1 Bloor East…still barren. Not even a shovel full of gravel has been dug. Gee, if 1 Bloor East had been built, they’d be shopping at All The Best right now!
Moonshake, why on earth would they leave baked goods in the window overnight? I doubt the authenticity of your story. Almost all old buildings and a lot of new ones have mice. Fact of life in the city.
All the Best has a coffee shop now too, which is great. Shopping at the Theives is sort of a guilty pleasure of mine, especially when combined with a trip to the Station LCBO.