The Leslieville Guide: the essential destinations for eating, drinking and shopping
By Karon Liu |
By Karon Liu |
This east-end neighbourhood is constantly being labelled “the next big thing.” Yet it’s been seven years since Edward Levesque opened his eponymous restaurant at Queen and Alton, and nearly a decade since the first old industrial building was transformed into condos. Leslieville has not only arrived: its evolution is unique in the city. The tight-knit community of business owners—most live within blocks of their workplace—has allowed “Toronto’s Brooklyn” to avoid the fate of unruly and super-hyped Queen West and Ossington. Mainly untouched by big box retailers and uncharted by tour buses, this is one of the city’s most relaxing spots to spend a day. Here is our guide to the top cafés, shops, restaurants and dairy parlours for caffeine fanatics, curious day trippers and anyone who appreciates a scoop of really good ice cream.
View the Leslieville Guide »
- 194966
- <strong>Leslieville Cheese Market</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place: </strong>Owner Michael Simpson opened this fromagerie three years ago after speaking with restaurateurs who wanted a cheese shop closer than the St. Lawrence Market. Since then, the store’s clientele has expanded from local chefs to Leslieville residents and foodies willing to drive in for a particular sheep’s milk or sardo cheese. (The store has even gained sufficient citywide popularity to spawn a second location at Queen and Bathurst.) Dairy dilettantes can enrol in the shop’s Night School for Cheese Fans this September ($20 per person).<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>Regulars love the triple-cream Delice de Bourgogne ($5.50 per 100 grams), and passersby grab the cheddar and peppered bacon grilled cheese sandwiches ($7.91). Aged cheddars (three to eight years) are also top sellers ($22–$89 per kilo).<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Manager Michael Tucker says 30 per cent of customers have never been to the store before; the rest are regulars.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/guide/food/dairies/leslieville-cheese-market/">Leslieville Cheese Market</a>,</strong> 891 Queen St. E., 416-465-7143, <a href="http://www.leslievillecheese.com">leslievillecheese.com</a>. M–F 10–7, Sa 9:30–7, Su 11–6.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Leslieville Cheese Market
- The Leslieville Guide: Leslieville Cheese Market
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- 194977
- <strong>Lil’ Baci</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place: </strong>Closing Kubo Radio earlier this year has given Leslie Ng more time to focus on his two-year-old restaurant next door. When he moved in, he decided to keep the green-and-cream-coloured mural that was left by the departing appliance store. The mural has since set the idiosyncratic tone for the southern Italian spot. Old wedding photos are juxtaposed with paintings done by students from a nearby school. <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>The pizza comes on traditional charred, bubbly crust and can be topped with such quality ingredients as sausage, panna, red onion, pecorino and fennel pollen ($14.95). Vegetarians get their due, too, with the Nonna: tomato, eggplant, roasted peppers, goat cheese and arugula ($13.95).<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>The quaint room and anything-goes vibe make it a perfect spot for families stopping in for TGIF pizza or couples enjoying laid-back weeknight meals. Also spotted: Jack Layton and Wendy Mesley.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/guide/restaurants/italian/lil-baci/">Lil’ Baci</a>, </strong>892 Queen St. E., 416-465-4888, <a href="http://www.lilbaci.com">lilbaci.com</a>. Open for dinner M–Su 3–10, lunch M–Su noon–3.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Lil' Baci
- The Leslieville Guide: Lil' Baci
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- 194985
- <p><strong>The Roy Public House</strong><br /> </p><p><strong>The place: </strong>Friends and Leslievillians Andy Schnurr and Mark Corbett quit their corporate jobs to open this casual pub in the former Kubo Radio space. It’s not a sports bar, says Schnurr, who “studied” 42 pubs in Ireland before opening The Roy. Instead, it’s a place where office workers can drink a pint before heading home. The dim lighting, bookcases, dark woods and ornate carpet are similar to other pubs, but the owners sprinkle their personal touches, like ABBA playing softly from the speakers. On Sundays, a week’s worth of Coronation Street plays on the television screens—a nice break from ubiquitous CP24.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>Never-frozen haddock fish and chips ($13.95) washed down with a “black velvet”: half a pint of Waupoos Ontario cider, with Guinness on top ($7).<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Families come out at brunch time, but on most nights it’s the 30-something professional crowd.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/features/roy/">The Roy Public House</a>, </strong>894 Queen St. E., 416-465-3331, <a href="http://www.theroy.ca">theroy.ca</a>. Su–W 11 a.m.–1 a.m., Th–Sa 11 a.m.–2 a.m.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: The Roy Public House
- The Leslieville Guide: The Roy Public House
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- 194975
- <strong>Lady Marmalade</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place: </strong>The much-lauded brunch spot in Victoria, B.C., has expanded to Toronto. Like the original, the Leslieville version serves classics with a modern twist, such as organic tofu scrambles and breakfast poutines. Owners David Cherry and Natalia Simachkevitch create a ’60s vibe with apple green walls, tin ceilings, and mismatched chairs, tables, cups and salt and pepper shakers. “It’s not sleek, but it’s comfortable because there’s character in the decor,” says Simachkevitch. The tiny kitchen is run by Cherry, who picked up his cooking techniques from his sister Carla, the chef at the original west coast location.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items:</strong> The rich and very filling brie, bacon and avocado eggs Benedict served with a salad and homefries ($12.95); poached egg BLT ($10.95).<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Parents with strollers parked beside their tables, gossiping girlfriends still wearing their yoga attire.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong>Lady Marmalade, </strong>898 Queen St. E., 647-351-7645, <a href="http://www.ladymarmalade.ca">ladymarmalade.ca</a>. M–F 8–4, Sa–Su 8–3.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Lady Marmalade
- The Leslieville Guide: Lady Marmalade
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- 194970
- <strong>Ed’s Real Scoop</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place: </strong>Owner Ed Francis decided to open this second ice cream shop in March, after the success of his location in the Beach. Neither chic nor urban, the Real Scoop comes off as a reliable, old-fashioned ice cream parlour—that is, until one peruses the list of unconventional flavours. Co-owner Stephen Reynolds says the staff is always adding to the repertoire of over 100 varieties, including a few collaborations with nearby shops (check out the espresso ice cream, which uses coffee from nearby Mercury). “If you want to try a bunch of flavours,” says Reynolds, “we can cram five in one cup.”<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>Red-hot chili chocolate with cayenne pepper gelato, coconut gelato, blood orange sorbet ($3.71 for a regular cone).<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Dinner hosts buying take-home containers ($7), parents treating their kids to a mid-afternoon snack.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong>Ed’s Real Scoop,</strong> 920 Queen St. E., 416-406-2525, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Toronto-ON/Eds-Real-Scoop/84957916321#/pages/Toronto-ON/Eds-Real-Scoop/84957916321?v=wall&viewas=508029437">Facebook page</a>. M–Su 11:30–10:30.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Ed's Real Scoop
- The Leslieville Guide: Ed's Real Scoop
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- 194964
- <strong>Baby on the Hip</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place:</strong> The store targets Leslieville’s main demographic: young parents who avoid big-box retailers and keep their carbon footprints to a minimum. Owners Cheryl Tschupruk and Gini Bechard opened in March 2007, selling eco-friendly, fair-trade, hard-to-find baby products and toys. As their clients’ children grew, so did demand for toddler wares, which led to the opening of nearby Kids on the Hip (1142 Queen St. E.) in April. <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>No-fuss baby carriers ($69–$159), organic crib mattresses ($339–$399) and cloth diapers ($20–$25 each). <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd:</strong> Eco-friendly new parents, baby shower gift hunters.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/guide/kids_and_parents/clothes-and-shoes/baby-hip/">Baby on the Hip</a>,</strong> 969 Queen St. E., 416-465-4141, <a href="http://www.babyonthehip.ca">babyonthehip.ca</a>. M–Sa 10–6, Su noon–5.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Baby on the Hip
- The Leslieville Guide: Baby On the Hip
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- 194984
- <strong>Te Aro</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place: </strong>Follow the aroma of coffee to this new café, where co-owner Andy Wilkin roasts arabica beans in a giant machine. Open since May, the spot has quickly become a local favourite (handyman Mike Holmes’s crew members followed their noses here while filming in the area). Te Aro is named after a coffee-centric suburb in New Zealand, Wilkin’s home before he married wife and co-owner Jessie, a native Torontonian. Set up in a converted garage, the place has a spacious interior, patio and unrushed atmosphere. The couple’s love of the nearby Burger Shoppe results in the occasional Sunday barbecue. And, to prove that New Zealanders take their coffee seriously, Wilkin offers aspiring coffee shop owners tips on equipment, water filters and barista training.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>Such old standbys as cappuccinos ($3) and lattes ($3.75, with impressive foam art) go well with the panini.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Ubiquitous stroller pushers are attracted to the open space; architects and film industry types appreciate getting everything to go. People-watchers sip lattes out front while introverts take advantage of the free Wi-Fi inside.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong>Te Aro, </strong>983 Queen St. E., 416-465-2006, <a href="http://www.te-aro.ca">te-aro.ca</a>. M–Tu 7–5, W–Sa 7–7, Sa 8–6.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Te Aro
- The Leslieville Guide: Te Aro
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- 194978
- <strong>Machine Age Modern</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place: </strong>After spending a decade at Queen and Roncesvalles, owner Jake Keck moved the design lover’s paradise to its current spot eight years ago, giving impetus for other vintage furniture retailers to follow. Employee Carol Gray says the neighbourhood was once rough but is now a destination for such rare finds as Machine Age Modern’s limited edition ’60s-style Robert Indiana Love rug ($8,000) and Gerrit Rietveld’s iconic Red and Blue chair ($1,400).<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>A made-to-order cubist mirrored wall sculpture ($1,500–$1,800).<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Antique hunters, set designers, and design junkies with unlimited decorating budgets.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/guide/home_and_garden/furniture-mid-century-modern/machine-age-modern/">Machine Age Modern</a>,</strong> 1000 Queen St. E., 416-461-3588, <a href="http://www.machineagemodern.com">machineagemodern.com</a>. M–F 11–6, Sa–Su</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Machine Age Modern
- The Leslieville Guide: Machine Age Modern
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- 194979
- <strong>Nathalie-Roze and Co.</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place: </strong>Consider Nathalie-Roze Fischer’s three-year-old store as the unofficial hub of neighbourhood activity, with crafts and cocktails on the patio, weekend ice cream parties and “I heart Leslieville” T-shirts. Most of the clothes and accessories are made by locals (over 80 are represented at the store) and cost less than $125. “The people who appreciate our stuff aren’t rolling in money,” says Fischer. <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>Made in Leslieville onesies ($22), dresses made from recycled bed linens from Paper People Clothing ($89) and notebooks made from vinyl records ($26) from Paper Muse. Weekend “make-and-take” workshops are also popular ($50–$60).<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Arts and crafts enthusiasts, moms and dads avoiding big-box chains, cash-strapped students sick of H&M.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/guide/good-stuff-cheap/fashion/Nathalie-Roze-Co/">Nathalie-Roze and Co.</a>,</strong> 1015 Queen St. E., 416-792-1699, <a href="http://www.nathalie-roze.com">nathalie-roze.com</a>. Tu–Th noon–6, F noon–7, Sa 11–6, Su noon–5. </em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Nathalie-Roze and Co.
- The Leslieville Guide: Nathalie-Roze and Co.
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- 194971
- <strong>Ethel 20th Century Living</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place: </strong>Stepping inside this vintage shop, which specializes in Danish modern furniture and mid-century Americana, is like checking in to a motel outside the Vegas strip (and yes, there’s a neon motel sign in the back). Items range from a ’70s orange Toshiba TV ($80) to a neon church crucifix ($1,200). Owners Greg Perras and Craig Soper opened 13 years ago and say the area has only picked up in the past two. “It’s shocking that the Ossington boom happened in two years, while it’s taken us 20,” says Perras.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>Despite the clever kitsch, most people request more practical pieces, like ’60s dining sets and teak bookcases. <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd:</strong> Condo dwellers who aren’t old enough to have experienced the vintage wares the first time around.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/guide/home_and_garden/furniture-mid-century-modern/ethel-20th-century-living/">Ethel 20th Century Living</a>,</strong> 1091 Queen St. E., 416-778-6608, <a href="http://www.ethel20thcenturyliving.com">ethel20thcenturyliving.com</a>. W–Sa noon–6, Su noon–5.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Ethel 20th Century Living
- The Leslieville Guide: Ethel 20th Century Living
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- 194972
- <strong>Fare Bistro</strong><strong><br /> <p><strong>The Place: </strong> “Restaurants should be close to your home, so you can pop in after work for a pint and everyone knows your name,” says Fare’s chef and owner Brad Clark, adding that Leslieville is reminiscent of Queen West 10 years ago, “before it got scary.” Serving classic bistro fare like onion soup and escargot (a dish he’s been perfecting for over a decade), Clark adds Canadian touches like cast iron-seared bison bavette as an alternative to the steak frites. He also prides himself on his sauces and house-made desserts: sorbet, crème brûlée and chocolate terrine. <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The “It” Items: </strong>The AAA steak frites is so popular that Clark can barely keep up with the demand. It costs $24 à la cart, but also finds its way onto the year-round prix fixe menu ($29). <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The Crowd: </strong>Older couples, parents who could find a babysitter, aspiring foodies who don’t want to pay top dollar for French cuisine. <br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/guide/restaurants/bistro/fare-bistro/">Fare Bistro</a>, </strong>1097 Queen St. E., 416-645-0914, <a href="http://www.farebistro.com">farebistro.com</a>. Open T-Su at 5:30 p.m. </em></p></strong>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Fare Bistro
- The Leslieville Guide: Fare Bistro
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- 194988
- <strong>Winkel</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place:</strong> This card shop is like an excavation of Grandma’s attic (complete with adorable pug). Old photos and postcards line the walls, and stacks of unused steno pads from the ’40s and ’50s ($8) sit on the table. Owner Kari Measham calls her customers by name and knows what they like. “I like to encourage people to get gifts that can’t be found in other stores,” she says, noting that vintage pinup calendar posters are always good for a laugh. And after selling other people’s cards for five years, Measham is introducing her own line of vintage-inspired letter-pressed Winkel Kards this month.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>Darkly humorous Bald Guy greeting cards ($4 each) from San Francisco and vintage issues of Popular Science and Popular Mechanics ($10). <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>“Senior citizens on a pension and families with 2.5 kids,” says Measham. “I’m not going after folks with lots of money.”<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/guide/good-stuff-cheap/vintage-furniture-and-antiques/winkel/">Winkel<a />, </a></strong>1107 Queen St. E., 416-465-4247, <a href="http://www.shopwinkel.blogspot.com">shopwinkel.blogspot.com</a>. W–Sa noon–6, Su noon–5. </em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Winkel
- The Leslieville Guide: Winkel
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- <strong>Six Shooter Records</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place: </strong>CDs, T-shirts, vinyl and books are stacked on shelves on the main floor, evoking memories of sitting on a friend’s bedroom floor wearing giant headphones. The store’s music selection is mostly independent artists (the motto here is “life is too short to listen to shitty music”), though every record is Canadian. Upstairs is the company’s office; musicians sometimes drop by. The basement is an unofficial guitar storage room, and there’s also a stage in the back for concerts and barbecues. <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>Albums from Six Shooter artists, including such big names as Luke Doucet, Hawksley Workman and Justin Rutledge.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Patriots who like good music. <br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong>Six Shooter Records, </strong>1118 Queen St. E., 416-465-2459, <a href="http://www.sixshooterrecords.com">sixshooterrecords.com</a>. Tu–Sa noon–6, Su noon–5.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Six Shooter Records
- The Leslieville Guide: Six Shooter Records
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- <strong ">Doll Factory by Damzels</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place: </strong>In November 2006, designers Rory Lindo and Kelly Freeman closed their Queen and Spadina location and headed east. “We’re aging hipsters who want more room to spread out,” says Freeman. “There are a lot of dog walkers and stroller pushers here—it’s like a small town or Brooklyn.” A poster of Burt Reynolds’ Playgirl spread hangs on the bright pink walls, a complement to the store’s coquettish rockabilly offerings. <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>The Damzel house brand (a graphic pintuck dress is $130), along with cheeky sailor dresses ($185) by Stop Staring.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Loyal customers who migrate east to get their frilly frock fix, mothers who aren’t ready to break out the mom jeans.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/guide/fashion/for-women-play/doll-factory-damzels/">Doll Factory by Damzels</a>, </strong>1122 Queen St. E., 416-598-0509, <a href="http://www.damzelsinthisdress.com">damzelsinthisdress.com</a>. Tu–Sa 11–6, Su noon–5.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Doll Factory by Damzels
- The Leslieville Guide: Doll Factory by Damzels
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- <strong>The Purple Purl</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place: </strong>Purple walls and endless shelves of yarn that rival the spectrum on the Technicolor Dreamcoat make for a cheery haven on rainy days. The resurgence in crafting and the popularity of buying Canadian has kept the Purple Purl busy since November 2007. Co-owner Miko Schechter says the shop is more of a gathering place for those in the community to work on their knitting projects—homemade iced tea and plush armchairs make it easy to settle in. One bride-to-be spent six months crocheting her wedding dress in the shop so that her fiancé wouldn’t catch a glimpse at home. Knitting classes are available for beginners and experts (two-hour session $29).<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>Canadian yarns are prominently featured, such as the Tanis Fibre Arts yarn from Montreal ($19). The luxurious Paco Vicunas ($70) is made from the soft hair of a rare cousin of the alpaca. <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Grandmas typically grace the shop in the afternoon and gossip while knitting ones and purling twos, though funky Gen Yers captivated by the DIY craze drop by, as well.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong>The Purple Purl, </strong>1162 Queen St. E., 416-463-1162, <a href="http://www.thepurplepurl.com">thepurplepurl.com</a>. Tu 11–10, W–F 11–7, Sa and Su 10–5.</em></p>
- (Image: Jessica Darmanin)
- The Leslieville Guide: The Purple Purl
- The Leslieville Guide: The Purple Purl
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- <strong>Thrill of the Find</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place: </strong>The store’s name describes the feeling customers get when browsing through racks of suits, dresses, skirts and tops. Almost every item is a high-fashion find. Pieces by Dior, Chanel, Issey Miyake, Prada and Gucci are sold for bargain-basement prices—sort of. Bare-bones decor, cheap rent and well-connected buyers in France, Belgium and New York allow owner Mireille Watson to keep the prices in the low hundreds. “Everyone should be able to afford these things,” she says. “Our goal is not so much the names on the labels but the quality that comes with it.” There’s also a small selection of menswear in the back room.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>Chanel bags are under $400, and Hermès scarves top out at $175. <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>“Everything from 16-year-olds who want to make a splash to professional women who don’t want to go to Holts,” says Watson. <br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/guide/good-stuff-cheap/vintage-clothing/thrill-find/">Thrill of the Find</a>,</strong> 1172 Queen St. E., 416-461-9313, <a href="http://www.thrillofthefind.com">thrillofthefind.com</a>. W–F noon–6, Sa–Su noon–5 and by appointment.</em></p>
- (Image: Jessica Darmanin)
- The Leslieville Guide: Thrill of the Find
- The Leslieville Guide: Thrill of the Find
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- <strong>Leslie Jones</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place:</strong> Located between its namesake streets, Leslie Jones was opened by long-time local George Wensley (formerly of Ten Twenty Five and Gio Rana’s), who wanted to create a dining environment reminiscent of a cozy house. He’s succeeded: the open kitchen, umbrella-covered patio, exposed radiators and folk music charm instantly. Wensley describes his menu as Canadian because it is a mix of different cultures: Italian, German, Mediterranean and Macedonian. Mains that never top $20 and a citrus-centric cocktail menu make this a great spot to linger over a weekend dinner.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items:</strong> Followers of Wensley’s cooking praise the pulled pork plate ($17); the chef himself recommends the risotto with smoked chicken, chorizo and sweet peas ($17) and the salmon with dragonfruit salsa ($19).<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Young couples gravitate to the candlelit tables; groups of friends and co-workers head to the back patio for a pint. On weekends, the family brunch crowd dominates.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/guide/restaurants/italian/leslie-jones/">Leslie Jones</a>, </strong>1182 Queen St. E., 416-463-5663. W–Sa 5–10.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Leslie Jones
- The Leslieville Guide: Leslie Jones
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- <strong>Tomi-Kro</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place: </strong>In the past five years, this convivial restaurant has swallowed the neighbouring dry cleaner and antique store, becoming one of the best places in the area to meet friends for drinks and tasty sharing plates. It looks more like an art gallery than a restaurant (Toronto artist Malcolm Brown’s paintings hang on the walls), but the open, airy rooms are filled with the delicious scent of Mediterranean- and Asian-influenced fare.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>The tempura lobster maki balls—deep-fried rice balls stuffed with avocado, lobster and dried mango ($12)—are fantastic. As for drinks, the “love martini” is a sweet elixir of vanilla vodka, blackberry liqueur, pineapple and cranberry juice ($8.95).<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Well-dressed regulars, ranging in age from 25 to 65, rejoice in the fact that good fusion cuisine really does exist.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/guide/restaurants/international/tomi-kro/">Tomi-Kro</a>, </strong>1214 Queen St. E., 416-463-6677. Tu–Sa 6–11.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Tomi-Kro
- The Leslieville Guide: Tomi-Kro
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- <strong>Gio Rana’s Really Really Nice Restaurant</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place: </strong>The sculpture of a nose (modelled after owner Gio Rana’s mother’s) flanking the front of the former bank building and the hokey name don’t do justice to the elegantly rustic interior of this reliable Italian eatery. Cans of tomatoes stacked high on the counter and purposely unfinished walls make for a comfortable feel that matches the casual though traditional menu, which lists antipasti, primi and secondi.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>Chef Scotty Pennock is famous for his baseball-size veal and pork meatball ($7.95), which comes in a tangy ragoût. A side of brussels sprout slaw ($5.95) and Bollywood Nights cocktail with rum, Alizé, mango purée and pineapple ($8) make for a tasty Euro-Indian meal. <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd:</strong> The 905 crowd takes over on weekends, when head-bopping disco and Top 40 beats are turned up to 11. <br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong>Gio Rana’s Really Really Nice Restaurant, </strong>1220 Queen St. E., 416-469-5225. Tu–Th 6–11, F–Sa 6–midnight, Su 6 p.m.–10:30 p.m.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Gio Rana’s Really Really Nice Restaurant
- The Leslieville Guide: Gio Rana’s Really Really Nice Restaurant
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- <strong>Edward Levesque’s Kitchen</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place: </strong>Many credit this seven-year-old restaurant for kick-starting the Leslieville gastro revolution. Over six weeks in 2002, Edward Levesque transformed what used to be the Queen’s Dinning Room (“They never bothered to fix the typo,” he says) into a country-chic hot spot with yellow ochre walls, a birch trunk entryway and two Group of Seven lithographs in the dining room. Aside from the comfort food menu, what keeps the place crowded each night are the more-than-reasonable food prices and affordable wine list with selections from California, South Africa and Italy. “Customers aren’t spending as much money, and I don’t blame them,” he says. “I’m not going to spend $26 on a piece of chicken.”<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>The better-than-Summerlicious $29 prix fixe menu that includes skirt steak from Cumbrae’s and carrot cake made in-house by pastry chef Jennifer Harrison. Popular à la carte items are the salmon burger and fries ($18) and the roast chicken with tomato, zucchini and focaccia bread salad ($19). Levesque warns that he changes the menu frequently.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Locals too tired to cook take over the restaurant on weekdays; gussied up out-of-towners come on the weekend. <br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/guide/restaurants/bistro/edward-levesques-kitchen/">Edward Levesque’s Kitchen</a>, </strong>1290 Queen St. E., 416-465-3600, <a href="http://www.edwardlevesque.ca">edwardlevesque.ca</a>. Open for lunch Th–F 11:30–2:30; dinner Tu–Sa from 5:30; Sa–Su 9–3.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Edward Levesque’s Kitchen
- The Leslieville Guide: Edward Levesque’s Kitchen
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- <strong>Cream: The Urban Dairy</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place:</strong> Co-owners Danielle Thomas and Isabella Daniels were tired of bars being the only places open in Leslieville at night. Their solution was Cream, an evening dessert destination where moms, dads and kids can enjoy a rotating roster of ice creams (including, when last we checked, carrot-ginger, earl grey and lime-cardamom). Much more happens here, though; crêpes have recently been added to the menu, and the owners have started a series of dairy-related seminars. <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items:</strong> Ice cream is king—roasted nut caramel is the most popular flavour ($3.50)—but there’s a hearty dairy-centric menu consisting of warm milk with honey ($2), homemade ice cream sandwiches ($3.95) and coffee. Free Wi-Fi keeps customers entertained until the sugar high kicks in.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Families with kids, teens hiding from the heat, adults cheating on their diets.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong>Cream: The Urban Dairy, </strong>1298 Queen St. E., 416-463-0110, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Toronto-ON/Cream-The-Urban-Dairy/69289671425">Facebook page</a>. M 11–10:30, Tu–W 8 a.m.–10:30 p.m., Tu 8 a.m.–11 p.m., Sa 7:30 a.m.–midnight, Su 7:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Cream: The Urban Dairy
- The Leslieville Guide: Cream: The Urban Dairy
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- <strong>Gadabout</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place:</strong> Since opening a decade ago, this crowded vintage shop has become a top destination for set and costume designers, including those from blockbuster productions <em>Hairspray</em> and <em>Cinderella Man</em>. (Owner Victoria Dinnick stores delicate pieces, like a hand-embroidered Chinese wedding dress, off-site.) The devoted spend hours searching through drawers, cabinets and racks. Every item is a possible <em>Antiques Roadshow</em> jackpot, like a ’70s ruby leather quilted Chanel purse ($750). The store is expanding onto a second floor that will be devoted to menswear, wedding and prom dresses, and kitchen and bath accessories.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>Monocles sell out within two days of arrival, and old postcards ($1–$15)—we found an original from the Aquitania—are particularly popular among collectors.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Hardcore relic hunters checking out new stock and making item requests, tourists seeking Canadiana, like Hudson’s Bay blankets.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/guide/fashion/vintage-clothing/gadabout/">Gadabout</a>, </strong>1300 Queen St. E., 416-463-1254, <a href="http://www.gadabout.ca">gadabout.ca</a>. M–Sa 11:30–6:30, Su 11:30–5.</em></p>
- (Image: Jessica Darmanin)
- The Leslieville Guide: Gadabout
- The Leslieville Guide: Gadabout
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- <strong>The Ceili Cottage</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place:</strong> Patrick McMurray—champion bivalve shucker and owner of Starfish Oyster Bar and Grill—wanted to transform a derelict garage into a studio for his kids’ Irish dance classes. The spot proved too big for a studio, but not for the traditional Irish pub he’d always dreamed of opening. The Ceili (pronounced “kay-lee”) is split into two rooms: a seating area that dates to the 19th century (McMurray kept the aged look and installed church pews) and a newer space, with a bar at which pints and cocktails designed by <em>The Thirsty Traveller</em>’s Kevin Braunch are served. As for his kids’ dance class, McMurray set up a studio in an adjacent building.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items:</strong> This couldn’t be a Shucker Paddy venture without oysters. Two kinds are offered: Malpeque ($14 for half a dozen) and Irish oysters from Clarenbridge Bay ($3.75 each). The weekly roast dinner is an Irish tradition in which every bit of lamb (or pig) is used in different dishes throughout the week, such as sandwiches on Monday ($10), curries on Thursday ($10) and pies on Saturday ($10). <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Irish expats enjoying the scent of burning peat flown in from the Emerald Isle, oyster devotees, parents waiting for their kids’ dance class to end.<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/daily/daily-dish/opening-daily-dish/2009/07/20/just-opened-ceili-cottage/">The Ceili Cottage</a>, </strong>1301 Queen St. E., 416-406-1301, <a href="http://www.ceilicottage.com">ceilicottage.com</a>. M–W 5–1, Th–Sa 5–2, Su 5–11.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: The Ceili Cottage
- The Leslieville Guide: The Ceili Cottage
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- <strong>Simple Café</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place: </strong>Racquel Youtzy calls her café “simple” for a good reason: this is an environmentally sound, no-nonsense spot with clean white walls and three tables (more seating is available on the back patio). The quality at the eight-month-old coffee shop is in the details. Floors are paved with a soy-based concrete stain, the tables are made from unwanted slabs of Manitoba maple, and the chairs are all from salvage shops. Aside from the organic and fair-trade coffee that’s practically mandatory in all new cafés, there is an ever-changing menu of prepared dishes (cannelloni, vegan shepherd’s pie, Italian sausage; $6 each, $9 for two, $12 for three) with wheat- and gluten-free options.<br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>Shots of Red Espresso ($3 each), a caffeine-free rooibos tea that acts as a coffee substitute. Made-to-order sandwiches ($6) are also popular. <br /></p><br /> <p></p><p> </p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Neighbours grabbing lunch to go, bookworms relaxing by the open window, bloggers enjoying the free Wi-Fi.<br /><br /> <p><em><strong>Simple Café, </strong>1303 Queen St. E., 416-466-2345. M–F 8–8, Sa–Su 10–6.</em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Simple Café
- The Leslieville Guide: Simple Café
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- <strong>Sweet Bliss Baking Company</strong><br /> <p><strong>The place:</strong> Visitors looking for the source of Leslieville’s sweet smell of baking and frosting should look no further than Sweet Bliss. Here, married couple Chris and Christine start their day at 5 a.m., making cupcakes, tarts, cakes, scones and brownies (cinnamon buns, too, but only on weekends). The couple opened SBBC three years ago after dining at Edward Levesque’s Kitchen and realizing there was nowhere to go for dessert. Since then, word of mouth regarding the couple’s signature delicacies—which are neither overly sweet nor full of air—has spread in the neighbourhood and throughout Toronto (courtesy of regular Andy Barrie), leading to lines out the door on weekends. <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>It items: </strong>The butter tarts ($3.95) are popular, but cupcakes are the biggest draw. The “red velvet” version ($2.50) provides a cute alternative to chocolate and vanilla. They are best eaten chilled, so that the frosting isn’t overly sweet. <br /><br /> </p><p><strong>The crowd: </strong>Tourists looking into the bakery from the store window, dinner hosts who can’t bake, parents looking to treat their kids (or themselves).<br /><br /> </p><p><em><strong><a href="/guide/food/bakers/sweet-bliss-baking-company/">Sweet Bliss Baking Company</a>, </strong>1304 Queen St. E., 416-916-7895, <a href="http://www.sweetblissbakingcompany.com">sweetblissbakingcompany.com</a>. W 11–4, Th 11–5, F 11–6, Sa 9–5, Su 10–4. </em></p>
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- The Leslieville Guide: Sweet Bliss Baking Company
- The Leslieville Guide: Sweet Bliss Baking Company
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- The Leslieville Guide: the essential destinations for eating, drinking and shopping
- The Leslieville Guide: the essential destinations for eating, drinking and shopping
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