Mark McEwan’s opens his grocery store this week (no, seriously)—and plans a second downtown location
After months of anticipation, Shops at Don Mills will finally get its gourmet grocer this Thursday, says Mark McEwan. We caught up with The Food Network star over the weekend as he was assembling seared tuna at Toronto Taste 2009 under the gaze of a camera crew. McEwan was supposed to open this Wednesday but computer problems lead to a 24-hour delay. Of course, the store was originally slated to open last January, so what’s one more day?
McEwan also put an end to speculation about the store’s bread source, saying that Quebecois bakery Boulart will be supplying the baked goods, not Première Moisson. Boulart won in five separate blind taste tastes the chef conducted with his staff, not because Moisson pulled out of the project, as was rumoured.
But even with three restaurants, one catering company and a grocery store to manage, McEwan is thinking about the next project for his empire. Right now he’s eyeing a property for a second grocery store across from Susur Lee’s digs on King West, which are currently occupied by a hideous Travelodge that will be demolished very soon.
—and plans a second downtown location&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/shopsatdonmills.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_7618" align="alignleft" width="560" caption="Northern star: Mark McEwan will open his gourmet mega-store at The Shops at Don Mills this Thursday"][/caption]
After months of anticipation, Shops at Don Mills will finally get its gourmet grocer this Thursday, says Mark McEwan. We caught up with The Food Network star over the weekend as he was assembling seared tuna at Toronto Taste 2009 under the gaze of a camera crew. McEwan was supposed to open this Wednesday but computer problems lead to a 24-hour delay. Of course, the store was originally slated to open last January, so what’s one more day?
McEwan also put an end to speculation about the store’s bread source, saying that Quebecois bakery Boulart will be supplying the baked goods, not Première Moisson. Boulart won in five separate blind taste tastes the chef conducted with his staff, not because Moisson pulled out of the project, as was rumoured.
But even with three restaurants, one catering company and a grocery store to manage, McEwan is thinking about the next project for his empire. Right now he’s eyeing a property for a second grocery store across from Susur Lee’s digs on King West, which are currently occupied by a hideous Travelodge that will be demolished very soon.){kind=link}
Went to McEwan’s new grocery store yesterday. What a disappointment! There is nothing there, save his signature products, that can’t be found elsewhere. I was so hoping for something really different. And I don’t understand the mix of products, high end to low end (such as Stove Top Stuffing, huh?) and the like. A beautiful store, but not worth the detour from downtown – Whole Foods does it just fine for me, thanks….
I’ve been there twice so far. The bread is amazing and warm. The cheese is also excellent and so were the staff at the cheese counter.
The fresh produce were great but a bit on the expensive side. One needs to pay a premium for quality.
Agreed with Anne’s commnet wasn’t expecting to see things that I would find at No frills here.
A great grocery store for those of us who live in Markham near the DVP. A good mix of quality, affordability and service. However it can’t compare to Whole Foods for quality and selection of organic/healthy products, or Pusateries for HIGH-end quality.
Still the BEST grocery store for those of us situated in the Markham, Richmondhill area. For those who dwell downtown… Whole Foods is the place to be.
Cheers.
In McEwan find the best ceviche in Toronto!
Keiko & Masao