The T dot! Quick guide to shopping, eating and drinking Matt and Meghan style

I wanted to post some stuff for all of you coming to Toronto for the festivities. There is tons' to do, and hopefully you can fall a bit for what Matt and I are suckers for. If anyone is looking for More information, use the google (Ad) bar to the right and search away to your hearts desire.

http://www.torontotourism.com/visitor

http://www.toronto.com/

Kensington Market (between College and Dundas, one block west of Spadina)

A few of my favorite places in town include Kensington Market, which is a beatniks, hippy, artsy neighborhood. They have everything from a great cup of coffee, to one of the best bead/jewelry shops "Courage My Love", to my favorite Cheese, Meat and Bakeries in town. You will also find the best prices on everything here, whether it be organic food/coffee, vintage clothing, or chatchkis'. This area falls between College and Dundas, one block west of Spadina. This is area is labeled with street signs and you will see the street crowded with people if you want to check it out on the weekends. There are a few other worth things to check out in this area including the Nacho's from Sneaky Dee's (this is not for the weak of stomach, meaning the ambiance is ghetto grunge and the portions are huge) But this place has the best deals, and has a really cool Mexican food menu (the breakfast burrito is insane). Just east of this place at the entrance to Kensington is an amazing breakfast joint called Aunties and Uncles, that reminds me of having breakfast at my grandparents house. All the furniture is from the 50's and the menu is heaping with all the things you love, but feel guilty eating for breakfast (inc. stuffed French toast, omlettes and waffles). Also on this strip is Oasis; that Matt, me and many of friends have enjoyed our selves on a menu of Tapas (purogies to satay to coconut shrimp) all washed down with the most amazing Sangria. Just ask Matt about his evening of red cellophane wrapping paper!

China Town (Spadina between College and Queen)

Just near this area on Spadina, running all the way down to Queen you will find China Town. Here is also some of the best shopping for clothing, and kitchenware (especially dishes, rugs, and housewares). If you are into nice wood furniture, or detailed home accents that you would see at most of the overpriced big box stores, you almost always find this stuff here at half or a quarter the cost. I have helped decorate many a home out of stuff found down here ranging from the $10 to $20 range. There is also lots to eat down here, or dare to eat that is well worth its while. Dim Sum is readily available, if you are looking for my fathers favorite of Goat Fart Cookies (those little pork dumpling- long story.) I prefer the hot sechwan style from a little place on the upper west side of Spadina just near the entrance to Kensington one block south of College. There is quite a few good BBQ places as well if you are looking for that syle of thing. The Red Room is also in this area, based on the cozy pubs of England but updated for the artsy U of T crowd, good place for a pint on your shopping extravaganza! This place is a few doors down from Gwartzmans on the corner of Spadina and College, and right in the middle of computer central .... Where all computer dorks will enjoy going! There is about 5 computer shops (of the 5 million on College and Spadina) in this area that are of the cheapest in town.

Queen West (West of Spadina)

Continuing south on Spadina you come to Queen, which has been the stomping grounds of most that I know. Primarily my Maid of Honor Trindade, who found most of her college years lost in the piles of fabric in the fashion district. She has thought me tons about where to find the deals down there, everything from the bead shop that sells the stuff to make all of the cool jewelry(North side 2-3 blocks west of Spadina on Queen), to the amazing leather shop that sells really cool pieces that you can use for clothing or furniture (if that's your thing).

I have fallen in love with a little bookstore on the south side that can easily gobble up an afternoon, looking at any type of book you could possibly imagine. The books here range, but almost anything you are looking for in the Big Box stores is here. Matt and I love a lot of the restaurant down in this area especially further down. Squirley's sells the best pad tai and pasta, and if you are a magarita fan you have to have one of their Jolly Rancher Martinis (just like the candy). I like this place best in the summer, cause of the tiki hut back deck and garage doors... but its abit 'Artsy Fartsy' as Melissa always says. But it ain't Port! ;) Beside it is Gypsy Co-Op with one of the best menu, after dinner dancing and serving staff in town. This restaurant also has a little candy store in the front for all those things that you have forgotten about! (i.e. pop rocks, lick-a-stick, pixie straws). This is definitely also a great place for shopping for furniture, especially art deco, and modern stuff. Or at least a blast from the past for the old timers.

Keep Posted More to come......