OT: A Question for Toronto Italians

I figured you guys might be able to help . . .

What's a good Italian deli or small supermarket? I want some real olive oil. Some strange pasta (trofie) we had last month in Sicily. Some good limone gelato. Etc etc. You get the idea. Not the yuppie kind of designer Italian foodstuffs but good quality.

Where can I shop in Toronto? I live central near-north, so hole-in-the-walls on College or Bloor wouldn't be convenient.

Ian

 

Longos

 

Pusateri's?

Or Pasquale Bros. on Islington/Bloor is a wholesaler and importer of pastas, meats and cheeses. (There is another Italian importer/store around the same area as well, I forgot the name)

Even MichaelAngelo's (Markham or MIssissauga) might carry what you are looking for. Or your best bet is to come up to WOodbridge, there are dozens' of small bakeries and stores which can help you out.

 

Shops at Don Mills has McKewans. (Don Mills and Lawrence) Tons of different pastas you won't see anywhere else for sure. Valet parking / park yourself right on the street. Truly an amazing shopping experience. Check it out.

 

Thanks guys. I just heard about Mark McEwan's & it is on my list. My wife drives by it daily. His North 44 has always been a fav.

Woodbridge I can do too. Any places standout? Do they throw stones at Porsches there?

And btw . . . if you haven't been to Sicily . . . just go. It is stunning with truly spectacular drives.

Ian

 

No, only at BMW's..........

You can try Longos, or even Fortino's in Woodbdige, they have an import section where you can find lots of products from Italy.

 

When you get tired of shopping and just want to get out and eat some good Italian food then visit here. You wont regret it. TORTELLINI ALLA PIEMONTESE is just one of my favs.

http://www.mezzanotte.ca/home.html

 

Thank you all. You have given me some destinations.

I might have to try Mezza Notte. Although we seldom eat out in Toronto & usually downtown when we do. I get enough of eateries on the road anyway - as my wife loves to tell me. My immediate area is a wasteland for restaurants. And if you live where I think you live 355, you know as well as I do. I believe I have seen your car in your drive & on your lift. I own the white 87 911 Cab that you may have seen drive by - I am a couple of streets away.

Ian

 

Yep, Ive seen you. Remezos around the corner isnt bad but its not great thats for sure. And then theres the Macdonalds.
Mezza Notte takes about 15 minutes to get to from here and they have to be one of the best Italian eateries in Toronto. They are in the process of opening a 2nd location on St Clair near Dufferin. Much if not all of there food is homemade. As for Longos and Michael Angelos.....they are both near each other just up on Woodbine and 7 area.

 

LOL!

 

Yeah, so-so at best. Typical suburbs Italian. And that plaza is impossible to park in since the Asian market replaced the Italian one several years ago. Thanks again.

Ian

 

Try the Cheese Factory, The Queensway and South Kingsway area. Lots of choice in oils and pasta, along with cheese of course

Gerrit

 

As funny as it sounds Longos and Even Fortinos have some good stuff. But when in Little Italy and you want really nice stuff like packaged pasta from Italy and other fine imported foods at non-pusateris prices go to Festival and then there is Centro Del Formagio on college street. Centro is half a block east of Grace St. on the north side (next to the chin bldg) and Festival is half a block west of grace st. on the south side. Need meat to accompany the pasta? No worries, on the north west corner of grace and college there is Grace meats. Very very clean and a great selection. There you go....one stop shoping

These are as mom and pop as you can get. Remember, the real stuff is always down here.

P.S For desert you can stop over at Scicilian or Dolce gelato

P.S.S The Metro on College sells the famous Scicilian ice cram right in the ice cream isle.

 

I feel sorry for you guys that aren't Italian! We don't have to go anywhere...We eat like this every day!

 

+1000

We just have to go downstairs in the cantina and we can find a huge selection of fine sauces, cheeses, vegetables and wine!

 

Im Portuguese and ive not had a problem eating Italian everyday. I can call her and you can ask her yourself! LOL Ok ok I keed I keed. This air is getting to me (maybe its the wine).