Toronto delis to fill the void after Trudeau’s favourite closes
Smoked meat fans are mourning the loss of beloved Montreal fixture, The Main Deli after it abruptly closed its doors for good on Monday after having been in business for more than 50 years. Located on Boulevard St. Laurent, the surprise closure shocked many long-time customers — including the Prime Minister of Canada.
Not long after the news broke, Justin Trudeau took to his Twitter to express his disappointment.
Ouch. Surprised at how much this hurts. An end to decades of The. Best. Smoked. Meat. In. Montreal. https://t.co/BQsZWjSNEt
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 9, 2023
But don’t worry Mr. Trudeau, Toronto has got you covered. Here are some amazing Toronto delis to help you fill the void.
Centre Street Deli
Centre Street Deli is a Thornhill staple that draws a full house pretty much every Sunday. It’s a traditional diner that the whole family will enjoy. Take your ticket and wait until your number is called or sit down and enjoy a meal. The matzah ball soup will warm your stomach as well as your heart, but the corned beef sandwich might break your jaw — it’s stacked and huge! For over 30 years, this deli has catered parties and milestones, won over picky eaters and has grown along with the community. 1136 Centre St., Thornhill
Pancer’s
Moe Pancer opened Pancer’s in 1957and this long-running, bare-bones spot is well-known around town for its pastrami sandwiches & Jewish deli staples. The deli became a meeting place for celebs and rock bands — the bands Rush and Anvil grew up with Pancer’s and John Candy once called it a “family home away from home. A Along with sandwiches, salads, soups and even breakfast, they even offer takeout of corn beef pastrami and smoked meat by the pound. 3856 Bathurst St.
SumiLicious
When your Montreal smoked meat cravings hit and you need instant gratification – look no further than Sumilicious. Owner Sumith Fernando once worked at the famed Schwartz’s Deli in Montreal for all the skeptics out there. The decor is stereotypical deli to a tee, with red and white checkered motifs on the wall. The goods (smoked meat) range from lean to extra fatty. Sandwiches come on rye bread with a healthy dose of yellow mustard. The smoked meat plates make for a great dinner-for-two; essentially a kind of DIY sandwich deal. Those looking for the ultimate diet-buster can dare to take on the smoked meat poutine with Sumi’s special seasoning and cheese curds ladled with gravy. 5631 Steeles Ave. E.
When the Pig Came Home
Kimberly Hannam and Ryan Getner started selling their peameal bacon sandwiches at farmer’s markets across Toronto – Sorauren, Downsview, Annex and Leslieville, to name a few — before opening their first permanent location in the Junction, aptly named, When The Pig Came Home. Ryan is Polish and Danish, Kimberley Caribbean, so the mix of flavour profiles and a cross section of experimentation summarizes the style of sandwich fillers they sell. On the menu you’ll find breakfast and hot deli sandwiches including classic porchetta and smoked meat on rye and meat meals including jerk chicken. 384 Keele St.
Wolfie’s Deli
This classic Jewish delicatessen was opened by David Gelberman and his wife in 1975, importing all its brisket from Montreal, which Gelberman swears is more moist than the meat you can get here in Toronto, he slices it up clean and puts a mountain atop a piece (or two) of rye bread. Wolfie’s makes a beautifully brined corned beef as well, which is a hit among its daily regulars, but the beef brisket is definitely the star. 670 Shepherd Ave. W., North York
Six big tickets: Drag shows, sappy songs, and sensational festivals
The best stage shows and cultural events in Toronto this month include everything from a renowned drag queen to a cutting-edge photography festival. Here are our six favourites.
1. Go to Contact
The 27th edition of the annual Contact Photography Festival is set to take over locations throughout Toronto for the month of May. In the Core Program, artists are presenting lens-based works in exhibitions, site-specific installations and commissioned projects at museums, galleries and public spaces across Toronto including the popular outdoor installations. This year the festival is welcoming several guest curators activating 21 sites across the city. The festival runs until May 31 and is free and open to the public.
2. See Sasha Velour
Internationally renowned drag queen, visual artist and newly minted author Sasha Velour is in town for the Big Reveal Live Show! on May 2 and 6, Bluma Appel Theatre, in support of her new book The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag.
The show is billed as an “immersive evening of drag, storytelling and live art, bringing Velour’s book to life.” Velour will perform and be featured in an in-person chat. There is also a special guest and a book signing.
3. Check out Hayden
As far as sad and forlorn singer-songwriters go, one of the OGs of the genre is surely Toronto’s Hayden Dresser. Hayden started strumming beautifully mopey ditties in the bedroom of his Thornhill family home back in the early ’90s when the music landscape was decidedly different. He released his first EP In September on, wait for it, cassette, followed by his debut album Everything I Long For, recorded at his family home on a four track. It’s been eight years since his last album, but he’s back with Are We Good and will perform at the venerable Massey Hall on May 27.
4. Go to The Word on the Street
The 2023 festival will take place on May 27 and 28 at Queen’s Park. The festival will feature over 100 exhibitors and six stages of programming for book lovers of all ages. It is set to feature Canadian and Indigenous authors, an outdoor marketplace for books and magazines and dedicated children’s programming. WOTS was voted one of the city’s Best Local Events in the 2022 Toronto Star Readers Choice Awards. Some of the many authors set to make an appearance include Catherine Hernandez, Kenneth Opell and Zoe Whittall.
5. See The Sound Inside
Coal Mine Theatre is set to premiere its second show at the critically acclaimed theatre’s new location following the incredible production of Simon Stone’s Yerma starring Sarah Gadon.
Pulitzer Prize finalist Adam Rapp’s mysterious drama The Sound Inside will run May 7 to 28.
The play tells the story of Bella Baird, an isolated creative writing professor at Yale who begins to mentor a brilliant but enigmatic student named Christopher. The production will star the illustrious Moya O’Connell (Hedda Gabler, Middletown/Shaw Festival) alongside emerging talent Aidan Correia (Yaga, Touchstone Theatre). Considered one of the country’s leading stage actors, O’Connell transfixed audiences for 11 seasons at the Shaw Festival, including a lauded performance in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
6. Go to A Little Night Music
A star-studded production of the Stephen Sondheim classic A Little Night Music is running at Koerner Hall May 26 to 28. The product features the talents of TV star Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) alongside bona fide Canadian legend Cynthia Dale. Other notable cast members include Fiona Reid and Stratford Festival regular Dan Chameroy. Winner of four Tony Awards, this musical work is set in Sweden in 1900. A Little Night Music explores the tangled web of affairs centered around actress Desirée Armfeldt, played by Dale, and the men who love her.
The production is directed by former Toronto Star theatre critic Richard Ouzounian.
A tidal wave of new restaurants hits the Toronto Beaches
Sunshine is in the forecast this week, and that means it’s time to hit Toronto’s favourite summertime neighbourhood. With its relaxed, lakeside vibes, The Beaches has been a favourite location for locals and tourists alike, known for its sandy beaches, outdoor activities, indie shops and homey bistros and cafes.
But over the past few years, the restaurants and eateries that have made a home in the neighbourhood have delivered an elevated experience that proves The Beaches is not just for the beach-bums of Toronto. From lounge-ready patios to weekend brunches, The Beaches has upped its game when it comes to dining!
Limon
Walking down Queen Street east of Woodbine Avenue, it’s hard to miss the bright colours of this trendy restaurant—but even if the eye-catching yellow lemons don’t drag you into Limon, the alluring smells surely will. Opened in fall 2020 from the brothers of the family-run The Elm Tree, this Israeli restaurant is a favourite for those following a plant-based diet, as the menu is dominated by Middle-Eastern vegetarian dishes including salads, falafels, and the customer favourite, fried cauliflower. Contemporary and cozy, the interior of Limon offers an intimate escape from the rowdy noise of the beaches on a July afternoon. 1968 Queen St. E.
Inmigrante
Just steps away from Limon, a backyard patio oasis is ready to welcome patrons—and their dogs—for some margaritas. That’s right, at Inmigrante, you can sit back for Taco Tuesday while your loveable pooch sits next to you, catching every crumb. Inside Inmigrant—whose menu features tastes of South and Central America—the interior is a garden, with green vines hanging from the ceilings between potted plants, dim bulbed lights, and wood-plank walls. Combining the comfort of a casual restaurant with the tastes and feel of an upscale one, Inmigrante is ready for any kind of summer night, whether you’re looking for a filling meal after an afternoon in the sun, or for a light drink after a walk with your pup. Not up for a full meal? Take a break from the sun to grab a drink and enjoy some churros, an ooey-gooey Mexican classic dessert. 1959 Queen St. E.
Mira Mira Diner
After you’ve spent your Tuesday at Inmigrante, you’ll want to spend Wine Wednesday just across the street at Mira Mira Diner. Another hard-to-miss building with its pink entryway and lush greenery to welcome guests, this corner restaurant opened during the spring of 2021. Though Mira Mira’s neon sign and cushioned bar stool scream diner, the perfectly plated salads, steaks and fish say upscale restaurant. Just steps from the beach, guests of Mira Mira can spend summer weekends exactly as they’re meant to be spent — indulging in massive plates of food at brunch before taking a stroll along the beach. 1963 Queen St. E.
Toronto Beach Club
Only a fifteen-minute walk from the line-up of restaurants on Queen Street East, Toronto Beach Club set the bar high for new restaurants in the neighbourhood when it first opened two summers ago. Located just steps away from Woodbine Beach, whether you choose to dine in or embrace the heat of the sun, Toronto Beach Club offers stunning views of Lake Ontario in a light, and airy dining space that feels worlds away from the city. But it’s not just the views here that are upscale at the Beach Club, as everything from the Mediterranean-inspired dishes to the extensive European wine list, and regular evening entertainment, hint at a luxury you just can’t find elsewhere in the city. 1681 Lakeshore Blvd. E.
This Forest Hill neighbourhood has unique Mother’s Day gift ideas
Mother’s Day is this weekend, and finding the perfect gift for your mom can be an overwhelming task. The Eglinton Way, located in the north end of Forest Hill, is a great destination where you will find unique and diverse businesses offering a variety of gift options for every type of mom. From sweet treats and cycling gear to exquisite jewelry and delicious meals, you are sure to find that special something to make your mom feel extra special this Mother’s Day.
Indulge Mom with Sweet Delights!
Spring is finally in the air! Head to Hotel Gelato and feel the sun on your face while enjoying lunch and a refreshing gelato on the patio. Treat mom to brunch on her special day this year. Also for Mother’s Day, they are offering e-gift card specials until May 14. Purchase a $25 e-gift card and receive a $5 bonus card (to keep or gift to someone special) or purchase a $50 e-gift card and receive a $12 e-gift card bonus. E-gift cards can be purchased through their website hotelgelato.com.
Go Dutch with your Mom
For the mom who enjoys cycling or is a new rider, swing by Go Dutch who are moving just down the street to 511 Eglinton Ave. W. They have an expanded selection of new and preloved Dutch bikes straight from Amsterdam that are ready to cycle the streets of Toronto! As a special treat, when you visit their new location, get your wheels spinning in style with their exclusive, limited edition GO DUTCH keychain for your lock — because every bike lock deserves little flair!
A Delicious Meal Mom Doesn’t Have to Make
Why not take Mom out for a fantastic meal at The Abbot on Eglinton. They offer a fantastic brunch menu with a wide variety of options and delicious cocktails. On Sunday evening, they offer a prime rib dinner served with mashed potatoes, veggies and Yorkshire pudding. Along with weekly specials, be sure to try their smoked in-house brisket available on pizzas, tacos, sandwiches and an entree served with mashed potatoes and veggies. Be sure to make your reservations early!
Whisk Mom Away to Italy
Does your mom like to cook? An evening with Mama Rosa cooking classes at 7 Numbers Eglinton is a great gift idea. Have your Mama join Mama Rosa in the kitchen as she makes comforting, delicious southern Italian soul food. Visit sevennumbers.com to book a spot in an upcoming class, or find out more about their menus and book a table any day of the week for a spectacular meal.
One-of-a-Kind Sparkle for a One-of-a-Kind Lady
You can never go wrong with jewellery for mom! Check out Jewellery by Varouj for a custom-designed piece, like these beautiful rings.
Vicky’s Jewellery is also a wonderful destination to find beautiful vintage, antique and modern statement pieces for every style, that are sure to make your mom’s day.
The best food fests in Toronto this summer for a culinary adventure
While the first buds of May are just starting to bloom, the beginning of summer is on the horizon with all its optimism, possibilities and lip-smacking food and drink events!
Here are the 12 best food fests that are coming to Toronto this summer!
Taste of Little Italy
From June 16-18, enjoy live street performances, local artisans and, of course, classic Italian food in Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood. Guests can also look forwards to extended patios, multicultural vendors and carnival rides for the entire family! The event will take place along College Street from Bathurst to Shaw.
Taste of Asia
North America’s largest outdoor Asian festival is back again this year featuring amazing food, vendors and performers. This multi-day celebration of cuisine and culture takes place from June 23-June 25 and will feature more than 150 food vendors.
Smorgasburg
Known as the “Woodstock of Eating,” open-air food market Smorgasburg is back for a second season at Queens Quay beginning June 24 and running until September 9. The event will feature 50 weekly vendors every Saturday at 7 Queens Quay East, at the foot of Yonge Street.
Rosé Picnic
If you’d rather think pink, Rosé Picnic returns to the Hotel X grounds June 24 Dedicated to the world’s trendiest wine, and with food by McEwan Catering, it just might be the prettiest events of the summer.
Communal Table
Although dining under a highway is not an ideal way to spend an evening, on June 29, the folks over at The Bentway are setting up communal tables under the Gardiner Expressway so you can dine alfresco all summer long with food on offer from some of Toronto’s most exciting culinary talents. Offering enchanted foodie experiences, guests are invited to dine with friends or to make new ones at family-style seating every Thursday night. In previous years, dining experiences included everything from Mexican cuisine to Syrian home cooking.
Summerlicious
One of Toronto’s most popular culinary celebrations, Summerlicious is set to return from July 7 to July 23. While this year’s list of participating restaurants have yet to be announced, last year’s event saw more than 200 restaurants taking part serving up special prix fix menus.
Taste of Lawrence
Scarborough’s largest street festival, Taste of Lawrence will be returning July 7 – to July 9! The three-day food and cultural festivals will feature exciting flavours from every cultural community in the GTA. The event is set to feature more tag 150 street vendors, midway rides, a main stage featuring music performances and the best of shop local!
Festival of India
Head to Centre Island July 15-16 for a celebration of Indian culture! Back for its 51st year, the festivities began with a parade down Yonge Street before heading to the island for exciting celebrations, actives and delicious vegetarian food. The event will feature a massive, outdoor tented pavilion, a bustling South Asian Bazaar, face painting and and outdoor yoga festival.
Food Truck Festival
Back for another year at Woodbine Park, Admission is free at the Toronto Food Truck Festival and takes place form August 4 to August 7. The event will feature vegetarian, halal, vegan and gluten-free options from 5o food trucks and a fully-licensed site. Other major attractions include a Children’s Village and daily eating challenges!
Jerk Fest
Savour Caribbean cuisine at one of the city’s hottest summer event that celebrates everything jerk flavoured. Taking place August 10-13 at Centennial Park in Etobicoke, get ready for interactive food demonstrations and iconic musical headliners including Johnny Gill and Luciano.
Night it Up!
This outdoor festival will showcase a music of delicious Asian street foods and Insta-worthy treats! One of Markham’s landmark summer events, the fest takes place August 5 to August 7 and will feature performances by local talent.
Taste of the Danforth
Toronto’s beloved street festival Taste of the Danforth is set to return to the city this summer after it was put on pause for the last three years. Set to take place Aug.11 to Aug. 13 2023, the popular east-end fest will be “reimagined” this year according to Mary Fragedakis, executive director of the GreekTown on the Danforth BIA. Attracting more than 1 million people each year, the summer tradition is Canada’s largest street festival and Toronto’s premier celebration of Greek heritage. Free to attend, the festival spans over three days with attendees visiting from all over the country where they fill up on tasty Greek and mediterranean fare, learn about the culture and enjoy music from participating vendors on the strip.
The Weeknd stars in new HBO show, hints at music hiatus
Toronto artist Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, is set to star in a new HBO drama series called The Idol and with that news comes word that he might be ready to take a hiatus from his chart-topping music career.
The Idol will premiere on June 4 on HBA and Crave here in Toronto. The show is co-created by Sam Levinson (HBO’s Euphoria), Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim. It stars Tesfaye and Lily-Rose Depp. The series will premiere at this year’s Festival de Cannes.
The plot line of the show is described in a press release: “After a nervous breakdown derailed Jocelyn’s (Lily-Rose Depp) last tour, she’s determined to claim her rightful status as the greatest and sexiest pop star in America. Her passions are reignited by Tedros (Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye), a nightclub impresario with a sordid past.”
The Weeknd is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer known for his unique blend of R&B, pop, and electronic music. Born as Abel Tesfaye in Toronto in 1990, The Weeknd first gained attention in 2009 when he anonymously uploaded several songs to YouTube. He released his debut mixtape, “House of Balloons,” in 2011, which was met with critical acclaim and helped him gain a large following. Since then, The Weeknd has released several successful albums, including “Beauty Behind the Madness,” “Starboy,” and “After Hours,” which features hit singles like “Can’t Feel My Face,” “Starboy,” and “Blinding Lights.”
He has won numerous awards and accolades, including three Grammy Awards, and is considered one of the most successful and innovative recording artists of his generation.
In a new interview published in Complex magazine, Tesfaye talked about the future and what it might mean to his incredible career as The Weeknd.
“It’s getting to a place and a time where I’m getting ready to close the Weeknd chapter,” he said. “I’ll still make music, maybe as Abel, maybe as The Weekend. But I still want to kill The Weeknd. And I will.”
He said, the album he is currently working on might be his last album as The Weeknd.
“This is something that I have to do. As The Weeknd, I’ve said everything I can say,” he told Complex.
Former chef of Parallel opens new midtown Toronto bakery
Last week, the folks over in midtown were treated to the opening of an exciting new eatery by the Israeli chef behind one of Toronto’s best Middle Eastern restaurants — Parallel. Called Romi’s Bakery, Tomer Markovitz’s new venture is offering a little bit of everything.
Though the idea began during pandemic restrictions when Markovitz saw a demand for the baked goods he began selling, the largest persuasion to open Romi’s was the birth of his first-born child—a daughter who is now the bakery’s namesake.
“She gave me the inspiration to open something for her,” says Markovitz. “She loves everything I make for her. It’s kind of a chef’s dream for their kid to love his cooking.”
Despite its name, Romi’s Bakery provides more than baked goods. Markovitz describes it as a bakery, storefront, market, and café. From challah, Jerusalem bagels, and babkas, to cookies, crackers, and the more savoury sandwiches, baba ghanoush, and falafel bowls, Romi’s has it all.
“It’s a little bit of everything,” says Markovitz. “We just wanted to give our best offering.”
As a grab-and-go storefront, customers will be able to either purchase the menu items already made fresh and in-house, or they can pick up the prepared meals to bring home.
“Everything we make in-house, we sell as a finished product, and as individual items. So people can either enjoy it at home fresh for them, or they can buy it here.” For example, he explains, customers can get a schnitzel sandwich already made, or they can get pre-fried or baked schnitzel to take home and create the sandwich themselves.
The other puzzle piece that helped Markovitz bring the bakery to life was the right location. “I’ve been waiting for this corner on Saint Clair and Rushton for quite a while now. I didn’t want it anywhere else in the city. This was it.”
He explains that much of his current clientele for his private chef dinners and catering live nearby Wychwood, Oakwood, and other mid-town neighbourhoods. He wanted to be close to these clients and was attracted to the space’s “beautiful” patio and large interior.
Markovitz describes the renovated interior as “very, very clean” with white tiling, custom-made butcher blocks, and arches that resemble the stone walls of Jerusalem. “It has LA, Mexico vibes to it. A little bit of Tel Aviv.”
In the future, Markovitz hopes to rent out Romi’s Bakery for private bookings like corporate events and cocktail parties. He also plans to host events of his own like chef series featuring other experts of the craft.
Romi’s Bakery is located at 744 St. Clair Avenue West. The bakery is open Wednesday to Saturday from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.
HGTV’s Sarah Baeumler to open a pop-up shop in Toronto this weekend
This Saturday, HGTV host Sarah Baeumler is opening her first ever pop-up shop for her lifestyle brand at the Stackt Market in Toronto.
You might recognise the TV host from her role in HGTV Canada’s House of Bryan with her husband, Bryan Baeumler. More recently, the couple have co-hosted the show Island of Bryan, where the duo has been renovating and restoring a tropical beachfront resort in The Bahamas.
As an interior design expert, Baeumler has brought her home design expertise with her to build her new brand, the Sarah Baeumler brand. Featuring home decor, jewelry, accessories and apothecary items, the brand’s curated collection includes mostly natural-inspired materials and tones that would fit into any modern and minimalist home.
Now, Baeumler is bringing her brand to Toronto at the Stackt Market with a grand opening of the Sarah Baeumler Shop from 12-6 p.m. on Saturday. The event will also include a meet-and-greet with Baeumler from 4-8 p.m.
Baeumler called Toronto, “home sweet home” in an Instagram post about the opening. “It feels like only yesterday that I was living just off of Bathurst Street and here we are today preparing for the opening of my first brick and mortar shop at Stackt Market,” she said.
She also referred to the possibility of the Sarah Baeumler Shop opening elsewhere in the future.
If you can’t make it to the grand opening in Toronto, don’t worry — the pop-up shop will be open at the Bathurst Street market from Tuesday to Sunday until July 31.
