Tag Archives: Danforth

Silk Road Cafe

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341 Danforth Ave
(416) 463-8660

A small, cosy, and casual restaurant, located at Danforth and Chester. Serves high-end Chinese food, full course meals, appetizers, and traditional Chinese desserts. Don’t be fooled by the name “cafe” as this place is a full functioning restaurant. Quiet, calm, soothing, relaxing ambience. The restaurant only has about ten tables. Dimly lit inside and has an outdoor terrace during the summer (note: the outdoor terrace does not have a liquor license so if you want to drink, go inside). The portions are decent and entrees are between $8.95-$12.95
I’ve gone many times and I highly recommend the place. I always order the vegetable stir fry with tofu and the cold veggie rolls with peanut sauce. Other people I’ve gone have ordered the hot and sour soup, vermicelli noodles, beef and broccoli, and spring rolls (deep fried), chicken or beef satay, a large selection of stir fry dishes, kung po chicken, orange chicken, and deep fried tofu with minced pork. Plenty of veggie options.

Staff are friendly and accomodating to vegetarians and vegans. They are aware of our needs and they are patient and they know what is in their food. Each dish is prepared on order. Nothing is made in advance. Accepts all major credit cards.

Only Cafe, The

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972 Danforth Ave.
phone number: 416-463-7843

Only Cafe is a cozy, neighbourhood bar/cafe just east of Pape on the Danforth. With a completely relaxed, non-trendy yet retro atmosphere, it is a perfect place to get away from the typical chichipoopoo brunch spots of Queen and College west.

On initial impressions, the crowd is mixed with older and younger people from the neighbourhood congregating for some delicious and cheap food. The walls are covered in different paintings most noticeably from Van Gogh and there are all sorts of chuchkas placed around the bar including a Bart Simpson doll and a Louis Armstrong figurine head.

The menu is varied enough if not completely atypical from your regular down home breakfast joint. There is your all-stuffed omellete as well as breakfast burritos and a variety of different waffle dishes. I decided to test out what seemed like the main dish on the menu; the Belgian Waffles smothered in fruit. Although the waffles were a little mushy the amount of fruit, including strawberries, kiwi, grapes, orange, pears, and apples more than satisfied me. And when my entire meal (including a sausage and coffee) came to $10 after tax and tip I was more than happy.

If you are looking for a non-trendy and non-pretentious place with simple, good food and very reasonable prices and are willing to travel a little outside downtown, this is the place to go.

http://207.136.67.23/an/taste/cafe-bar.htm

Cafe Demetre

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 400 Danforth Av
(416) 778-6654

188 Eglinton Ave East
(416) 485-4610 

3280 Dufferin Street
(416) 789-CAFE (2233)

2962 Bloor Street West
(416) 234-CAFE (2233)

If you are looking for a trendy hotspot for desserts (cakes, pies), home made ice cream, sundaes, granitas, gourmet coffee, ice cream floats, come to Cafe Demetre. This place is a chain and it located in many neighbourhoods in Toronto and outside the GTA. Expect to see people who dress up for dessert. Prices are not cheap but portions are huge and made for the gluten in you. There are few healthy selections.

I usually order the yogourt in a tall glass with seasonal fruit and granola or the fruit grannitas which are pureed fruit,and crushed ice. Service is kind of slow (it’s very busy) but staff are friendly and accomodating.  The decor is bright and colourful and filled with Disney paraphernalia.

It has an almost child-like quality to the decor, fun, colourful, funky chairs, almost 1950’s diner style dessert hangout. Many cake varieties with huge “take home” portions that leave people full. A great place to take someone on a date but the place can get noisy and rowdy on a Saturday night. Expect lineups on the weekend, even during the winter.

Pappas Grill

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440 Danforth Ave,
469-9595
 

Web site: http://www.pappasgrill.com

Located right in the heart of the Danforth, Pappas Grill serves fresh traditional Greek fare and Italian cuisine as well. Call it Gree-talian or Euro Fusion. Located on two “half” levels, plus a semi-basement dining hall, this spacious restaurant has that “open concept,” “airy.” feel. Those two terms are overused but the space really gives the illusion that Pappas’s Grill is a large place, when in fact, it’s not that big.

The menu is super large with many items. Unfortunately, there are very few vegetarian items. I love the exposed brick surrounding the restaurant, the many plants, art, olive oil decorative bottles, and the high ceilings and windows.

On my first visit I ordered a whole pizza called Hearts and Sole with artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce. It was yummy but did not have enough tomato sauce for my liking. Pappas Grill also has an extensive wine list and many desserts. There is a wine list but not dessert menu. Each night there are about 5-6 cakes and pies to choose from. Some include chocolate mousse and various cheesecakes.

On my next visit, I decided to avoid pizza since it was not really Greek. I ordered two appetizers; an order of Spanakotiropita- a pie consisting of spinach, leek, feta, and egg wrapped in thin sheet pastry ( known as filo dough). Most places call it Spanokopita. It was super delicious and not too greasy. I also ordered the Eggplant Patriota, which was simply two slices of grilled eggplant with a brushchetta topping, talk about Greek fusion (Greek + Italian).

There are not many vegetarian options as the Vine Leaves (Dolmades or Dolmodakia) are sadly not vegetarian. As well, the Mousaka only comes in the meat version. However, there is an Italian flavour to this Greek establishment as they have a Grilled Vegetable sandwich and a large assortment of pasta dishes.

My cousin ordered a Pork souvlaki that came with salad, rice and roast potatoes. His partner ordered the grilled Atlantic salmon topped with sautéed spinach, served with rice and steamed vegetables and she said it was fabulous.

There is a nice bar on the upper dining level and it overlooks the main floor. The restaurant is very “open concept” High windows make the place very bright and cheerful. The food is very good (according to my cousins) and the overall ambiance is really nice. Prices are between $10.95-$15.95 for most meals. There is an extensive brunch menu for the weekend (Sat/Sun 11am-3pm) and their large lunch menu is only valid Mon-Fri from 11am-3pm.

Sunset Grill

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2006 Queen E
(416) 690-9985

2313 Yonge Street
(416) 482-4229‎

1422 Dundas Street West
(416) 532-1571‎

1602 Danforth Avenue (near Coxwell)
(416) 466-0648‎

1 Richmond Street West
(416) 861-0514‎

2200 Bloor St W
(416) 763-1444‎

I went to this diner with my friends on an early Sunday morning. Be warned, go early because the lineups start after 11:00am. They serve breakfast all day long but breakfast specials end at 11:00am. The place is non-pretentious, noisy, has that “greasy spoon” feel and has a large menu of classic breakfast food. The only problem is that there is very little selection for the vegetarian person. The only vegetarian breakfast items are fruit salad and yogourt and cereal, all served a la carte. I ordered the fruit salad with an order of yogourt. The portions were decent and I was satisifed. The second time I visitid Sunset Grill, I had the frittata, a yummy egg white omelete with mushroom, onion, and green pepper. It was not greasy, and light and fluffy and very fresh.

My friends had typical breakfast fare: eggs, bacon, and toast with coffee. The tables are close together and the place is very noisy. The place is bright and seats many tables. There are no bells and whistles, no super cheery waitresses, just good, honest, fast, reliable service. The prices are cheap (<$10) and the food is flavourful. I would not go back because I could not eat very much but it is definitely a hit with my carnivore friends. They only accept cash. 😦

Mocha Mocha

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Mocha Mocha
489 Danforth Ave.
(416) 778-7896

I went here with my parents one lazy Saturday morning and enjoyed a fresh fruit crepe with some coffee. The place is small and trendy, tables are close together, and food is colourful, trendy presentation, and kind of expensive.

I usually order the fresh fruit crepe with yogourt ($6.99). The crepe was thin and non-greasy and had some nice fruit and strawberry syrup. I ordered some table syrup but was given a tiny portion, only by request. (They do not give out syrup unless you ask- yes, they’re stingy).

Mocha Mocha serves up light meals, mostly fancy designer salads and sandwiches and some hot meals. Some salads include the wamr brown rice salad with a variety of beans and grains and veggies ($7.35), salad nicoise, Mediterranean salad, avocado salad plate, chicken, tuna, or smoked salmon salad, and a regular house mixed salad. All salads are from $6.95-$8.90

Hot meals include a vegetable strudelt , vegetarian lasagna, chicken enchilladas, bean burrito platter, and the East African cicken stew. Hot meals are all $7.95-$9.95. Sandwiches include the typical and trendy house club, vegetarian club (both $6.99), BLT traditional and BLT with avocado ($5.99 and $6.75), mixed veggies in a pita ($6.50). Other sandwiches include the chicken salad ($5.50), tuna salad ($5.50), egg salad ($4.35), and black forest ham and swiss cheese sandwich ($5.75). Bagels and cream cheese are also served ($2.50). Add lox to it for $6.99.

When I visit Mocha Mocha I always order the spicy chick pea guacamole pita sandwich ($6.50) -a deliciously spicy purree of chick peas and guacamole with mixed vegetables, in a thin pita wrap. I have also ordered the vegetable mozzarella crepe ($8.95) a pizza-like crepe with cheese, tomatoc sauce, eggplant, green and red pepper, zucchini, and green onions, wrapped up in a thin crepe. YUMMY. They also have a variety of fruit crepes (topped with ice cream , frozen yogourt, or whipped cream) , and a ham and cheese and avocado crepe ($6.99-$8.95).

Some of my friends have ordered the vegetarian lasagna ($8.50) which they say is excellent and finish to the last little bits of cheese. The vegetarian bean burrito platter is excellent and filling. ($9.95) as well as the vegetable strudel with salad ($6.99). Mocha Mocha also serves a variety of specialty coffees, desserts, pies, cakes, squares, cookies, brownies, and fruit plates.

All day breakfast is served. Most breakfast items include scrambled eggs and organic toast ($4.75) add bacon ($5.99), add sausage ($6.50), scrambled eggs and lox ($8.99), vegetable omelete ($6.50), Belgian waffle with fruit and frozen yogourt ($6.50), fruit bowl ($3.75), lastly toast or bagle ($1.75).

The setup is as follows: patrons order their food in this cafeteria style cafe and wait for their meals to be served. The food is light, very colourful, fresh, and salads are colourful, funky and trendy. Let me repeat myself: portions are small. Vegetables are cut in funky shapes and most of the food is colourful, healthy, and delicious. My parents ordered the traditional eggs and bacon (for breakfast) and they enjoyed their food, but complained of the small portions. The large plates deceived them, they say. [small portions alert]

The service was quick and the staff were generally friendly. According to Wendy, staff traditionally do not deal well with customer complaints. There is a nice terrace for people watching in the summer. The only drawback is the tables are places closed together so this is not a place for a first date. If you want light food, creative salads and sandwiches and a touch of trend, then Mocha Mocha is for you. Always packed. Accepts all cards.

El Sol

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1448 Danforth Av
(416) 405-8074

This small cafe serves up spicy, hearty Mexican dinners for those seeking a lot of food and a lot of grease. Portions are enormous and food is quite greasy and full of cheese and very spicy. The place is surrounded by brightly coloured papier mache sun’s, beautifully displayed on the walls. All are unique and hand made. They sell for under $25.00 whether you choose the largest sun or smallest. The restaurant has a dance floor at the back and contains about 15 tables. The food is quite tasty and the ambiance is colourful and bright. Every time I go eat at El Sol I cannot decide which sun I to buy. There are so many to choose that it becomes overwhelming. I always go home empty handed. Table D’hote meal for two is $19.95. They accept all major credit cards.

Patris

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888 Danforth Av
(416) 466-1967

Really good, authentic Greek food, traditional decor, slightly kitschy, but reasonable prices, yucky white garlic bread, home cooked flavour, it seems that the owners work there, so it has that “family restaurant” motif. Located right at Danforth and Jones, this large restaurant is on the outskirts of the Danforth, so it may get missed by some. There are many vegetarian items, and prices are between $8.95 – $11.95 for main dishes. There is a 2 for 1 coupon when someone purchases a meal greater than $10.00, then the second meal is free. This is based on the more expensive meal of course. Seating is ample and there are never any crowds. Pleasantly built on two half levels, you can sit upstairs and watch the people downstairs or sit on the bottom level. The kitchen and cooks are in the front and you can see them making some of the food. The Spanakopita is quite good and so are the Domades, and the other appetizers. Most of the appetizers are vegetarian. I would recommend trying it out if you want a more relaxing, less pretentious place, where it’s never crowded, then try Patris.

Diners Thai

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395 Danforth Av
(416) 466-9222

What a serious disappointment. The menu is very large but there is nothing vegetarian. There is a list of dishes with vegetables but the waitress and cooks, (who are seen at the back of restaurant with a perpetual smile) do not know if the food is vegetarian or not.) Ignorance is bliss so don’t bother asking if the food is vegetarian, they certainly do not know what their sauce or dishes are made with.
Most items contain oyster sauce and the only item which seemed truly vegetarian was this boring tasteless tofu stir fry with soy sauce. I was not impressed. The ambiance is nothing special, 6-8 tables, no decor, waiting staff who don’t very much about the food they serve. The menu is very extensive with meat, chicken, pork, and seafod dishes, “house specials,” which mean traditional Thai dishes, an extensive wine and digestif menu, and a small dessert and drink menu. I think there is great potential but the menu is too large, too detailed for the carnivore. There is nothing substantial for the vegetarian. There is a small list of “vegetable” dishes but it does not mean vegetarian. For an appetizer I had fresh cold rolls with rice paper, tofu, carrot, cilantro, in peanut sauce. I ordered six slices and it was very fresh and tasty. For dinner I order Tofu Goreng without oyster sauce. The meal consisted of this muddy, beefy, salty looking sauce with strips of wonderful tofu and sauteed vegetables. It came with Basmati rice, but I did not eat it (waste of carbs). In sum I would not recommend this place for a vegetarian because the waitress and cooks were stringing me along with “I don’t knows” and “I think so” and “yes, it’s completely vegetarian- we think.” Come on.

Prices are between $8.95-$12.95 for meals that are medium sized. Menu is fairly small.

Mezes

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456 Danforth Avenue
416-778-5150

Beautiful decor, funky mosaic tiles, waterfalls, but VERY LOUD. Expect mega lineups on the weekend. Mezes is the place to be on the Danforth. If your young, hip, and trendy and you want to be seen, this is the restaurant for you. Mezes has a beautiful summer terrace, and a great selection of mouth watering food. There are large, traditional Greek dishes like Mousaka or if you are like me, you can order three smaller dishes to make a meal. The grilled vegetables are “to die for” and I also order a plate of humus and a spanakopita (spinach pie). Open very late, contains many seats inside and about ten seats on the front terrace. The only thing about Mezes are that tables are close together, packed in like sardines, lineups are long, and it’s noisy, but the food and atmosphere is great.