428 replies to this topic

[cherimoya]

Does anyone know where to get fresh yeast (downtown)?

[Jake]

Jay, ignore my advice about the Korean supermarket on Lawrence....it is now closed. I'll get back to you if find out somewhere else for fresh kimchee. Perhaps someone else will have some good ideas too.

[Manolo]

3. Coffee beans, roasted to order, east of Yonge St.

5.A burr coffee grinder  called 'Rocky' by the afficianados in the coffee section.

For roasted Coffee, I think that Dark City does the best job in the city. You can order by blend or variatel and degree of roast. The prices are fantastic and they include delivery to your front door!

As for the Rancillio Rocky, its a tough find in T.O. The only place I've seen that carries it locally is here. A friend of mine ordered one and is very happy.

[KevV]

A few people have been discussing where to get fresh kimchi...

Certainly not hard to come by. Someone mentioned the big Korean supermarket - sth side of Bloor in the Korean area. However, the various other grocers around there will sell it too. I haven't really ever looked for it anywhere else as it's the obvious place to go.

If you look at the type made from Chinese cabbage, some have labels - ie. a 'brand' - and others don't. I don't have particular recommendations which to buy and would just say choose what looks good to you - fresher looking if you like that taste, or 'less fresh' for a more fermented taste. I think most are made around Toronto, and some imported from Korea. Or ask the shopkeeper for a suggestion. (Can't see how there could be a language barrier with this, as I think someone mentioned; pretty easy question to get across.)

Or just make a batch yourself! Koreans would scoff at me, but I don't think it's that hard, if you know how it should taste. I suppose you could freeze some, and also give some away.

Makes an ideal stocking-stuffer, I would say.

[Jake]

A few people have been discussing where to get fresh kimchi...

Certainly not hard to come by.  Someone mentioned the big Korean supermarket - sth side of Bloor in the Korean area.  However, the various other grocers around there will sell it too.  I haven't really ever looked for it anywhere else as it's the obvious place to go.

If you look at the type made from Chinese cabbage, some have labels - ie. a 'brand' - and others don't.  I don't have particular recommendations which to buy and would just say choose what looks good to you - fresher looking if you like that taste, or 'less fresh' for a more fermented taste.  I think most are made around Toronto, and some imported from Korea.  Or ask the shopkeeper for a suggestion.  (Can't see how there could be a language barrier with this, as I think someone mentioned; pretty easy question to get across.)

I agree, it is not hard to come by in the Korean area off Bloor. I was trying to come up with some places East of Yonge as requested by Jay.

There was indeed a language barrier, difficult as it may be for you to believe. The shopkeeper in question did not understand English at all and my Korean is non-existant. Just one of the things I love about Toronto, sometimes the only way is to try something out for yourself!

[KevV]

I've hardly ever been up there, but I know that Finch&Yonge has a concentration of Korean things. It's not quite East Toronto, but it might also be convenient.

As for communicating with a non-English speaking Korean shopkeeper, try some gestures to show you want a recommendation and mutter: 'mak-sang?' It can mean 'best' or 'highest quality'.

(Sorry, my Korean is also extremely limited. But if you would also like to know how to say hello, order a beer, or say 'I love you' I can still help.)

[Jake]

I've hardly ever been up there, but I know that Finch&Yonge has a concentration of Korean things.  It's not quite East Toronto, but it might also be convenient.

As for communicating with a non-English speaking Korean shopkeeper, try some gestures to show you want a recommendation and mutter: 'mak-sang?'  It can mean 'best' or 'highest quality'. 

(Sorry, my Korean is also extremely limited.  But if you would also like to know how to say hello, order a beer, or say 'I love you' I can still help.)

Oh, good call, I didn't think of Finch & Yonge area. That likely would be more convenient for someone coming in on the 401 from the East.

Well, you have more Korean than I. I'm not sure ordering a beer and/or telling the shopkeep that I love them would help, but I'll know where to turn for instruction should I decide to go that route.

I'll remember mak-sang. Thanks.

[jayt90]

I asked for bonito flakes in a P.A.T. market, and the stocker showed me cans of tuna!
But they did have the flakes.

Jake, the halibut from Diana's was superb, just as your photo shows. Mine was poached and served with mornay, but I'll try something different if they still have a good supply later this week. The proprietor seems very friendly and helpful. He told me that there is little demand for Pompano, too bad, but his mother used to cook it. Now that's a fishmonger!

[rgruby]

How about key limes and Meyer lemons?

Cheers,
Geoff Ruby

[sgfrank]

I have purchased beef cheek from Grace Street Meat - I called ahead, and I think it took them about a week of lead time.

Simon

Just to add to my question above - where can you get beef cheeks in TO?

And, a small oddity - why is pork tenderloin just about never available in Kensington market? Maxwell & Sons is Jewish - no pork products at all there. I thought this may apply to some of the other places  as well. But European has pork, just not tenderloin. I've bought it at St. Andrews poultry before, but I only see it there rarely. I'm not a regular shopper at the other butchers, so I may be missing an obvious source.

Cheers,
Geoff Ruby

[cherimoya]

How about key limes and Meyer lemons?

Cheers,
Geoff Ruby

You can get these at Whole Foods.

[Gul_Dekar]

How about key limes and Meyer lemons?

Cheers,
Geoff Ruby

You can get these at Whole Foods.

How often are meyer lemons stocked at Whole Foods? I don't shop there very often and the times I went I didn't see them around. Have really been wanting to try some! Key limes I've also seen at the Dominions on Bloor & Spadina as well as one of the Mexican grocers in Kensington market.

[Dianne]

In the West end, you can get Meyer lemons at The Cheese Boutique, but I don't think the season has started yet. They didn't have any when I was there last week.

Dominion/A&P stock key limes. I can even get them during the summer at the A&P in Orillia.

[middydd]

Anybody know where to find fresh mozzarella, the kind that's made that morning and you eat it for lunch so it's never been refrigerated?

Or New York City style black pepper biscuits, like a hard biscotti with pepper? Some bakeries use lard.

Vesuvio bakery in Manhattan made the ultimate biscuit.

[middydd]

Does anyone know of a Toronto (or any Canadian) source for varieties of spices, similar to the American Penzeys?

Penzeys might stock 3 or 4 different types of cinnamon etc.

[sadistick]

Fresh Mozerella, as I said previously in this thread....Grande Cheese!

[Jake]

Does anyone know of a Toronto (or any Canadian) source for varieties of spices, similar to the American Penzeys?

Penzeys might stock 3 or 4 different types of cinnamon etc.

Excellent question. I don't know the answer unfortunately as I buy a lot of my spices while travelling, or while friends/family are travelling. I'm not sure of a one stop in Toronto. I tend to buy middle easter spices at the middle eastern store, mexican oregano etc. in Kensington and so on.

Is there a specific spice you cannot locate?

[Gul_Dekar]

Does anyone know where one can find fresh curry leaves downtown?

[jayt90]

Dianne, last week Food Basics was selling pork shoulders (maple Leaf) in cryovac, with skin , for $1./lb.
I bought a 10 lber for brining and smoking.
The latest batch of flyers says that NoThrills has cryovac wrapped pork shoulder for even less, $.87/lb., starting Sunday. They do not have rain checks, and tend to undersupply features, so go early!

[Anna N]

Dianne, last week Food Basics was selling pork shoulders (maple Leaf) in cryovac, with skin , for $1./lb.
I bought a 10 lber for brining and smoking.
The latest batch of flyers says that NoThrills has cryovac wrapped pork shoulder for even less, $.87/lb., starting Sunday. They do not have rain checks, and tend to undersupply features, so go early!

I bought one of these shoulders, cooked it in the oven at 350 for about 4 hours and it was the most delicious pork I have had in years. $8 for 8lbs of tasty pork! Can't be beat. Today I used some leftover roast pork to make my own version of potstickers and they too, were yummy.

[middydd]

Is there a specific spice you cannot locate?

Vietnamese cinnamon.

[rgruby]

Does anyone know where one can find fresh curry leaves downtown?

Are they available outside of downtown on any sort of regular basis - Little India on Gerrard perhaps?

As for downtown, I don't know. I've never seen them in Kensington, for example. There are a few Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi (I'm not really sure - can we call them SE Asian?) groceries on Bloor or on Queen in Parkdale. It's possible that one or more of them might carry curry leaves, but I don't really know.

Good question though. I'd like to ask the same of lime leaves. I believe I've seen them occassionally in Chinatown, but the ones I have in my freezer I brought back from the Granville market in Van. (my luggage smelled amazing).

Cheers,
Geoff Ruby

[rgruby]

I really really want tomato paste in a tube.  I've never seen it at even the "upscale" stores here in Toronto.  It just make so much sense to me.

The place in the NW corner of the basement of SLM also has it. Along with a stunning array of other stuff, You want vegemite? They have it. Tuna belly in a can (well, bottle) from Italy. Check. Dried limes - which I was asking about on this thread earlier - yup. An extensive bulk section (I bought some active dried yeast there last weekend along with dried limes), olive oils ... I love that place. You don't get a sense of how much stuff they have there unless you wade in - they're off in a corner and I have to admit I spent a lot of time at SLM before I even ventured in there. Now, it's often my first stop.

I don't think tomato paste in a tube is too hard to find even in the chains or even smaller grocery stores near me - but I live close to Little Italy on College. I'm surprised to hear that it's hard to find.

Cheers,
Geoff Ruby

[Marlene]

Yeah, but Geoff, I live in Oakville, not TO. We aren't that enlightened here.
Speaking of enlightened, what's SLM?

[Jake]

Yeah, but Geoff, I live in Oakville, not TO.  We aren't that enlightened here.
Speaking of enlightened, what's SLM?

SLM = St Lawrence Market

[Jake]

Geoff, I don't find lime leaves that often, but I've seen them a lot recently at the veg stand at SLM in the extreme north east corner. I have also found them in Kensington.

[Marlene]

thanks. It's a little late and I'm cross eyed from cooking all day!

[Jake]

Is there a specific spice you cannot locate?

Vietnamese cinnamon.

Oooh, that's a good one. Not a spice I've ever used, what is the difference between it and "regular" cinnamon?

I'll ask one of the girls I speak to next week when I go for Vietnamese food, perhaps she can help.

[Gul_Dekar]

Geoff, I don't find lime leaves that often, but I've seen them a lot recently at the veg stand at SLM in the extreme north east corner.  I have also found them in Kensington.

Actually lime leaves (and occasionally the kaffir lime itself, which I managed to purchase last week) are always available in the downtown Chinatown stores. I see them everytime I go. The curry leaves used to right next to them, but about 2 years ago the chinatown stores stopped stocking them for some reason. A friend has told me House of Spice occassionally stocks fresh curry leaves, but so far I've never encountered them there. I'm ok with substituting dried lime leaves with fresh actually since I've tried using the dried stuff b4 and the aroma is similar. Dried curry leaves just dont have the same aroma as the fresh ones and just doesn't work with some of the dishes I've tried making.

[Wayne]

I've always found lime leaves available in the Spadina Dundas Chinatown.
Specifically in the basement grocery store west side of Spadina between
Dundas and St. Andrew. Unfortunately I don't know the name (a result
of going there for many years).

Marlene: The tubes of tomato paste you are/were looking for can be found
at Highland Farms, Longo's and most Loblaw's/Superstore. For some reason
the stores shelve the tubes with the pepper sauces, condiments...etc... and
not with the tomato paste in cans

BTW: I think this thread is a great idea and wish it a long and happy run.