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Trip Reports: @Yehuda's friend
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Toronto:

The Jewish community is broken up in to three main areas
1. "Down South" which is in the area of Bathurst and Lawrence
2. Clanton Park which is a little further north around Bathurst and Sheppard
3. Thornhill which is even further north @ Clark and Bathurst

Downtown, without any traffic is 25 from down south, 30 minutes from clanton park and 35 minutes from Thornhill. Expect those numbers to almost double during rush hour.


Places to eat
There are a ton of fast food type options in the city. There are very few nice restaurants.

Here's COR's List http://www.cor.ca/establishments.html

Down South, Eglinton area, and Clanton Park area:
(See below for Thornhill)


Meat:

Marron Bistro
Meat - Available on UberEats
948 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M6C 2C5
Mixed reviews on DDF

Prime on Avenue
Steakhouse
Available on DoorDash

Aish Tanoor
The best Middle Eastern Laffa restaurant - Available on UberEats
994 Eglinton Ave. W.,
Toronto, ON M6C 2C5
Tel: (647) 352-5535

Wok & Bowl
Meat - Chinese
Located in the former Auleaf Cafe location
3023 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M6B 3B5
(416) 435-5678

Bubby's NY Diner
3030 Bathurst St
(416) 862-2435

Chicken Nest
3038 Bathurst St

Dr Laffa On The Go
3023 Bathurst St. (there's one almost up north and one down south on the east side of Bathurst, one block south of Lawrence)


Dairy:

Dr Laffa Bakery and Cafe almost up north
2 Champagne Drive Unit B6, Toronto, ON, M3J 3H7

Bistro Grande
1000 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M6C 2C5
(416) 782-3302
Nice Dairy place- pricey

The Inside Scoop
Ice cream store (Cholov Yisrael Available)
3685 Bathurst St, North York, ON M6A 2E6, Canada

Milk 'n Honey
3457 Bathurst Street
Good french onion soup, cheese blintzes...

Slice N Bites
Pizza, sushi, falafel, salads, etc.
3020 Bathurst St (West side of Bathurst, 1 block south of Lawrence)

Tov Li South
Pizza, falafel, pastas, salads, etc.
3519 Bathurst (between Lawrence and Wilson)

The Haymishe Bakery (now under COR)
Bakery with pizza and a small sitting area. People say the pizza is great (it's My Zaidy's Pizza)
3031 Bathurst St

Pizza Cafe
Pizza, falafel, salad bar
3774 Bathurst St. (north west corner of Bathurst and Wilson in plaza)
Must try the caramelized onion slice. Excellent service!!

Omni 2 - Jewels and Java
Dairy - Available on UberEats
2793 Bathurst St Toronto Moved- now located inside the Lawrence Allen Centre Mall at 700 Lawrence Ave W, North York, ON M6A 3B4

Bubby's Bagels
3035 Bathurst St (Bathurst & Lawrence)
Good breakfast/bagel selection. People say they make Toronto's only 'real' bagels.
A few bar stools on ground floor, lots of seating in basement.

Pantry
3456 Bathurst St (between Lawrence and Wilson)
Dairy - Available on UberEats
Dan's review.
(Takeout only now?)

3SK Cafe
1054 Eglinton Ave W
Small cafe with unique healthy homemade menu options

Surreal Sweets
3513 Bathurst St

Surreal Food Co.
973 Eglinton Ave W

Coming Soon:
Crema Café
3032 Bathurst


Thornhill
Meat:

Kapara
Great Moroccan style restaurant
7700 Bathurst St Unit 12   

Golden Chopsticks
Average chinese food
7000 Bathurst, Thornhill, ON L4J 7L1

Bali Laffa
7117 Bathurst St, Vaughan, ON L4J 2J6
Excellent Israeli grill


Howie T's
Burger joint
1 Promenade Cir, Thornhill, ON L4J 4P8, Canada

Sheli's Burgers & Fried Chicken
7241 Bathurst St.
Thornhill, ON, L4J 3W1
905-597-1984

Dr. Laffa
Shwarma joint. People in Toronto rave about it. Not sure why.
441 Clark Avenue West

Dairy:

D-lites
Dairy Cafe. Breakfast special is an outstanding value- also really good Sushi
441 Clark Ave W Vaughan, ON L4J 5K2

Cafe Sheli
Dairy Cafe- classic Jewish dairy place with a really large menu. 
Everything is good and not pricey
7700 Bathurst St, Vaughan, ON L4J 7Y3

La Briut Cafè
Kavkazi cuisine with a bar. Great vibes for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Notable item is Khachapuri
1118 Centre St Unit 1, Thornhill, ON L4J 7R9

Sips Coffee House
CY Coffee shop with pastries
441 Clark Ave W., Unit 13A, Thornhill, Ontario, L4J 6W8

My Zaidy's Pizza
441 Clark Ave W, Vaughan, ON L4J 5K2

Tov-Li Pizza
5982 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M2R 1Z1

Top Slice (Thornhill Kosher Pizza) (formerly Yehudale's)
7241 Bathurst St, Thornhill, ON L4J 3W1

Centro Cafe
Pizza, falafel, salads
Located in the lower level of the Promenade Mall- 1 Promenade Cir, Thornhill, ON L4J 4P8

Closed Down:

Aroma Espresso Bar - (this is there only kosher location in Toronto)
3791-3793 Bathurst Street  (west side of of Bathurst one block north of Wilson)


King David Pizza
(three Locations)


Annona Restaurant at the Park Hyatt
Very nice restaurant. Takes over the regular restaurant in the Hyatt lobby on Thursday nights, once or twice a month.
Good food but very expensive ($125/person + tax and tip)
(Closed permanently?)

Windsor Arms Hotel kosher dining
Very Nice Great Reviews on DDF
Sunday-Thursday 5:30-10PM
Also very good food and much more reasonable at $75/person
(Closed permanently?)

Auleaf Cafe
Dairy - Available on UberEats
3023 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M6B 3B5
(416)783-2323


Gladstones Bistro
Steakhouse



Hotels

Park Hyatt Toronto
By no means a luxury hotel, but a good value for CC anniversary nights.
Located in mid-town, around a 20 minute drive (longer during evening rush hour) to the Jewish community @ Bathurst/Lawrence, a few minutes less than that to the restaurants on Eglinton.


Attractions

CN Tower
Toronto's iconic tower, was the tallest freestanding structure in the world from 1975-2007
Nice views, but only if it's a clear day. If it's overcast you'll be surrounded by clouds at the top and you won't be able to see too much.
At the top, there are indoor and outdoor observation decks and a glass floor.
Edgewalk at the CN Tower-
For ~$200 CDN you can walk out (harnessed) on a thin railing-less platform at 116 stories high.
Takes a few hours and is not cheap by any means, but could be cool.

Ripley's Aquarium
Downtown, right next to the CN Tower
288 Bremner Blvd Toronto, ON M5V 3L9
Excellent aquarium. Very expensive

Hockey Hall of Fame
Excellently done. Really cool to be able to touch the cup
Downtown, 30 Yonge St Toronto, ON M5E 1X8

Canada's Wonderland
Theme park (think six flags)
15 minutes north of Thornhill
https://www.canadaswonderland.com/
kosher food options at the park provided by Tov-Li which are available at the Backlot Café

ROM (Royal Ontario Museum
www.rom.on.ca/

Ontario science Centre
https://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/

Centre Island and Centreville
Beautiful island a 5 minute ferry ride from downtown.
Plenty of grass and splash pads and a small amusement park for kids

Toronto zoo
25 minute drive from main areas. Very nice zoo. They have pandas on loan from China for the next few years

Woodbine (Fantasy fair)
500 Rexdale Blvd Etobicoke, ON M9W 6K5
Fun indoor amusement park for kids
Near the airport

Reptilia
What it sounds like
2501 Rutherford Rd Vaughan, ON L4K 2N6

Legoland
Don't waste your money

Bunch Of Fun Playland
Their food is Kosher

Farms & Zoos

DOWNEY’S FARM MARKET
13682 Heart Lake Rd N of Brampton
905-838-2990
Daily: 9am-6pm; Funland: Daily: 10am-5pm;
$7/admission, charged to funland play area and farm animals

EVERDALE ORGANIC FARM AND
ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTRE
5812 6th Line, Erin Township 401 W to Trafalgar Rd, N on Trafalgar to Hwy #7, W on #7 to Trafalgar Rd N again, Trafalgar N to Hillsburgh W on Wellington Rd #22, N onto 6th Line Erin Township to #5812
519-855-4859
Visit Everdale, bring a picnic, walk around and enjoy a day in the country.

FAR ENOUGH FARM
Toronto Island Park, near Centreville on Centre Island
416-392-2628
9am-3pm daily; Free, Ferry: $7/adult, $.3.50/child

FORSYTHE FAMILY FARMS
10539 Kennedy Rd, Unionville 1km N of Major
Mackenzie Dr
905-887-1087
9am-5pm; Summer Fun on The Farm:
$7/2hrs, $8/3hrs (booking required)
Pick-your-own crops, visit The Enchanted Forest and summer fun on the farm.

HIGH PARK ZOO
High Park, Deer Pen Rd, Near Grenadier Café
905-887-1087
Dawn-Dusk;

PUCK’S FARM
16540 11th Concession W on Hwy 9 to King
Con 11; turn left, heading S drive 15 miles
905-939-7036
Weekends & Holidays: 10am-5pm, call for weekday schedule; $10, under 2 free: includes pony & hayrides & activities

RIVERDALE FARM
201 Winchester St (E off Parliament)
416-392-6794
riverdale-farm
Daily: 9am-5pm; Free

SPRINGRIDGE FARM
7256 Bell School Line in Milton
905-878-4908
Daily: 9am-6pm; Fun Farm Yard: $5, weekend pony rides $3 Wagon rides, farm animals. giant sandbox, and straw bale jumping.

TORONTO ZOO
Hwy 401 on Meadowvale Rd N
416-392-5900
9am-7pm; $28/adults, $18/3-12yrs, Free/2yrs-, $10/parking

WHITTAMORE’S BERRY FARM
8100 Steeles Ave E, 6km E of Markham Rd
(Highway 48)
905-294-3275
9am-5pm; $8, $35/Season Pass
Farm yard activities, playhouses, farm animals, wagon rides and pick-your-own-crops.

BROOKS FARMS
122 Ashworth Rd, Mt Albert
905-473-3246
9am-4pm; $8/Barnyard Playland
Barnyard Playland, Farmer’s Market, Pickyour-own.

Activities on the Way from NY:
  • Krispy Kreme in Scranton - on Moosic Street, under KOA with supervision from local Scranton Rav - R' Fine, recommended by Rabbi Eidlitz from KosherQuest.com via email to @Yehuda
  • Corning Museum of Glass ($20) - large museum of varying glass displays and creations, glass blowing demonstrations, has high reviews although @Yehuda didn't think it was that amazing
  • Watkins Glen State Park (free, $8 parking) - hike in a gorge along several waterfalls, more of an upward step climb than a hike which is quite strenuous, @Yehuda recommends going 20 minutes in to see the first few falls then turning back, if you go the whole 1-1.5 hours you can wait for a shuttle school bus to take you back to the parking lot for $5 cash
  • Letchworth State Park - hot air balloons
  • Finger Lakes - can go on a boat cruise or just find a nice place to pull over for a good lunch spot, @Yehuda took Hwy 14, which runs alongside Seneca Lake and found a grassy area with benches.
  • Strong Museum of Play in Rochester ($15) - not exactly on the most direct route, but a fantastic, huge museum of toys and games (many of which you can play) for all ages
  • Howe Caverns ($25) - boat ride in a cave, but close to Albany, so not on a great route to Toronto
  • Destiny USA https://www.destinyusa.com/directory/entertainment in Syracuse NY is great place to stop for various indoor fun activities...The mall has an escape room, indoor ropes course, virtual reality, mirror maze, lazer tag, trampoline park, mini golf, Dave & Busters, WonderWorks museum/entertainment center and more...I found the prices to be quite reasonable.



« Last edited by Yehudaa on January 09, 2024, 12:51:17 PM »

Author Topic: Toronto Master Thread  (Read 577922 times)

Offline shmooz

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #980 on: November 07, 2014, 12:39:23 AM »
I will be flying with my wife and child through YYZ next month from NY to TLV. I have a 4 hr. layover in the airport. Is there anything to do nearby? Will I have time to grab some lunch at a restaurant and get back for my flight to Israel? Any help would be greatly appreciated as I have never flown through YYZ before. Thanks!

my take - 4 hours is not a huge amount of time. they will start boarding about an hour before so you have 3 hours. you have to go through customs and border control on the  way out and then again plus security on the way in. will you rent a car? that takes time and you have to hope you dont get caught in traffic. better to look for the sandwiches available under COR in some terminals.

Offline vintastic16

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #981 on: November 07, 2014, 12:43:22 AM »
my take - 4 hours is not a huge amount of time. they will start boarding about an hour before so you have 3 hours. you have to go through customs and border control on the  way out and then again plus security on the way in. will you rent a car? that takes time and you have to hope you dont get caught in traffic. better to look for the sandwiches available under COR in some terminals.

Thanks for the info. I figured I'd take a cab if it were possible, didn't plan on renting a car. The luggage will be transferred for me, correct?

Offline ilherman

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #982 on: November 07, 2014, 12:52:29 AM »
Thanks for the info. I figured I'd take a cab if it were possible, didn't plan on renting a car. The luggage will be transferred for me, correct?
No. You will have to recheck your bags.
You can say what you think when you think what you say.

Offline eis517

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #983 on: November 07, 2014, 09:44:17 AM »
my take - 4 hours is not a huge amount of time. they will start boarding about an hour before so you have 3 hours. you have to go through customs and border control on the  way out and then again plus security on the way in. will you rent a car? that takes time and you have to hope you dont get caught in traffic. better to look for the sandwiches available under COR in some terminals.

It is very risky. there are Grozinksis sandwiches in Terminal 1. I would get those.

Offline Ergel

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #984 on: November 07, 2014, 09:56:10 AM »
My two cents: You have to claim your luggage and go through customs anyways. Inbound customs almost never has a lineup.
If you claim and recheck your bags quickly (which you should) and you have 3.5 hours until your flight then it would depend on the time of day. If you are anywhere near morning or evening rush hour, I would not venture out of the airport. You will sit and sit. If it's not rush hour-you could make it to and from the Bathurst and Lawrence area for lunch.
But consider this: the cab will cost you $50 each way. Is that worth it?
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline eis517

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #985 on: November 07, 2014, 10:42:05 AM »
My two cents: You have to claim your luggage and go through customs anyways. Inbound customs almost never has a lineup.
If you claim and recheck your bags quickly (which you should) and you have 3.5 hours until your flight then it would depend on the time of day. If you are anywhere near morning or evening rush hour, I would not venture out of the airport. You will sit and sit. If it's not rush hour-you could make it to and from the Bathurst and Lawrence area for lunch.
But consider this: the cab will cost you $50 each way. Is that worth it?

They could go to Thornhill, and if they take the 407, traffic is not such a worry. but then you pay the tolls also. There is no amazing food that it is worth it at all, IMHO

Offline Ergel

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #986 on: November 07, 2014, 11:13:23 AM »
They could go to Thornhill, and if they take the 407, traffic is not such a worry. but then you pay the tolls also. There is no amazing food that it is worth it at all, IMHO
I don't think a cab would take the 407. And you're tacking on another $10 each way. Expensive proposition for lunch
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Offline shmooz

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #987 on: November 07, 2014, 11:50:44 AM »
No. You will have to recheck your bags.

 I thought I remember you only have to claim your bags when coming TLV-NYC, but on the outbound they transfer for you.

Offline eis517

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #988 on: November 07, 2014, 12:30:48 PM »
I don't think a cab would take the 407. And you're tacking on another $10 each way. Expensive proposition for lunch

I have used a cab on the 407. THey just add on the toll to your bill. But there is clearly nothing worth spending that kind of $ on

Offline ilherman

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #989 on: November 08, 2014, 07:20:06 PM »
I thought I remember you only have to claim your bags when coming TLV-NYC, but on the outbound they transfer for you.
So you get smarter every day :)
You can say what you think when you think what you say.

Offline Armadillo

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #990 on: November 13, 2014, 03:08:33 AM »
But consider this: the cab will cost you $50 each way. Is that worth it?
I don't remember how much, but Uber is cheaper. Not more than $40 to Lawrence / Bathurst

Offline nobiggy

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #991 on: December 21, 2014, 03:13:23 PM »
What's the best dish to eat at cafe sheli?

Offline JayR

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #992 on: December 26, 2014, 02:42:01 AM »
Bistro Grande - saw its a bit pricey but is it worth it?
You can modify your original post. The modify button is right next to the quote button.

Offline Ergel

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #993 on: December 26, 2014, 12:19:16 PM »
Bistro Grande - saw its a bit pricey but is it worth it?
The only upscale dairy restaurant in the city
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Offline eis517

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #994 on: December 26, 2014, 01:07:40 PM »
The only upscale dairy restaurant in the city

The prices there and at Omni are no different. And Bistro is much better IMHO.

Offline Dan

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #995 on: December 26, 2014, 02:42:17 PM »
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Ergel

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #996 on: December 26, 2014, 03:49:27 PM »
The prices there and at Omni are no different. And Bistro is much better IMHO.
True. But I would never call Omni "upscale"
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Offline ShlomoM

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #997 on: December 27, 2014, 08:54:13 PM »

True. But I would never call Omni "upscale"
It's not king david. It's a pretty classy place even if the service sucks at times...

Offline Chuck2

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #998 on: December 27, 2014, 09:18:15 PM »
True. But I would never call Omni "upscale"
It's not upscale like Bistro Grande but it's not like a fast food breakfast joint, it's more like a cafe. The food is very decent the prices are relatively good, and the service is terrible.
:-)

Offline Dan

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Re: Toronto Master Thread
« Reply #999 on: December 27, 2014, 09:53:47 PM »
Funny, we had really amazing service at Omni.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.