What’s Good Neighbourhood: The Junction

The Junction is “Toronto’s small town in the city.” It is so close to Downtown TO that it isn’t even funny. Its colourful history starts from meager beginning of railways, trains, and drunks that embarrassed the Prohibitionists. Today, the Junction is a thriving area with renewed concepts of how to run a business. Every place that i write about in this feature all have a common theme. They want to give to their customers an authentic, genuine and organic experience of whatever service they provide. I start with grocery stores, great resto’s and cafe’s and finally, the furniture stores.

The Sweet Potato

2995 Dundas St. W.,
Tel: 416-762-4848
Info: digs@thesweetpotato.ca

The Sweet Potato is  a “.. perfect combination between a fine food store, an organic market, and a discount store…” Everything is fabulous and fresh, providing to their customers “the finest in local organic produce.” Everything from baked goods, fresh organic meat and dairy, to delicious desserts, and “even some of our own home-made delicacies.” They provide fresh produce year round. During the colder months when nothing can be grown in Ontario, they have excellent, reliable partners south of the border.

The Beet Organic Cafe and Market

2945 Dundas St. W.,
Tel: 416-916-2368
Info: info@thebeet.ca

On February 5th, 2008, The Beet Organic Café opened their doors. Proud owners Michelle Vella, Certified Nutritionist and Heather Osler, Homeopathic Doctor set out to bring to their community an organic café. The menu is “designed by to combine optimum nutrition with dynamite flavour.” Their “mission is to support local farmers by providing fresh local produce whenever possible.” They import Certified Fair Trade and take pride in being a socially responsible business.”

The Hole In the Wall

2867 Dundas Street W
Tel: 416 760-7041

If you are looking for fantastic food, great beer, and a bar that makes you think twice when going in, then head for The Hole in the Wall. Its a very narrow venue, with the bar being the central focus of the room. But somehow, people tend to cram themselves in and enjoy the company of us locals. They have a re vamped menu, including oysters. Apparently they are “delicious and extremely fresh, served on a platter of ice with the perfect accompaniments- lemon, tabasco and most importantly- horseradish.” They just opened up with new owners and management.

Cool Hand of a Girl

2804 Dundas St. W.,
Tel: 416-832-1076

Cool Hand of a Girl, reminds me of an old time diner, but for peeps who want a quality meal with only the best ingredients. They “buy produce directly from farmers at the Dufferin Grove Farmers Market, free-range chicken and eggs from Vince Gasparro, dairy from Harmony Milk, fresh ricotta from Santa Lucia Cheese, and premium freshly roasted coffee from De Tour Coffee.” The menu features everything from “homemade granola: oat/quinoa/almond/cranberry with organic yogurt” to “tarragon chicken roast free-range mennonite chicken breast.”

Curry Twist

Northern Indian and true Moghlai cuisine.
3034 Dundas St. W.,
Tel: 416-769-5460
Info: info@currytwist.com

I believe that sometimes it’s best just to let the words of a restaurant speak for themselves. Here is the philosophy behind Curry Twist. “To appreciate this rich and varied cuisine one must understand the philosophy that dictates Indian food. The strongest influence on Indian food is of Ayurveda an ancient body of knowledge on health and life. It covers the whole subject of life in it’s various ramifications. It discusses the purpose of life, the importance of mental as well as physical well being. The aim is salvation-the wellness of the mind, body and soul.”

Baan Thai

2961 Dundas St. W
Tel: 416-604-0062

The Baan Thai Restaurant is owned and operated by the Thipcharoen family; originally from Bangkok and Nakhon Rachasima, Thailand. They offer a menu full of authentic Thai choices. Vegan, Vegetarian or special diet requests are always welcome as they do “made to order” Thai dishes. For example, they have a Dinner for Two that is Vegetarian at $27.95. You get Thai Lemongrass Soup, 2 Thai Spring Rolls, Deep Fried Tofu, One Stir-fried Vegetarian Dish, Pad Thai Noodle and Steamed Rice. Other special dinners include a wide variety of chicken, pork and fish in the apps and main dishes. They also do catering for both large and small events.

Crema Coffee

3079 Dundas St West
(416) 767-3131
Twitter @cremaTO

At Crema Coffee they believe that “making great coffee is a science and an art.” I love sipping on their brews. The owner Geoff Polci knows his coffee beans, as he used to live in Central America. He invites you to taste the coffee from “Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panama”. These beans are grown in the shade of pre-existing banana and citrus trees. This bring the coffee to have a lot of fruity notes including banana, pineapple and citrus.” Join the coffee with the baked daily all-natural pastries, panini, and the menu that “can change day to day in response to customers’ preferences.” It is a true cafe in that it is an “individual place made for individual people.” They also offer free WiFi and access to electrical outlets.

Axis Gallery and Grill

3048 Dundas St. W.,
Tel: 416-604-3333

Axis Gallery and Grill has a “warm ambiance, friendly staff, great food and rockin’ live music.” The Art Gallery shows work from local artists. They offer Grill and Gastropub style fare and have an amazing brunch menu. I like this place as there is a cute side patio with a shady spot to watch people of the Junction go by. The atmosphere and attire is casual but still boasts “a great downstairs lounge with leather couches, big screen tv, pool table.” They have Live Entertainment, Private Dining, and Karaoke.

Margret on Dundas

2952 Dundas St. W.
Tel: 416-762-3373
Info: drink@margretondundas.com
Twitter @MargretBar
Click here for their facebook link. It’s a hilarious page that proves the point you don’t have to take life to seriously to have fun.

If you have been reading my blog posts of late, you already know how much I love, and would marry Margret on Dundas. Here’s why. They reinvented the concept of cheap tasty alcohol. Each night you can come early for MARGRETHOUR $3.50 Tallcans and Whiskey Sours til 10. There are various themed nights that suit every persuasion. A wide variety of Dj’s have come by to spin vinyl at Margret on Dundas. Boots Boogie, Betti Forde, Cozmic Cat, Dislexia and Fawn BC just to name a few. Their roster of events ranges from “First Thursday: CURSE THESE METAL HANDS- britpop, classic hip-hop, post rock, electro, bowie.” to a new night, “Gay Night for Queers.” The comfy couches and neat artwork make this place a place to stay for a long while and come back soon.

Eclectic Revival

3075 Dundas St. W.,
Tel: 416-766-5500

Peter Breese is the owner of Eclectic Revival. This is an “antique lighting business.” There is much extensive travelling “through North America and Europe to find great quality pieces.” Lightning fixtures such as chandeliers, table lamps and wall sconces dating back to 1800s right up to the 1940′s and 50′s. They also do custom work, and “incorporate reclaimed and or repurposed materials whenever possible.” They do try to keep the fixtures in their original condition. This shop is brilliant to look at after nightfall.

Post + Beam Reclamation LTD

2869 Dundas St. W
Tel: 416-913-4243
Info: info@pandb.ca

This is a company that does “Architectural reclamation” and they are a “retailer of old house parts.” On their website, they have “The Vault.” Items from the following categories can be viewed as a slide show. Excellent pictures of their residential, commercial, garden, decor and furniture. I can spend hours just looking at what they have available. They also do rentals of their products for film shoots.