A group of people from my office (financial district) like to evaluate the city's sticky toffee puddings on occasion. So far we've been to Starfish and Toca at the Ritz (Starfish wins on taste, Toca on presentation).

I'm looking for more places that serve the stuff in the afternoon (ie, must be open at some point between 1pm and 4pm) that are close to downtown. I am aware of Canoe and Nota Bene. Jacob & Co isn't open for lunch but they also serve it. Anyone know any other places? Much appreciated!

Update: As of April 13:

1. Abalone - Lai Wah Heen, Very Fair Chinese Restaurant, Golden Court Abalone Restaurant
2. Absinthe - LCBO, smuggled in from Europe.
3. Alligator – Big Daddy’s, N’Awlins, southern accent
4. Baba Ghanoush - Jerusalem, Dr. Laffa, Armenian Kitchen
5. Bagel & Lox - Hamishe Bakery
6. Baklava - Arz Bakery, Pizza Pide, Select Bakery, Patisserie Royale, Serano
7. BBQ Ribs - Swiss Chalet (damn good for the money)
8. Bellini - sassafraz
9. Birds Nest Soup – Chinese apothecaries
10. Biscuits & Gravy – The Stockyards (brunch)
11. Black Pudding - Splendido
12. Black Truffle - St. Lawrence Market
13. Borscht – Sunflower Kitchen brand, Chopin, Best Grill, Prague Deli (check avail.)
14. Calamari – The Rhino, Lee Garden, Origin
15. Carp - Hooked
16. Caviar – Harbour 60
17. Cheese Fondue - Tati Bistro
18. Chicken & Waffles - Harlem Restaurant
19. Chicken Tikka Masala - Raby's
20. Chile Relleno - El Sol
21. Chitlins - Pizzeria Libretto's nduja pizza.
22. Churros – Pancho’s Bakery, Cava
23. Clam Chowder
24. Cognac - LCBO
25. Crab Cakes - Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Zee Grill, seasonal ones at Trio Ristorante, Bymark
26. Crickets - Atlantic Restaurant
27. Currywurst - Wvrst
28. Dandelion Wine
29. Dulce De Leche
30. Durian – T&T supermarkets, pho restaurant shakes
31. Eel - Yuzu
32. Eggs Benedict – Czehoski, Marben
33. Fish Tacos - Grand Electric, County General
34. Foie Gras - Splendido
35. Fresh Spring Rolls - Lemongrass
36. Fried Catfish – Harlem, N'awlins
37. Fried Green Tomatoes - acadia
38. Fried Plantain – The Real Jerk
39. Frito Pie - pretty sure you'd have to assemble this yourself.
40. Frogs' Legs
41. Fugu - Japan or Manhattan, I fear
42. Funnel Cake - Canada's Wonderland, The Ex
43. Gazpacho
44. Goat - Ali's West Indian Roti Shop
45. Goat's Milk - grocery
46. Goulash – Europe Restaurant, Country Style, Prague Deli
47. Gumbo – Harlem, N'awlins
48. Haggis – Caledonian, McGugan’s
49. Head Cheese - Parts And Labour
50. Heirloom Tomatoes – Vicki’s Veggies
51. Honeycomb – St. Lawrence Market North honey stall
52. Hostess Fruit Pie - Amazon and ebay, looneystuff.com
53. Huevos Rancheros - Beast
54. Jerk Chicken - The Real Jerk
55. Kangaroo - St. Lawrence Market has kangaroo burgers, Wvrst
56. Key Lime Pie - grand electric
57. Kobe Beef - Famu
58. Lassi - Copper Chimney, Motimahal, Bombay Chowpatty
59. Lobster - Starfish, Scaramouche
60. Mimosa - La Societe Bistro
61. Moon Pie - Restoration Hardware(?), Delica Kitchen
62. Morel Mushrooms - St. Lawrence Market (dried)
63. Nettle Tea - David's Tea
64. Octopus - Volos
65. Oxtail Soup - Mot Na Son
66. Paella – Segovia, Cava
67. Paneer - Gandhi
68. Pastrami on Rye - Pickel Barrel / Katz's / Centre street, stockyards
69. Pavlova – George, Scaramouche, Southern Accent, Woodlot
70. Phaal
71. Philly Cheese Steak - Philadelphia Kitchen in Orangeville
72. Pho - hundreds of places
73. Pineapple & Cottage Cheese - Grocery store
74. Pistachio Ice Cream - I count gelato, so Il Gelatiere
75. Po' Boy - The Gabardine has a shrimp po'boy
76. Pocky - grocery
77. Polenta - Scarpetta
78. Prickly Pear
79. Rabbit Stew - Cantinado O Barradino, Tati Bistro
80. Raw Oysters - Biff's Bistro, Rodney's Oyster House
81. Root Beer Float - Gale's Diner
82. S'mores – Moroco, Harbour 60
83. Sauerkraut - Polonez, Elle m'a dit, Globe Earth, any Eastern European restaurant, any supermarket
84. Sea Urchin – uni at Japanese restaurants, Diana’s seafood
85. Shark - Bake & Shark @ Drupati's
86. Snail - Batifole, La Palette, Le Rossignol
87. Snake - Big Mouth Kee, Sam Woo
88. Soft Shell Crab - Starfish, Gill, Katsura
89. Som Tam
90. Spaetzle - Bannock has it as a side to its pork dish, Corner House as a side to venison stew, Pusateri’s, Hungarian Honey Bear deli, Europe restaurant, Coffee Mill
91. Spam - grocery
92. Squirrel
93. Steak Tartare - La Palette, Nota Bene
94. Sweet Potato Fries - Lou Dawgs
95. Sweetbreads - Tati Bistro
96. Tom Yum - Not Thai Express (awful Tom Yum)
97. Umeboshi - Sanko
98. Venison - Corner House
99. Wasabi Peas - Grocery
100. Zucchini Flowers - Treadwell and Buca

Just spotted pavlova on the Woodlot menu mentioned in this week's Now.

3. Alligator, 36. Fried catfish, and 47. Gumbo - N'awlins

I can't say from personal experience, but I've been told Laksmi is the "best" dosa in TO.

Umeboshi, honeycomb and prickly pear all available at Whole Foods. Thought Spaetzle might be there to but no dice.

Dave and Buster's has them.

48. Haggis - Caledonian; other places serve it on Burns' night

Found a source for Hostess Fruit Pies: Looneystuff.com. LooneyStuff is on ebay as well but through their website is cheaper. I highly recommend them.

UPDATE as of Feb 11 5pm ET. Full list at bottom; items still needing suggestions below.

3. Alligator
8. Bellini
25. Crab Cakes
28. Dandelion Wine
29. Dulce De Leche
37. Fried Green Tomatoes
40. Frogs' Legs
43. Gazpacho
48. Haggis
49. Head Cheese
56. Key Lime Pie
60. Mimosa
64. Octopus
65. Oxtail Soup
66. Paella
68. Pastrami on Rye
69. Pavlova
70. Phaal
71. Philly Cheese Steak
78. Prickly Pear
83. Sauerkraut
85. Shark
87. Snake
89. Som Tam
92. Squirrel
94. Sweet Potato Fries
96. Tom Yum
100. Zucchini Flowers

1. Abalone - Lai Wah Heen, Very Fair Chinese Restaurant, Golden Court Abalone Restaurant
2. Absinthe - LCBO, smuggled in from Europe.
3. Alligator
4. Baba Ghanoush - Jerusalem, Dr. Laffa, Armenian Kitchen
5. Bagel & Lox - Hamishe Bakery
6. Baklava - Arz Bakery, Pizza Pide, Select Bakery, Royal Pastries
7. BBQ Ribs - Swiss Chalet (damn good for the money)
8. Bellini -
9. Birds Nest Soup – Chinese apothecaries
10. Biscuits & Gravy – The Stockyards (brunch)
11. Black Pudding - Splendido
12. Black Truffle - St. Lawrence Market
13. Borscht – Sunflower Kitchen brand, Chopin, Best Grill, Prague Deli (check avail.)
14. Calamari – The Rhino, Lee Garden, Origin
15. Carp - Hooked
16. Caviar – Harbour 60
17. Cheese Fondue - Tati Bistro
18. Chicken & Waffles - Harlem Restaurant
19. Chicken Tikka Masala - Raby's
20. Chile Relleno - El Sol
21. Chitlins - Pizzeria Libretto's nduja pizza.
22. Churros – Pancho’s Bakery
23. Clam Chowder
24. Cognac - LCBO
25. Crab Cakes
26. Crickets - Atlantic Restaurant
27. Currywurst - Wvrst
28. Dandelion Wine
29. Dulce De Leche
30. Durian – T&T supermarkets, pho restaurant shakes
31. Eel - Yuzu
32. Eggs Benedict - Czehoski
33. Fish Tacos - Grand Electric, County General
34. Foie Gras - Splendido
35. Fresh Spring Rolls - Lemongrass
36. Fried Catfish - Harlem
37. Fried Green Tomatoes
38. Fried Plantain – The Real Jerk
39. Frito Pie - pretty sure you'd have to assemble this yourself.
40. Frogs' Legs
41. Fugu - Japan or Manhattan, I fear
42. Funnel Cake - Canada's Wonderland, The Ex
43. Gazpacho
44. Goat - Ali's West Indian Roti Shop
45. Goat's Milk - grocery
46. Goulash – Europe Restaurant, Country Style, Prague Deli
47. Gumbo - Harlem
48. Haggis
49. Head Cheese
50. Heirloom Tomatoes – Vicki’s Veggies
51. Honeycomb – St. Lawrence Market North honey stall
52. Hostess Fruit Pie - Amazon and ebay
53. Huevos Rancheros - Beast
54. Jerk Chicken - The Real Jerk
55. Kangaroo - St. Lawrence Market has kangaroo burgers, Wvrst
56. Key Lime Pie
57. Kobe Beef - Famu
58. Lassi - Copper Chimney, Motimahal, Bombay Chowpatty
59. Lobster - Starfish, Scaramouche
60. Mimosa
61. Moon Pie - Restoration Hardware(?), Delica Kitchen
62. Morel Mushrooms - St. Lawrence Market (dried)
63. Nettle Tea - David's Tea
64. Octopus
65. Oxtail Soup
66. Paella
67. Paneer - Gandhi
68. Pastrami on Rye
69. Pavlova
70. Phaal
71. Philly Cheese Steak
72. Pho - hundreds of places
73. Pineapple & Cottage Cheese - Grocery store
74. Pistachio Ice Cream - I count gelato, so Il Gelatiere
75. Po' Boy - The Gabardine has a shrimp po'boy
76. Pocky - grocery
77. Polenta - Scarpetta
78. Prickly Pear
79. Rabbit Stew - Cantinado O Barradino, Tati Bistro
80. Raw Oysters - Biff's Bistro, Rodney's Oyster House
81. Root Beer Float - Gale's Diner
82. S'mores – Moroco, Harbour 60
83. Sauerkraut
84. Sea Urchin – uni at Japanese restaurants, Diana’s seafood
85. Shark
86. Snail - Batifole, La Palette, Le Rossignol
87. Snake
88. Soft Shell Crab - Starfish, Gill, Katsura
89. Som Tam
90. Spaetzle - Bannock has it as a side to its pork dish, Corner House as a side to venison stew
91. Spam - grocery
92. Squirrel
93. Steak Tartare - La Palette, Nota Bene
94. Sweet Potato Fries
95. Sweetbreads - Tati Bistro
96. Tom Yum - Not Thai Express (awful Tom Yum)
97. Umeboshi - Sanko
98. Venison - Corner House
99. Wasabi Peas - Grocery
100. Zucchini Flowers

UPDATE as of Feb 6 7pm ET. Still many missing, any suggestions?

1. Abalone - Lai Wah Heen
2. Absinthe - LCBO, smuggled in from Europe.
3. Alligator
4. Baba Ghanoush - Jerusalem, Dr. Laffa, Armenian Kitchen
5. Bagel & Lox - Hamishe Bakery
6. Baklava - Arz Bakery, Pizza Pide, Select Bakery, Royal Pastries
7. BBQ Ribs - Swiss Chalet (damn good for the money)
8. Bellini - Milestones
9. Birds Nest Soup
10. Biscuits & Gravy
11. Black Pudding
12. Black Truffle - St. Lawrence Market
13. Borscht
14. Calamari
15. Carp
16. Caviar
17. Cheese Fondue - Tati Bistro
18. Chicken & Waffles - Harlem Restaurant
19. Chicken Tikka Masala - Raby's
20. Chile Relleno - El Sol
21. Chitlins - Pizzeria Libretto's nduja pizza.
22. Churros
23. Clam Chowder
24. Cognac - LCBO
25. Crab Cakes
26. Crickets - Atlantic Restaurant
27. Currywurst - Wvrst
28. Dandelion Wine
29. Dulce De Leche
30. Durian
31. Eel
32. Eggs Benedict -
33. Fish Tacos - Grand Electric, County General
34. Foie Gras
35. Fresh Spring Rolls - Lemongrass
36. Fried Catfish
37. Fried Green Tomatoes
38. Fried Plantain
39. Frito Pie - pretty sure you'd have to assemble this yourself.
40. Frogs' Legs
41. Fugu - Japan or Manhattan, I fear
42. Funnel Cake - Canada's Wonderland, The Ex
43. Gazpacho
44. Goat - Ali's West Indian Roti Shop
45. Goat's Milk - grocery
46. Goulash
47. Gumbo - Harlem
48. Haggis
49. Head Cheese
50. Heirloom Tomatoes
51. Honeycomb
52. Hostess Fruit Pie - Amazon and ebay
53. Huevos Rancheros
54. Jerk Chicken - The Real Jerk, RIP
55. Kangaroo - St. Lawrence Market has kangaroo burgers
56. Key Lime Pie
57. Kobe Beef
58. Lassi - Copper Chimney, Motimahal, Bombay Chowpatty
59. Lobster - Starfish, Scaramouche
60. Mimosa
61. Moon Pie - Restoration Hardware(?), Delica Kitchen
62. Morel Mushrooms - St. Lawrence Market (dried)
63. Nettle Tea - David's Tea
64. Octopus
65. Oxtail Soup
66. Paella
67. Paneer
68. Pastrami on Rye
69. Pavlova
70. Phaal
71. Philly Cheese Steak
72. Pho - hundreds of places
73. Pineapple & Cottage Cheese - Grocery store
74. Pistachio Ice Cream - I count gelato, so Il Gelatiere
75. Po' Boy - The Gabardine has a shrimp po'boy
76. Pocky - grocery
77. Polenta
78. Prickly Pear
79. Rabbit Stew - Cantinado O Barradino, Tati Bistro
80. Raw Oysters - Biff's Bistro, Rodney's Oyster House
81. Root Beer Float - Gale's Diner
82. S'mores
83. Sauerkraut
84. Sea Urchin
85. Shark
86. Snail
87. Snake
88. Soft Shell Crab - Starfish, Gill, Katsura
89. Som Tam
90. Spaetzle - Bannock has it as a side to its pork dish, Corner House as a side to venison stew
91. Spam - grocery
92. Squirrel
93. Steak Tartare
94. Sweet Potato Fries
95. Sweetbreads - Tati Bistro
96. Tom Yum - Not Thai Express (awful Tom Yum)
97. Umeboshi
98. Venison - Corner House
99. Wasabi Peas - Grocery
100. Zucchini Flowers

Antica Osteria on Mayfield is also good Italian

Terrace on the Green is upscale and has a nice dining room.

For purposes of this thread, do you still have the link for the squirrel source? It's one thing I think is impossible to find here.

Yes, phaal is one I've had trouble finding too!

You got me, Prima. I just assumed Mezes would have it. Should have thought of Jerusalem, I've been there dozens of times. Great pick.

There is a meme going around about the 100 foods to eat before you die. After tallying my score, I got a pretty respectable 62. I showed my sister and she got a jaw-dropping 78. Needless to say, this cannot stand. I'm planning on winning the race to 100.

Below is the list of 100 foods - you can debate the list, but it is what it is (wot, no poutine?). I think Toronto is one of the few cities on the planet where you can get so many diverse items in one place.

Can we make a culinary guide to Toronto using the list as a map? Can we, Chowhound?

Post your best picks for items in the list in this thread. I'll try to keep this initial post updated as we go.

1. Abalone
2. Absinthe - LCBO
3. Alligator
4. Baba Ghanoush - Mezes
5. Bagel & Lox - Grocery store
6. Baklava - Arz Bakery
7. BBQ Ribs - Swiss Chalet (damn good for the money)
8. Bellini - Milestones
9. Birds Nest Soup
10. Biscuits & Gravy
11. Black Pudding
12. Black Truffle - St. Lawrence Market
13. Borscht
14. Calamari
15. Carp
16. Caviar
17. Cheese Fondue
18. Chicken & Waffles - Harlem Restaurant
19. Chicken Tikka Masala
20. Chile Relleno - El Sol
21. Chitlins
22. Churros
23. Clam Chowder
24. Cognac - LCBO
25. Crab Cakes
26. Crickets - Atlantic Restaurant
27. Currywurst - Wvrst
28. Dandelion Wine
29. Dulce De Leche
30. Durian
31. Eel
32. Eggs Benedict -
33. Fish Tacos
34. Foie Gras
35. Fresh Spring Rolls - Lemongrass
36. Fried Catfish
37. Fried Green Tomatoes
38. Fried Plantain
39. Frito Pie - pretty sure you'd have to assemble this yourself.
40. Frogs' Legs
41. Fugu - Japan or Manhattan, I fear
42. Funnel Cake - Canada's Wonderland, The Ex
43. Gazpacho
44. Goat - Ali's West Indian Roti Shop
45. Goat's Milk - grocery
46. Goulash
47. Gumbo
48. Haggis
49. Head Cheese
50. Heirloom Tomatoes
51. Honeycomb
52. Hostess Fruit Pie - Amazon and ebay
53. Huevos Rancheros
54. Jerk Chicken - The Real Jerk, RIP
55. Kangaroo - St. Lawrence Market has kangaroo burgers
56. Key Lime Pie
57. Kobe Beef
58. Lassi
59. Lobster
60. Mimosa
61. Moon Pie
62. Morel Mushrooms - St. Lawrence Market (dried)
63. Nettle Tea - David's Tea
64. Octopus
65. Oxtail Soup
66. Paella
67. Paneer
68. Pastrami on Rye
69. Pavlova
70. Phaal
71. Philly Cheese Steak
72. Pho - hundreds of places
73. Pineapple & Cottage Cheese - Grocery store
74. Pistachio Ice Cream - I count gelato, so Il Gelatiere
75. Po' Boy - The Gabardine has a shrimp po'boy
76. Pocky - grocery
77. Polenta
78. Prickly Pear
79. Rabbit Stew
80. Raw Oysters - Biff's Bistro
81. Root Beer Float
82. S'mores
83. Sauerkraut
84. Sea Urchin
85. Shark
86. Snail
87. Snake
88. Soft Shell Crab
89. Som Tam
90. Spaetzle - Bannock has it as a side to its pork dish, but not on its own
91. Spam - grocery
92. Squirrel
93. Steak Tartare
94. Sweet Potato Fries
95. Sweetbreads
96. Tom Yum - Not Thai Express (awful Tom Yum)
97. Umeboshi
98. Venison
99. Wasabi Peas - Grocery
100. Zucchini Flowers

-----
Il Gelatiere
647 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, ON M4S, CA

St. Lawrence Market
92 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E, CA

El Sol
1448 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J1N4, CA

Arz
1909 Lawrence Ave E, Toronto, ON M1R, CA

Harlem
67 Richmond St E, Toronto, ON M5C1N9, CA

Mezes
456 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K1P4, CA

Lemongrass
1630 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4G3B7, CA

Biff's Bistro
4 Front St. E, Toronto, ON M5E 1B2, CA

Atlantic Restaurant
1597 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6K1T9, CA

The Real Jerk
, Toronto, ON M5G, CA

Ali's West Indian Roti Shop
1446 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6K1M2, CA

Swiss Chalet
362 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5B1S5, CA

Thai Express
40 King St W, Toronto, ON M5H3Y2, CA

The Gabardine
372 Bay St, Toronto, ON M5H 3W1, CA

Wvrst
609 King St W, Toronto, ON , CA

Bannock
401 Bay St, Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4, CA

We're looking at booking Hart House (Great Hall) for our wedding in July or September, but our main hesitation is that there is no air conditioning. They say there are two options:

1) Put fans in the rooms, or
2) Get a truck to pump in cool air.

Does anyone know if either of these work well and are pleasant? I'm worried they either aren't effective or are loud and annoying. July in 2011 had temps in the mid-30s so we need to be prepared for heat. We're 180 people, so I'm also concerned that many bodies will heat up the place.

We really love the venue but we just don't want our guests to melt ;) Thanks for your advice!

Hey markdsgraham (and academicsocialite),

I'm looking at booking Hart House for July or September, but the main concern is the AC. They can do either fans or get a truck to pump in cool air...anyone know if either of these work well and are pleasant? I'm worried they either don't work or they are loud and annoying. For early September weddings, how was the temp? Did you use fans or anything in the space to deal with the temperature? We're 180 people, so I'm also concerned that many bodies will heat up the place.

We really love the venue but we just don't want our guests to melt ;) Thanks for your feedback!