Abbeshay's Profile
Lemon Liberte - so good
Just like lemon cheesecake! Too bak it's not very low in fat, yogurt-wise, that would be a damn good excuse to make it a daily meal.
Anchovies packed in Salt : Any sources in downtown Toronto?
Try the seafood department at most Fortino's. They used to keep a small container of them in their showcase. If you have to buy the large cans, you can keep the anchovies in your fridge or freezer as long as you keep them covered by the salt.
Bread Baking Baskets in T.O.
I got my long-awaited Nancy Silverton's Breads from the La Brea Bakery Cookbook yesterday and I was wondering if anyone has seen a proofing basket for sale in these parts (Toronto-downtown or midtown). I haven't even started the starter yet so I have some time to look around.
Remember Arlequin?
I'm just remembering Toronto some 10-15 years back and thinking that there doesn't seem to be anymore restaurants with a take home counter like there was at Arlequin, Oliver's etc. I used to buy the little checkerboard cookies after a meal at Arlequin and have them with coffee when I got home. It was a special little ritual that seemed to transport me from the daily hardships of North American life to a small, french cafe in my own home. Does anyone know of a place that carries it's own selection of pastries, breads etc. for taking home. I'm not necessarily talking about take-out service.
Butter Avenue
This looks promising, especially the name. I was driving by at Yonge & Yonge Blvd. It's not open yet, but I was wondering if anyone has heard more about it. The pictures on the window look like french macaroons but the name implies more homey type desserts.
Sauerkraut minus the wine
I think wine sauerkraut has a funny taste and now I can't seem to find "just regular"sauerkraut on any supermarket shelves. Sometimes I get a craving and want the real stuff! Does anyone know where I can buy it?
Butcher's Son on Yonge
Thanks, gmania! I'll stop by asap for a visit and perhaps the seafood store as well. Like you, I'm very happy about the recent additions in the area even though we are rather spoiled with Cumbrae's etc. on Bayview. It's just that I don't like to deal with the traffic on Bayview so much.
Butcher's Son on Yonge
Has anyone been there lately? I've read good things about it online and I passed by there last week. Is it open on Sundays?
Taza Chocolate Mexicano Discs - west end?
Try the Whole Foods Market, I think it's in Etobicoke. I know that they carry those in the downtown store because I remember being very curious about what they were.
Homemade Mayonnaise dilemma
Does anyone else prefer the store-bought mayonnaise to the homemade versions? I love the idea of making my own, using 3 or 4 fresh ingredients and not having to bother with all the preservatives etc. yet, I am happily back to Hellman's because I simply cannot stand having gone through all the trouble of making it and then not seeing on my sandwich when I go to eat it. All that's left on the bread is a greasy oil spot. Am I making it wrong? I have tried several recipes from reputable sources and they all melt on bread and in various salads into a soppy, oily mess. I have tried different oils, as well, and used many variations of egg yolk to whole eggs. I like the sense of accomplishment I get when my efforts produce a light, fluffy emulsion but I can't help but think maybe my North American upbringing affects my preference. Mom used Hellman's so, maybe, I should stick with it, too. Ugh....Hellman's-you are my secret sin!!!
McEwan vs Pusateri's
Pusateri's is what I like to refer to as "reliable", as most of the produce in their store is always consistantly good quality and I don't feel like everyone has "fingered"everything before it gets to me. Rarely or never have I ever encountered the stalls adorned with the pits or stones of some other ignorant customer's attempt to sample the food before they buy it, or someone's thumbnail mark in an apple that I'd like to purchase. For this reason and especially because of the quality of the produce, I endure the cramped space and the people with 3 or more small kids and a stroller and grandma tagging along while they confer loudly with their business associates on their cell. If price is a concern, I suggest that you try more local varieties of items that they sell as they seem comparable to most other stores.
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Pusateri's
1539 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5M, CA
Plugras butter
I would love to try it here, but, having seen some of the artisinal butters priced at a whopping 15.00 a pound and up, I think I'll stick with Lactancia cultured unsalted. For those of you who think they're missing out on something because of the border rules, let's just say that most Americans probably don't have the luxury of choosing a cultured butter from their average grocery shelves like we do in Ontario. By the way, having read some of the discussions below regarding water content in butter, I have a suggestion that I learned from school - knead the butter to reduce the water content in a block of butter. Simply allow the butter to come to a manageable temperature without becoming too soft, and knead it with your hands like bread until you can feel the water separated from the butter. This is a good way to make the butter "block" for making homemade croissants.
Strawberry milk powder?
If you're willing to buy a whole box, try Carnation Instant Breakfast. The box has three flavors-vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. Each envelope contains enough powder for an eight ounce drink when milk is added. The strawberry one tastes just like the mixed milk drink or the syrup drink.
Looking for Jif!!
Ah, yes, I can remember buying things like Old Bay Seasoning there at a time when nobody up here knew what Old Bay Seasoning was! Well, now I guess I"m off to Walmart's.
Looking for Jif!!
Õops, I guess I got overexcited about the prospect of finding my long lost peanut butter ( I really feel silly, but peanut butter can be a big deal when you have a craving for it!!) Thanks to the posters anyway and I guess I'll just have to wait for a surprise package from home or when I travel back in the future.
Looking for Jif!!
Oh, Happy Day! I'll be off to Longo's as soon as I get rid of the jars of mediocre peanut stuff from Skippy and Kraft. Actually, I think I'll go there and buy some immediately so that I don't miss it if they decide not to carry it. Thanks to all the posters for their comments!
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Happy Day Restaurant
2383 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P1X2, CA
Looking for Jif!!
I used to buy Jiffy Peanut Butter at Pusateri's, but it's not there anymore....so, as a transplanted American who grew up with the stuff, can anyone tell me if it's being sold anywhere else? I also tried Metro or at least one location of Metro because I remember seeing it there long ago when Metro was Dominion, but to no avail. Skippy, Kraft etc. pale in comparison.
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Pusateri's
1539 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5M, CA
Where can I buy vanilla paste in toronto?
I saw it the other day at Pusateri's on Avenue Road, in the baking aisle. It was attached to another bottle with vanilla extract so I guess it's a package deal and probably on the pricey side.
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Pusateri's
1539 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5M, CA
Where to buy meatballs?
I'm a fan of Pusateri's meatballs. When I'm making my own sauce, I'll buy a pound of these from their meat counter to flavour up the recipe. Yes, they are big boys and I usually split them into two or three smaller meatballs before frying them, but it really is a big timesaver as they are very well seasoned and perfect for the pot!
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Pusateri's
1539 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5M, CA
ISO: Vanilla
Check out Williams-Sonoma vanilla-sometimes it can be as low as approximately $14.00 for a bottle (if memory serves me, the bottle looked like it held about 6 ounces of vanilla). This stuff lasted me for about 9 months of average baking.
Whole Foods shout-outs (2010)
The cinnamon swirl bread is something I buy at Whole Foods exclusively-I love the fact that it's just sweet enough and that it doesn't have any raisins or anything obstructing the cinnamon taste.
The coffee beans appear to be somewhat of a bargain and they're roasted on premises.
Real fruit popsicles in coconut flavour-these are like the ones that I get in Florida when I visit my mother and father; I haven't seen them anywhere else up here.
I agree with kattyeyes about the baked on premises bread, and I'm definately going to check out the crabcakes next time I'm there.
ISO Veal Bones
Try all the suggested places from other posters; if you're interested in organic products, try Whole Foods Market downtown. I've bought chicken parts (necks and backs) for making stock there so I'm sure they'll be able to put together something for veal stock, as well. I've also seen frozen veal bones labelled specifically for stock at some Loblaws so if you're looking for something in a supermarket, you could have a look.
Apple Cider?
I bought some apple cider vinegar at Whole Foods by the name of Filsinger's from Ayton, Ontario- I guess made from their orchards. They also sell huge bottles of cider which I'm sorely tempted to try .
Panettone brands available in Toronto... recommendations?
Tre Marie is good but don't go for the ones with the chocolate "pudding" stuff inside or the lemon filled ones. I like the traditional raisin, candied fruit one or, my favorite, the plain one with confectioner's sugar in a packet in the box to top it off!
ISO Maldon sea salt in GTA
I've always seen it in Pusateri's on Avenue Road-not in the baking section, but where they hold their collection of spices. I've also seen it a Whole Foods Market.
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Pusateri's
1539 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5M, CA
Where to get Old Bay seasoning
This is not exactly a gourmet destination but I bought some at Zeller's once in their food aisle.
Gourmet on Yonge & Eglinton?
Does anyone know about this new establishment on Yonge/Eglinton in the Minto Condo area? Is it a Pusateri-like store or a sit-down coffee shop? I've been meaning to take a look but dread the idea of looking for a parking spot. If anyone has some info on it I might have a look one day as I'm in the area but tend to shop further south. I think the name of it is "Le Gourmand".
ISO Good Tea Sandwiches
Pusateri's makes pretty ones but I've never tried them. Fortino's makes platters of them and they're quite good although you'll have to inquire about whether they still make them (from the deli dept.) as I had them a long time ago.
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Pusateri's
1539 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5M, CA
Autumn cookies
Pusateri's sells bags of cookies made by a company called Isobel's. Every season she makes beautifully decorated cookies to corrispond with that time of year i.e. now , all the cookies have ghosts, pumpkins and halloween decor. I've seen lovely autumn leaf designs from her and am wondering if she would decorate on special order for you. These treats are not inexpensive though and you might have to pay a pretty penny for such artistic delicacies.
Quail eggs
I see these quite frequently at Pusateri's on Avenue Road in the egg/dairy section. Check out the downtown location if you want some closer to where you live.
