Have you been to St. Clair Ave West lately? You should!!  It’s a pretty dangerous street for foodies like myself!! There’s Stockyards, Clafouti, Pain Perdu, Noir Coffee and Tea (can you say Maple Bacon Lattes?) and in the past year a few more yummy destinations have opened up.

Here’s what I’ve recently discovered:

Rococoa Chocolates:  285 Rushton Road (behind 740 St. Clair Ave West) 416 829 9821

I parked on Rushton and as I was returning to my car, I noticed  a chocolate shop. I decided to go in and check it out.  (I’m normal, right?)  After chatting with the owner, I found out that this store opened  only two months ago. I simply had to try a chocolate (or tw0). It wasn’t easy but I decided to select: a) Guiness b) Balsamic and Honey. Both were delicious and just what my taste buds wanted!!

B)  Bite Me Bakery 1034 St. Clair Ave. West (416) 651 2253. I was following Bite Me Bakery on facebook, well before they opened. Therefore I knew that I would be visiting when they opened their doors. I am such a huge fan of the “Bite” sized concept so this approach really appeals to me. Not to mention this is a bakery with attitude. I hope you get a chance to check out their website and facebook page too so you can see their creative marketing!! Dayna gets it!!

These were the flavours that were being offered that day. Don’t you just love the names of these cupcakes? (with attitude!!).

c) Emma’s Country Kitchen 1108 St. Clair Ave West (416) 652 3662

Once again, I was following this restaurant on facebook and twitter and knew that I to visit. My first visit was for brunch. I ordered the most amazing buttermilk biscuit with an over easy egg. It was PERFECT.

I was so impressed by this restaurant that I knew I wanted to return. So one day I popped by for a terrific fresh chickpea burger with a bowl of flavourful soup. Please note, that that even the BUNS are made in house. Not your ordinary chickpea burger. Thats for sure!!

This is truly one gem of a restaurant that offers great service, fresh food, and an amazing assortment of take away food (gluten free and vegan options too).

That’s my round up of St. Clair Ave. West – have I missed anything?

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SO much is going on in April, that I don’t know where to start!! I guess at the beginning…LOL. Here’s a few April events that are on my radar and of course I wanted to share them with you.

1. The Good Food Festival – April 5th to April 7th at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place. I’ve always loved this show and infact I use to sell booth space for this show- that’s how much I loved it. Grab some cash (to take advantage of the “Show Specials”), put on your flat shoes and take advantage of the many samples and live cooking demonstrations.

2. The Cookbook Store  (850 Yonge St) is celebrating 30 years in business with an Anniversary Open House on Saturday, April 6th from 11am to 4 pm. This is truly one unique store. (that also happens to have a great newsletter too).

2. The Green Living Show – April 12-14th at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place. I’ve only gone for the last two years but it’s a show I won’t miss. You will find me most likely hanging around the “Farm Fresh Share” or the Farmers Market!!

  Please note: the Green Living Show, proud sponsor Samsung Canada, and RBC challenge GTA residents to round up old and unwanted electronic waste (e-waste) gathering dust and bring them in for recycling. For each piece of e-waste recycled at the Green Living Show, or at six participating RBC branches, participants will receive a free ticket ($16 value) to the Green Living Show (April 12-14). The Passion for E-Recycling School Challenge offers up $20,000 in Samsung Hope for Children Smart School grants to GTA schools that collect the most e-waste.

Besides eating “farm fresh” food at the show, you will find me staring at Electric Cars.

3. The Toronto Jewish Film Festival – April 11 -21. I went last year for my first time (can you believe?) and saw four films. I plan on seeing at least that many this year!! I’ve already started to “study” the guide but it’s taking longer than I would like to actually make decisions. So many choices…so little time.  Tickets on sale now! 416-324-2121.

So many choices!!

4. Slurpfest – April 2oth. I didn’t make it to the first Slurpfest but maybe I will make it to round #2!! Clearly it was a successful event.

What:  SLURP Noodlefest v2
Where:  Glass Factory, 99 Sudbury (Map)
When:  Saturday April 20th, 12 pm – 4 pm
Tickets are $10 and are now available online at http://bit.ly/XXzmVe.

5. The Ontario Brewing Awards Ceremony . I’ve never gone before but April 30th is marked down in my calendar!! This event is open to brewers, consumers and the media.
This year random brewers will have their product paired with food at stations throughout the event space for consumers and media to sample during the event. (YUM).

The event will take place on Tuesday,  April 30 from 5-8pm at The Gladstone Hotel 1214 Queen Street West  Toronto, ON
Book your tickets early at https://secure1.gettickets.ca/Redeem/Regular/Default.aspx?id=93fac481-c9c5-4d4e-b701-05788fd0d2b5&locale=en-CA

I’m such a beer fan. Promise I wont be wearing these glasses at the event. Promise.

Pretty good month – don’t you think?

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Even though the Chai Bar is less than 4 km from where I live, I had never been there till recently! Don’t ask. I’m not happy that it took me so long to get there….at ALL!!!

It’s tucked behind the Indian Rice Factory and you probably pass it ALL THE TIME but just didn’t know it was there!! So today I decided not to drive by and take the time to find a parking spot and go in.

Soon as I opened the door I was impressed. The space is simply perfect and very fitting for a Chai Bar. I ordered a chai latte (how could I not?) and was blown away  to see the waitress using a mortar and pestle to grind up the spices. My latte was perfectly hot and was the REAL DEAL.

What I loved most about the Chai Bar is their outdoor patio. Guess who is going to be hanging out a lot at this place over the summer? Isn’t it perfect?…well it’s almost perfect…throw in some SUNSHINE, greenery and some cushions!!  I just wanted to give you an idea!

I also enjoyed the free wifi so I could work while enjoying my  chai latte.  Because I was so impressed, I spoke  the owner to discus a tweet up for Cofficers (errr…for freelancers who work from coffee shops). Stay tuned.

For more info:

Chai Bar: 414 Dupont St, Toronto (647) 748 -2424

Hours: Monday to Friday 830-500 pm, Saturday and Sunday 930-500 pm

Facebook: www.facebook.com

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