Toronto: The Danforth

Tikanes! Welcome to snapshots of the Danforth!
by Rosalin Krieger ros@showmetoronto.com

The Danforth, one of the premiere hotspots in Toronto, is known as "the" Greek enclave of Toronto. It is that, but so much more. Among the fine and varied Greek dishes and deserts, you can also enjoy other outstanding international offers, from the Cuban cuisine at La Carreta, where you can make a meal out of the tapas, while soft guitar music and lighting encourage intimacy and romance, to the endless, sumptuous, Japanese choices at Katsu Sushie.

The Danforth has something to satisfy everyone, any time of the year.

Irish pub lovers (yes, you heard me right) can get their Guiness and groove on, to a live band, at Dora Keogh's at Danforth and Broadview. A Greek mainstay is Christina's at Danforth and Logan, where eating later includes belly dancing. A little gem I recently encountered, with top awards from Zagat and CNN lining their entrance, is Avli's at Danforth and Chester. They offer a set-menu, a wide variety of meat, fish and vegetarian choices. But the star of the show is their Bougatsa, a delectable apple custard desert, that cannot be found elsewhere; with coffee, it is pure indulgence. An added bonus is their attentive customer service, which begins before you arrive! They take phonecalls and answer all your questions!

Between, after or before your meals, visit the trendy nik-nak and home decor shops, such as Lily Lee, who offers reasonably priced Japanese inspired items or pamper yourself with a spa product from Harvest. The highlight of the year is the popular, summer festival--Taste of the Danforth--now the biggest in North America--where you can taste all of what the area has to offer. But I warn you, once you get bitten by the Danforth bug, you're going to want to, feel compelled to, come back again and again.