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Food News 2008

posted on September 29, 2008

The Star: Little Portugal is trendy, with a family vibe

By: Emily Mathieu
Published: Sep 26, 2008
Source: The Star

Time-tested restaurants and a thriving community park are what Judith Rudoler loves about the four city blocks around Havelock St.

Rudoler lives at Bloor St. W. and Dufferin St. in an area known as Little Portugal. The area also has a sizable Korean and Caribbean population and gives off a nice, eclectic family vibe, she says.

"I like the fact that it is not overly trendy," says Rudoler, 30. She's also a 30-minute walk to The Paper Place at 887 Queen St. W., a speciality store selling hand-made papers from around the world, where she is the manager.

She has lived in the same area for about 10 years.

We start on Havelock and head south. Along the way she points out her favourite house with a giant lilac bush out front. "It's not the house, it's the lilac bush I love the most," she says. Rudoler loves lilacs so much a fair portion of her shoulder and back sport a detailed tattoo of the flower.

What is the best part of your neighbourhood?

Dufferin Grove Park, says Rudoler standing at the park's edge at Havelock St. and Sylvan Ave. "I think this is the best part of the neighbourhood ... it's amazing."

Year round, rain or shine, a farmers' market opens every Thursday fom 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., she says.

"There are fruits and vegetables, there is a honey guy, and there is the olive oil and feta guy. There are meat and fish vendors, too."

The park also runs two large, wood-fire ovens that produce fresh baked bread for the market and also pizza once a week, she says.

"It's a huge community thing; it's an amazing park."

As we leave the park and head back towards Bloor St. via Gladstone we briefly catch sight of Dufferin Mall through the trees.

Do you go to Dufferin Mall?

A bit, but she is not a huge fan. "I have to admit I like the Winners," she says right before we turn from Gladstone onto Bloor St. W.

Where can you shop for clothing?

Freedom Clothing, 939 Bloor St. W, is run like a collective. "They just have fun funky stuff by local artists," says Rodoler.

Besides the market, where do you like to get food?

O Nosso Talho, 1034 Bloor St. W., the local Portuguese butcher shop for cuts of meat and Queen of Sheba, 1051 Bloor St. W., for the vegetarian platter. "I tend to eat mostly vegetarian and it's delicious ."

Disgraceland, 965 Bloor St. W., offers "amazing brunch," she says raving about their vegetarian version of eggs Benedict. "It rocked my world. And it's also a very good place to get a pint."

The Concord Café Bar and Gallery, 937 Bloor St. W is a great place to eat and drink and throws local art shows. "In the back they have a big stage. It's a great place."

Strictly Bulk Health & Bulk Food Store, 924 Bloor St. W. "is where I get most of my food," she says.

Any hidden gems?

Zoinks used books and music at 1019 Bloor St. W., and Goretti's Hair Studio at 1060 Bloor St. W. Rodoler goes to a beauty shop in the basement for pedicures. At Health Service Centre at 971 Bloor St. W. you can get everything from juicers to vitamins.

What else is close by?

Though we focus on Bloor St. W. she is just a quick walk away from College St., between Dufferin and Dovercourt, where there are "some really cool places to eat, hang out, get coffee," like The Common, 1071 College St., for coffee and the Pantry, 974 College St., for gourmet food for people on the run, she says.

After 10 years what is one place you can't live without?

When Rodoler first moved to the area The Beirut Palace House of Wraps, 1006 Bloor St. W. was the first place she ate. "They have a great patio, the food is amazing," she says. "The have been feeding me dinner for 10 years. They have pretty much kept me alive."

(:title The Star: Little Portugal is trendy:)

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