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Cozy Bakery and Cafe

Oh the joy of being on maternity leave while our neighbourhood finally gets the cafes and bakeries we so richly deserve.

There’s fabulous True Brew soups and sandwiches.  There’s Celena’s Bakery where I understand the croissants are made in heaven.  There’s the all-organic fair trade folks at Guru Coffee.  And now, there is the Cozy Bakery and Cafe. (O.k. the sign on the southwest corner of Danforth and Woodbine still says Coffee Coffee but the new sign is coming!)

If you haven’t been in to the Cozy Bakery – you really should.  Every morning the sisters Vera and Savicia, who used to own a cafe in Niagara on the Lake, are making fresh breads (treat your family to french toast using that egg bread and I promise you it will be a good day), cinnamon buns and pastries.  Then there is the home-made soup (soon to be jarred and waiting for you to take home for dinner) and lasagnas (they make their own pasta).  Much of it is organic.  Much of it is vegetarian.  All of it is 100% natural – no short cuts.  They also do ‘savoury pastries’ which I have yet to try but am very intrigued about.

The owners are delightful and the space is plenty big enough for strollers etc.  Drop by the DECA Make A Joyful Noise Parade this Sunday to taste some of their wares!

By the way – the owners are having some difficulty with parking.  They’re using street parking, feeding the meter and moving the car.  If you have a parking spot that you can spare (even some of the time) at the north end of Moberly or somewhere in that area, contact Mary-Margaret McMahon at spargy@rogers.com.  There could be some delicious treats in it for you!

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Danforth Gems

So many gems to share today…

Nutralicious Kitchen

A few people (thanks to Kathy and Miranda) have written to let us  know about a new takeout counter at Woodbine and Lumsden called Nutralicious Kitchen.  Menu items include delicious sandwiches, pizza, salads, daily hot table (for dinner), juice bar and more.  It’s all prepared by Chef Tony – a board certified nutritionist, master herbalist practitioners and a certified personal trainer with a degree in holistic health.  Check it out at 1231 Woodbine or call 647-341-8646.

Creartive Cakes

If you’re a fan of those TV cake decorating shows like Ace of cakes and Cake Boss (or even if you’re not) you should really take a walk over to Creartive Cakes at 2207 Danforth.  Today when I walked by owner, Ji Youn, had a hamburger cake and a nachos cake in the window along with the gorgeous wedding cakes and adorable birthday cakes.  I see she’s also done a replica of the Ontario College of Art Building (above).  Ji is very very nice and she also sells ready-made beautiful and delicious cupcakes.

True Brew Cafe

True Brew is a nice little spot just east of Woodbine on the north side.  Susan bakes her goodies every day and is now carrying bagels along with the lunch sandwiches and soup.  According to the facebook page, True Brew is soon to open on Sundays and is considering staying open later on Fridays and Saturdays.

Elite Music Academy


One of our DECA members (a professional actor and musician) was telling me about the Elite Music Academy at 2007 Danforth (just west of Woodbine).  Her son is taking drumming lessons there and loving it.  She tells me the teacher is excellent.  As it happened the manager walked by and told me they offer lessons starting around age five and also offer music camps in the summer.  They offer lessons in everything from voice to guitar, to Greek Bouzouki and everything in between.  This location is a second location.  The HQ is at Danforth and Jones.

Chicken’licious

And finally – from Renee…

I have a recommendation for a new restaurant on the Danforth called Chicken’licious – at 2789 Danforth Avenue. (416 691 9800).  My family and I ate there on the long weekend, and it was very good! I had the chicken souvlaki on a pita, my husband had the chicken shwarma, and our kids split an order of the yummy chicken wings.  All in all, very good, reasonable prices and very friendly service.  This is a location that has not been successful for other restaurants in the past few years, and I would love to see this one survive!  They also have great deals on full roast chicken dinners, and offer free delivery for orders over $15.

Careerfit Mom

If the opening of a few new bakeries in the neighbourhood (to say nothing of ice cream season) has got you looking to increase your caloric activity, Beth from Careerfit Mom is beginning a stroller fit class in East Lynn Park on Monday mornings and a group fit class at Taylor Creek on Monday evenings.  She’s also offering a new play fit class for parents and kids on Wednesdays.  Find out more at www.careerfitmom.ca

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Green Shoots of Spring

So I went away for a week or so and now I have a long list of things to tell you about.  No time for a preamble…

1. Carter’s Ice Cream store opened today and apparently opening day was extremely well attended.  A beautiful day helped I’m sure, but it’s easy to come up with good reasons to go for ice cream – especially when they’re so darn nice.

2. Country in the City is a garden accessories store that is set to open at 1769 Danforth (on the south side, west of McDonalds near Red Sable).

3. Reeves Florist and Nursery of Woodbride is opening April 15th (thanks Jen for letting me know).  This new GTA location is on the Danforth in the old Budget space near Greenwood.

4. Coffee Coffee is a new place getting ready to open in early April on the southwest corner of Danforth and Woodbine.  My intel is that the owner used to sell her wares at farmers’ markets outside of the city and has now moved into Toronto.

5. The former ‘Wind Jammers’ store across from Value Village will soon be a Rogers dealer.

P.S.  The Beaches Easter Parade is this Sunday at 2 p.m. from Munro to Woodbine.  A couple of Harlem Globetrotters will be the parade marshals and will be dilly dallying throughout the route.

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Meat, Pie, Banks and The Oasis

Vincenzo’s Supermarket

Much-loved Vincenzo’s Supermarket (near Main) recently celebrated it’s 45th anniversary. Congratulations to Vincenzo and his family for some amazing staying power.

CIBC Closing

It seems the CIBC at Danforth and Woodbine is closing.  John Schofield tells me that it is slated to close in June to relocate to a new facility on Queen East in the Beach.  Members of the public who are concerned can express their views to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.

Mmmm…Pie

Our friends at the Kimbourne Park United Church are selling fresh and frozen pies to raise money for kits for children taken into emergency care (PJs, teddy bears, toothbrushes etc.).  The deadline for ordering is THIS SATURDAY.  There are lots of delicious flavours and they cost $10-$14 for full size and $4-$5 for ‘minis’.  Call 416-461-7200 to order yours in time for easter!

My Urban Oasis

This is from the Business Improvement Association’s blog.  My Urban Oasis is a furnished apartment available for short-term rentals at Danforth and Woodbine above City Flowers.  I know someone who’s parents stayed there while they were visiting and they loved it!


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The Nosh News

Read All About It

I became a ‘facebook friend’ of the True Brew Cafe (2116 Danforth)  and it’s really torture because every day I get an update of what’s in the oven and it always sounds delicious.  This was the latest one…

Carrot cake with cream cheese icing! Pecan cinnamon buns! Oatmeal chocolate chip bars! Vegetarian French Canadian Pea Soup today (contains no French Canadians). Grilled classic tuna salad sandwich or Grilled hummus, tomato and spinach sandwich.

I’m also a ‘friend’ of Relish Bar and Grill.  They don’t provide the daily dose of temptation, but they do provide updates about what’s happening.

Celena’s Bakery Grand Opening

Celena’s Bakery will be hosting the ‘official’ grand opening next weekend (March 13/14).  It’s at 2036 Danforth and it’s fabulous.  There will be lots of free samples to try so if you haven’t been, you  might want to drop by.  If you have been, you might want to drop by!

Carter’s Ice Cream …

…is back as of Easter Weekend (Good Friday is March 30th).  You know what that means?  Spring!

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Guru Coffee and Eco-Friendly Laundromat

These folks sent me a note this week to tell us about their new double venture – organic and fair trade coffee (Guru Coffee) and The Eco Laundry Room.  Both are at 2741 Danforth in the corner plaza near Canadian Tire.  Guru is offering freshly roasted coffee, tea, espresso, cappuccino, lattes, hot chocolate etc. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.  You can contact them at orders@gurucoffee.com or 416-917-7419.

While your there, you could do your laundry!  Using solar energy and “top-of-the-line Energy Star washers and dryers, you are in and out within the hour.”  Parking is free.  Wireless internet is available as is a TV and a kids play area.  It’s open 365 days a year (because whose kidding who – laundry never takes a vacation).  It’s open 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.  Last wash at 9 p.m.  Contact them at theecolaundryroom@gmail.com or 705-874-9311.