Where to Shop TO: The Healthy Butcher

I don't eat meat, but my husband does so when we buy meat I try to be sure it is at least organic, free of hormones and antibiotics.  When possible, we buy meat from animals raised on their natural diet (chickens/pigs that are pasture raised, cows that are grass fed,etc).  So, we looked throughout Toronto for a butcher shop that meets our ideals for sourcing meat.  

The first place we found that we tried out is called The Healthy Butcher.  They have three locations - one on Queen just West of Spadina, one on Eglinton at Avenue, and one in Kitchener.  They say that their priority is local and organic meat, but they also offer some groceries and prepared foods like soups.  I really like their philosophy.  They have a quote in their store that says something to the effect of  - we should eat half as much meat at twice the price.  I completely believe that this is the way our society should focus on eating - much less meat of a much better quality.

Architecture in Toronto

Right in center of city - on Queen St.

Outside City Hall with modern skyscraper behind

Who thought this was a good idea?

ROM - mix of modern & historic

Melting pot - I think that is the best description of the architecture in Toronto.  Here you'll find many beautiful historical buildings, most of which are in fantastic shape, stashed throughout the city.  Then you'll also find slugs of concrete, evidence of the boom of growth in Toronto of the 60s and 70s.  City Hall and the library at U of T are perfect examples of this.  They don't look so bad on a sunny day, but man are they dreary on a gray winter day!  Of course there is also your fair share of new and modern buildings especially skyscrapers and condos!  But most uniquely, you'll find a hybrid of historical buildings mixed with a modern flare - in a way I've never seen before.  They literally build modern parts coming out of or around the old structure.  Take a look at the photo of the Royal Ontario Museum, I think this is the best example of the type of hybrid architecture but there are examples of it elsewhere like at U of T.  I appreciate that they aren't demolishing the historical buildings and have come up with a unique way to modernize the city, though this style takes a bit of getting used to.  

There is no one way to classify the architecture here so you're in for a treat when you start exploring!

Netflix Canada

When we were moving to Toronto, I remember feeling disappointed that we weren't going to have some things I was used to in the states - among them Target stores, Amazon.com, and Netflix.  Well, I have to say these things are much less missed now than they were 6 months ago.  As I mentioned, Target announced plans to be here by 2013.  Also, Amazon.ca has recently increased their product offering significantly so while you can't get as much as you could in the US, it is no longer limited to books, CDs, etc.  And now Netflix is available in Canada!

Netflix Canada is limited to streaming only so no DVD delivery is available (there are other companies who offer this service in Canda - Zip.ca, Canflix).  The streaming plan costs $7.99/month which I find extremely reasonable (yes I just said something is a reasonable price in Toronto!).  Considering it can cost $8 for HD movies on Rogers, to get a full month of movies for $7.99 sounds like a steal!  The selection of movies is more than sufficient for me but I don't watch a ton of movies.  They also have TV series available, which I haven't used but plan to!  So if you have a computer or a WII, XBOX, PS3, Apple TV, iPhone, etc - you can get Netflix now and start streaming.  It is the little things in life and having Netflix in Canada is one of them that makes me smile!

TO Restaurants: Akai Sushi

I posted a review on Yelp a while back about this sushi place near us on the restaurant stretch of Harbord, but realized it never made the blog because the review was pre-blog.  It is a great little place, and while we're surrounded by options on Bloor, Akai is leagues above the other options (slightly more expensive as well but prices are very reasonable for what you get - just maybe not the top option for students).  We go a few times a month and though I've never craved sushi before, I crave Akai often.  I love everything I've tried - and my favorite are the spicy crunch rolls.  Lately I've been keeping my eye out to see if any restaurants (Chinese, Thai, and sushi) offer brown rice, and hadn't found a single one.  At Akai  yesterday I realized they offer it so I gave it a try, and it reaffirmed my love for Akai!  They usually give us a small appetizer and a green tea ice cream dessert on the house which are always tasty!  The only thing I would change is there are a couple of mini sushi dishes on display that I think are unnecessary and look like they belong somewhere else.  Definitely recommend it - give it a try!

Getting Car and Renters Insurance

When we were planning for our move from NYC to Toronto, we bought a used car.  We were going to need car insurance again!  I had used Allstate for car and renters insurance when I lived in MN and had retained them for renters insurance in NY.  So, when we bought the car in MN, we had it insured temporarily until our move through Allstate.  When we arrived to Toronto, we tried to just call-up Allstate Canada to have our car and renters policies transferred, but low and behold it isn't that easy.  In Canada, they have separate underwriters than in the US so there is no such thing as just "transferring" your policy per se.  For the renters policy, we were going to have to have our rings re-appraised even though we've had them continuously insured through Allstate since we got engaged.  The experience didn't make us feel like we were being rewarded for customer loyalty so we decided to check out prices with other companies - if we had to start over, it may as well be at the best price.

Exploring TO: Art Gallery of Ontario

Northwest corner of AGO

Last night was officially my first visit to a Toronto museum.  I know what you're thinking, how could I have been here almost 6 months and not made it to the Bata Shoe Museum yet?  Crazy I know - but since I can't figure out why there even is a shoe museum, I haven't made it a priority.  But, last night I went to the Art Gallery of Ontario!  On Wednesdays admission is free (normally $20) so decided to check it out.

Must Try Italian - Enoteca Sociale!

Picture by Aislinn Smith

We found a fantastic little Italian restaurant in the West End of Toronto called Enoteca Sociale.  It is really a close second to the quaint places we used to love in NYC, and we'll definitely be back.  Check out the full review on Yelp or Blog TO, and then head over to check out the restaurant when you can!