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EXPLORE TORONTO | | | | | | | 45 Ripley Ave
Toronto,
ON
M6S 3P2
416-762-6292 | | | | | Description: WEST TORONTO. Since the mid-70s, this family owned enterprise has been providing artisanal cheeses to enraptured Torontoans. It's a hive of activity here, with some people dropping by simply to check out the cheese-aging cave. Others flock here for the free samples, rarely leaving without a purchase of some sort. And it may not even be cheese. Joining ranks with all this dairy goodness are a host of imported delicacies (Turkish figs, Italian olive oil, Hungarian paprika), premium deli meats, hard-to-find produce (fingerling potatoes, truffles), chocolates, coffees and more. Enjoy some of these gourmet treats in the café; alternatively, pick up the makings of an indulgent picnic lunch. The shop provides cheeses to all the top restaurants in town as well.
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| 2417 Yonge St
Toronto,
ON
416-322-6648 | | | | | Description: MIDTOWN. Sure, they may be a little faddish, but cupcakes have a certain appeal that a slice of cake just doesn't. This charming little corner bakery makes perfect little single serving cakes that are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Tempting flavors like the James Brown (chocolate buttercream on chocolate cake), Mango Madness (mango buttercream on vanilla cake) and Curious George (banana buttercream on chocolate or vanilla cake) are popular, but with about 15 daily varieties, you'll have a hard time choosing just one!
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| 510 Mount Pleasant Rd
Toronto,
ON
M4S 2M2
416-489-9783 | | | | | Description: MIDTOWN. Whether the model railroading fanatic is you, your kids or grandkids, your spouse or a friend, a trek to George's is a must. The two-level shop is jam-packed with new engines and cars (all gauges), plus every accessory you can imagine. Need a tree, a toolshed or a tricycle to complete your layout? George's is bound to have it. And a complete selection of Thomas the Tank Engine stuff, too.
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| 150 John St
Toronto,
ON
M5V 3C3
416-973-3012 | | | | | Description: DOWNTOWN. The National Film Board's Mediatheque is a film buff's fantasy. At one of 14 viewing stations you can watch hard-to-find animated, documentary, short and feature films from the collection of over 2000, or catch a special screening at the cinema. And the shop sells a vast array of films, from seldom-seen gems to historic works to blockbusters. If you have a DVD collection of epic proportions, or want to amass one, add this to your list of places to check out!
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| 260 Yonge St
Toronto,
ON
M5B 2L9
416-977-8994 | | | | | Description: DOWNTOWN. Puzzles, game sand toys for brainiacs. And for the rest of us too.
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| 24 Bellair St
Toronto,
ON
M5R 2C7
416-920-0100 | | | | | Description: DOWNTOWN. Sort of a combined gift shop and general store, Rolo is a fun place to browse even if you don't have a pressing need to buy anything. Hello Kitty change purses, Swatch watches, Alessi kitchen gadgets, Mathmos lamps this is an exciting and eclectic collection. You may end up deciding you can't live without something you see here, even though you didn't previously know you needed it!
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| 50 Bloor St W
Toronto,
ON
M4W 1A1
416-968-2627 | | | | | Description: DOWNTOWN. Know a future Einstein or Curie? Find the perfect gift for the little biologist (or chemist, astronomer, zoologist, botanist or whatever) here puzzles, games and books, microscopes and monoculars, insect habitats, model volcanoes, build-your-own dinosaur skeletons, and an abundance of other interest-holding toys and kits that teach as they entertain.
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| 55 Mill St
Toronto,
ON
M5A 3C4
416-815-7662 | | | | | Description: DOWNTOWN. You deserve a reward, don't you? Of course you do! A chocolate truffle is just right rich and indulgent, but not too big. Soma's chocolate is considered by many local chefs to be the finest in town, and you'll find it on a number of restaurant menus. Try it for yourself at their shop in the Distillery District. In addition to traditional but oh-so-decadent candies, you can enjoy contemporary creations, gelato, cookies and hot chocolate.
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| 805 Queen St W
Toronto,
ON
M6J 1G1
647-430-7085 | | | | | Description: DOWNTOWN. The Spice Trader focuses on organic herbs and spices from around the globe. Virtually everything in the shop is organic (minus a few items that are simply not grown organically). Along with more than 100 individual spices, from asafetida to wasabi powder, you'll find custom blends like the increasingly popular Middle Eastern Ras el Hanout and Za'atar. And who knew there were so many different varieties of salt?
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| 887 Queen St W
Toronto,
ON
M6J 1G5
416-703-0089 | | | | | Description: DOWNTOWN. Although it's certainly a destination for scrapbookers, unique invitation makers and crafters, this place has so many unusual papers that you'll be inspired even if you've never given a thought to the subject. Japanese, Thai and other Asian papers, Brazilian marbled papers, origami paper, journals, cardstock the bounty is unlimited and incredibly colorful. A dazzling display!
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