By Charlie Higgins
The Toronto skyline
The intersection between Toronto's Dufferin and Bloor Streets, an area commonly referred to as Dufferin Grove, is known for being young and ethnically diverse. Surrounded by green parks, office complexes and shopping malls, Dufferin Grove is considered an important business district. Here you'll find a wide range of restaurants offering many world cuisines, including Thai,
Caribbean, Mexican, Indian, and Greek, to name a few. With so many options, making a dining choice may seem like an impossible task, but here a couple places to start.
Ristorante Roma
For over 25 years this independently owned Italian eatery on the Bloor West Strip has called Dufferin Grove home. Choose from a wide range of Italian favorites such as chicken parmigiana, seafood risotto, and veal marsala. Classic pasta dishes like three cheese ravioli, fettucine alfredo, and spaghetti carbonara are sure to fill you up on a cold Canadian night. Ristorante Roma also features baked brick-oven pizzas with your choice of fresh toppings like calabrese sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, Italian ham, or grilled eggplant. Ristorante Roma offers catering, delivery and takeout as well.
Ristorante Roma
1090 Bloor St. West
Toronto, Ontario
M6H 1M6
Canada
(416) 531-4000
ristorante-roma.ca
Thai Green Mango
This casual eatery serves authentic Thai cuisine including spicy curries, soups, satay, and typical Thai desserts. Located in the heart of Duffern Grove on Bloor Street, Thai Green Mango is a welcome addition to the area's already substantial Asian restaurant scene. Popular dishes include lemongrass chicken with sweet pepper, mangoes and pineapple, marinated crispy Thai beef, and spicy grilled codfish with asparagus and bamboo shoots. Vegetarians can choose from an array of meatless dishes like avocado peanut stir fry, mango tofu, and Thai eggplant. Chefs at Thai Green Mango do not use MSG in their cooking. Take out and delivery are also available.
Thai Green Mango
1059 Bloor St. W
Toronto, Ontario
MGH 1M5
Canada
(416) 532-5050
thaigreenmango.ca
Hurricanes Roadhouse Restaurant
Serving up classic bar food and Tex-Mex inspired dishes, this raucous sports bar and restaurant is a favorite among Toronto sports fans. Munch on cream cheese jalapeño poppers, freshly battered calamari rings, or deep fried mozzarella sticks while watching the biggest games in local sports. Main dishes include the 8-ounce New York strip steak with mashed potatoes, southern-style fried chicken, and classic fish and chips served with home cut fries, tartar sauce and lemon. On weekends, Hurricanes Roadhouse Restaurant offers a full brunch featuring eggs benedict, buttery pancakes, and build your own omelet. The bar hosts weekly events and specials like karaoke on Wednesdays and Sunday poker night.
Hurricanes Roadhouse Restaurant
963 Bloor St. W.
Toronto, Ontario
M6H 1L7
Canada
(416) 531-7818
hurricanestoronto.com
About the Author:
Charlie Higgins is a writer, translator, editor and social-media consultant based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Originally from Connecticut, Higgins holds bachelor's degrees in media studies and music from Oberlin College. He currently works for the financial inclusion and microenterprise news website Microdinero.
Photo Credits:
toronto harbour ferry image by Thilo Kierdorf from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
