Toronto’s St Lawrence market reminds me of Ottawa’s Byward market–an oasis of fresh products right in the heart of the city.
Most of the market is nested inside a two-storey brick building between King Street East and the Esplanade. We went there on Saturday morning, and boy it was busy! About half of Toronto seemed to have gathered around the baker, and the other half was queuing for meat, fish or deli food, such as fresh olives, red pepper and feta cheese or artichokes. People were on top of each other but, of course, in a very Canadian way–politely queuing, apologizing if they stepped on your feet and saying “please” and “thank you.”
However, like at the Byward Market, food isn’t cheap. Fresh products are still okay, but eating from one of the tasty food stalls gets expensive. Yet, the food is pretty good!
It’s always a treat to head down to the St. Lawrence Market rather than do the usual routine shopping at the local grocery store. And, yes, it can be an expensive treat!
.-= Beth´s last blog ..Serves Me Right (or Wrong) =-.
You’re making me hungry Zhu!!
.-= Agnes´s last blog ..And the days keep on rolling and the older this world gets the fresher it feels =-.
The market’s busy because the food is nice and fresh unlike some supermarkets I could mention. Good place to meet people and socialize too.
Hiya Zhu, howzit going?
My old outdoor market got closed down… now most of the markets in London tend to be indoor which isn’t quite the same, though you do get cheap butchers in there…
btw: Is Toronto deceptively near New York City
.-= Gledwood´s last blog ..Little Ro-ros… =-.
? missing question mark… (ahem!)
ps I finally got the Japanese kanji book ~ about 2300 characters and I know about 200 of them + 600 compounds ~ wahey!!
.-= Gledwood´s last blog ..Little Ro-ros… =-.
Hey Zhu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Firstly, I’ve missed you!!!!!
Secondly, why oh why oh why oh why do you have to post photographs of such delicious foods? You know what I am like when it comes to food. You know I can’t resist nice things to eat. I am sat here now, rolling around with hunger looking at those scrumptious pastries, those olives, all that cheese, those juicy grapes, Feta stuffed peppers, fish and sun-dried tomatoes. Awwwww I am sooooo hungry now!!!!
I’ve really missed seeing your photographs and reading your posts, I look forward to catching up soon!
Best wishes ~ You pal always ~ Graham 🙂
.-= Graham´s last blog ..40 things… 26 months… 1 man! =-.
Nice photos. First one is very impressive, because of sign. Big contrast between buildings and this simple sign 🙂
.-= Khatia Caroline´s last blog ..The Hour: An Interview With U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton =-.
The ” Market Street” picture looks like an illustration to me, especially the two skyscrapers in the back. The one on the left almost looks like the 101 skyscraper in Taipei! 🙂 Excellent!
.-= micki´s last blog ..Ximen, Red House =-.
I like the atmosphere of those markets !
.-= Sidney´s last blog .. =-.
i definitely would be with the half gathered in the bakery section. i love breads and pastries. but i’d certainly check out the fruits and veggies before going home though. the peppers with cheese looks yummy.
olive bars are pretty popular here too, in california. even safeway has an olive bar. but i hate olives. i used to like them- when i was a girl, i’d wear olives in my fingers.
the thing about food being expensive… i hate that a veggie sandwich costs as much as one containing meat. it isn’t fair. even in restaurants, when i ask for the chicken pasta with no chicken, they still charge me the same price. sigh.
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@Beth – Especially when the weather is nice… you don’t really want at the usual shops, right?
@Agnes – Sorry 😆
@Ryan – You are right! Plus, it’s very central. And let’s face it: once you start browsing the food, you get hungry and just want to buy everything!
@Gledwood – That’s too bad it got closed. Markets are a great alternative to large supermarkets. Products are so much fresher!
@Graham – It’s goo to see you back blogging, and I love your new blog idea. I’ll be watching you and doing the count down with you! Hell, I may even suggest some items to add on your list 😆
@Khatia Caroline – I always like taking pictures of signs!
@micki – I know, it did make me think of it, especially I had just read your post about it. I really like Toronto’s skyline.
@Sidney – Yes, it’s a fun way to shop.
@Seraphine – I know! I don’t eat much meat either and I find it unfair veggie options are almost the same price. Seriously, how expensive can eggplants and peppers be???
If only I could bring back stuff like that across the border! I love the cheese, and the selections here in Buffalo are rather limited!
.-= Linguist-in-Waiting´s last blog ..Men are Dumb =-.
Is that cod?
I don’t usually see it like that in Britain.
Normally freshly packed in plastic containers, which is very odd.
Because it’s the most popular choice of fish used in fish and chips.
Cod, tuna, etc are being overfished these days…
People here still eat cod fish and chips; Japan still consumes lots of tuna.
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It’s so interesting to see everything you see in these markets. I think something like what you see here is very hard to come by and way too much money.. Food here on the Island is also more expensive..
By the way, have you seen prices go up recently? I sure have. With our new HST going into affect, I think it will be scary loose more money…
.-= expatraveler´s last blog ..Touring Victoria =-.
What a great and interesting marked and you’ve shot some good photos to (checked the one at Flickr too you know).
A lot of nice food there too and of course, I’ll go for the fish – crazy Norwegian you know 🙂
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