Comments on: The Roncesvalles Guide: Our 25 favourite eating and shopping destinations along Parkdale’s Polish drag

By: ryan

ryan — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 18:31:36 +0000

Another Story Bookshop is one of my favourite bookstores in the city. Why it wasn’t on this list is beyond me. I understand that you can’t put everything on the list but Another Story deserves to a part of any “best of” list. Their selection is superb. I’ve found books here that I couldn’t find anywhere else in the city. With many local, independent bookstores having difficulty keeping the lights on, it’s nice to see one that seems to be doing well.

By: RB

RB — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 02:25:38 +0000

What about Dressers? Simply the best place to shop for clothing on Roncesvalles, and last minute gifts.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:10:59 +0000

INTERSTEER!
Also, Benna’s Bakery for fresh bread, sausage and Tymiks Pickles (the greatest pickles on earth).

By: jiminy

jiminy — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 01:20:28 +0000

The Mercantile is a horrible place. It caters to people who need to pay seventeen dollars for a bottle of vinegar in order to feel good about themselves.

The newer businesses on Roncesvalles are transforming a once cool and unique street into a yuppie strip mall. Every article like this just accelerates the destruction of the place.

I’m with Sasha, please stay away from Roncesvalles. You’ll hate it.

By: mike

mike — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:05:24 +0000

this list sucks! where is intersteer? krak? benna’s? the revue? abysmal! is this the gentrifier’s guide to roncey?

By: liz

liz — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:11:48 +0000

This is by far the best, coolest and most genuine of Toronto’s neighbourhoods. I grew up nearby, even went to the nearby high school and I have always loved it for its people (which has always been a mix of old, young, everyone in between, professionals, old timers, etc.) who have kept the neighbourhood authentic and fun without any pretension, which unfortunately, has become a rare thing in this beautiful city.

To those who point out the flaws in the article of shops missed, you’re right! To who wrote the article, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to enjoy the neighbourhood more because this neighbourhood really has more than at first meets the eye. As an aside, its location is amazing as well–next to High Park, walking distance to the lake, close enough to take a street car across College St. (from the park). What’s really best is that it’s kind of a secret, so please everybody, shhhhhh!

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:41:08 +0000

not sure if Sasha is a resident and wants to scare people away. Seems like she/he (not sure which – maybe if s/he changed the spelling a bit to help us understand?) certainly likes to get negative – even if it is tongue in cheek. I live right on Roncy and I can say that all the 25 places listed, and all the other ones (Review, Dressers, Mercantile, Another Story) are fantastic. Its a really great old neighborhood with a new kind of buzz – maybe as the kids who were all born there 4, 8, 12 and 15 years ago start growing up and getting social lives we will see another kind of nightlife. BUt for now its a day life place, with tons of kids of all ages – and a really good place to spend some time, rain or shine.

By: Kane

Kane — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:59:53 +0000

Completely agree with “me” as well, I hate reading Toronto Life articles posted likes this over 27 page. Very frustrating.

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:56:40 +0000

Roncesvalles – okay, I’m not cool, but I’m cool with that – is indeed a place with more than 25 great places. But, some days are better than orthers; that is true of any location in any city.

But Sasha’s comments are not “tongue in cheek” when they offend. Humour at the expense of anyone else is not funny. Substitute “women”, “gays”, “blacks”.”Scots” for the odour reference and see how unfunny, un”tongue in cheek” it is.
Sasha needs to develop a true sense of humour, so that one can tell what he or she truly thinks.

As to the other comments, they are honest, enlightening, poignant, and funny at times. Thank you for giving me so many new doors to open, uphill or down.

By: Gerrard

Gerrard — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:11:32 +0000

Did anyone read this article who’s not from the Roncey/High Park neighbourhood?

By: Al

Al — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:11:33 +0000

Brad. You obviously missed the point of Sasha’s post. It was a brilliant tongue in cheek praising of Ronces, while at the same time criticizing the author’s obvious lack of knowledge about the neighborhood. The L.A. Story reference about the duck made me howl.

By: Brad

Brad — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 02:44:17 +0000

Screw you Sasha! You are obviously from the east end, and can’t wait for 5 years until the east becomes cool again. Ronces is an awesome neighbourhood, and the “old people” show that it is a true neighbourhood, full of families, young professionals, and yes hipsters, but at least it’s not consumed by hipsters, who invade areas and start up narrow venue bars and cafes and then abandon the area when it gets played out. On a side note I agree with the other posts that the list is a little heavy on lower Ronces, but still shows some of what the neighbourhood has to offer. Oh and I’d rather walk through Parkdale and be approached by passive crackheads for change, than Moss Park and be scared to death. Parkdale was also featured in Now magazine as one of the hottest areas in Toronto, so obviously you’re not up on your game. Wrongbar is the leading Electronica bar in Toronto, while places like The Parkdale Drink and Blondies are great places to party; all of which are walking distance (downhill) from Ronces. The thing that makes me so upset about this post is your complete lack of knowledge on the area, Ronces had its streetcar rails ripped up to have water mains replaced and that created over a year of constant construction which resulted in multiple businesses closing, if anything Ronces needs this boost, so thank you Toronto Life.

By: Lelli

Lelli — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:28:12 +0000

I need to agree with “me” up there.
The way Toronto Life online publishes lists, each item on a separate page, makes for cumbersome reading and just annoys your readers.
I understand this is done to maximize ad space, but give us a break! Listing a few items per page would still give you numerous pages to sell ad space.

By: hc

hc — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:46:57 +0000

The article is titled “Our 25 favourite eating and shopping destinations…” so not having the Revue on the list makes sense. (not knocking the Revue of course!)
The list isn’t bad at all, although there are a few good things that were missed.
For neighbourhood folks, Pollock’s home hardware has a terrific staff; I don’t really like the Mercantile – a bit pricey, and Qi (healthfood store), carries alot of the same products.
Kennel Cafe is also terrific, with a really friendly helpful staff.

A new gem in the neighbourhood, although its closer to Dundas St is MariClaRo, at 457 Roncesvalles. AWESOME handmade bags and accessories from many different local canadian craftspeople. That should be on the list!
It complements shopping at Frock, etc.

By: Bettes

Bettes — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:23:07 +0000

Brad’s??? Really?? Never ad a good experience.