Comments on: First look inside Mark McEwan’s gourmet grocery store

By: Comment

Comment — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:53:15 +0000

The City of Toronto DineSafe page for Pusateri’s has also been updated to reflect the latest inspection. The report lists eight infractions, including “inadequate pest control” and “improper maintenance/sanitation of non-food contact surfaces/equipment.”

By: Comment

Comment — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:51:13 +0000

Pusateri’s failed a public health inspection. Enough said and the staff hate working there.

By: Comment

Comment — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:42:31 +0000

Its a great place to visit in the Don Mills area. Yes, out of reach for most of us if you are expecting to do a full grocery run, but as I have done, I go in there to get the best of a few extra’s to 1) try them 2) add that extra quality to the food preparation. Isn’t that what the love of cooking is about. A little of this, a little of that. I also love the fact that you can talk to the people who are preparing the food, incase you have any questions of what is in the meatballs etc..Very, very helpful. You don’t get that kind of helpfulness anywhere, anymore. Top points to McEwen. In addition, you don’t have to spend a fortune. He has alot of things there, just as Pusateri’s does. I have shopped at Pusateri’s and hated it and don’t like the set-up of the store or the staff (complete snobs). The floors can be quite slippery and I’ve nearly killed myself. The whole open concept of McEwens is perfect. In addition his bags are never an additional charge. Pusateri’s charges you for any bags you need for your $$$$$$ purchase. Hands down, McEwen wins! Check out his restaurant across the street. We are so lucky to have this amazing restaurant (they make the best deep fried smelts) and grocery store up here in the Don Mills area. I hope it continues to do very well and is here to stay for years. Yes, I agree, I think it would be good to have a few more items or pre made food that is for diabetics, but all in good time. The store is just 2 years old.

By: Scott

Scott — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 13:28:10 +0000

Absolutely over-priced products. Example: 15 bucks for tomato sauce? Absolutely highway robbery. I bought a couple of items and was charged for something I did not purchase. When I tried to get my money back, I was treated like and spoken to as if I was a criminal (over 5.00). The receptionist gave me a hard time and stated that they would have to check the security cameras to see if I was telling the truth or not. She referred to customers as “criminals” and fraudalent. Unbelieveable. After much argument, I was giving my money back in a envelope in small change (5.00) with no taxes included and no apologies. I hope you see this Mark because there are people at your store who are not treating customers with respect and dignity. Its bad enough that the prices are high.

By: eowynbrave

eowynbrave — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 23:08:33 +0000

I made a trip into Toronto especially to visit this store. Mark, you were such a waste of my time. Your food is well presented but of somewhat poor quality. Your prices were much higher than Whole Fooods for the exact same product. Your staff was apathetic and impersonal. Your selection of kitchen ware was not nearly as extensive as Home Sense (their prices were better too). TO be honest, I can’t imagine why I would waste any effort to recommend shopping at your shop. I will stick with Whole foods, where customer service and quality are valued, and my opinion is respected. You are just a “food-ie” who is riding the Toronto gourmet gravy train. Good luck with that.

By: Rick

Rick — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 05:00:42 +0000

Toronto life ought to exercise not reserve the right to edit or delete. The miscreant from Sarnia deserved more than a few &^%%$# substitutions.

By: Joanne

Joanne — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 20:51:41 +0000

Hi I live in Sudbury and was hoping that someone can give me directions on how to get to Mcewan’s gourmet grocery store. Would be much appreciated.

Sincerely,
Joanne

By: vbsmith

vbsmith — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 02:36:58 +0000

Anne Johnston from Sarnia, you can not be real, your comments are idiotic, why all the swearing, you sould like a set up, as for some of the other comments, they sound like set ups as well, get a life

By: foodie Dan

foodie Dan — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:16:22 +0000

Mark Rocks. Read a great article on him in the lastest issue of VIE (www.viemagazine.ca) Had no idea he had such a large product range.

Foodie.D

By: Fred

Fred — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 23:03:49 +0000

Annie, I would not put my cucumber in that fowl mouth of yours!

By: Aida McAleer

Aida McAleer — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 13:03:28 +0000

I am excited to visit this store as I am a fan of Marks, the blog has been varied, so I am interested to see and smell for myself,I grew up in the westend of TO so big grocery stores were only for detergent and some cans , the fresh stuff you walked up to and chose from behind the glass counters or right outside . Also the little cafes that served fresh coffee and something decadent,or a quick thick sandwich on amzing crunchy bread with meat or cheese. I can’t wait ….Cheers Aida

By: Cindy Loo

Cindy Loo — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:02 +0000

Perfect for those who seek overly inflated prices.

By: Anne Johnston

Anne Johnston — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:51:48 +0000

Nov. 20, 2009….just watched one of Mark McEwan’s food show special….god is for real. He is just an ass hole. He hires these young helpers( like a sweat shop) and yells at them the whole night long. He pays them pennies, even though he makes like $5,000.00 a plate. Come on Mark, where are your moral’s? in the fucking frying pan. I am so upset right now that I will never watch one of your shows or go to one of your stupid rest. ever. I felt so sorry for all those sweat shop kitchen helpers you paid min wage for. Get a grip ass hole, you think that you are the only one in T.O. that knows how to cook. If you were in the room with me right now, I don’t know if I wouldn’t throw my hot soup into your face. You are the biggest ass hole around, and I thought Gordon Ramsey was bad. You give the Canadian chef’s and cooks, and line people and students a bad name. I am actually embarrassed to know that you are a line person who represents Canada……….so do as you say to all the helpers on your show that just have a hard time listening your voice, go fuck your self MARK!!!!!
happy to never meet you
Anne Johnston, Sarnia, Ontario. Canada

By: Lesley

Lesley — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:06:38 +0000

The store was very cold and grey looking; totally lacking in charm or character, except for few typical cliches. I much prefer the warmth of a Bruno’s, like at Dundas and Royal York, the Garden Basket in Markham, or even better, the old Comella Fine Foods in Markham.

The food was very well presented and the staff courteous and knowledgable. The produce was over priced and not very fresh looking. The juice samples were excellent.

By: mildred

mildred — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:22:41 +0000

I Can’t see anywhere what your hours are. Are you open Sunday? I have visitors coming from B.C. and they want to visit on Sunday.