The Queen streetcar: delivering shoppers to shops, one stop at a time (Image: Anthony Easton)
Details magazine has named Toronto a mecca of “modern-art galleries, high-concept restaurants and fashion-forward boutiques,” but judging from the choices, it appears the writer barely got off the Queen streetcar. Don’t get us wrong—most of the choices are pretty good. The magazine lists Sydney’s (Queen and Manning), Klaxon Howl (Queen and Euclid) and The Gladstone Hotel (Queen and Gladstone) as three of its seven picks. Two others are Nomad (a block from Queen on Richmond) and Jonathan and Olivia (on Ossington, just steps north of Queen). The remaining two options are the furthest flung: Sam James Coffee Bar, all the way north on Harbord, and the Black Hoof, the wildly popular charcuterie hot spot on Dundas.
Look, it’s all right if Details doesn’t want to send its readers to other great areas—like Leslieville, Liberty Village, the Distillery District and Roncesvalles—but if it’s going to do a shopping guide, at least throw Yorkville a bone.
• Where to shop in Toronto [Details]
Forget the 501 streetcar. The writer of this piece barely leaves the sad, crazily overhyped and therefore shitty end of Queen West beside the Drake. Details readers, if you want to visit “cool” Toronto circa 2007, follow this advice!
April 22, 2010 at 10:47 am | by AlexanderIn defense of the writer (me): I simply aspired to pick the best stuff in Toronto. I did pitch some other spots (including the terrific Yorkville shop, Uncle Otis, and the Hazelton Hotel), but in the end, my editor picked the places that sound most interesting. And I think she picked well.
Besides, everyone knows the east end is lame.
April 22, 2010 at 11:52 am | by Ben LeszczAl – sorry we can’t all be more 2010, like you in your infinite wisdom. Please – tell us where to shop. Preferably somewhere not sad and overhyped. I hate feeling both sad and overhyped while shopping. Help!
April 22, 2010 at 12:47 pm | by MB508 Lakeshore is where it’s at, yo! That’s where the City of Toronto comes ALIVE
April 22, 2010 at 1:04 pm | by BNUmm those do happen to be some of the hottest stores in Toronto, albeit to a very focused demographic.
There are absolutely no stores like Sydneys, Nomad and J&O on the east end. None. If you are looking for high end strollers or cool mom wear then we can talk East side.
April 22, 2010 at 4:24 pm | by what?