An Expert Tour Of St. Lawrence Market

Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market is a haven for all things food. It is a great spot for foodies and tourists alike. Fresh produce, meats, fish, seafood, cheeses and baked goods are delivered fresh, early in the morning and local restaurateurs, market owners and shoppers come to get that which is the most appealing to them. On Saturdays there is an organic farmers market which can’t be beat anywhere in the city, and perhaps elsewhere either. It was established in the early part of the city’s history and was once home to Toronto’s first permanent city hall and jail house from 1845 to 1899. Designed by Henry Bowyer Lane, the first floor was formerly Police Station # 1.

Planeteye was lucky enough to spend some time with a real Toronto Expert, Nik Manojlovich “Manojlovich’s show, Savoir Faire, is ranked in the top five programs on HGTV. The half-hour show airs seven times a week in Canada, twice weekly in the United States, and is now being broadcast as far away as Singapore and Hong Kong. Almost 250,000 Canadians tune in to the show every week, and Manojlovich’s Savoir Faire Live seminars are so crowded they are nearly impossible to attend. The show’s Web site attracts 3.6 million visits a year from fans around the world. Manojlovich has been referred to as “Canada’s male Martha Stewart” by Maclean’s, but he’s as different from Martha as a wingding is from a cotillion. While Manojlovich’s projects can often be just as cornball as Martha’s, what sets him apart is the weird and infectious sense of joie he maintains while going off the deep end. His ability to be authoritative yet childlike, to be suave yet silly, is what’s helping Savoir Faire leapfrog over the legion of Martha wannabes to ensconce itself comfortably near the top of the ratings.”

Whenever I have walked into the market, I have been so overwhelmed that I have walked right out. There is so much to look at, so many places to shop, how do you know where to go for what? That was the purpose of our trip. To learn from a real pro so that the next time we go, we know exactly where to go get exactly what we are looking for.

Nik walked us through the market and pointed out all the hot spots one should check out while visiting either as a local looking for great food at reasonable prices or as a tourist. Nik points that the market caters to returning customers. He has built up relationships with different vendors for different things. That is not to say that all the places aren’t great, rather that these are the places that he enjoys working with the most.

For all things produce, Nik loves the Family Food Market. They have very fresh fruit and vegetables. Nik adores the owners, who great him with a warm nod and smile. If ever he is in need of an exotic fruit or unique mushroom they are able to get it for him. They have a wide variety of produce and at first glimpse are anywhere from 30-50% cheaper then a traditional grocery store.

A must stop for both tourists and locals is Kozliks Mustard. They are famous for their grainy type mustard‘s and dressings. Nik always keeps several varieties on hand and raves about their horseradish which he claims is the best anywhere.

There are many places to buy cheese and other spreads and olives, artichokes etc, Nik’s favourite is Scheffler’s. He talks at length with the owner, tells him what he is looking for and always walks away with the right things. Looking for cool things to put on top of a home made pizza? Scheffer’s is the place.

The market is home to place that specializes in exotic meats and fowl. Exotics is the place for duck, venison, and the like

For those fresh bagels, St. Urban Bagels is the place where you want hot, out of the oven bagels. Ask the to pull them hot for you and pack them to go (if you can resist eating one). They are packed perfectly for serving soon, or for freezing.

Looking for the freshest seafood and fish at reasonable prices? Mike’s fish market is the place for you. Salmon, trout, crab legs, talapia and more are all waiting for you. A friendly staff is there to help you with all your needs as you buy your fish or seafood.

St. Lawrence Pizza and Pasta is where Nik goes to get 2 things; the best pizza sauce and pizza dough when he isn’t making his own. The smell of the pizza sauce is intoxicating.

There are lots of places to get kitchen gadgets in the city, not all have a great selection nor prices we all can afford. Placewares is unique in that they have that which every foodie is looking for and at prices that are reasonable. What a find!

For fresh meat, Nik raves about Witteveen meats. Yes they are a tad bit higher priced then some of the other places in the market, but, not by that much and Nik simply cannot say enough good things about the folks at Witteveen. As we walked around their booth, everyone behind the counter came over, waived or just said hi. Everything available for order or behind the counter.

It’s Friday morning, you are downtown and in need of an amazing breakfast. Nik will send you to one place and one place only. Carousel Bakery has fresh kaisers with peameal bacon that will make you forget all about that diet you have been contemplating. Carousel’s has all sort of freshly baked goods too.

Completing the tour of the top floor is the Sausage King. Nik loves all their sausages, for barbecuing, pastas and claims that their breakfast  sausages can’t be beat anywhere in the city!

As we head downstairs to the lower level, Nik points out Rube’s Rice for all things grains. Whether it is sushi rice, brown rice, quinoa, or any other type of grain you could imagine, Rube’s is the place for you. The owner is always there and is willing to lend a helping hand to those of us who are a little clueless.

Spices, sugars and oils can be tricky to find and very expensive too. Domino Foods has wonderful people with an amazing selection of nuts, candies, canned goods in addition to every spice, oil and sugar imaginable.

If you are looking for some ethnic food, Nik loves to get cabbage rolls and other Ukrainian delights at Dnister Ukrainian food.

if you are a tourist and you are looking for that one piece of Toronto that you would like to take home that isn’t a cheap t-shirt, then hit Eve’s Temptations for some maple syrup. Eve’s is also the local rep for Chudleighs apples.  Great baked goods for us locals!

Looking for some freshly made sushi to take home, or even eat while you are shopping, Quik Sushi has a wide selection of fresh sushi that is made on site and can be ordered ahead of time.

You have probably seen their baked goods at many a local bakeries, but Boulangerie Stonemill Bakery has a pretty big storefront on the lower level and they have great breads at very good prices.

If caviar is your thing, then the good people at Cavier Direct are there to help you with your purchase. They have a wide variety of brands in various price ranges too.

So there you have it folks. A handy guide to the St. Lawrence Market, where you should go and where you should buy what. Hope that it helps!

NORTH / FARMERS’ MARKET
Saturdays from 5 a.m.

SOUTH MARKET
Tues-Thurs 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fridays 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturdays 5 a.m.-5 p.m.

Learn more about Nik here

We will be doing some other great tours with NIk.  Let us know what we can help you find in the GTA!

Jonah

St. Lawrence Market offical website is here

Kozlik’s Mustard is here

Family Food Market is here

St. Urban Bagels is here

Mike’s fish market is here

St. Lawrence Pizza and Pasta is here

Placewares is here

Witteveen is here

Carousel’s is here

Sausage King is here

Rube’s Rice is here

Domino Foods is here

Dnister is here

Eve’s Temptations is here

Quik Sushi is here

Stonemill Bakehouse is here

Caviar Direct is here