Toronto, “Opa!” Waiter screaming, and brandy soaked cheese Greek bursts into flames. Nowhere is this scene over and over again in the restaurants that line in Toronto Danforth Avenue between Chester and Pape in the neighborhood known as Greektown.
Evidence of the Greek heritage of the region is seen and heard in all parts of the streets here. Blue and white flag Greek is proudly displayed in shop windows; trips to Greece, which emerged by travel agents; street signs in English and Greek, a language can not be heard in the cafes, he spoke with enthusiasm by gentlemen retired more than coffee.
Bronze statue of Alexander the Great, stands proudly in the parkette at the corner of Danforth and Logan and I’m sure if the light is constantly looking the same, he would be proud of how the Greek Cypriot community has flourished, the other half of the world away from his homeland.
Toronto claims the third largest Hellenic community outside of Greece, after the City of New York and Melbourne, with 200,000 inhabitants of the assets of the large Greek. Their history in the city due to the 1850s, but it was 100 years later, during the 1950s, that society is in control. Population has increased to more than 100,000 from 10,000 by the early 1960s and continued to rise dramatically in the early 1970s.
Was in this neighborhood where the majority of Greek immigrants began for the first time in their new lives in Canada, although many have now moved to the suburbs of Toronto’s largest throughout the region, there is still Greektown cultural and economic center of the community.
It’s not all Greeks, though. Jeep diversified in the past 20 years, and now Japanese, Thai, Chinese and Indian restaurants stand side by side with their counterparts fromthe Greek side. But this society and the Hellenic Republic, which is still known, and provide a unique flavor.
Only 10 minutes from the east and center-right on the subway line, in the neighborhood easily accessible, and here once, and there’s plenty to do. Shopping is a popular choice. Danforth line of specialty shops, with home decor and fashion designer, fruit and vegetable stalls and shops Greek and everything in between.
As good as shopping, food is even better. The best way to enjoy the neighborhood is scheduled to arrive hungry and indulge in authentic Greek food on offer.
To the appetizer, try some bread with a variety of dips such as hummus (chick pea puree, tahini, garlic), melitzanosalata (eggplant puree, garlic and spices) and taramosalata (red caviar, lemon and spices). Do not forget to order the Saganaki (Greek cheese), deserves all the fuss is not just for the taste, but it is a pleasure to watch it being flambeed at your table.
Souvlaki, of course, is the quintessential Greek main dish, and it’s a fierce competition as to who has the best. Luis Meat Market (449Danforth) is certainly one of the candidates, especially for take-out crowd. What makes a version so good?
In accordance with the cooking, all in a mix of spices. “I can tell you and spices, but you will not be able to make it as we do.”
Gyroscopes are another popular choice for fast food and Greek Alexandros (484 Danforth) is famous for pitas piled high with meat, onions, tomatoes and Tzatziki is $ 5.
Seating restaurant, you can not go wrong with Astoria (390 Danforth). Voted the best Souvlaki in the city for several years in a row, and is one of the most popular restaurants Greek. And generous portions, affordable and fully seasoned kebobs keep customers returning.
Pantheon (407 Danforth) has an extensive seafood menu restaurant and the old world atmosphere to enjoy it when he sits in front of a table surrounded by a Greek family spanning three generations, it is easy to imagine you’ve been transported to Europe and the Mediterranean.
If you still have room, Athens Pastries (509 Danforth) serves high quality Greek pastries, including bougatsa (dumplings stuffed with a thin layer of custard), loukoumades (small balls of fried dough drenched with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon) and galakto bouriko (segments thick custard sandwiched between thin layers of pastry). Be warned. They are addictive.
Greektown celebrates the culinary treasures each year in early August by hosting a taste of the Danforth, which is celebrated at the weekend of food, which attracts more than a million people in this neighborhood for sampling from their hearts content. But at any time of year, visitors can appreciate the delicious food, amid the vitality and Greek legacy that still live on.
If you go:
Greektown (Danforth Ave. Chester and Pape); www.greektowntoronto.com. By car: Take the Parkway without the Valley, linking the QEW Gardiner rapidly to the south and Highway 401 to the north. Take the Bayview / Bloor exit, follow the signs for the Bloor Street /Danforth Street and then travel east.
By public transportation: Take the Bloor – Danforth subway line and get off at Chester station or Labib.
Get what it takes! : A great way to explore many of Toronto’s ethnic neighborhoods, or even in the city center, and through access to the necessary program. Known, such as the new greeting in New York City, and volunteers give free tours to visitors. These outings provide intimate insider’s view of the city and its neighborhoods. Learn more at www.toronto.ca / tapto; – 416 – 33TAP’s (416-338-2786).
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