Toronto Tourism Visitor Guide 2009 - (Page 15) Neighbourhoods HearT of THe CiTy and gift items from Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. This labyrinth of streets, just west of Old Chinatown, affords a multisensory virtual trip around the world, with a myriad of global finds in the vintage and second-hand-clothing stores tucked in amid eclectic restaurants and cafés. Every day is busy here, with fishmongers, shoppers, street musicians and impromptu speechmakers crowding the laneways. Kensington is ranked among the best street markets in North America. LOCATE Spadina Ave. to Augusta Ave., from Dundas St. to College St. TTC Queen’s Park subway station, then College streetcar westbound; or Spadina subway station, then Spadina streetcar southbound. DISCOVER Pre-loved treasures. Nassau, Baldwin and Augusta streets are lined with vendors offering an eclectic range of musical instruments, clothing, textiles and antiques ranging from vintage to garage-sale quality. IDEAS The Kensington Market community traces its roots to the 1920s, when 80 percent of Toronto’s Jewish population lived here. LOVE Winter solstice. Every December 21st, Kensington celebrates the solstice at Kensington Karnival. Thai and Japanese products, with shops and sidewalks alike crammed full of food items, clothing, jewellery, home décor, electronics and toys. The range of culinary offerings is bountiful — Chinese (Szechwan, Hunan, Mandarin and Cantonese) regional dishes, traditional Vietnamese sandwiches and phô (soup) and Thai specialties. LOCATE Spadina Ave. to Huron St., from Queen St. to College St. TTC St. Patrick subway station, then Dundas streetcar westbound; or Spadina subway station, then Spadina streetcar southbound. DISCOVER Familiar Chinatown offerings such as jade, silk garments, woks, porcelain dishes and bamboo furniture. IDEAS Toronto and surrounding areas have five other Chinatowns: Broadview Ave./Gerrard St., Agincourt, Richmond Hill, Markham and Mississauga. LOVE Chinese New Year, celebrated with the Dragon Dance Parade at the end of January/early February. Chinatown map D-4, 5; www.chinatownbia.com DETAILS Always bustling with crowds of shoppers and vendors, Toronto’s Old Chinatown is home to some of Canada’s best Asian restaurants and best-stocked Asian stores. Besides Chinese imports, this ever-busy area sells Vietnamese, Photo: David Giral www.SeeTorontoNow.com 15 http://www.chinatownbia.com http://www.SeeTorontoNow.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.