I am putting together a list of restaurants open for weekday lunch within 10 minutes walking distance from the intersection of Yonge and St. Clair. No restrictions for price point or type of cuisine – just looking for places people familiar with the neighbourhood can recommend (also, any places to avoid).
Preliminary research has me interested in:
Barnsteiner’s
Capocaccia Trattoria
Megumi Mazesoba
Ambiyan
Any feedback would be appreciated!
Holy Chuck for burgers and shakes
Shenanigans (former Scallywags space, now operated by O&B. Heated rooftop patio). The food was better than it was as Scallywags, in my experience.
Within a 10 minutes walk south.
Boxcar Social which is a coffee shop and wine bar, with a small back patio.
The Rosedale Diner (11 am Tue- Fri, closed Mon)
Is the Kiva’s Bagels still open? Not sure.
If you’re up to a 10-15 minute walk north, La Salumeria for deli sandwiches and Tabule. (Zezafoun is open for lunch on Sat and Sun but not on weekdays)
Thanks! I think Shenanigans is closed for the season, but will keep it in mind next spring.
That’s right. It actually opened late in the spring, considering Scallywags used to keep the rooftop patio open almost year -round.
It already has closed for the season.
That’s my ‘hood – but your tastes and mine ‘might vary’.
Of those mentioned so far:
Barnsteiner’s: Solid; Large portions; Quality: Acceptable!
Capocaccia Trattoria: Middle-of-the road; Safe but unexciting.
Megumi Mazesoba: Haven’t tried (I have a strong reaction to MSG, so generally avoid ALL soba places as they ‘often’ contain MSG). As an example the Yonge/St Clair Popeye’s Chicken I don’t recommend as it ladles MSG on its food.
Ambiyan: Good (mostly): I find their spicing a little mild, but mostly authentic and aimed squarely at a North American palate.
Holy Chuck: Solid but I dislike their buns (in common with almost all other burger places). I go for the lamb Burger (but not often!).
Shenanigans – Now permanently closed
Boxcar Social – café – NOT lunch!
Rosedale Diner – solid, reliable – can just about get there in 10 mins – but will take longer to return as it’s ALL uphill.
Kiva’s Bagels – still open. [As is The Bagel House] Both Montreal-style (but I prefer Gryfe’s style, so can’t really comment).
I don’t consider the Davisville places within a 10 minute walk (but I’m slower than I used to be).
Adding to the list (alphabetically)
Aroma Espresso bar: Snacks only. Not exciting.
Boccone: Some of the finest sandwiches in the city – I favour hot-pressed (and their bread is excellent). I’m NOT a fan of their steam table lunches, but their coffee is also good (and relatively cheap by Toronto standards). In the summer I like their back patio (as long as you’re not freaked out by the adjacent cemetery). Cafeteria-style service.
Cucina Buca: Food is good, but price is relatively high. Avoid the tables along the St. Clair side as they get blasted with cold air in winter when the door is opened.
Mary Be Kitchen (vegetarian): VERY popular with “Yummie Mummies” but not my thing.
McDonald’s – Avoid!
Restaurant Sprout (Vietnamese) used to be good, but recently under new ownership and I haven’t tried it since the change.
Sunny Morning: Competent breakfast served through lunchtime.
Swiss Chalet (this is one of the better locations of that chain)
Tim Horton’s – the location on St Clair is more relaxing (although fewer seats) than the Yonge St.
Union Social Eatery: Food is OK. But service is lacking, and drinks are “a rip off”: They promise ‘full pints” but actually serve half-litres – they don’t even have ‘pint glasses’. I’ve twice complained and been told I’m wrong!!!
Zelden’s Deli: Competent food, fairly priced. Their weekend brunch is sensational (best in area). My go-to on weekends.
This is great, thanks!
I love a good hot pressed panino from an Italian deli, so Boccone looks nice.
Bars selling “16 ounce pints” are also irksome to me — although the 16 oz. measurement is recognized as a “US pint” (as distinct from a 20 oz. “UK pint”).
Grandma Loves you is a 10 min walk downhill, maybe longer uphill 
Great subs and sandwiches, very little seating(2 ppl max)
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The new name is now “Me Love” and the menu has changed. It still serves Pho, but most other dishes are changed. Seems to emphasize Thai, but scattershot dishes of Korean, Cantonese etc. No longer serves Banh Mi.
