In all the years growing up in Toronto I had only been to Cabbagetown once and when I was there I found it completely enchanting. Sadly I moved away to Ottawa within a couple of years and never got to go back. When my friend The Foodie Realtor asked if I wanted to go to Cabbagetown Festival, I said hell yes!
I absolutely love seeing food being made right before my eyes but this was the first time I saw someone working with phyllo dough live!
So many of the baked goods were calling my name but I had not had lunch yet.
Those almond pretzels looked so enticing, it was cruel.
Elephant ears? That is one of my favourites! How can you go wrong with puff pastry layered with butter all curled into the shape of an elephant’s ear?
We decided on beef roti instead. After what I went through with Rebel Chips and that spicy sandwich at The Firkin, The Foodie Realtor graciously agreed to be my taste tester to see if the roti was outside of my heat comfort zone. Sadly… way too hot, damn it.
At this point I just wanted anything to eat so I paid $2 for this piece of pizza that I clearly was not intending on photographing, hence the bite marks. But! It was one of the best pieces of pizza I have ever had. Sadly I was already far away from the vendor to give them credit but damn… So good!
Cabbagetown Arts & Crafts Market
We decided to walk off the path a bit and ended a sidewalk sale flea market! We followed that for a while and then discovered…
Cabbagetown Arts & Crafts Market
I mean it was just amazing! So much to see and potentially buy. Whoever planned this weekend was a genius.
There were so many artisans of different crafting varieties but we stopped for free sample at Wellington Made:
As soon as I saw the black currant cassis I knew that was “the one.” Sure enough my friend agreed and went home with a bottle! I love that they are taking old and harder-to-find flavours and turn them into these elixirs. You can use them for cocktails, making your own bubbly beverages. They are completely packed with flavour. A new take on old school flavours. So smart.
Carla’s Cookie Box was PACKED with people. There was a lovely arrangement of baked goods to descend on if you were patient enough to wait to get to put in your order.
Look at these insane butter tarts!
We got two of the bacon butter tarts and they kind of got squished. Mine ended up looking like a bacon rose. Pretty AND delicious.
Sadly The Foodie Realtor‘s ended up being more crushed than mine but did we ever enjoy them. They did not skimp on the bacon but it ended up being a little salty for me so thank goodness I had water on hand to quench my thirst.
Back To The Other Festival
Before we left The Foodie Realtor absolutely had to have roasted corn on the cob.
For me… I had to have a BeaverTail. I had not had one in over a year, way too long to go without having that crispy fried dough delight.
What to get??? What to get??? Ah forget it, I know the best one. Every time I have strayed from the Killaloe Sunrise (note that one is not listed) I have regretted it.
I described what it was to The Foodie Realtor and I could tell she thought I was insane.
When you can get this one slathered in Nutella and topped with bananas…
Why on earth would you order this one???
I promise you, take one bite and you will see. The Foodie Realtor did. I could see the shock and awakening on her face over the brilliance of fresh lemon juice poured over cinnamon sugar on a piece of fried dough. It is completely unexpected with its crunch, the sugar, and the lemony bite: this is foodie magic. We devoured it.
We got so much out of our few hours down in Cabbagetown! Technically we went to three events and everyone of them was free. I finally got to really get a feel for a neighbourhood I have always wanted to go back to and explore through food and my camera lens. We even bumped into our public school friend who I had been dying to see since I got back and also got to meet her stunning dog.
Going Home
It really felt like kismet, like the universe was saying, you are on the right path Suzie. See how much Toronto has to offer you! See how it has been waiting for you to come home? And by Universe, I mean my mom, LOL. And she is always right…
You are absolutely right, Suzie, NOTHING is better than a Killaloe Sunrise Beavertail! Clearly you are a beavertail connaisseur!
Thanks Debra! Nice to know I am not the only one in the “foodie know” about the Killaloe Sunrise! I learned about them when I was in Ottawa and if you order one at Disneyworld they will know you’re from Canada, LOL. So good!
I want BOTH of those beavertails … I have never had one!
No way Janet! Well if you do, start with the Nutella and then try the Killaloe. They’re all good but there is just something about that cinnamon, sugar, lemon juice combo with the fried bread… I can’t believe you haven’t had one ever!