The Danforth

Near Broadview is the Carrot Common, a small courtyard surrounded by several shops and eateries that cater to health-conscious people. To the east is a strong Greek community with late night restaurants and vegetable markets.

Ambsale Ethiopian Restaurant – L d
1334A Danforth Ave (e. of Greenwood), 416-469-0888
~~A variety of delicious Ethiopian vegetarian specialties.
~~Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony.
~~Hours (9/17/2009): daily 4pm-midnight .

The Big Carrot Cafe – O c d
348 Danforth Ave (Chester subway), 416-466-2129
www.thebigcarrot.ca
~~Cafe inside a natural food market. Wide range of organic dishes sold by weight. Seating limited.
››› Located inside the market, the deli section offers delicious tofu & tempeh dishes and a wide range of organic vegetarian salads prepared daily & sold by weight. Eat-in or take out. Seating is limited. TVA discount applies to daily soup and weighed items only.
~~Hours (9/17/2009): Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 11am-6pm.

The Big Carrot Organic Juice Bar – O c
348 Danforth Ave (Chester subway), 416-466-2129 x231
www.thebigcarrot.ca
~~Freshly squeezed organic juices, ice cream, coffee, salads and sandwiches. Located at the front of Carrot Common.

Dukem Restaurant – L d
950 Danforth Ave (w. of Donlands), 416-406-6342
www.dukem.ca
~~Authentic Ethiopian cuisine.
››› Dukem offers a cozy and welcoming venue. There's no rush while you sample the Vegetarian Combo Platter accompanied by delicious injera bread. Bring a group of friends and experience the sensual Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

Il Fornello – L
576 Danforth Ave (at Carlaw), 416-466-2931
www.ilfornello.com
~~Italian gourmet fare. Meat-free, lactose-free and yeast-free dishes. Spelt pizza crust, gluten-free pizza crust and pasta available.
››› Our delicious Alternative Menu offers wheat-free, meat-free, lactose-free, yeast-free and gluten-free dishes. Alternative cheese choices include soy cheese, goat cheese, sheep's feta, or no cheese at all.
~~Italian gourmet fare. Alternative cheese choices include soy cheese, goat cheese, or no cheese at all.

Jean's Vegetarian Kitchen – c
1262 Danforth Ave (at Greenwood), 416-778-1388
~~Thai-Malay vegetarian restaurant. Colleen likes the Malaysian Curry and the Tom Kha Thai soup. Most of the noodle dishes contain egg. Dinner only. Cash only.
~~This restaurant is a welcome addition to the meat-centric Danforth. NOW magazine rates them NNNN (out of five) in a recent review. They recommend the spring rolls, Szechuan hot and sour soup (”virtuous veggie broth, crunchy Chinese 'shrooms, silky tofu”), pad thai, Pad Kee Mau (pad thai plus “crisp cauliflower and broccoli flowerets, Thai-basil-scented sesame oil and surprisingly convincing faux shrimp”), and green curry with "duck" (”a dizzying mix of ersatz bird, baby bok choy and cubed bell pepper in light coconut broth”).
    Note: all the faux meats contain the dairy product, whey.
     Colleen enjoyed the Malaysian Curry ("really really good") and the Tom Kha Thai soup made with lemon grass, coconut milk and veggies.
    Egg and nut alert – most of the noodle dishes contain egg, and some dishes are garnished with cashews and crushed peanuts. The kitchen will gladly leave them out if requested. Open for dinner only. Cash only.

Magic Oven – o L d
798 Danforth Ave (e. of Pape), 416-462-0333
www.magicoven.com
~~Gourmet pizza restaurant plus pastas, salads and appetizers. Many veg and vegan options.
››› Award-winning Toronto-based restaurant chain that serves alternative pizza with fresh, local and organic ingredients, free of additives and preservatives. The pizzas, pastas, salads and sandwiches can be made to accommodate a variety of dietary concerns for wheat and gluten free diets and those with vegan and lactose-free diets. The food looks good, tastes good and nourishes your body. Organic and craft beer and wine is also available.
    www.MagicOven.com
    Full service, licensed restaurant with seating for 65. Discount cardholders are eligible to receive a 10% discount.

Magic Oven – o L d
788 Broadview Ave (at Danforth), 416-466-0111
www.magicoven.com
CLOSED January 2010

Prerna – Inspired Indian Cuisine – o d
790 Broadview Ave, 416-800-3004
www.prerna.ca
CLOSED January 2010

Teatree Cafe and Eatery – k o c
867 Danforth Ave, 416-901-9089
www.teatreecafe.com
~~Vegetarian casual dining cafe on the Danforth.
››› Vegetarian and vegan sandwiches on homemade vegan breads, gluten free quiche, vegan chili with vegan cornbread, soup, salad, and desserts.
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, organic options
Loose leaf tea and espresso coffee. Open morning, lunch (8am-6pm)

The Big Carrot Natural Food Market – O
348 Danforth Ave (Chester subway), 416-466-2129
www.thebigcarrot.ca
~~Large natural food supermarket with vegetarian deli inside. Recently expanded. Open daily.
››› Specializing in organically grown, non-GMO environmentally safe & cruelty-free products. Toronto's largest Canadian worker-owned co-op since 1983. Free nutritional store tours. thebigcarrot.ca
    
~~Hours (9/17/2009): Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 11am-6pm.

Withrow Park Farmers' Market – O
Withrow Park  www.withrowpark.ca
››› North end of Withrow Park, south of Danforth, between Logan and Carlaw. The Withrow Park Farmers' Market is a community based initiative, and we are looking for area residents to fill various volunteer positions.
~~Hours (9/17/2009): Saturday 9am-1pm, Jun to Oct.

Grassroots Environmental Products
372 Danforth Ave (at Chester), 416-466-2841
www.grassrootsstore.com
~~Environmental general store,
››› Organic cotton clothing. Non-toxic personal care products. Biodegradable cleaning products, Recycled office supplies. Solar products, books, magazines, and much more.
~~Organic cotton clothing, non-toxic personal care products, biodegradable cleaning products (packaged or by weight), recycled office supplies, solar products, books, magazines, and much more.

Snow Lion – The Meditation Shop – d
708A Pape Ave (at Danforth)
www.snowlioncanada.com
~~Buddhas, books, meditation cushions and yoga supplies.
››› Yoga and meditation zafu cushions, benches and mats. Tibetan singing bowls, Buddhist and Hindu statues. Weekly meditation and healing lectures by donation.
~~Snow Lion is located across from Pape Subway Station.