On a mild and foggy day a few weekends back, M and I biked our way over to spend a day in Leslieville. In the past decade or so, it's gone from an "up-and-coming" neighbourhood to a gentrified oasis for creatives and the middle class.
Our first task of the day was breakfast. We got up earlier than usual to join the line outside of Lady Marmalade, the most popular breakfast place in the area -- if not the city. The line sometimes stretches across a few buildings, but we were pretty lucky to only have a 20 minute wait. Most weekends it can be up to an hour.
Two important things to note if you're planning on enjoying your next meal at Lady Marmalade:
- Bring cash. They don't accept other forms of payment.
- Your whole group must be in line if they're going to seat you. If 4 of you want a table, then all 4 of you have to be in line. No saving spots.
Bright green walls and a menu full of deliciousness. It was hard to choose.
I started off with a hot apple cider. I've been obsessed with apple cider these past few months, and this handmade one came with foam on the top and all. Yum.
M ordered the special "Lady Marmalade Benny" of the day, whereas I went with the Mexican Meatball Baguette. M absolutely loved loved loved his meal and wouldn't stop talking about how perfectly all the flavours worked together. My sandwich wasn't bad, but after having a bite of his eggs benedict, I understood what he was raving about.
After food, our next stop was more food. Brick Street Bakery has a small location in Leslieville, and we picked up some baguettes to enjoy during the week.
Leslieville has so many cute furniture and vintage stores. M and I popped into two of them, both located at 1114 Queen Street East. The shop on the upper level is called "Arts Market". I could have spent hours in there browsing all the hidden gems.
Typewriter? Globe? Teacup? Check on all three.
The lower level is taken up by Pied-a-Terre, voted best vintage furniture store by NOW magazine for 2015. I couldn't afford any of the furniture, but M and I got served free hot apple cider and were convinced to buy the spice mix for it.
We found an assortment of live Christmas Wreaths just down the street.
Our last stop of the day was te aro, a cafe that exclusively serves Pilot Coffee. They're dedicated to providing the finest coffee while still being Direct and Fair trade.
Their chocolate chip and sea salt cookies are super yummy too.
Leslieville is a bit of a hop skip and a jump. There's no subway stop in the vicinity, so you'll have to take a ride on the Queen streetcar or take a bus down from Bloor. But once you finally make, it's a neighbourhood full of surprises, delicious food, and unique stores.
