Going in a different direction, I explored the St. Lawrence Market area with local historian Bruce Bell, which proved to be not only informative, but entertaining as we had access to places behind lock and key. Remnants of the original City Hall are all but hidden and the St. James Cathedral appeared to honor the royal family more than the holy one. Bell also shared little known stories like the fact that Toronto preserves its historical buildings, like St. Lawrence Hall, cherishing their beginnings while skyscrapers surround a bygone era. But the Market is not to be missed, not only for its historical significance, once fronting the lake, but also for the food selections which are inspiring: any fruit, vegetable, or meat prepared from makers around the world are here. Follow your nose to the lower level to find perfect loaves of fresh breads, and there’s also a history down below, remnants of a former jail. Just across the street, is the new North Market which is filled on weekends with fresh produce from local farmers. If you take the time to look closely, you can find bits and pieces of preserved history here as well. To top off this neighborhood visit, I dined al fresco at Bindia Indian Bistro. Here I enjoyed savory, complex, yet comforting food from the Northern part of the country. Everything was freshly prepared and cooked on traditional grills with exploding flavors, creating an unforgettable dining experience.
Bindia Indian Bistro
Casa Loma