A couple weeks ago, I shared a post about the lovely windows at The Bay in downtown Toronto as well as the Eaton Centre across the street. At the time, I promised more of my jaunt around downtown Toronto, and here is the next one!
I had long heard about the famous St. Lawrence Market, but had never had the chance to visit. Finding myself in downtown Toronto on a Saturday during the holidays, I decided that this was my chance!
For anyone who hasn't heard, the St. Lawrence Market is one of the best markets in the world, and home to all sorts of fantastic products all year round! I wasn't sure how busy it would be, but most of the people there looked like regulars, and not tourists like me.
There was a fantastic meat selection, one that made me wish that I could have afforded it during the brief time we lived in Toronto!
Over on the right side, just to the left of the skewers is one of my personal favourite meats...Peameal Bacon! Or, as it is more accurately described these days "Cured Pork Loin Rolled in Cornmeal". We can't get it at an affordable price in Saskatchewan, so I miss it greatly :(
Of course, there was also a great selection of fish and seafood too!
Much to my surprise, there was a vendor whose sole product was "exotic" meats, ranging from mildly exotic buffalo to extremely exotic kanagaroo and camel!
After a quick bathroom break, where the drunken octopus coat hook wanted to fight me...
...I wandered outside, thinking I was done. I love the architecture and the sense of history down here. This is one of the oldest parts of Canada, and you can feel the history in the buildings around the market.
I turned around, looking for the direction I was intending to wander in, and I discovered that I'd only seen part of the market!
Yes, it is busy enough that they need police to direct traffic on market days year-round.
Now, this was closer to the farmer's markets that I was used to!
Lo and behold, though not to my surprise, I found that the St. Lawrence Market had been named the best market in the world by none other than National Geographic!
There was an abundance of fresh produce here, most of it likely purchased from the Toronto Food Terminal, one of the biggest wholesalers of fresh produce in the world!
Sadly, I couldn't buy anything to take with me, as there was no way it would have survived the 3 hour flight, so I had to leave empty handed. But, make no mistake...I'll be back...and next time I'll make sure to sample some of the wares!