Ask any chef about the 色色啦 food scene and they鈥檒l wax poetic about the merits of its uniquely diverse offerings. Egypt-born Monika Wahba, co-owner and chef at 惭补丑补鈥檚, may know this better than anyone. After immigrating to Canada in 2000 when she was just 10 years old, she says the cultural sights, smells and tastes of 色色啦 were irresistible. 鈥淚 remember the first neighbourhood I was exposed to as a child was Greektown,鈥 says Wahba. 鈥淲e never missed a chance to go to Taste of the Danforth.鈥
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Witnessing, and falling for, the city鈥檚 gastronomic expanses helped lead Wahba to open her east end institution, Maha’s. Serving up inventive Egyptian brunch for the last decade, her restaurant 鈥 named after Wahba鈥檚 mom and the home cooking that defined Wahba鈥檚 childhood 鈥 is a family dream realized. 鈥淢y brother Mark and I became really inspired by the idea of recreating our own 鈥楲ittle Egypt鈥 one day, and this inspiration was poured into 惭补丑补鈥檚,鈥 she says.
The coffee order
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, 807 Gerrard St. E.
鈥淚t鈥檚 hard for me to get coffee just anywhere since I am truly spoiled by my brother, but Alice Marie makes a mean cortado. They just opened up shop a couple of months ago and are quickly becoming an east-end favourite. Rachelle (Cornish) is an amazing baker and Aaron (Hubley) is a sandwich and salad master, plus they both love coffee, so really, it’s a match made in heaven.鈥
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The date night spot
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, 505 College St.
鈥淚 love the romantic atmosphere in this one-of-a-kind space. Their cocktails are perfect 鈥 my partner and I like to order four different ones and share. It鈥檚 hard not to order everything on the menu. I love the shrimp 脿 la planxa, and the croquettes are probably the best I鈥檝e ever had. Their kitchen bread is a must to soak up all the juices from the dishes.鈥
The new favourite
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, 597 College St.
鈥淥wned by my dear friends Martine and Jonathan (Bauer), Vinoteca Pompette does not miss. Chef Martine and I actually met on the TTC a couple of years ago and we bonded over owning restaurants. Truly everything on the menu at Vinoteca Pompette is scrumptious 鈥 particularly the seasonal squash ravioli dauphin茅 鈥 and the service is absolutely excellent.鈥
The divine dessert
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, 362 King St. E.
鈥淩oselle is owned by the most lovely couple, Stephanie (Duong) and Bruce (Lee). All of their desserts are incredibly hard to resist. Their Pumpkin Chiffon is perfectly airy and just oh so scrumptious.鈥
The breakfast place
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, 678 Queen St. E.
鈥淭he White Lily Diner is a humble little place with incredible house-made everything and wonderful produce from their farm. I always order the Southern Breakfast, which comes with two eggs, bacon, grits, gravy, fermented greens and a buttermilk biscuit.鈥
The next on her list
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, 3953 Jordan Rd., Jordan Station
鈥淩estaurant Pearl Morissette鈥擨鈥檝e been dying to go! The space looks incredible, the menu is ever changing and innovative, the farm looks like a dream come true and the people behind it are wonderful 鈥 need I say more?鈥
The easy dinner
,聽1280 Kennedy Rd.
鈥淧ho Vietnam in Scarborough is hands down my favourite Vietnamese spot in 色色啦. It鈥檚 relaxed and casual with very friendly service. I always order their classic shrimp and brisket cold rolls 鈥 which are truly unmatched 鈥 and P15, their pho with grilled chicken.鈥
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