For those of you who live in Toronto, you can understand the struggle of eating healthy and shopping for groceries. All too often I face the reality that it is “easier” to eat out or order in, and I know that I’m not the only one. We recently had the opportunity to visit McEwan at Toronto Dominion Centre (66 Wellington St.) located conveniently in the PATH. From coffee to groceries, salad to ready-to-eat hot table items, we’ve fallen in love with this latest location and have all the details on why you should visit today!
Pictured above are just a few items that I was able to pick up while visiting this 5500 square foot location that draws quite the crowd on a daily basis. From Piri Piri Chicken to premade fresh salads, Laura Slack chocolates to daily specials (this one being Wild Boar Bacon, Cheddar Cheese & Egg Crostini w/ Blueberry & Fig Butter. aka #FoodPorn)
I think what impressed me the most as Chef Mark McEwan gave us a personal tour (a treat that I am still smiling about) is that he spoke to the authenticity of food. Not only is his infamous hot table stocked with daily items including authentic dishes from (rotating regularly) Thailand, India, Pakistan and so much more… but this isn’t your everyday grocer. He encourages his staff who come from cities around the world to cook authentic dishes that they themselves grew up eating. Thanks to that, the hot table is a source of worldly inspiration and dishes that you transport you around the world in the very first bite.
As I’m sure you’ve all heard, the big name grocery stores are under scrutiny lately in the media for tampering with expiration dates and the freshness of their produce.
McEwan swears by the freshness of their products and makes a point of stocking only what is needed for the day on the shelves when it comes to in house made items. There is nothing fresher and to be honest, nothing more delicious, than the items that I got to try during our visit. And if it isn’t made in house, McEwan sources it out to local vendors and small mom & pop shops to do it right.
From their daily artisan baked goods to the fresh cold pressed juices (I got to try the Kale & Cashew smoothie for breakfast and LOVED it!) there’s nothing on the shelves that I wouldn’t personally buy and feed my family.
Leave it to me to be an HOUR early for my tour of @mcewanfoods’ #McEwanTD. Nothing a coffee & Kale Cashew smoothie can’t fix ☕ A photo posted by Daniel Desforges (@dothedaniel) on
The café serves over 700 units of Lavazza coffee and caffeinated goodies a day, and McEwan is located across from the busiest Starbucks location in the country. That says A LOT about the quality and consistency of the brand and the staff. Having just visited for the first time, I now know that I will be back regularly be it for groceries or a delicious meal throughout the day.
And Mark says this isn’t the last location either… stay tuned for future McEwan grocers popping up in neighbourhoods near you. Toronto is about evolution in my mind, and to me, this is the next evolution of what a grocer should be. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or just a quick snack… there’s something for everyone and so many levels that you can enjoy McEwan to suit your daily life.
Make sure to stop by the #McEwanTD location when you’re next in the downtown core to see what I mean. For more details on this amazing venture into a whole new food realm by Mark and his staff, check out the McEwan Foods website here.
To join in the social media conversation, make sure to follow @McEwanFoods on Twitter and Instagram. Use and follow the #McEwanTD hashtag to show us your favourite dish, grocery item and #foodporn moment. We can’t wait to see what you love most!
For more behind the scenes of this and other amazing brands we are working with around the world, make sure to follow along with the #DoTheDaniel Instagram account. We would love to have you come along on our daily adventures with us!
Photos: McEwan at Toronto Dominion Centre
Cheers!