rev:text
| - Barbie never sang many songs at Karaoke, but I heard Ken-sing-tons of them. He wasn't very good though, but when he took his shirt off, people didn't care. Speaking of not caring, a lot of the regulars at Kensington outdoor market (which is more like a really cool area of shops and food than an actual market) spend a lot of money and time trying to look like they don't care.
What to do: a fish taco from Seven Lives, a Churro from Pancho's, a custard tart from Carousel and/or My Market Bakery, a crepe from Millie, and wander over to nearby Chinatown for literally the best dumplings you will ever have anywhere, at Dumpling House on Spadina.
I almost gave KM a 4 because the prices are shockingly high for most things, and a lot of the food is gentrified and homogenized and hipstery. But there are some real gems hidden in between (such as those named above), if you avoid the tourist traps and the crap. And every city should have areas like this, where people roam free and do whatever they feel like. The car with a garden growing in it - a peace & love VW Bug that would have been at home in the 60's - really sets the scene. Parking in this area is difficult but it's one of the coolest little areas in the city to walk around.
If you want a traditional food market, go over to St. Lawrence Market instead, but for something outdoor and completely different, give this place a look.
And whatever you do don't miss Dumpling House on Spadina (fried pork and chive).
Massive credit must go to the owners Kenny "Kensington" Rogers and Kenny "Kensington" Chesney for this market's existence. And the city of Toronto, which in some ways it Ken contradict, and in other ways, it Ken really typify.
|