I first discovered Corks this summer when I went for lunch with my friend Akash. I am so happy I took his recommendation. I was amazed by the location, value, execution, the food and beverage offerings, the servers..... I had a fresh 10 inch pizza and a pint of craft beer for ten dollars. Holy f--- thought I; got to tell people about this place, and I did! A month later I dragged my antique scout buddy Danny for some lunch at the new location on Laird Drive. He had the steak sandwich and I had the meat-lovers pizza and a can of Dennison's Wheat Beer. He loved it. Same great, food, value products and execution even nicer location. Our servers were kind and knowledgeable without being beer weenies. It is a open air loft overlooking the prepared food and produce areas Outstanding view of food preparation and the marsala like clientèle who appear to be actually enjoying themselves doing their groceries. Now I knew I had to write about this place and that I didn't have the resources to do it right. I called the Head Office to get more info; I was invited to a community meet and greet to explain and show off the new location; Sure and thank you very much. I decided to invite my good friend Kurt (the Chef at the Hot House). He accepted with some reticence ( something about a bad food experience for him and his son at Greek Restaurant I took them to). My buddy knows his stuff and I wanted to make sure my enthusiasm was rooted in reality. I could sense his scepticism start to disappear like a parka during a Chinook as soon as we walked in. I had to get him a name tag, a drink and to try some food .
Oh my relieve when I realized it wasn't the koolaid. He was impressed. Our hosts (though they didn't show it) were more impressed with him than me. His latent food snob only appeared to remind me twice that we weren't trying Roast Beef but Canadian Prime Rib and did I realize how rare it was. Perhaps part of my brain had disappeared in beef saturated seratonins the same way the Prime Rib (lightly covered with house seasoning) had melted in my mouth. Having lived in Alberta for over a decade had taught me a thing or two about beef, but when your guest is a tall chef with a firm English accent you suck it up.
Our hosts were a wonderful combination of quiet confidence, pride, knowledge, listening skills and effective communication. The food snob in me thought we were smartest foodies in the house and consequently were getting special treatment (NOT). Anthony Longo gave a few minute talk that was full of generosity and props for the team that built and runs the operation; while paying homage to Longo`s history and deep roots in Toronto and the 905. His delivery was awesome in it`naive sincerity. Sharing pride, offering service, a passion for food and most importantly; listening. My bullshit meter was comatose; these folks were inspiring me.
Now I was shaken by the knowledge that I was lacking the skills to explain what this place is about in it`s complexity and diverse offerings. My fear and clumsiness have subsided, my lack of talent remains the same.
Boy oh boy how I like this place.
HERE GOES
Location
Growing up in Winnipeg in the 60`s and 70`s made me a huge fan of Edwardian and Victorian commercial architecture and any attempts made to save, reuse and revitalize it. They had me before I walked in the door.
Here`s how it looked before
And Now
Lot`s of parking. TTC by Laird Bus from Eglington or Donlands station. Not the greatest frequency of service Straight North on Bayview from Downtown. The location is a old manufactoring area that is being reinvented as a mixed comercial residential. To the East; the new Canadian vibrancy of Thorncliffe Park. To the West; staid leafy Leaside once the biggest WASP nest in Toronto. Leaside is now becoming as diverse as any older, very wealthy area can be.
Taken from Global Toronto;`
TORONTO - A Leaside landmark once home to a service shop for steam locomotives is now a bustling Longo's food market.
"To take this 40 foot high ceiling and turn it into a magnificent marketplace for food lovers, we're really excited to open it up to the City of Toronto," said Longo's CEO Anthony Longo.
The 48,000 square foot supermarket is Longo's 25th to open in the Greater Toronto Area.
The former Canadian Northern Railway Easter Lines Locomotive Shop built in 1919 is a heritage building Longo's designers wanted to maintain as its centerpiece.
"While preserving its heritage, the Longo's team looks forward to bringing our passion for food, unrivalled expertise and reputation for outstanding quality, service and value to the Leaside community," said Longo.
In addition to the vintage look, the new store also houses a casual dining restaurant, coffee shop, cooking school, pharmacy, and its first ever veggie bar.
I think the huge lighting fixtures bring down the ceiling without obstructing the view. They should win a awar read more