When I think of food courts I most often think of weird basements or strange window-less areas of even some of my favourite malls in Toronto and the GTA. What doesn’t come to mind is an elevated dining experience (yes, above ground!) with light that streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows and overhead skylights, but this is exactly what I found when I walked up to the new First Canadian Place Food Terrace.
As you’ve likely already guessed, the new food terrace at First Canadian Place is not your average food court. In fact, the Pinterest-perfect Parisian cafe, bar and restaurant, Maman Toronto (which you may recognize from my feature in the Localist section of November FLARE or on BT Toronto not long ago), is set within the terrace to add a an incredibly chic element to the communal dining area.
From freshly made salads and baked goods to their espresso bar, and, well, actual bar, stepping inside Maman Toronto feels like nothing you’ve ever experienced at a food court; in fact, you don’t feel like you’re in a food court at all. However, upon ordering your Croque-Monsieur and Americano, you can simply step out of the cafe and continue to order from any number of vendors to satisfy even the pickiest, or hungriest of guests.
In this case, my boyfriend Josh and I really were the hungriest of guests when we visited the First Canadian Place Food Terrace for a late lunch this week. We decided to go all out and order anything and everything our hearts and bellies desired, because why the hell not? We certainly had the selection available to us!
What we ended up with was an indulgent feast for two that included a croissant with smoked salmon sandwich, fresh zucchini salad and mouth-watering chocolate chip cookie from Maman Toronto, a Cuban sandwich from Pumpernickel’s along with butter chicken, a samosa and pakora from Amaya Express. One thing I really do love about food courts in Toronto (and the food terrace at First Canadian Place is no exception) is that you can always eat from so many different cultures in one space and it really reflects the multi-cultural patchwork that makes up this city.
While we unfortunately couldn’t eat from each and every food vendor in one visit, you can also find Jimmy The Greek, Tim Hortons, Szechuan Express, Mucho Burrito, Mr Sub and Ruby Thai. A few exciting additions that will be opening soon include IQ x Greenhouse Juice Co., Five Guys Burgers and Supa Dim Sum and Noodle Bar. Of course you can also find the buzzy and recently opened Cactus Club just below.
Whether you work in the area or are just in need of a good nosh somewhere indoors with electrical outlets to re-charge your phone, right now there’s even more reason to make a point of visiting this food hub in the middle of the city. From November 30th to December 7th, the First Canadian Place Food Terrace will match 10% of all sales and donate the funds to the Community Food Centres of Canada, presenting them with a cheque on the afternoon of December 7th, 2015. Seriously, when was the last time eating at a food court helped you support a great cause?
I hope you will join me in discovering a new ‘elevated’ dining experience in the middle of Toronto, and choose to dine at the First Canadian Place Food Terrace between November 30th to December 7th or 2015 to help provide a hefty (and much-needed) cheque to the Community Food Centres of Canada.
Enjoy!!
xo
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